frank; direct; plain; straightforward; point-blank; concise
secretly; in secret; unseen; unobserved; inwardly; in private
(smelling) strongly; pungently; furiously; indignantly; fuming
one's nature; one's feelings; plain; unadorned; mere; poor
to dispatch a messenger; to despatch a messenger
to give up (a plan or idea); to desist from (doing)
choice; selection; diagnosis; medical opinion; judgement; opinion
midway; halfway through; in the course of
promptly; quickly; without delay; before others; first
to appoint; to nominate; to assume (responsibility); to pose as
unable to contain oneself; itching to do something; cannot sit still
both ends; either end; both edges; double-mindedness; sitting on the fence
marked; pronounced; showing a strong tendency (towards)
hollow; cavity; dent; depression
contradiction; inconsistency
parroting back; repeating (something one was told) like a parrot
to control; to take the lead in; to have under one's thumb
with a chuckle; with a giggle
to carry on one's back; to be burdened with; to take responsibility for; to have (something) in the background; to be in front (of something); to be conceited
spirits of war dead; person of great ability; soul of a talented person
to manage (to do successfully); to get through
sensible; perceptive; quick to understand; understanding; sympathetic
going on and on (about inconsequential things); talking nonsense; idling away the time; dawdling
plot; intrigue; scheme; conspiracy; agreement between two or more people to commit an unlawful act
bargaining; haggling; tactics; strategy
to get tired out; to be exhausted
beautiful; lovely; heartwarming; beautiful
to say; to be pleased to say
duty; obligation; responsibility
speedy; as rapid as possible; as soon as possible
to listen carefully; to strain one's ears
to catch (someone's words); to make out; to follow; to ask about (a situation, circumstances, etc.); to inquire
whispering; whisper; secret talk; murmur
dealing with (people, customers, complaints, etc.); receiving (callers, visitors, etc.); attending to; handling; serving
amiability; friendliness; fondness (of someone); affection; compliments; civilities
it cannot be helped; there's nothing for it; it's no use fighting back; it's hopeless; there is no way out of it