Saturday Evening Post crossword....

[askyourgran]

17d It is given as incentive to buy lavish present (4.4) F---/----
18d One on a spree had sweetened curds at all times (9) J-------R
23a Old charge about utensils' development (9) ------i-n
29a Well-bred fellow takes fish (7) -----L
31a Two men taking a lady (9) ------I-A
(The initial letters of the above 'across' clues depend on the answer to 17d)

I'm stuck, been looking at them too long. Thanks for your help.

[Prudie]

17 free gift?
18 junketeer

[Wharton]

29a genteel

[askyourgran]

Thanks prudie, I like the junketeer hadn't thought of that. and the Free Gift would make he 29a clue, Genteel. Thank you.

[askyourgran]

Thanks Wharton I didn't see your reply.

[Prudie]

So what does 23 and 31 start with if free gift is right ayg?

[TheWinner]

29a. GENT eel = Genteel

[TheWinner]

Sorry Wharton, missed your earlier answer, whilst trying to solve it!

[askyourgran]

23a (with the N from Junketeer) E----N-I-N
31a F---E-I-A (E from junketeer

[TheWinner]

31a. AL...BERT...TINA = Albertina ??????

[TheWinner]

oh, an F

Fred ERIC A = Frederica

[shooty]

this all looks to busy for me. one question at a time this hour of the day please : )

[Prudie]

Hi the winner you just beat me with Frederica

[Prudie]

Expansion

[askyourgran]

Brilliant, nearly there TheWinner,
I can't think of 23a except Extension don't know why though.
Ooops I've missed one clue out :
24d Long to include crib that's inflammatory (4.3) --N-/E-E

[TheWinner]

Pink Eye

[shooty]

WHAT ?

[TheWinner]

Hi Prudie.

[askyourgran]

Of course Prudie Expansion. that will make 24d begin with a letter P.

Sorry shooty, I left it a bit late to do one at a time and I'll be puzzling all night if I can't get them. :0)

[shooty]

sorry winner, didn't mean to come across like that. just don't understand ?

[askyourgran]

Great, Pink eye ..... got them all now, thank you each and every one for looking in. I enjoyed that.