Get her attention - make Shirley look at or listen to
Proof - test of the truth; facts that show the truth
Apparently - in a way easy to see
According to - by
Observe - follow, act by
Obediently - following the rules
Reputation - way people think about you
Ambassador - an important person sent by one country to another

Custom - way of acting
Gesture - movement
Ebony - hard, black wood
Chopsticks - two small sticks used for eating in some Asian countries
Uniform - special clothes for school or work
Dainty - small
Fiery - like fire
Previous - earlier, one before
Commanded respect - made people do what she wanted
Dwarfed - was taller than

Trifle - a small or unimportant thing or item
Gurgling water - water making noise as it goes over rocks
Snuck - went very quietly so no one would see
Marbles - a game with small glass balls
Tacks - small, round candies that come on strips of paper
Tin foil - aluminum foil or wrap
Chips - potato chips or corm chips
Make up her mind - decide

Escapade - wild adventure
Shamed - lose respect, feel small
Lose face - lose respect, feel small
Tumbled - tossed and churned
Flinched - jumped back
Curiosity - need to know
Rewarded - gave a nice surprise to
Obviously - in a way easy to see

Trembling - shaking
Imagined - pictured in her mind
Quizzical - questioning