seam of joined boards; cross grain (of wood); thick card made from several sheets of washi paper
pebble; round stone; boulder
chime; bell (e.g. doorbell)
contrary to expectations; or so we thought, but ...
middle-age; middle age; midlife; one's middle years
with a friendly grin; smilingly
with trouble; at great pains; rare; valuable; kind; generous
sorry; excuse me; thank you
absence; being away from home; house-sitting; house-sitter; being left unattended to (of one's studies, etc.); neglecting
soon; shortly; nearly; almost
your house; your home; your husband; your organization; you
so; like that; that's right; indeed; let me see...
common reed (Phragmites australis)
mistaking one person for another; (case of) mistaken identity
dirt floor; room with dirt floor; pit (theater seating); parterre
viewing platform; observation deck; observation platform
call; visit; inquiry; enquiry; question
thank you for your hard work; I appreciate your efforts
large-hearted; generous; liberal; placid; composed; cool
to gulp down; to swallow deeply; to understand; to take in; to engulf; to swallow up
nevertheless; at any rate; even so; all things considered; be that as it may
rural area; countryside; the sticks; hometown
to listen repeatedly; to listen again; to ask a question in return; to ask again; to ask for a repeated explanation
or something; or something like that; or words to that effect; something or other
arrival; coming (e.g. something awaited); advent
to tell; to inform; to announce; to indicate; to signal; to mark
crown (of head); summit (of mountain); easy win for one; something received
handrail; railing; banister
to cut off; to lop off; to prune
one's heart's desire; one's dearest wish
another meeting; meeting again; reunion
to accomplish; to achieve; to carry out; to do ... completely; to do ... entirely
deep emotion; strong feelings
to indulge in; to give oneself up to; to be obsessed by; to be engrossed in; to be lost in; to be absorbed in