sensational; inflammatory; incendiary; (sexually) suggestive; lascivious
to become hoarse; to become husky
to be sooty; to be stained
diversion; distraction; feint
not ... for nothing; not ... with nothing to show for it; worthwhile; no wonder ...
shrewd; astute; cunning; alert
monopoly; monopolization; exclusivity; hogging; keeping to oneself
tactful; adroit; shrewd; clever; smart; affable
to lick all over; to run one's tongue over
shrewd; astute; cunning; alert
to enquire; to inquire; to seek information
stirring up strong emotions; sensationalism; excitement (of sexual desire); arousal
(someone else's) parents; both parents
to meddle (e.g. in a conversation); to butt in; to interfere; to interrupt
left utterly helpless; have no one to turn to; unapproachable
cold; indifferent; unfriendly; unsympathetic; unkind
newspaper reporter; print journalist
writing paper; stationery; notepaper
municipal office; council; city hall
official document; archives
official copy of the family register
lower grade; low class; junior (officer)
peerage and order of merit
practitioner; specialist; man (esp. one who is well-respected); samurai
nasal breathing; breathing through one's nose; person's pleasure; excitement
slight; light; thin; faint; dim
head office; main office; main shrine; this company; this shrine
yearbook; almanac; annual
who's who; directory; social register
in the end; on top of that
conscious; deliberate; intentional
due to the nature of one's job; because of one's line of work
cowardly; timid; easily frightened
false personation; misrepresentation of one's social position
misrepresentation (falsification) of one's past record (personal history)
false name; alias; assumed name; pseudonym
expert(ise); skill; dexterity