Fish, I am confused - and some posts in t'other Swiftlies thread confused me, too.

I thought the point of the exercise was that the adverb didn't necessarily convey the meaning of what Tom said? so to my mind, a better sentence for

"ylevitcelfer, moT dias" said Tom, reflectively.

would be something like

"This mirror needs a good cleaning," said Tom, reflectively.

Or am I way out to lunch? For presently, I would have had something like, "Aunt Mae gave me socks for Christmas again," said Tom presently.

"Will someone please help my poor fuddled brain out here?" said Mary, mentally.

Let us go in peace to love and serve the board.