1. RECLUSE   obscurity   religious devotion   loner   one who exploits for gain   Hint Half-n-half Clue   2. QUANDARY   one who exploits for gain   former occupant of position   dilemma   plenitude   Half-n-half Clue   3. PROXIMITY   nearness   stinginess   scarcity   poverty   Half-n-half Clue   4. RECONCILIATION   nearness   bitterness   agreement   unsuspected danger   Half-n-half Clue   5. OBLIVION   showy display   bitterness   obscurity   former occupant of position   Half-n-half Clue   6. PESSIMISM   showy display   travesty   tendency to view life negatively   obscurity   Half-n-half Clue   7. REBUTTAL   nearness   response showing the contrary   rapid multiplication   bitterness   Half-n-half Clue