Nancy, Undaunted

In the classic television series, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Mary Richards is told by her employer, Lou Grant, that she’s got spunk.  He proceeds to add: “I hate spunk!”  

In The Hidden Staircase, Nancy has a memorable encounter with an owl that has been let into a “haunted” house.  When Rosemary, the daughter of their host, notes that “Owls have very sharp claws and beaks and they use them viciously on anybody who tries to disturb them,” Nancy insists, “I’ll stay here and try getting Mr. Owl out of the house.  Have you a pair of old heavy gloves?”  A few moments later, Nancy’s “lightning movement” allows her to grab hold of the bird.  Undaunted by the pain caused by its pecking, she runs across the room with her captive, and releases it out the window.  “Operation Owl” was a success! 

Nancy Drew has spunk – and who except Lou Grant could hate that?