I fear that it's likely that; with all due respect
presumption; assumption; estimation
20 years old; (arch.) twenty
such ... as; or some such
veteran player; experienced player; veteran (at a job)
twelve; 12; queen (playing card)
counting backwards; calculating backwards; inverse operation; reverse operation
to shut oneself in (e.g. one's room); to be confined in; to be filled with (emotion, enthusiasm, etc.); to fill the room (of a gas, smell, etc.); to be heavy with (e.g. smoke); to be muffled (e.g. voice); to hold (a castle, fortress, etc.)
history of; experience of
direct connection; direct link
it does not mean that ...; I don't mean that ...; it is not the case that
working one's way up; self-made person; veteran
seeming; giving the appearance of; giving one the feeling of
detectable; noticeable; recognizable; observable
(approximate) time; around; suitable time (or condition); time of year; season
toddling; taking tottering steps
unreasonably stubborn; not knowing when to give up
oath; pledge; pact; covenant; alliance
dimension; perspective; point of reference; level (of something)
title (e.g. Doctor, Professor, Lord); job title; position (in a company); degree; status; rank
considerably; greatly; a lot
party to a contract; subscriber; policy owner (insurance)
absence; disregard; indifference
ignorance; innocence; stupidity
to hold one's tongue; to shut up
sigh (of grief, disappointment, etc.); grieving; lamenting; deploring
together (of two people); both (of you, them, etc.)
to stop walking; to pause
to make a slip of the tongue; to let something slip
to weigh on one's mind; to trouble one's heart; to be concerned about; to worry about
to appear; to come in sight; to become visible; to be expressed (e.g. emotions); to become apparent (e.g. trends, effects)
exceedingly; extremely; exceptionally; unexpectedly
pardon; forgiveness; exemption; permission
trembling; shivering; jiggling; wobbling; bouncing
to stiffen; to become stiff
(outward) looks; features; face; countenance; expression
physical strength; brute strength; arm strength
muscle; tendon; vein; artery; fiber; fibre; line