THEPRETENDERS

PRACTICALJOKEFilling a friend's car with balloons, e.g. POETICJUSTICEReward or punishment that may be ironic OLDWIVESTALESFoolish traditions GRANNYSQUARESPieces of crocheted fabric that make four-sided shapes ... or a hint to the theme words at 16a, 44a, 7d, and 41d: 2 wds. SEASONTOTASTESpring roll or summer sausage? SENSELESSNESSIdiocy ROLLINTOABALLArrive à la Cinderella? PRIMARYCOLORSThey can be mixed to make orange, green and purple APOSTLESPOONSPieces of silver handled by disciples? PUTINTHESHADETo eclipse MOTHEROFPEARLGround opal, the former material for shiny ornamentation SUNKINDESPAIRUtterly depressed HUGHMCDIARMIDScottish poet whose works include A Drunk Man Looks at the Thistle INCONSEQUENCEAs a result