apparition
a ghost or ghostlike image of a person
assert
state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully
attire
clothes, esp. fine or formal ones
boor
a rude, unmannerly person
celerity
swiftness of movement
chaffer
haggle about the terms of an agreement or price of something
come across
meet or find by chance
conflagration
an extensive fire that destroys a great deal of land or property
deem
regard or consider in a specified way
dire
extremely serious or urgent
engross
absorb all the attention or interest of
festoon
a chain or garland of flowers, leaves, or ribbons, hung in a curve as a decoration
gloomy
dark or poorly lit
huckster
a person who sells small items, either door-to-door or from a stall or small store
irremediable
impossible to cure or put right
lavish upon
bestow something in generous or extravagant quantities
matter-of-fact
practical
menace
a threat or danger
neckerchief
a square of cloth worn around the neck
penetrating
able to make a way through or into something
perceptive
having or showing sensitive insight
proprietor
the owner of a business
reverie
a state of being pleasantly lost in one's thoughts
rove
travel constantly without a fixed destination
thud
a dull, heavy sound, such as that made by an object falling to the ground
transparent
allowing light to pass through so that objects behind can be distinctly seen
truant
a student who stays away from school without leave or explanation
vexation
the state of being annoyed, frustrated, or worried
wondrous
inspiring a feeling of wonder or delight, marvelous
zeal
great energy or enthusiasm
