whittled

to shape by shaving or cutting off chips of wood with a knife

marvel

something that causes awe, surprise, or wonder

pondering

considering or thinking about carefully

trudged

to walk or march steadily with much effort

genuine

real

hideous

horrible ugly or disgusting

gingerly

very cautious or careful

cameo

a carved gem with the design higher than the background

gangly

long and thin

wither

to shrivel from moisture and/or sap

bedraggled

limp, soggy, or dirty from rain or mud

stingy

not generous or not giving as much as possible

ornery

difficult or irritating

parcel

a plot of land

merely

nothing more than

plague

a large number of destructive pests

suspicious

distrust

chipper

being in good health or spirits

hankering

to want something;

a constant desire

nuisance

an annoying or troublesome person or thing

rile

to make angry

muttered

to say complainingly or angrily; to grumble

influenza

a very contagious virus with fever, exhaustion, severe aches and pains, and inflammation of the respiratory tract

coax

to get or win by means of gentle urging or flattery

murmured

to say in a voice too low to be heard clearly