truth is stranger than fiction
after all; in the end; anyway; (cannot) possibly; (not) at all; (not) by any means
fiction; made-up story; fable; fabrication; myth
the truth; fact; as it is; as you are; frank; bare plain
to listen carefully; to strain one's ears
to change facial expression or color (due to anger, embarrassment, etc.)
smoothly; swimmingly; forthrightly; without hesitation
to send for (doctor, etc.)
glass (drinking vessel); tumbler; cups (playing card suit)
to drink up; to drain (cup)
to blurt out; to let slip; to say inadvertently; to come out with (e.g. nonsense)
indefinite; hazy; vague; unsettled; undecided
superficial; half-hearted; shallow
conspirators; faction; cabal; clique
difference; disagreement; conflict; clash; discrepancy; inconsistency
appearing in unexpected places and at unexpected moments; elusive; phantom
nest; rookery; den; haunt; (spider's) web
custom; general rule; convention; usually; generally; as a rule
maintenance; servicing; putting in place; establishment; development
spiderweb; spider web; spider's web; cobweb
to stretch around (e.g. a fence, dragnet, etc.); to lay out (e.g. a wiring system, network, etc.); to string up (e.g. an antenna, ship's rigging, etc.)
round-up (e.g. of criminals); wholesale arrest; catching the whole herd with one throw
placement; fixed position; mapping out; location
the same rank; equality; apposition
old person; senior citizen; the aged; the elderly
male help; male labor; man's handwriting; (arch.) kanji
bitterness; distress; pain; bitterness and astringency
reason; reasoning power; (one's) sense
to hold back others from achieving success; to stand in the way of; to sabotage
gathering; meeting; assembly; collection; attendance
speaking voice; talking voice
stout-hearted; firm; courageous; brave; tough
to behave; to conduct oneself; to entertain; to treat someone (to a drink); to make tea for someone (tea ceremony)
to go pale; to grow pale; to lose color; to turn white
by a hair's breadth; in the nick of time; touch and go; close call; critical moment
to gather up into one's arms; to lift; to carry
to be uneasy; to be anxious; to fear
chitter; chatter; giggle; screeching; squealing
to be in time (for); to serve (suit, meet) the purpose; to be good enough; to be enough
that much; as much; to that extent; only that; that alone; no more than that