proposal; proposition; suggestion
staying the night; lodging (at)
conclusion from reasoning, judgement or calculation based on something read or heard; reason; cause; meaning; circumstances; situation
birth; lineage; identity; background; provenance; origin
to parry; to sidestep; to dodge
abruptly; suddenly; all of a sudden; without warning
difficult to ...; hard to ...
to come together; to merge; to fit; to match; to be profitable; to be equitable
relationship; relation; terms (good, friendly, etc.)
mutually; with each other; reciprocally; together; both
to consist of; to be made up of; to be concluded (e.g. of an agreement); to hold true (e.g. of a theory); to be viable (of a business, lifestyle, etc.); to carry on
aloof; morose; stuck-up; smelling strongly of something; having a pungent smell
depository; storage area; storage location; storage site
preliminary arrangements; preparation; spadework; pre-cooking
preface; introduction; preamble
to look downwards; to lower one's eyes
to get angry; to snap; to blow one's top; to lose one's temper; to flip
very hard; with utmost effort; as hard as one can; with all one's might; for dear life; eagerly
creakingly; squeakingly; tightly (squeezing, pressing, etc.); (drinking) all in one sweep
to chew thoroughly; to bite (e.g. one's lip); to reflect upon; to digest
younger brother; little brother; brother-in-law (spouse's younger brother or younger sister's husband); (arch.) pupil; (arch.) apprentice
to shun; to avoid; to ostracize; to neglect; to distance oneself from; to give the hard shoulder
unexpected; unforeseen; inconceivable
even so; all the same; nevertheless; yes, but ...
to decrease (in size or number); to diminish; to abate
gap; space; break; interlude; chink (in one's armor, armour); chance
close (e.g. in terms of relationship); intimate
lady attendant; lady's maid; waiting maid
private tutor; coach; governess
frustrated (over a failure, humiliation or injustice); annoyed; chagrined; (bitterly) disappointed; bitter; vexed
challenge; defiance; dare; attempt; try
dull; uninteresting; insignificant; unimportant; absurd; foolish
to grow up; to become an adult
independence; self-reliance; independence (e.g. of a nation); freedom; separation; isolation