reform school
a penal institution
torrential
rapid and intense, usually referring to rain
unnerve
to frighten or discourage
mulish
stubborn, like a mule
connoisseur
an expert; someone who is familiar with a certain subject or thing
transgression
an act of offense or crime
nightstick
a police officer's baton
pseudonym
a term to describe the alias or pen name, commonly used by authors
furtively
secretively
fastidious
attention to detail and accuracy
malinger
to fake an illness
scrounge
to obtain something, usually food or money, by asking others or finding it instead of buying it or working for it
scrawny
thin and boney
bumptious
self-important
piker
a person who only bets in small amounts
scepticism
doubtfulness
gregarious
enjoys the company of others, sociable
depredation
robbing or pillaging
disdain
scornfulness
flophouse
cheap housing or accommodation
