The official ledger labeled Augusta a malcontent and a suspected malingerer. (malcontent: grumbler, dissenter, agitator; malingerer: illness faker, shammer) An unsympathetic inspector had called her absence from work blameworthy. (unsympathetic: unfeeling, unkind, unresponsive; blameworthy: culpable, censurable, reprehensible) The secretary knew that a damaging claim could persist without a modicum of proof, particularly in a hamlet rife with old grievances. (persist: continue, persevere, endure; modicum: little, small measure, limited quantity; rife: prevalent, widespread, common)
At home Augusta was mending harness one-handed. An injury had left two fingers insensate, and cold caused an exacerbation of the stiffness. (insensate: numb, unfeeling, without sensation; exacerbation: aggravation, worsening, intensification) She could work indoors, but tending an outdoor hoist with a numb hand would endanger her crew. The second ledger listed vacant indoor posts.
Augusta took one and soon ran the repair room. The first book continued to baffle visitors: an old charge was still visible, struck through with one neat line. (baffle: perplex, puzzle, bewilder) Beside it the secretary had written where the evidence could be found.