Instructions: Guess the words defined by the cryptic clues (answers vary in length from three to seven letters, and five are capitalized) then enter them in the grid one after another in the same order as their clues, starting in the upper left corner. Across words that don't end at the right continue on the next row, and down words that don't end at the bottom continue in the next column. Why the title? Thanks to Kevin Wald for test-solving and editing this puzzle. If you are having trouble printing these puzzles, you can download an Adobe Acrobat version of the puzzle and grid. [Want to see some hints?]

1. Note in writing gives assurance
2. Omit cover between ends
3. Day off Wednesday frolicking in country
4. Feed cat mixture without a bug
5. Garment ripped off
6. American Repertory Theatre production, for instance
7. Announcement of king's game
8. Question after fluid is found in container
9. State of alluvia initially found in deposit
10. Don't eat blubber covering head of salmon
11. Essentially putting fuel to work
12. Fool a shortstop
13. Each breakup is a pain
14. Eager to set a trend
15. Rene's withering expression of contempt
16. Calm stock exchange day
17. Humble majority around Delaware
18. Likewise in rural societies
19. A device to lift all, finally, at any time
20. Iron-containing pigment found in Ephemera
21. Dupe swaps $1000 for part; that's a drag
22. Travel bareback around island
23. Spoke about cubic root
24. Teller of tales has bird going back
25. One in tree is up in a losing position

1. Bird drops 500 meters in China to get nut
2. Outstanding street singer's range
3. Force opening of secret lock
4. Easygoing author left quietly
5. Class of accommodation having an upholstered couch
6. Coward embraces victor in fictional work
7. Demetrius has joined
8. Comedy without the essence of art is effrontery
9. I was first to go around an eatery
10. One half-buck image
11. Thin curve
12. Grab a seat with a bottom
13. Hydrogen in an excited state disappears after a while
14. Cut part of mold is red
15. A hideaway in Pine Street
16. 50 in change given up for second flower
17. Escorted a queen of Sparta
18. Potassium minerals are found in part of Asia
19. One who injures a mule is beaten with rod
20. Core men replacing Republican in question
21. Dad initiated break in trend
22. Salem's brew
23. A small number started canning jelly
24. Deft in a move to become resistant
25. Papa's left a small bag for a jeweled brooch