Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry Chapters 12-17

to change for the better : IMPROVE

"Well, it's probably nothing important," Thomas amended.

final decision reached by reasoning

And the answer seemed to be the conclusion they had reached: they were artists, the three of them.

to detect with the eyes : distinguish

His expression was hard to discern, but his voice was firm and certain."

feeling doubt

"Cats?" Thomas repeated dubiously.

a person who starts a business and is willing to risk loss in order to make money

No wonder Matt had become such a clever manipulator and entrepreneur.

filled with energy and enthusiasm

As if in response, they heard the tap-tapping of the dog's feet in the corridor; then Branch appeared in the doorway, his head cocked, ears up, bent tail wagging exuberantly.

to become worse as time passes

But it was darker here, with the threes thick overhead, and festering with dampness and an odor of ill health.

having a strong, unpleasant smell

The fetid air still hung humid.

done in a sneaky or sly manner

Furtively, Marlena confided, "I heard that them songs was full of knowledges."

very thin and bony (as from illness or hunger)

Being the fluttering wet leaves a gaunt-face woman was holding a tyke in her arms and looking out.

unnatural in an odd or ugly way

Kira stared in dismay at his grotesque but accurate imitation of death.

going on and on : not stopping or letting up

In some ways it was similar to the place that Kira had called home: the small cotts, close together; the incessant wailing of infants.

a change in the pitch of a person's voice

The voice and the inflection of the words — though the words themselves were not clear — sounded familiar to Kira.

easily and quickly learned or understood

She leaned down toward the little girl, intuitively.

of or belonging to an early stage of development

They came to a foul-smell stream and crossed it by a slippery, primitive bridge of logs.

to examine very closely

His voice was courteous and friendly as together they scrutinized the folds of the outstretched robe.

the quality or state of being calm and peaceful

But the sections of serenity were exquisite.

showing that you know a secret

Matt was too sly and too clever to respond.

comfort in times of sorrow or worry

As the door closed behind Jamison, she stroked the cloth, seeking its solace, but it seemed to withdraw from her touch, almost as if it were trying to warn her of something.

growing or living alone : not one of a group or cluster

If she had waited, Jamison could have found her, told her of the death, explained, and she would not feel so shocked and solitary.

very bad and dirty conditions

Kira, in Thomas's room, looked down through the window at the squalor of the village and listened to its chaotic din as workers in the various sheds finished their last chores.

not sociable : SULKY

The men sullen and edgy, the women complaining loudly because weather kept them from their usual chores.

feeling or showing a quiet longing especially for something in the past

"It's better than anything she ever had," Kira murmured, remembering Annabella wistfully.

showing both amusement and a feeling of being tired, annoyed, etc

"The bathroom and the hot water," Kira said, with a wry smile.