(just) out of curiosity; (just) in order to satisfy one's curiosity; aimed chiefly at amusing; sensational (e.g. magazine)
towards; against; regarding; in contrast with
schoolgirl; female student
on a routine basis; regularly; habitually
belief; faith; adherence; espousal
to play a central role; to take a leading part
to draw near; to draw closer; to press (e.g. for an answer); to hound
to be late; to be delayed; to fall behind (in a race, one's studies, etc.); to lag behind; to be bereaved of; to be preceded by (someone) in death
to catch sight of; to come into view; to happen to see
frivolous; flippant; superficial; flattery; (insincere) compliments
look here; I say; well; I know what; I'll tell you what; just a minute
by the way; incidentally; sometimes; occasionally; precisely (at that time); exactly
photography; taking photographs
to give no leeway; to press (for an answer, etc.); to shower (questions on someone)
behavior; behaviour; conduct; entertainment; treat; feast
making no progress; getting nowhere; remaining unsettled
to push aside; to push one's way through
intrusion; bursting into; barging into; breaking into; forcing one's way into
cruel; hard-hearted; harsh; unkind
how; in what way; by what means
weak; weakly; feeble; frail; delicate; faint (voice, sunlight, etc.)
what little ... one has; tiny amount of; paltry
courage; bravery; valour; valor; nerve; boldness
considerably; fairly; quite; rather; pretty
pleasant; agreeable; comfortable; refreshing
knowing only too well; being fully aware of
meeting face-to-face; seeing in person; facing (each other); opposing (traffic, etc.); confronting
assistance; help; aid; support; reinforcement
to look out over; to survey (scene); to take an extensive view of
malicious; ill-tempered; unkind; mean; nasty
to relax one's efforts; to let up; to let one's guard down
doubt; misgivings; distrust; suspicion
having no plan; acting without a plan; acting impulsively
to come to a dead end; to come to a standstill; to reach a deadlock; to reach an impasse; to reach a stalemate
unexpected; unforeseen; inconceivable
bombshell announcement; bombshell statement
obvious; (as) clear as day; plain to see
notebook; memo pad; certificate; identification card
to flash (e.g. lightning); to flicker; to flutter (e.g. flag); to wave; to flash into one's mind (e.g. an idea); to come to one suddenly
dozens; scores of; decades
minute (unit of time); fun (one tenth of a monme, 5.787 grains)
to cross (legs or arms); to link (arms); to put together; to construct; to braid; to plait; to grapple