Who is Elizabeth from Short Story Masterpieces and what is their importance?

Elizabeth appears in the story, A Spinster's Tale. She is a thirteen-years-old, and she is filled with fear. Having recently dealt with the death of her mother, Elizabeth is still trying to face the world alone. Her father and brother, who are each caring and loving individuals, have a wild streak that Elizabeth is afraid of. Over the course of the story, she transfers these fears to a local drunken man, Mr. Speed. It is through Mr. Speed that Elizabeth learns to conquer her fears and subsequently take on her role as the woman of the house.