Vocabulary

to fade; to discolor; to discolour

accent (of one's speech)

to give an order; to place an order; to have made to order

to covet; to crave; to be greedy for; to hunger for; to lust insatiably for

to speak ill of; to disparage

favour; favor; patronage; favouritism; favoritism; partiality

to kneel (in respect); to genuflect

heel (of foot, shoe, stocking, etc.)

to crouch; to squat; to cower

to hesitate; to waver

to trip (over); to stumble

discipline; training; teaching manners

burly; strong; sturdy

to nod; to bow one's head in assent; to agree

to trick; to cheat; to deceive; to swindle; to dupe

giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)

to bend; to flutter; to wave

germ; germs; bacteria; bug

snoring; snore

the Boar (twelfth sign of the Chinese zodiac); the Pig

one day

one year; some time ago

to turn away; to bear off; to veer away; to swerve from; to miss (e.g. a target)

the Rabbit (fourth sign of the Chinese zodiac); the Hare

lower lip

why; how; for what reason

always; all the time; at all times

praise; admiration; commendation; approbation; applause

summer greeting card; inquiry after someone's health in the hot season

to step aside; to move (out of the way); to make way

to step back; to move back; to retreat

heart; mind; spirit; vitality; inner strength

carpet; rug; runner

the teens (10-19); teenage

rhetorical flourishes

in order; in turn

several months

refreshing (e.g. feeling, scene, wind, morning air); brisk; bracing; fresh; refreshed

matter of taste

terrible; dreadful; awful; horrible; ghastly