old; former; the old; old things; old times; bygone days
to rest one's chin in one's hands
to pull; to draw; to string (lines); to run (cable); to pull towards oneself (e.g. someone's sleeve); to drag; to haul
to see to it that ...; to make sure that ...; to try to ...; to make an effort to ...
always; all the time; never; usual; regular
triumphant; exultant; in high and proud spirits
unrelated; irrelevant; unconcerned; unconnected
to split finely; to splinter; to get frayed; to become irritable; to feel on edge
to be moreish; to have a quality that encourages you to eat (drink) more of them after; to have lingering effects
sharp (words); harsh (manner, tone, etc.); hostile (mood, attitude, etc.); spiky; prickly; jagged
now (when it is already much too late); at this stage; afresh; anew; again
honest; frank; candid; honestly; frankly
blunt; to the point; direct; outspoken; frank
cold (to the touch); chilly; icy; (emotionally) cold; coldhearted; unfeeling
shortcut; taking a shortcut; (keyboard) shortcut; short-cut hairstyle for women
to associate with; to keep company with; to go out with; to go along with; to follow someone's lead; to accompany someone
older sister; elder sister; young lady; miss; ma'am; older girl
uninterested; unconcerned; plain; light; flowing gently
natural disaster; cataclysm
end of a century (esp. 19th); fin-de-siècle; end of the world (esp. in fiction); apocalypse
invasion; raid; attack; visitation (of a calamity)
to defend oneself; to protect oneself
art; technique; means; way; stratagem; artifice
to learn; to acquire knowledge; to carry; to wear (clothes, etc.); to put on
concrete; definite; specific; material; substantial
knowledge (of a skill, art, etc.); proficiency; essentials; know-how; preparedness; readiness
to discuss; to talk together
unrelated; irrelevant; unconcerned; unconnected
awfully; frightfully; desperately; violently; unduly; extremely
rebellious phase; rebellious age
activity (of a person, organization, animal, volcano, etc.); action; operation; moving picture
query; interrogation; enquiry; question; inquiry
deputy director; assistant director; vice director; deputy general manager; assistant general manager; vice (general) manager
chestnut-color; chestnut-colour
impressive; striking; memorable; impactful
audience (with a person of high standing); diameter of a tree trunk at eye level
author; writer; novelist; artist
before; prior to; ago; the past; before; previously