natural; reasonable; understandable
wild grasses; field grass; wildflowers
occasional; infrequent; rare
raising one's hand; show of hands (e.g. for a vote); salute
increasing the number of staff; hiring more people
(eating) heartily; energetically; vigorously; bulging (muscles); welling up (of strength, courage, etc.)
macaron (meringue-based sandwich cookie); French macaroon
to come of age; to become an adult; to become fully qualified; to stand on one's own
intelligence agency; intelligence bureau; Cabinet Intelligence Bureau (1940-1945)
prayer; grace (at meals); exorcism
establishment; opening; setting up; inauguration
proper; respectable; decent; honest
cares; ill feeling; reserve
to look downwards; to lower one's eyes
itemization (of expenses); the items; breakdown; classification
outside the city area; suburbs
good-natured; of good character
gushing forth; bursting out; (lit.) like breaking a dam
reading aloud; recitation
chief seat; seat of honor; seat of honour; head of the table
divine messenger; messenger of a god (esp. an animal messenger)
to arrange beforehand to tell the same story; to get the stories straight
scrap of cloth; odds and ends
sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera); Indian lotus; lotus; rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)
to come to like a lot; to fall in love
northwestern part; the northwest
smooth (skin, etc.); sleek; velvety; silky
wooden hammer; wooden mallet
manufacturing plant; production facility
whenever you want; any time you like
cookware; cooking utensil
to look young; to seem young