Each of thirteen clues contains a superfluous word. Initial letters of these words spell the first four words of a quotation (in ODQ), the rest of which is supplied by two unclued lights (one of which consists of two words); another unclued light is the author’s surname. Clues in italics consist of cryptic indications of partial answers; in each case, the indicated part is to do as stated by the start of the quotation to create the full answer to be entered in the grid. Definitions of resulting entries are supplied by the remaining unclued lights.
Across
1 Interesting stone in river (5)
9 Can treatment yet help broken blisters? (10)
11 Effective delay ordering litre (5)
12 Actor? Not he
14 Excellent working element (5)
15 One after start of gale in standard scarf (5)
16 Liberal in tense function backing recruit (6)
21 Exciting new cargo is packed with money (8)
22 Take in sailor
24 Old flier eyes earth, home base (4)
25 Trees, returning favour, I cut (4)
27 Fool pushes ideas, yielding grand promises (7)
33 Northern duck
35 Some problem loading merchant’s wheat (5)
37 Recluse before embracing issue (7)
38 Remark about very old theatre (5)
39 Louts scrambled into party greedily (10)
40 Attack record and leave one ruined (9)
41 Paragon, quietly noble (5)
Down
1 Knots disfigured the birch in intervals (13, two words)
2 Second in relative value (6)
4 String they twisted, binding settlement (6)
5 Keen about time in support (4)
6 Episode involving European against servitude (7)
7 Odd bits of hair near small bone (5)
8 Feast after evening turned damper (8)
10 Monarch’s child unsettled in sorry places (13, two words)
13 Field herbs in good lines growing on exposed ground (7)
17 In favour of dull layout (6)
18 Screen around unknown dresses (6)
20 Provide leading range (6)
23 Changing aim, officers...
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