Of Mordent and ‘Quills’

In her theater review of “Quills” (“Penned Up for Use of a Pen,” Oct. 11), Laurie Winer misused the word “mordent.” “Mordent” means a melodic ornament in which a principal note is rapidly alternated with a note a half or full step below. “Mordant” means bitingly sarcastic--trenchant and incisive. Could it be she meant “Quills” had the possibility of a future musical?

BILL PUGSLEY

Hollywood