He looked in at his own door; the furniture seemed stiffer than usual and the tick of the clock more deliberate.
"At Sunwich Port, Complete"
W.W. Jacobs
Four or five months later the roots will be so well established in the stiffer soil that if lifted carefully each plant may be secured with a ball of earth about its roots, placed in a tray or basket, and in this way carried intact to the field.
"Cacao Culture in the Philippines"
William S. Lyon
At the same time I saw the caterpillar shrink himself together and stick his spines out stiffer than ever.
"A Little Brother to the Bear and other Animal Stories"
William Long