Both Uses of
pretext
in
Ethan Frome
- He knew that Zeena must be wondering why he did not offer to drive her to the Flats and let Jotham Powell take the lumber to Starkfield, and at first he could not think of a pretext for not doing so; then he said: "I'd take you over myself, only I've got to collect the cash for the lumber."†
Chpt 3
- Ethan made a pretext of getting up to replenish the stove, and when he returned to his seat he pushed it sideways that he might get a view of her profile and of the lamplight falling on her hands.†
Chpt 5 *
Definition:
-
(pretext) a false reason presented to hide the real reason for doing something