to be on the verge; to be on the brink; to get close
the past; bygone days; one's past (that one would prefer remained secret); past (tense); preterit; previous life
blunder; fault; error; mistake; failure; disgrace
confession; acknowledgement; confession of love; professing one's feelings; confession of sins (e.g. the confessional)
method; process; manner; way; means; technique
Island; insula; island; islet
to row; to scull; to pedal (e.g. bicycle); to swing (on a swing); to operate a hand pump; to push through (deep snow, the jungle, etc.)
to feel like it; to get to think that way; to become so minded
boasting; bragging; big talk; conch (esp. Charonia tritonis); trumpet shell
on purpose; deliberately; intentionally
to get on (train, plane, bus, ship, etc.); to get in; to get on (e.g. a footstool); to step on; to reach; to go over; to follow
scrap lumber; piece of wood
to soak into; to permeate; to penetrate
danger; Chinese "rooftop" constellation (one of the 28 mansions)
emergency; accident; rare possibility; unexpected occurrence
mud; slush; (wet) dirt; thief
to knead; to mix with fingers; to quibble; to argue for argument's sake
to make someone cry; to move someone to tears; to grieve
easily moved to tears; given to weeping; lachrymose
laziness; shirking; impudent; brazenly dishonest
proposal; offer; request; application
to feel oneself indebted to
while; during (the time when)
appearing ...; looking ...; way to ...; method of ...ing; form; style
charge; duty; person in charge; connection; linking
to nod; to bow one's head in assent; to agree
to chuckle to oneself; to gloat (over)
the other day; lately; recently; meanwhile; in the meantime
sad fate; tragic doom; ill fate
possession; ownership; Tibet; Tibetan people
in good condition; in fine shape; glib; slick; harmonious; melodious
to warp; to curve; to arch; to bend backward (body or body part, e.g. fingers)
to begin; to set about; to start
wholly; solely; entirely; principally; mostly; chiefly
contents; content; substance; matter; detail; import
taking great pains (to do); making every effort; having a lot of trouble (doing); racking one's brains