Vocabulary

food of the mountains (wild game, mountain vegetables, mushrooms, etc.); fruits of the land

mountain top; summit; peak

after a short time; in a short while; a short time later

unfortunately; regrettably

to resign

likely to do; liable to do; (quite) capable of doing; may (well) do; might do; could do

cannot be helped; unavoidable; inevitable; (there's) nothing one can do; having no choice

there's no (other) way

hopeless; good-for-nothing; incorrigible; beyond redemption

to dispatch a messenger; to despatch a messenger

four-leaf clover

from the beginning

at first; in the beginning; originally

to disappear; to vanish

Children's Day (national holiday; May 5)

to look closely

townspeople

unexpectedly; surprisingly

bravely; drastic

to be at wit's end; to be at a loss for what to do

to exercise one's ingenuity; to come up with an ingenious plan

the lion's share; the cream

to go smoothly; to turn out well; to do the trick; to have peaceful relations

unavoidably; inevitably; necessarily; reluctantly; against one's will

as for me; I

at one's own expense

to fill one's own pocket by taking advantage of a position

to get into the swing of (one's work); to hit one's stride

perfect; complete; thorough; leaving nothing to be desired; more than satisfactory

to have one's teeth set on edge; to become annoyed

unable to compete with; not able to make a dent in (e.g. a problem); not able to get a solid hit in (e.g. in a fight)

set one's teeth on edge

to bear up in tragedy; to stand pain well; to hold one's temper; to put up (with something); to clench one's teeth

crisp; staccato; piquant; clear

to revel in trouble and discord; to be bent on making trouble; to like starting fights

under the pretext of; using the excuse of; on the plea of

having plenty (of something); having all one needs

prior consent

similar people

long-lasting; durable; keeping well