to play a central role; to take a leading part
even so; all the same; nevertheless; yes, but ...
the lower classes; the common people
bizarre; strange; eccentric; odd; queer
all day long; all the day; throughout the day
treating (someone) with great caution (so as not to anger or upset them); handling with kid gloves; treating gingerly
preparations for returning (home)
getting tired of; getting sick of; getting bored with; getting fed up with
to comb upwards; to brush up (a loose strand of hair); to turn up a lamp wick
look who's talking; you're one to talk; you can talk
failed student; student required to repeat a year
far and away the best; the very best; cream of the crop; crème de la crème; decisive lead; commanding lead
growth period; growing season
meaning; point (e.g. of a statement); gist; goal; intent; object
school bag; school satchel
to (call and) stop; to call (someone) to stop; to hail (e.g. a taxi)
not in one's recollection; having no recollection (of); having no memory (of)
put; place; leave; do (in preparation)
friendship; friendly relations; connection; relation; intimacy
to pretend to be tough; to put on a brave front; to whistle in the dark; to bluff
trouble; problem; mess; difficulty; nuisance
to put on a patronizing air
senior (at work or school); superior; elder; older graduate; progenitor; old-timer
paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera)
to slay; to cut down (a foe)
full of confidence; brimming with (self-)confidence; having great faith in oneself
to stare back at; to look back at
as if (something untrue were actually true); like hell (e.g. "like hell I will")
to gradually disappear; to be vanishing
to fling; to throw off (clothes); to kick off (boots)
fast walking; semi-jogging
is it?; isn't it?; be; is
circumference; outskirts; environs; (computer) peripheral
plentiful; lot of; much; pile of
(one's) older brother; lad; sonny
here I am; I'm home!; presently; right away; right now