hedge; fence; border; limit
leaf; blade (of grass); (pine) needle; frond; foliage
(many) trees; every tree; all kinds of trees
to become fluffy; to become fuzzy; to become nappy; to become rough; to become frayed
woman's handwriting; hiragana
quality newspaper; broadsheet newspaper
to scribble (down); to write quickly; to dash off
to find out; to dig up; to sniff out; to worm out; to pry out; to spy out
acquaintance; close friend
foreign country; foreign land; strange land; far-off land
to take a breath; to take a short rest
bereavement; separation by death; loss
one's circumstances; environment; situation (in life)
to indulge in; to give oneself up to; to be obsessed by; to be engrossed in; to be lost in; to be absorbed in
Mary (mother of Jesus); the Virgin Mary; Mary (of Magdala); Mary Magdalene
dog (Canis (lupus) familiaris); canine; squealer; rat; loser; asshole
to fling off; to throw off; to cast aside; to abandon; to throw to the winds
nickname; alias; pseudonym; pen name; nom de plume; other name
inexcusable; unpardonable; can't be allowed to pass (without comment)
former (incumbent); predecessor
for a long time; since long ago; always; already; far in advance (e.g. reservation)
suspicious-looking; shady; questionable; dubious; fishy
to employ; to hire; to engage
secret meeting; clandestine meeting
to shorten the distance (between); to close the gap (e.g. on the leader); to get closer (e.g. to someone); to close in (on)
lifeline; safety rope; safety tether
wild beast; wild animal; brute
to flutter in the wind; to wave in the wind
to snatch (and run); to carry off; to swipe; to scoop up (and remove; sand, earth, etc.)
manners; behavior; behaviour
bank robbery; bank robber