Curtailed again, and I name one of Italy's chief rivers.
Answer: Copper, Pope, Poe, Po.
Sufficient examples of puzzles of this nature will have been given to show that very many of the words of every-day use may be made to serve for Retailings.
Still another form of the word puzzle known as Retailings consists in choosing some word which, upon the addition of one or more letters at the end, will make one or more different words of distinct meanings, as in the following examples:—
I am often heard in parliamentary debates. Retail me, and I am the seat of all affections and passions; retail me again, and I am your near neighbour when seated round the fireside.
Answer: Hear, heart, hearth.
I am a disagreeable noise. Retail me, and I help to express an agreeable sound; retail me again, and I am sullied and soiled.
Answer: Din, ding (ding, dong, the sound of bells), dingy.
I am an earl famous in Scottish story. Retail me, and I am used for manure; once more, and expect stormy weather.
Answer: Mar, marc (refuse of fruit and seeds from which the oil has been pressed), March.