Answers to Cryptic Crossword Puzzle #2

Across

1. SUSAN S (south) + USA (country) + N (north) = girl
4. PORTLIEST shuffle letters of LOT into PRIEST = fattest
9. DELIGHT anagram of LIGHTED = joy
10. BRAVEST most courageous = BRA + VEST (two chest covers)
11. WHITE MEAT ITEM in WHEAT => WH(ITEM)EAT = turkey breast
12. DRIER anagram of RIDER = more thirsty)
13. LIPSTICK anagram of PICK LIST = cosmetic
14. DRAGON Puff (magic dragon); seem to take forever (drag on)
17. SPOOFS reversal of SF + OOPS = takeoffs
19. DEATH ROW DEA (narcs) + THROW (toss) = in prison awaiting execution
22. THEIR homophone of THERE (in that place) = belonging to those guys
23. OLD FLAMES former loves = OLD(F+LAME)S; F (loud, forte in music); LAME (metallic fabric) in OLDS (GM division)
24. AVERAGE mean = reversal of EVA (Mrs. Peron) + RAGE (anger)
25. PANDORA PANDA (native of China) holds OR = opens dreaded box
26. ALTIMETER pilot instrument = ALTER (change) about TIME
27. STEAD SAD about TE ('the' heartless) = place once held by another

Down

1. SIDEWALKS promenades = reversal of AWED in SILKS (jockey garb)
2. SELF-IMPROVEMENT ELF (sprite) + IMP (demon) + ROVE (gad about) + MEN in ST (street) = getting better
3. NEGLECT carlessness = anagram (at random) of SELECTING - IS
4. PATIENCE Job (Bible) quality = PACE (rate) about I (one) in TEN
5. REBATE REB (Confederate) + ATE (consumed) = kickback
6. LEANDER Hero's (mythology) lover = AND in LEER (lustful look)
7. EVENING PRIMROSE EVENING (squaring) PRIM (straight-laced) + ROSE (got up) = bloomer at night
8. TUTOR TUT (Egyptian king) + OR = teacher
15. NEWSSTAND NEW (novel) + SST (supersonic transport) + AND = periodical booth
16. FELDSPAR common mineral = anagram (confused) of FRED + PALS
18. FIREARM gun = FIRM (company) holding EAR (sound organ)
20. TALENTS TALES (stories) about NT (New Testament) = skills
21. HONEST ethical = hidden in oatH ONE STates
22. TIARA crown = reversal (is rising) of A + RA (sun god) + IT