From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg, Vocabulary List Chapters 4-6

an act of collecting or gathering

As Claudia’s pace slowed down from what she was sure was an accumulation of carbon dioxide in her system...

something gained especially through effort

Officials of the Metropolitan Museum of Art report that 100,000 people climbed the great stairway to catch a glimpse of one of its newest acquisitions, a twenty-four-inch statue called “Angel.”

the feeling of no longer having any hope

He figured that Claudia would soon give up in despair.

showing or causing unhappiness or sad feelings : not warm, cheerful, etc.

When all was done, they were disappointed; all of it looked dismally gray.

to fear something that will or might happen

Claudia always dreaded that brief moment when her pajamas were shed and her underwear was not yet on.

the quality or state of not thinking you are better than other people : the quality or state of being humble

...; but Michelangelo had humbled her, and humility was not an emotion with which she felt comfortable; she was irritable.

not very easy to see or notice : not conspicuous

“Don’t you realize that we must try to be inconspicuous?” she demanded of her brother.

to make (someone) want to know more about something : to cause (someone) to become interested

(...The mystery only intrigued her; the magic trapped her.)

not very good

Others considered it a gigantic hodgepodge of the great and the mediocre.

very strange or unusual : surprising or shocking

Jamie considered learning something every day outrageous.

full of danger

“Manning their stations” meant climbing back into the booths and waiting during the perilous time when the museum was open to the staff but not to visitors.

to cause (someone) to do something by asking, arguing, or giving reasons

Claudia next suggested a real sit-down restaurant with tablecloths on the tables and waiters to serve you. Jamie said “NO” with such force that Claudia didn’t try to persuade him.

complete and total

The guard from friendliness, helpfulness or, perhaps, sheer loneliness (very few people had entered through his door that day) asked Jamie what he thought of it.

to speak with many pauses and repetitions because you have a speech problem or because you are very nervous, frightened, etc.

“Oh, I don’t know,” she stammered.

to a small degree

The only real difference between them was that the cat wore tiny golden earrings and looked a trifle less smug.

celebrating victory or success

They emerged from the bookshop feeling triumphant.