All 3 Uses of
pretense
in
The Railway Children
- And she had to go down to tea and pretend that there was nothing the matter. The pretence was bravely made, but it wasn't very successful.
p. 197.3 *pretence = an appearance to help one pretendunconventional spelling: This is a British spelling. Americans use pretense.
- 'Passengers are forbidden to cross the line on any pretence,' murmured the foreman, doubtfully.†
p. 207.2unconventional spelling: This is a British spelling. Americans use pretense.
- Nor yet 'e ain't made no pretences,' said a third.†
p. 207.4unconventional spelling: This is the British spelling. Americans spell it pretenses.
Definition:
a false appearance or action to help one pretend
This is sometimes seen in the expression "false pretense" or "false pretenses" which is just emphasizing that behavior or actions do not reflect the true situation.