"Zane Grey - Betty Zane" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grey Zane)

"Wetzel is reckless, or rather, daring. His incomparable nerve carries him
safely through many dangers, where an ordinary man would have no show
whatever. Well, Betty, how are you?"

"Quite well," said the slender, dark-eyed girl who had just taken the seat
opposite the Colonel.

"Bessie, has my sister indulged in any shocking escapade in my absence? I
think that last trick of hers, when she gave a bucket of hard cider to that
poor tame bear, should last her a spell."

"No, for a wonder Elizabeth has been very good. However, I do not attribute it
to any unusual change of temperament; simply the cold, wet weather. I
anticipate a catastrophe very shortly if she is kept indoors much longer."

"I have not had much opportunity to be anything but well behaved. If it rains
a few days more I shall become desperate. I want to ride my pony, roam the
woods, paddle my canoe, and enjoy myself," said Elizabeth.

"Well! Well! Betts, I knew it would be dull here for you, but you must not get
discouraged. You know you got here late last fall, and have not had any
pleasant weather yet. It is perfectly delightful in May and June. I can take
you to fields of wild white honeysuckle and May flowers and wild roses. I know
you love the woods, so be patient a little longer."

Elizabeth had been spoiled by her brothers--what girl would not have been by
five great big worshippers?--and any trivial thing gone wrong with her was a
serious matter to them. They were proud of her, and of her beauty and
accomplishments were never tired of talking. She had the dark hair and eyes so
characteristic of the Zanes; the same oval face and fine features: and added
to this was a certain softness of contour and a sweetness of expression which
made her face bewitching. But, in spite of that demure and innocent face, she
possessed a decided will of her own, and one very apt to be asserted; she was
mischievous; inclined to coquettishness, and more terrible than all she had a
fiery temper which could be aroused with the most surprising ease.

Colonel Zane was wont to say that his sister's accomplishments were
innumerable. After only a few months on the border she could prepare the flax
and weave a linsey dresscloth with admirable skill. Sometimes to humor Betty
the Colonel's wife would allow her to get the dinner, and she would do it in a
manner that pleased her brothers, and called forth golden praises from the
cook, old Sam's wife who had beer with the family twenty years. Betty sang in
the little church on Sundays; she organized and taught a Sunday school class;
she often beat Colonel Zane and Major McColloch at their favorite game of
checkers, which they had played together since they were knee high; in fact,
Betty did nearly everything well, from baking pies to painting the birch bark
walls of her room. But these things were insignificant in Colonel Zane's eyes.
If the Colonel were ever guilty of bragging it was about his sister's ability
in those acquirements demanding a true eye, a fleet foot, a strong arm and a