to lessen; to decrease; to diminish
midsummer; height of summer
sultry; sweltering; stuffy; uncomfortably hot-looking (clothing, etc.); stuffy-looking
continually; continuously; incessantly; without interruption
late at night; at a late hour
older sister and younger brother
casual; unconcerned; nonchalant
houses and inhabitants; population
surely; clearly; without a doubt; in all probability; no matter how one slices it; no matter how one looks at it
to join together; to combine; to join up
to start; to start up; to embark on; to get going; to commence
to watch steadily; to stare
to guess; to conjecture; to surmise
vocal sound; tone of voice
to become tense; to be tightened; to become firm (e.g. body)
to substitute for; to stand in for; to fill in for
to question again; to repeat a question (esp. a problematic point, or to verify understanding); to repeat a query
to excuse oneself; to take one's leave; to resign (post); to quit; to decline; to turn down
to be in opposition; to be in private life
entering a room; studying under a Buddhist teacher
to beg forgiveness; to ask for someone's pardon; to ask for permission
surface; face (i.e. the visible side of an object); front (of a building, etc.); obverse side (i.e. "head") of a coin; outside; exterior; appearance
good handwriting; skillful penmanship; speedy writing; vigorous writing
to turn inside out; to turn the other way; to turn (something) over
minimum; lowest; minimal; least
thoughtless; inconsiderate; tasteless; cruel
to surprise; to frighten; to create a stir
to take pride in; to pride oneself; to be proud of
to leave (to someone, esp. after one's death); to bequeath
secrecy; confidentiality; privacy; one's circumstances (esp. fiscal)
to be absorbed in reading
many; numerous; various; large number of
news of someone's death; obituary
whim; vagary; capriciousness; eccentricity
honour; honor; dignity; prestige; reputation; appearances
to visit; to call on; to pay a visit to
appropriate; suitable; proper; fitting