画像引用：Saving Private Ryan (1998)
http://imagesci.com/img/2013/03/saving-private-ryan-13149-hd-wallpapers.jpg

以下は笑い話で一読後ニヤリとしていればよい類のものですがこれをまじめに英語で解釈してみませんか？英会話の話題としてご利用頂けるほかフェイスブックページの英文添削コーナーで英文添削も承ります。

Private Jones, an inveterate and invariably successful bettor, was such a demoralizing influence in his unit that his lieutenant, after trying unsuccessfully to end his gambling, sent him before the captain. After the interview, the lieutenant was summoned.

“I’ve shown Private Jones he can lose a bet,” the captain said. “I asked him why he couldn’t stop betting, and he said: ‘Sir, it’s a habit I can’t seem to lose.  Why, I’ll bet you $10 right now you have a mole on your left shoulder.’  Well, I knew darn well I didn’t, so I took off my shirt and showed him.  He admitted he had lost and paid the $10.  I guess that’ll hold him!”

The lieutenant was so noticeably silent that the captain asked: “What’s the matter? Aren’t you pleased?”

“No, sir,” replied the lieutenant. “You see, on the way to your quarters Jones bet me $25 he’d have the shirt off your back in five minutes.”

（トークラインのご利用者様にお送りしている１２月８日付のHANDOUTの一部で、The Reader’s Digestからの転載です）