crucially; with an authoritative command

willingness to believe or trust too readily

a false, malicious pulbication

pale, weak, strained

lacking liveliness

offensively self-assured or exercising unwarranted power

offensively self-assured or exercising unwarranted power

done in return

not believable; in a way that shows disbelief

having or showing little or no emotion

cannot be passed through

an indirect suggestion; hint

The gray sun-strained eyes looked back at me with polite __ curiosity.

"We heard you were engaged," said Tom.

"It's a __. I'm too poor," answered Nick.

"I'm crazy about him!" cried Myrtle __.