nape the back of the neck.
macadam small, broken stones, mixed with tar, and used in making roads.
Cutty Sark the name brand of a blended scotch liquor.
the gold Longines obviously, an heirloom from Milkman's father. Longines were very expensive, very elegant watches, dating back to the nineteenth century.
Western Union a communications company best known for its telegraph division. In 1861, the company completed the first transcontinental telegraph line in the United States.
A.M.E. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Incorporated in New York in 1801, the A.M.E. Zion Church is the oldest black church in the United States. In 1821, the church was formally founded and held its first annual conference. Its worship services generally incorporate traditional African and Afro-centric elements.
cane-bottomed chair a chair whose seat is made of interweaving cane, a strong but flexible stem from certain reed plants.
Philly Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Armistice Day November 11 of every year; originally celebrated in the United States to commemorate the United States' signing the armistice that ended World War I, today it is part of Veterans Day, which honors all veterans of the armed forces.
rheumy mucous-covered; filmy.
hip-roofed barn a barn whose roof and sides slope out outward.
mellifluent sweet-sounding.
AKC American Kennel Club, the premier organization of dog breeders in the United States.
Weimaraners a breed of hunting dog developed in the former German Republic of Weimar, which was dissolved in 1933 after Hitler became chancellor.
coiffure hairstyle.
celluloid a colorless material used to make photographic film.
stile generally, a set of steps used for crossing a fence or wall.
muslin a sturdy cotton fabric.
brocade a heavy fabric with a raised design.
Shirley Temple Adored by American film audiences, Shirley Temple, with her hallmark dimples, corkscrew golden curls, and twinkling blue eyes, was the highest-paid child actress of the 1930s and early 1940s.
Wells Fargo founded in 1852, originally an express-service and banking company noted for its overland mail and stagecoach business. Today, the company is a successful banking conglomerate.
