normalcy; normality; normal
trio; gang of three; threesome
to examine; to look up; to investigate; to check up; to sense; to study
unmanned; uninhabited; unattended; shorthandedness; lack of help
in a sense; in some way; to an extent
dangerous; risky; in danger; in jeopardy; uncertain; unreliable
burned down; entirely destroyed
inexpert or untrained eyes
to burn; to scorch; to char; to singe
to be scattered about; to disperse; to be littered (with)
notice; attention; observation
one mountain; pile (of something); heap; hump; worst part; large profit
evening; last night; yesterday evening
load; baggage; cargo; burden; responsibility
to gather up; to scrape up together; to rake
here and there; in places
new; neo-; newness; novelty; Gregorian calendar; Xin dynasty (China, 9-23 CE)
official post; regular post; principal post (as opposed to secondary post); I (of someone in government or the civil service)
small piece; fragment; bit
to adhere to; to stick to; to keep close to; to go along with; to get involved with; to be thick with
muscle; tendon; vein; artery; fiber; fibre; line
erratic; offbeat; wild; extraordinary
trace; tracks; site; remains; scar
to follow (road); to pursue (course); to follow up; to follow (hyperlink)
side; flank; profile; aspect; dimension
wherein; therein; thereinto
to spill; to fall out of; to peek through; to become visible (although normally not); to escape (of a smile, tear, etc.)
to screw; to twist; to distort; to parody; to torture; to wrest
kerosene; paraffin; lamp oil
to scatter; to sprinkle; to distribute (handbills, etc.); to spread (rumours, etc.); to give the slip; to throw off
water; liquid; fluid; moisture; humidity; sap
to dash against (of waves); to billow; to roll; to wave (e.g. in the wind); to heave; to pound (of a heart)
to hang; to droop; to give (e.g. lesson, instruction, scolding) (to someone of lower status); to confer; to drip; to ooze; to leave behind (at death)
ruins of a fire; fire-devastated area
argument; discussion; dispute; controversy