While the teacher was explaining, he believed him and seemed to understand, but as soon as he was left alone he positively could not remember or understand how so short and simple a word as suddenly could be an attribute of the manner of action; but all the same he was sorry he had grieved his teacher.
Finché il maestro spiegava, ci credeva e sembrava capire, ma non appena rimaneva solo, non poteva assolutamente capire e ricordarsi come un’espressione così corta e facile a intendersi quale “a un tratto” fosse un complemento di modo; gli dispiacque di avere addolorato il maestro, e voleva consolarlo.