the end of the world; the world is beyond saving; there's no hope for the future; this degenerate age; what is this world coming to
(company) director; executive; top management; important post; role with heavy responsibilities
demon; devil; evil spirit; monster; goblin; apparition
very recently; in the very recent past
in the face of; in defiance of
chief seat; seat of honor; seat of honour; head of the table
grandfather; male senior-citizen
(present) head of a family
wrinkled; full of wrinkles
to receive permission; to leave (with someone's permission); to retire; to refuse; to beg off doing
disagreeable; unpleasant; adverse; unsympathetic
appearing and disappearing; slipping in and out of view
fairness; impartiality; justice; objectivity
to dress (oneself in); to attire oneself in; to adorn; to pretend; to feign; to affect
pleasant; agreeable; comfortable; refreshing
charge; cost; generation; age; era; a representative of; on behalf of
will; testament; last request
hero; heroine; Eroica Symphony (Beethoven, 1804); Heroic Polonaise (Chopin)
to take lessons in; to be taught; to learn (from a teacher); to study (under a teacher); to get training in
gathering; meeting; assembly; collection; attendance
attendance; presence; appearance
imitation; copy; make-believe; doing something in a way that only superficially resembles the real thing
suspension bridge; viaduct; temporary bridge; mediation; go-between
tasks; things to do; errand; business (to take care of); affairs; engagement
tolerant; generous; lenient; broad-minded; magnanimous
looking on; remaining a spectator
threshold (esp. one with grooves for sliding doors); sill
to step over; to step across; to stride over; to stretch over; to span; to bridge
to touch; to come in contact with; to receive (e.g. visitor); to attend to; to receive (news); to get; to encounter
to endeavor (endeavour); to try; to strive; to make an effort; to exert oneself; to be diligent
to accomplish; to fulfill; to carry out
playing at (something); game of make-believe; something done together
small amount; jot; nothing much; (to a) slight degree; wee bit
to change completely; to change suddenly
to be fascinated (by); to be captivated by; to be enchanted by; to gaze admiringly at; to watch in fascination
doddering; tottering; unsteady; shaky; decrepit; infirm
(period of) a year; during an era