よみうち英語Read the classics by typingThree Letters
Three Letters
After witnessing what happened at the breakfast table, the young John questions his uncle. The meaning hidden in the envelope is still unclear, but his uncle’s violent reaction and the three letters written inside remain fixed in his memory. John recounts the objects present and his uncle’s actions in their exact order.
Original English
Speed (this sentence)– kana/min
Accuracy (this sentence)–
Average this session– kana/min
Accuracy this session (0 sentences)–
Words to learn (this scene)
None yet
Full text: Japanese translation and original English
After witnessing what happened at the breakfast table, the young John questions his uncle. The meaning hidden in the envelope is still unclear, but his uncle’s violent reaction and the three letters written inside remain fixed in his memory. John recounts the objects present and his uncle’s actions in their exact order.
"'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his room, leaving me palpitating with horror.「『死だ』と言って、おじは食卓から立ち、自分の部屋へ戻りました。私は恐怖で胸をどきどきさせたまま、取り残されました。
I took up the envelope and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the gum, the letter K three times repeated.封筒を手に取ると、封をする内側の折り返しの、のりのすぐ上に、赤インクでＫの字が三つ書きなぐってありました。
There was nothing else save the five dried pips.ほかには、乾いた種が五つあるだけでした。
What could be the reason of his overpowering terror?あの圧倒的な恐怖には、どんな理由があるのでしょう。
I left the breakfast-table, and as I ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small brass box, like a cashbox, in the other.朝食の席を離れ、階段を上がっていくと、おじが下りてくるのに会いました。片手には屋根裏のものらしい古いさびた鍵、もう片方には金庫のような小さな真鍮の箱を持っていました。
"'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' said he with an oath.「『やつらが何をしようと、おれはそれでもやつらを詰みにしてやる』と、おじは悪態をつきました。
'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.'『今日は部屋で火をたいてほしいとメアリーに伝えろ。それからホーシャムの弁護士フォーダムに使いを出せ』