the first time ever

coward

loose woman(rubbish; trash)

dawdle with an excuse of illness(play the old soldier)

vouch for

travel around trading on one's own

dawdle(stall for time)

sentimental (womanishly fussy )

have a meteoric rise

huge monster

difficult to solve or explain

The onlookers see most clearly.

express admiration thumping pound the table and stand up

blot out the sky and cover up the earth

melt into smiles

gang up

play up to people of power and influence

most promising future

reunion of a couple after an enforced separation or rupture

as if no one was about