A Wish in the Dark: Chapters 26–36

by Christina Soontornvat
In this fantasy novel inspired by both Les Misérables and Thai culture, Pong escapes from prison and must evade the warden's daughter.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–12, Chapters 13–25, Chapters 26–36, Chapters 37–49
35 words 36 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. fleeting
    lasting for a markedly brief time
    The vision was fleeting.
  2. fruitless
    unproductive of success
    She'd already spent several fruitless days searching, but she wouldn't give up.
  3. methodical
    characterized by orderliness
    She would stick to her plan of moving through the city methodically, neighborhood by neighborhood, scoping out the streets and canals.
  4. gritty
    representing life realistically, even when it is harsh, difficult, or unpleasant
    Out in the city, Nok wound her way from the quiet neighborhood of the gym into the gritty heart of downtown.
  5. billow
    rise up as if in waves
    Fish-flavored steam billowed out the open door on the first floor.
  6. scuttle
    move about or proceed hurriedly
    What a strange group they made: a broad-shouldered man with a neck like an ox, a small man with a broken nose and a scuttling swagger, and a woman wearing a man's jacket who tossed a tangerine peel over her shoulder.
  7. bearing
    the direction or path along which something moves or lies
    Confused, Pong twisted around and tried to get his bearings.
  8. skimp
    supply sparingly and with restricted quantities
    “Then you two should go back downstairs and see that the food gets doled out evenly. Keep an eye on that new cook and make sure he doesn’t skimp on filling the bowls.”
  9. reflexive
    without volition or conscious control
    Pong reflexively clamped his left arm down at his side.
  10. skeptical
    marked by or given to doubt
    Ampai raised one eyebrow, skeptical. “I've never noticed that before. Somkit, have you?”
  11. excursion
    a journey taken for pleasure
    Despite his desperation to escape, he loved the nightly excursions with Ampai.
  12. sparse
    not dense or plentiful
    Pong followed Ampai into the little shack. It was sparsely furnished but swept as clean as a monk's room.
  13. sheaf
    a package of several things tied together
    It was wrapped in a sheaf of money.
  14. dawdle
    hang or fall in movement, progress, development, etc.
    They had more work to do, but he dawdled, hanging back in the shadows of a side alley.
  15. saunter
    walk leisurely and with no apparent aim
    Ampai sauntered back toward him.
  16. dwindle
    become smaller or lose substance
    Nok couldn't help being cheap—her money supply was dwindling, and she needed to make it last.
  17. waft
    be driven or carried along, as by the air
    The stink of sewage, mixed with boat paint and machine grease, wafted up from the thick water.
  18. swindle
    deprive of by deceit
    That poor couple was going to get swindled if he didn't stop them.
  19. materialize
    come into being; become reality
    A soft rain began to fall as Nok arrived at the tall wooden gates. A guard materialized from the shadows.
  20. throttle
    a valve that regulates the supply of fuel to the engine
    “Sorry! Sorry!” said Pong, easing back on the throttle. He steered away from the papaya boat, overcorrecting and turning sideways in the canal.
  21. venture
    proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
    He turned the taxi boat south and cautiously ventured into the slower flow, staying close to the eastern bank.
  22. starboard
    located on the right side of a ship or aircraft
    The sudden zhum! of an orb motor closed in on them from the starboard side.
  23. tinny
    thin, metallic, and displeasing in sound
    “Stop and get your hands up!” demanded a voice, tinny and amplified by a loudspeaker.
  24. curt
    speaking in a terse, rude, or abrupt way
    "You aren't keeping him up," said the maid curtly.
  25. trellis
    latticework used to support climbing plants
    Jasmine hung from wooden trellises lining the walkway. Tiny Gold orbs the size of cherry pits sat nestled in the blossoms.
  26. austere
    severely simple
    It was so plain and austere, very different from most West Side houses, with their gaudy furniture and show-off decorations.
  27. gaudy
    tastelessly showy
    It was so plain and austere, very different from most West Side houses, with their gaudy furniture and show-off decorations.
  28. extravagant
    characterized by richness and abundance
    His strict and humble lifestyle made that story believable—after all, someone so powerful could easily have used that power to make himself extravagantly wealthy.
  29. incline
    lower or bend, as in a nod or bow
    He kept his eyes on hers and inclined his face slightly.
  30. abide by
    act in accordance with rules, commands, or wishes
    She had no money and no connections, but at least she abided by the law.
  31. vouch
    give personal assurance; guarantee
    "So you see, sir,” said Somkit in a voice sweet as palm sugar, "we were just testing that taxi out so we could fix the motor. Ask Officer Manit—he'll vouch for me.”
  32. gloat
    dwell on with satisfaction
    His first thought at seeing her was that she was there to gloat over his arrest.
  33. gingerly
    in a manner marked by extreme care or delicacy
    She sat with her left arm cradled gingerly against her stomach. Pong noticed a dark crust of blood stuck to her cheek that trailed from a gash on her temple.
  34. straggler
    someone who strays or falls behind
    If she was doing one last sweep to check for stragglers, she should come out at any moment.
  35. douse
    put out, as of a candle or a light
    The wind shifted, and the alley filled with clouds of gritty steam from the doused fires.
Created on Thu Dec 17 16:01:17 EST 2020 (updated Mon Jan 04 12:44:27 EST 2021)

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