sultry; sweltering; stuffy; uncomfortably hot-looking (clothing, etc.); stuffy-looking
arm; skill; efforts; ability
to cross (legs or arms); to link (arms); to put together; to construct; to braid; to plait; to grapple
ceiling; ceiling price; (price) ceiling
as (for); for; in the capacity of
to help; to assist; to aid; to contribute to; to be a factor in
to refuse; to reject; to inform; to give notice; to ask leave; to excuse oneself (from)
which way; which direction; which one (esp. of two alternatives); who
language; dialect; word; phrase; speech; (manner of) speaking
dissatisfaction; discontent; displeasure; complaint; unhappiness
to line up; to set up; to enumerate; to itemize; to be equal (to); to compare well (with)
sweetly (smiling); broadly (grinning)
to spoil someone's start; to kill someone's enthusiasm; to take the wind out of someone's sails
extra; more; unnecessary; needless; all the more; even more
idle complaint; grumble; moha (ignorance, folly)
inner part; inside; interior; depths (e.g. of a forest); back (of a house, drawer, etc.); bottom (e.g. of one's heart)
to draw in; to take in; to retract; to withdraw; to take back (e.g. words)
as always; as ever; though it's always the case
abrupt; sudden; unexpected
young lady (in ref. to a maid, etc.)
zeal; enthusiasm; ardor; ardour
also; too; not ... either; (it's not possible) no matter what; although one might wish otherwise
December; twelfth month of the lunar calendar
establishment; founding; organization; organisation
to hold (an event); to give (a dinner, party, etc.); to feel (sensation, emotion, call of nature, etc.); to show signs of
drama; theatre; theater; play
recital (i.e. of music, by a pupil); presentation (e.g. product launch)
to; for; from the standpoint of; as far as ... is concerned
one large ...; a great ...
song; singing; classical Japanese poem (esp. tanka); modern poetry
seeming ...; appearing ...; -ish; like a ...; typical of ...
since some time or another; since who-knows-when
to inherit; to succeed; to take over
school festival; cultural festival; annual open day school event showcasing student talent
final exam; term-end examination; end-of-term examination
time; season; period; phase; stage
holding (a conference, exhibition, etc.); opening; hosting (e.g. the Olympics)
guardians; parents; father and older brother
to call in; to invite; to bring in
very; awfully; exceedingly; (not) at all; by no means; simply (cannot)
pupil; student; schoolchild