The tall woman and her short husband

gnarledbent; twisted. revertedto return to a former habit, practice, belief, condition, etc.: floutingto treat with disdain, scorn, or contempt; scoff at; mock: chortlingto chuckle gleefully. unvarnishedunfinished, as floors or furniture; not coated with or as if with varnish. ramroda strict disciplinarian; gesticulateto make or use gestures, especially in an animated or excited manner with or instead of speech. splutterto utter hastily and confusedly or incoherently; officiousintrusive, meddlesomeferretseek, prydeducereason by deductionindefatigabletireless, inexhaustibleincongruousodd, incompatibleformidableof discouraging or awesome strength, size, difficulty, etc.; intimidating: plausiblebelievabledeficiencythe amount lacked; a deficit. debunkeddisapprovedploddedto walk heavily or move laboriously; trudge: conjecturesguessesirrefutablethat cannot be refuted or disproved: microcosmminiature representationpreposterouscompletely contrary to nature, reason, or common sense; absurd; senseless; utterly foolish: manuscriptthe original text of an author’s work, handwritten or now usually typed, that is submitted to a publisher. dreadsto be reluctant to do, meet, or experience: placardto display placards on or in: heavingto raise or lift with effort or force; hoist: denunciationsan accusation of crime before a public prosecutor or tribunal. staggeredto walk, move, or stand unsteadily. scoundrelan unprincipled, dishonorable person; villain. smugcontentedly confident of one’s ability, brandishedto shake or wave, as a weapon; flourish: flummoxedconfusedprizingpryingclada simple past tense and past participle of clothe. appalledto fill or overcome with horror, consternation, or fear; dismay: cordiallycourteous and gracious; friendly; warm: zenithpeakgustohearty or keen enjoyment,