Weekend crossword

ACROSS

1 About to beg for a measure of liquor (4) 3 Showing priestly dignity? Not if I clap

madly (10)

9 Chubby editor made an abrupt choice

(7)

11 USSR’s sound people in a hurry (7) 12 Nonpareil, with awfully soft skin, I’d bet

(4, 2, 3, 4)

14 Cockney, perhaps, one preferring his

own company, a fellow stuck in (8) 15 She retorted, to some extent, to this (6) 17 Flap, needing permit for a piece of soap

(6)

19 Dismissed, given jobs in remote

settlements (8)

22 Prospects ideal, yet tense (6, 7) 24 Segregate one so tardy (7)

25 Confine within limits eastern resident

doctor (7)

26 Very small workman is on watch (64) 27 Bird living in eyrie before circling the

North (4)

DOWN

1 Brown’s skill? (10)

2 Encloses in mean dwellings — shame

about that (5, 2) 4 Former partners whose accounts are

suspect? (3, 5)

5 Drive and confidence evident around

hospital (6)

6 Jovial mood, if Steve gets tipsy on

whisky? (7, 6)

7 Leader left in church in Cheshire town

(7)

8 Hold out in final (4)

10 Pop the question at kiln, and invite

guests to raise glasses? (7, 1, 5) 13 Maker of garments that are hidden —

i.e. secret or disguised (10) 16 Commonsense shown with stick stuff

bubbling in pot (8)

18 Clown, revealing bare skin, having

nothing on (7)

20 One who guides a young ox, about to

climb (7)

21 Break, we hear, part of a gun (6) 23 Eastern land is topsyturvy in the

morning (4)