painter; artist; drawing pictures; doodling; painting
retiring from military service
now that; since; so long as; because
old family; old-established family; one's old home; one's childhood home
to shed tears; to (begin to) cry
to become blunt; to grow dull; to become less capable; to weaken; to falter
book; volume; this; present; main; head
journal; magazine; periodical
girl; daughter; baby girl; young woman
the very start; the very beginning
artists' world; painting circles
mass-market newspaper; tabloid newspaper
cum (e.g. bedroom-cum-study); holding both roles (e.g. Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs); and; in addition; concurrently; at the same time
story; tale; narrative; account; fable; legend
outline; main points; generally; on the whole; general; rough
great difference; major mistake
ambition; aspiration; sinister designs; treachery
guardian; protector; patron; parent
tone (of voice); manner of talking
head of a ward; mayor of a ward; chief administrator of a ward
to be sullen; to be offended; to be huffy; to be stuffy; to be stifling; to be muggy
to remove; to eliminate; to eradicate; to exclude; to except
to open one's heart; to throw off reserve; to be frank
performance (at a party or banquet, etc.); side show; entertainment
to be added to; to be appended; to join in (e.g. a group of friends); to participate; to increase (e.g. heat); to gain in (e.g. influence)
wholly (due to); entirely; solely; earnestly; intently; sincerely
to become famous; to go out into the world; to make one's way in the world; to appear
(not) anyone; (not) a single person; no one; nobody
to lend a hand; to give a hand; to help; to extend a helping hand
future; prospects; outlook; journey ahead; distance yet to cover
had better ...; had better not ...
to warp; to curve; to arch; to bend backward (body or body part, e.g. fingers)
alluring words; endearing words; sugared words; sweet words; honeyed words; flattery
to gather; to crowd round; to sponge (off someone); to scrounge; to extort; to take (money) through intimidation
to be peevish; to sulk; to pout
supplication; appeal; entreaty; petition
pitch; tone; time; tempo; mood; tendency
at once; immediately; without delay; promptly
effect; effectiveness; efficacy; effects (e.g. sound effects, visual effects, special effects)
then; in that case; considering; if that is the case; if so
apartment building; housing complex