A String in the Harp: Chapters 14–19

by Nancy Bond
The Morgan family reunites in Wales for Christmas while still mourning the mother's sudden death a year ago. Inclement weather, uncomfortable accommodations, and strained relationships threaten the family's holiday, until the Morgans must work together to protect a valuable artifact — a harp key with unique properties.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1–2, Chapters 3–4, Chapters 5–9, Chapters 10–13, Chapters 14–19
15 words 1 learner

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. tankard
    a large drinking vessel with one handle
    Hanging from the beam above the bar was a collection of pewter tankards of different shapes and designs, dull with age, battered and scratched with use.
  2. disconcerted
    having self-possession upset; thrown into confusion
    Mr. Lord had been clearly disconcerted to find the local men really had hunted and killed a wolf in the hills above Talybont.
  3. hillock
    a small natural mound
    On their left, before they reached the trees, they passed a steep symmetrical hillock.
  4. deign
    do something that one considers to be below one's dignity
    Peter didn’t deign to answer.
  5. furtively
    in a secretive manner
    He glanced furtively at his jacket, hung over the back of a hall chair.
  6. oppressed
    burdened psychologically or mentally
    He was oppressed by an unexplained foreboding.
  7. foreboding
    a feeling of evil to come
    He was oppressed by an unexplained foreboding.
  8. roil
    be agitated
    As the third day broke, the wind rose and the sea roiled in fury.
  9. convalesce
    get over an illness or shock
    Peter’s cold settled in to run a normal, irritating course. He was quite content to spend a week quietly convalescing at Bryn Celyn.
  10. particularly
    specifically or especially distinguished from others
    There was a man in Ponterwyd Dai was particularly anxious to see called Howell Pritchard, who raised some of the finest rabbit dogs in the county.
  11. amiably
    in a friendly manner
    Gwilym and Rhian were arguing amiably about the best way up the mountain, which they referred to as a hill.
  12. clout
    special advantage or influence
    "...He has a lot of clout, you understand. "
  13. authority
    the power or right to give orders or make decisions
    "Dr. Owen knows all the right people, he’s got authority, and I’m going to look pretty foolish if it turns out he’s right. But that’s not important...."
  14. composedly
    in a self-collected or self-possessed manner
    “No, sir. That is, I don’t mind coming.” Peter returned the man’s gaze composedly.
  15. reluctance
    a certain degree of unwillingness
    I’m not quite clear why you feel such reluctance about coming forward with it, but I’m prepared to ignore that.
Created on Tue Feb 17 20:54:05 EST 2026 (updated Tue Jun 30 14:23:53 EDT 2026)

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