QC 2945 by Mara

This clue almost works both ways, with either “forged” or “is wrong” being anagram indicators. I think “is wrong” is better for the defintion, though.

Of all the words beginning with m that Mara could have chosen, why “moonstone”? Sometimes setters choices are very odd.

“The blue” is more often the sky, but this quote from George Eliot has it both ways:

Where one may float between blue and blue.
Daniel Deronda

Originally referring to a mercenary in the Middle Ages, although no usage from before that great glamoriser of the chivalric time: Walter Scott in Ivanhoe.

The first relates to colours of horses, where “chestnut” and “BAY” are used as nouns. My sources tell me they are not the same, the difference lies in the black areas such as the ears, mane, tail, and lower legs. Chestnut horses, on the other hand, lack any black hair, presenting a uniform coloration across their body.

It goes on to say “For horse enthusiasts and professionals alike, understanding these differences is crucial.”

Sharper eyes than mine (thanks, Lindsay) point out that it’s not actually an anagram : (IF FELL)* [unfortunate].

The “ruin” is the anagrist not the anagrind: see our Glossary if this makes no sense.

“factor” for an agent or a representative is not so common, but this is the original meaning, for example the Lord would send his factor to collect rents.

I struggled with justifying the “A”. But its meaning of “somewhat” always includes an A. And then for the second part, an “a” is needed in the answer to the question “Sweet is it?”.

19 cross-references NAME below, hence TITLE.

Although originally an ancient myth, only crops up in English in the early 19th century, notably by Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

I expect ex-choristers (like me) to query this. Although soprano and treble both sing the top line of choral music, sopranos are always female. Although in choirs “Treble” seems to always refer to boys whose voice hasn’t broken, the word treble is used for any of the highest ranges (eg treble recorder, treble clef).

So all sopranos are trebles (the reverse is not true), and in this clue that is what Mara needs.

This is the exclamation of surprise.

Other schools are available.

I blogged about HOME STRETCH last time, when the clue was RUN-IN. So I confidently entered it this time, but was a letter short.

Actually made from soft, natural fibers like horsehair: name comes from its resemblance to a fox’s tail, both in shape and texture.

The ones I saw on Amazon look just like the brush that goes with a Dustpan.

I looked this up and was surprised to see that it was a “drinking-vessel, formerly made of wooden staves and hooped”, just like a mini barrel (capacity 4 pints!)