becoming a pupil (of); becoming an apprentice
immediately; right away; on the spot
secret trick; hidden method; trick of the trade; cheat (in a video game)
pretext; history; past; according to ...; ... says
dilapidated house; deserted house
vagrant; vagabond; drifter
half in doubt; half-convinced; dubious; incredulous
dead of night; shades of night; black of night
unknown; unidentified; unspecified
detached house; single house; single building; isolated house; house in isolated location
the grass; grassy place (esp. with long dense grass)
to be playful; to gambol; to be amused (with something); to flirt with
to rely on; to depend on; to count on; to turn to (for help)
to bend one's head slightly to one side; to look slightly doubtful
first meeting; first interview with
knowing; (an) acquaintance
given that ... it is only natural that ...; ... being the case, it is unavoidable that ...; (precisely) because ...; contrary to expectations ...
hitting the target; striking home; proving to be right; coming true; being on the mark
impertinent; saucy; cheeky; impudent; audacious; cocky
of course; certainly; naturally
to take offense (at); to take offence (at); to feel hurt (by)
once; one time; one round; one game; one bout; one heat
the strait gate (in the Bible); the narrow gate; high barrier (to enter a highly competitive school, company, etc.); difficult hurdle; difficulty
to assemble everything together; to do something as a group
proposal; offer; request; application
to refuse; to reject; to inform; to give notice; to ask leave; to excuse oneself (from)
unidentifiable; unidentified
to count on; to expect; to put confidence in; to trust in; to depend on
percussion; tapping; examining by percussion; sounding out (someone's intentions); making an approach (about)
request; favor; favour; reliance; dependence; trust
pupil; disciple; adherent; follower; apprentice; young person
not quite (right); not very good; somewhat (lacking)
to catch up (with); to draw level; to pull even; to be compensated; to make up for one's losses
start; commencement; beginning; initiation
master; teacher; stable master
to be taught; to learn; to take lessons in
to raise; to lift; to boost; to enhance
flan (baked tart with sweet or savoury filling in an open-topped pastry case); flan; crème caramel; caramel custard