"Blyton, Enid - The Five Find-Outers 15 - The Mystery of Banshee Towers 1.1" - читать интересную книгу автора (Blyton Enid)

"All right, Bets - you shan't spend lovely spring days in Museums or Norman Towers or Caves," said Fatty putting his arm round her. "But we might go and see Banshee Towers. You know why it's called that, don't you?"

Nobody knew. "Well," said Fatty, "a banshee means 'a woman of the fairies' - and it shrieks and wails when any misfortune or unhappiness comes to the family in whose house it lives."

"How very unpleasant," said Daisy, at once. "I'm very glad _my_ family doesn't own a banshee. I should be scared stiff. Does Banshee Towers own a banshee, then?"

"I suppose it did once, when the family lived in it," said Fatty. "But now that it's a museum - or a picture-gallery or something - I expect the banshee has retired!"

"I don't want to go to see Banshee Towers if the banshee still lives there," said Bets, decidedly. "So you'll have to find out, Fatty."

"I honestly shouldn't worry," said Fatty. "It would be a pity to let an old-time 'woman of the fairies' frighten you from seeing wonderful sea-pictures. And I believe they really _are_ wonderful!"

"Well, we'll make a few expeditions to show our parents that we really are not the lie-abeds they think we are," said Larry. "It should be rather fun, actually. We could picnic in these places - and I could use one of them for my holiday essay. It would be something to write about - especially the banshee howling. I hope it wails like anything when we're there!"

"I shan't go if it does," said Bets at once. "Hallo - who's that at the door? Golly, that loud knock made me jump!"

"Who's there?" demanded Fatty.

"It's me - Ern," said a well-known voice outside. "I've been sent to stay with my Uncle Theo - Mr Goon, you know - because one of my sisters has measles and I haven't had it - at least, Mum can't _remember_ me having it. Can I come in?"

"Of course I Come along in, Ern, we're all here," said Fatty, and opened the door. Ern stood there, shock-headed as ever and as plump as Fatty, grinning in delight to see his friends again. Buster at once made a great fuss of him.

"Coo, it's nice to see you all again," said Ern, sitting down on the floor and hugging the little Scottie. "I didn't want to come and stay with my uncle - I don't like him and he doesn't like me - but I don't mind putting up with him if you'll let me be with _you_ now and again. Any mysteries going?"

"Not so far, Ern," said Fatty. "Help yourself to the chocolate biscuits, but DON'T give Buster any. He's slimming."

"Luvaduck - is he really?" said Ern. "I must say he feels a bit solid-like. You look a bit balloony too. Fatty."

"Ern - please remember your manners," said Fatty, in a shocked voice. "You must _not_ refer to people as 'balloony'. You might easily get a smack on the nose."

"Oooh, I'm sorry, Fatty, _reeeely_ sorry," said Ern. "Maybe I'll pick up a few good manners now I'm with you again. I seem to lose them, like, at 'ome. Er - I mean HOME."

"It's good to see you, Ern," said Fatty. "We are planning to go on some interesting rambles - and you shall come with us, if you like - if your uncle will let you."

"Coo - I'd like that!" said Ern. "Well. Uncle says I've got to Turn To and Look Nippy, and Not Get Under His Feet, and Use my Loaf..."

"Your _loaf_?" said Bets, in surprise. "Do you have a loaf of bread of your own, then?"

"You don't know much, do you?" grinned Ern, so delighted to be with his old friend again that his eyes shone like stars. "Using your 'Loaf' means using your brains, see?"

"Ah yes," said Fatty, gravely. "Well if we all intend to go sight-seeing and learning about Banshees and Old Musical Instruments, and Roman Remains, we must ALL use our - er - loaves. Are we allowed any butter with them, Ern?"

But dear old Ern didn't see the joke, though the others roared in delight. Ern didn't mind. It was sheer happiness to him to be with Fatty, Bets, and the rest. They could pull his leg, correct him, laugh at him - they were his friends and he was theirs. Let them do whatever they liked, as long as he could be with them!



3 - BINGO - AND BUSTER!


It was fun to have Ern again. He enjoyed the company of the five friends so much, and entered into everything with the greatest delight. He sat listening intently as they went on discussing their plans for the next two or three weeks.