Possible Clues:

• Scrabble, for one
• Promise shown by plucky hangman, for example
• Scrabble or Boggle
• Promise pheasant and get the Scrabble!
• Dowager failed to secure marks in anagram competition, say
• Eg, charades
• Ghost, e.g.
• This is one way to go to school -- what a shame to have to accept it
• Hangman, for example
• Hangman, for one, willing to proceed after brief conversation