stiffly

adv

1. In a stiff manner.

   “'Twas Mr. Glennie who first moved to seek me; for when the second day came that I was not at school, he thought that I was ill, and went to my aunt's to ask how I did, as was his wont when any ailed. But Aunt Jane answered him stiffly that she could not say how I did.”

   “'Very well, Clara,' she said stiffly, 'but I shall also speak to your father.'”

   “It’s recited in schools across the US every day by students standing stiffly with their hands over their hearts.”