The text you provided comes from the novel The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. Here are some of the more difficult words and phrases explained in a straightforward way.
Key Words and Phrases
"Before you get the wrong idea" This phrase means, "Before you misunderstand my intentions or my reason for being here." The speaker, Allie, is trying to clarify that her reason for seeing Noah is more complex than simply wanting to rekindle their romance.
"Noah felt a sinking feeling in his stomach" This is an idiom that describes a feeling of dread, anxiety, or sadness. It's a physical sensation that often comes with the realization that something bad is about to happen.
"The air was suddenly rattled by the sharp cry of a raccoon" Here, "rattled" means the cry was so loud and sudden that it broke the silence and caused a disturbance, like shaking something loose. The cry of the raccoon startled both Allie and Noah.
"Barking gruffly" "Gruffly" means in a rough, low-pitched, and slightly unfriendly or harsh way. The dog, Clem, wasn't barking happily; her barks were a bit rough and abrupt.
"Stalling for time" This phrase means to deliberately delay or postpone something, usually by talking about something else. Allie is asking about the dog's leg to avoid having to tell Noah the real reason she came to see him.
"Small talk" This is a term for polite, light conversation about unimportant or everyday things. Noah is wondering why Allie is making small talk instead of getting to the point, which makes him more anxious.
"What she was holding back" This refers to the information Allie is keeping to herself, which she knows is important and needs to be said. Noah can sense that she has a secret she's not sharing with him.
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