Vocabulary

toddling; with small, quick steps

a little; for a moment; a short while; just a minute

sparsely; drop-by-drop

trickling (of water)

while (one is at it); when; on the occasion of; at the same time (as); on one's way (to); by the way

walking briskly; determinedly

deeply; keenly; severely; completely; utterly

complaining; nitpicking

aloof; morose; stuck-up; standoffish; cold; unfriendly

gleaming; shining; glistening

(not) at all; completely; utterly; entirely; altogether

in a big way

slack; slovenly; lackadaisical

idling; lazing; slovenly

very; awfully; exceedingly

trudging (along); plodding; slowly and with heavy steps

how; in what way; how about

feeling startled; getting a shock

anywhere

noisily (running around); with heavy feet

sound of many footsteps

any one; any; whichever

thoughtlessly; rashly; unwisely; half-heartedly

thoughtlessly; rashly; unwisely; half-heartedly

thoughtlessly; rashly; unwisely; half-heartedly

delicately; weakly; gently; supplely

slimy

slitheringly; wriggling, slipping and sliding

slimy; slippery

stickily; glutinously

unconcernedly; nonchalantly; shamelessly; brazenly

(move) slowly (e.g. walk); sluggishly; stolidly; ploddingly; heavily

briskly; smartly; promptly; clearly; lucidly

with a start; in surprise

(simply) because; on account of

rustling; flapping; fluttering

perfectly; right on the mark; spot on; bang on

vigorously (ripping, tearing, scratching, etc.); roughly; with a rip

repeatedly opening and closing (one's mouth); gasping

blinking (in surprise)