or rather (say); or better (say); or perhaps I should say; or, how should I put it,...; I mean
to eat; to live; to make a living; to bite; to sting (as insects do); to tease; to torment
guy; fellow; chap; bastard; asshole; arsehole
may; might; perhaps; may be; possibly
rumour; rumor; report; hearsay; gossip; common talk
to worry about (someone's welfare or comfort); to feel anxious about; to have apprehensions of
brow; glabella; middle forehead; area between the eyebrows
to bear; to stand; to restrain; to control; to forgive; to put up with
older sister; elder sister
several minutes; a few minutes
forever; endlessly; on and on; meandering; wandering; winding
poor; pitiable; pathetic; pitiful
older sister; lass; young lady
childish; child-like; innocent; naive
interest (in something); curiosity (about something); zest (for)
to draw (attention, sympathy, etc.); to attract (e.g. interest)
to read the situation; to sense the mood
such ... as; or some such
nursemaid; nanny; babysitter; child-minding; babysitting
having one's hands full; not having any room to do more; at the limit
to go around; to return; to surround; to concern (usu. of disputes)
near-miss; just missing (each other)
now that; since; so long as; because
another thing; exception; special case
it seems so; that's what it looks like
opportunity; chance; folding; fold; small food box (wooden or cardboard); folding in ... (two, three, etc.); counter for folded items
to pass (by) each other; to brush past; to miss (meeting) each other; to fail to meet; to be at odds; to clash
parasol (esp. one carried in the hand); sunshade
close friend; bosom friend; buddy; crony; chum
weak (constitution); sickly; feeble; in poor health
shift; move; (work) shift; work schedule; gearshift; changing gears
I'm sorry; my apologies; excuse me; pardon me
being on duty; person on duty
proper; appropriate; due; suitable
to affect adversely; to have a negative influence (on)
quite capable of ...; could happen; not unlikely to
self-respect; prudence; not acting rashly; taking care of oneself; being careful with one's health
anyhow; in any case; at any rate; at best; at most