Frau
in German, the title used for a married or widowed woman
Fräulein
in German, the title used for an unmarried woman
tenement house
a form of housing in which the building is divided into separate residences, often in an overcrowded manner
crucial
of decisive, critical, or great importance
eiderdown
a quilt stuffed with duck feathers; a duvet
tousled
made untidy (particularly in reference to ruffled hair)
squalid
dirty, rough, and unpleasant, usually associated neglect or poverty
entourage
a group of people surrounding someone important
forthcoming
about to happen in the near future; willingness to divulge information
to exact
to obtain something from someone; to inflict revenge on someone
thrash
beat someone or something with a stick, cane, or whip; hit violently and repeatedly
inquisitive
curious; inquiring; prying
mete out
measure out; dispense punishment
Panama hat
a style of wide-brimmed men's hat made of tropical palm tree leaves
mutter
say something in a low or barely audible voice
obsequious
excessively obedient, attentive, or servile
undulant
having a wave-like rising and falling appearance or motion
intransigence
unwillingness to change views or agree with someone else; refusal to compromise
adduce
cite as evidence
unyielding
not giving way to pressure
