as usual; as always; as before; as ever; still
congestion (e.g. traffic); delay; stagnation
footpath; walkway; sidewalk
suited figure; person in a suit
busy; occupied; hectic; restless; hurried; fidgety
returning from school; going home from school
to harden; to solidify; to become firm; to become certain; to gather (together); to assemble
chattering; talk; idle talk; chatty; talkative; chatterbox
to amuse oneself; to make merry
crevice; crack; spare moment; interval; chink (in one's armor, armour); unpreparedness
to sew; to stitch; to weave one's way (e.g. through a crowd)
even if; even though; even; too; whether ... or ...; no matter (what, where, who, etc.)
unbecoming; improper; unsuitable; ill-matched; unworthy of
combination; assortment; matching (in a contest); pairing; combination
to float; to become merry; to be cheerful; to become loose; to become unsteady; to feel out of it; to be cut off (e.g. from those around you)
how others look at you; what others think about you
to be conspicuous; to stand out
selection; choice; option
suddenly; in a flash; rapidly; attractive; distinguished; showy
headquarters; head office; main office
bad (taste); unpalatable; poor; unskillful; ugly; unattractive
strict; severe; stringent; rigorous; rigid; firm
alley; alleyway; teahouse garden; path through a gate (or through a garden, etc.)
high street; town centre (center)
to take up one's residence
around the world; throughout the world
to be scattered about; to disperse; to be littered (with)
command; lead; generalship; leadership
philanthropic work; charitable enterprise
main purpose; primary objective
not necessarily; not entirely; not altogether
to want; to wish for; to request; to demand; to seek; to search for
to become twisted; to grow distorted; to get sulky; to sulk; to grow bitter; to become embittered
on this occasion; now; in these circumstances; with this opportunity
backdoor; rear entrance; rear exit; unauthorized; illicit; illegal
service entrance; delivery entrance
if anything; if pushed I'd say; if I had to say
defense; defence; guard; policing; security