I'm wonderfully fond of the little nig--nippers already.

I am--straight." The truth was that the position of this grave and still comely woman was ambiguous.

Neither Joseph nor his master called her by the name she had offered for their use.

Joseph compromised by the universal and elastic "Missis"; his master simply avoided all names.
Ambiguity is one of those intangible nothings that get into the atmosphere and have a trick of remaining there.

Marie seemed in some subtle way to pervade the atmosphere of Msala.