creakingly; squeakingly; tightly (squeezing, pressing, etc.); (drinking) all in one sweep
to get narrower; to contract
hard; solid; stiff; tight; strong; firm (not viscous or easily moved); safe
to shut one's eyes; to ignore; to pretend not to know; to die
to put oneself on guard; to stand ready; to square off
anticlimax; let-down; disappointment; loss of interest
town; block; downtown; main street; street; road
daytime; during the day; time from sunrise until sunset; diurnal period
adventure; venture; venture which is unlikely to succeed; risky attempt; danger
(United States of) America; United States; US; America (land mass); the Americas
back lane; byway; back street; unfair means; dishonest means
to hang low over (e.g. clouds); (arch.) to seclude oneself (behind screens, curtain, etc.)
toilet; restroom; bathroom; lavatory
overhead; above one's head; high in the sky
dark clouds; black clouds
to become damp; to become moist; to become wet; to lack energy; to be in a slump; to be in low spirits
one arm; one's right-hand man; one's right hand
skin; hide; rind; peel; shell; sheath
clothes (that one is wearing); wearing clothes
one's nature; one's feelings; plain; unadorned; mere; poor
explanation; commentary; exposition; elucidation
not the time for; not the place for; far from; anything but; ... is out of the question; ... isn't the word for it
the dead; ghost; person who is obsessed (with money, power, etc.); person with a blind lust (for)
to avoid (physical contact with); to avoid (situation); to ward off; to avert; to put aside; to move out of the way
demanding; difficult; strict
apron; apron (airport); apron (stage)
wearing nothing but an apron; being nude except for an apron
(I) will; (I) shall; let's; (I) wonder (if); might it be (that); hey
sound of wind rustling through a crack; wheezing
from one's side; from the side (of something); from someone unconnected; from someone uninvolved
barefoot; superior to (a professional, etc. in ability or achievement)
exactly as stated; verbatim