He had been cool downstairs, saying little in response to her awkward explanations.

The copper pot from the ship would be the very thing, but it was at Christian's house and not to be had without awkward explanations.

The one was still Ajah business, she hoped, while the other might require awkward explanations.

She couldn't return it to the Braminghams without awkward explanations, but she didn't want to keep it, either.

To leave at once, before we moved in, would save awkward explanations.

"I must take a woman to the temple," Enkidu said, finding the explanation awkward.

If I was wrong, I was going to have some awkward explanations to make, but that decision is one I made long ago.

"Then there would be no need for awkward explanations."

I suppose I could have crept back and said nothing, thus avoiding awkward explanations.

"It would have required awkward explanations," was all he'd say.