F. Scott Fitzgerald's use in "The Great Gatsby" (1925) of such often criticized constructions as "said Tom coldly" and similar phrases with other verbs meaning "say" is not evidence that he is not the great stylist he is usually considered to be. The condemnation of adverbs and of synonyms for "say" is the problem, not the use of them. Today, preparing "The Lottery" (1948), by another great stylist, Shirley Jackson, I found more examples: Mr. Summers said cheerfully. Mr. Summers said soberly. Mrs. Dunbar said regretfully. He added petulantly. Old Man Warner said stoutly. Mr. Summers said gently. Bill Hutchinson said regretfully. Mr. Summers asked formally. Old Man Warner said clearly. (Andrew Shields, #111Words, 9 September 2026)