Costly
by Kegler

A dozen answers become new words before entry.

Across 1 Fixate on ring Bess gets Sunday 6 Starting after first of January working at home? 11 Inquires nosily about despicable general’s perks 13 Former Secretary of State’s survey involving our group 15 Don eats Ann’s brand of yogurt 17 Fulminate against providing drink 18 Son insinuating desire did not exist 19 Stories of general breaking alphanumeric display components 21 Hurt most unusual rodents 23 Discussed minor problem with certain fabric 24 Chilled, a mud wren shivers 26 Moving in a mass of loot, including trimmed ermine 27 Coffee servers initially upset nurses 28 Claims a shelf is mentioned 31 That girl’s beginning to bother Ginger, among others 32 Unfluctuating feature of muzzle velocity 34 Confederate general carries gun for ambassador 36 One hands out cards with goals 37 Believes in supporting device holding ton 39 Margaret and Susan nearly backing a horse that really took off? 40 Tightens up verb forms 41 Retro gym ran a mortuary section for centurions, et al. (2 wds)

Down 1 C in C enthralled by brief opportunities to use power unjustly 2 Pal Rob freaks out 3 Tied actress Campbell up 4 Tell the authorities about one lieutenant adding dirt to a riverbed 5 Element of exotic isle menu 6 On the way back, spots unsatisfactory stamp found on some meat (acronym) 7 Father and staff upset former airline 8 Multitudes of African predators consuming half of eggs 9 Net near to fancy aquarium fish (2 wds) 10 Tabloid recalled NY baseball team receiving new attire 12 Unfavorable criticism about wife, a potential queen? 14 Just passing soldier wearing small shoe 16 Awareness of policy expert turned up large advantage 20 Speak with difficulty about Republican braggart 22 Towels off baby birds 24 Experience shifting ground around start of earthquake 25 Ed’s busy working with composer Claude 28 Chicken Little, having wings, is in Montana 29 Closes up aquatic animals 30 Rightfully, girl admitted to wild yell 33 Described haughty streak 34 Poisonous snakes beheading stinging insects 35 Sticky stuff found around a U.S. territory 38 Fanatic raised alcoholic container

Solution