digress in speaking( traffic in flattery and favours; pull and drag this way or that)

abscence of lively atmosphere(be cheerless and lonely; be poorly attended; in a desolate state; in quiet isolation)

be in great distress

refuse to mend one's ways despite of repeated admonition

not easily achieved

maintain illicit relations with a foreign country(fraternize with foreigners)

be perplexed

start to prepare at the last moment(grind the spear just before battle)

turn over a new leaf

be too strong to break

practise strict economy

have an edge on

have a dig at(alternately taunt and jeer at)

without break(one after the other)

partings,reunions,sorrows and joys(the sorrows and joys of partings and meetings)

inside and outside(everywhere)

trump up so as to avoid blame(just to meet the bare requirements)

be very few( be only a few)

the spirit of a dragon horse

strange and eccentric(fantastic)