A Letter from Mom

    Dear Son,I'm writing this slow, cause I know you can't read fast. We don't live where we did when you first left. Your Dad read in the paper that most accidents happen within¹ 20 miles of home, so we moved. I won't be able to send you the address as the last family here took the numbers with them for their next house, so they wouldn't have to change their address. This place has a washing² machine. The first day I put four shirts in, pulled the chain³, and I haven't seen em since. It only rained twice this week, three days the first time and four days this time. The coat you wanted me to send you, your Aunt Sue⁴ said it would be a little too heavy to send in the mail with the heavy buttons, so we cut them off and put them in the pockets.
    About,your sister, she had a baby this morning. I haven't found out whether it's a girl or a boy, so I don't know if you are an Aunt or an Uncle. Not much more news this time, write soon.
    Love, MomP. S. Was going to send you money, but the envelope was already sealed⁵.

1 within   

n.内部，里头；adv.在内部，在内心里；prep.在…之内

参考例句：

• The work must be done within the given time.这个工作必须在规定的时间内完成。
• Within two weeks,she gained five pounds in weight.两周内她的体重增加了5磅。

2 washing   

n.洗，洗涤，洗衣，洗脸，洗澡，冲洗，冲刷

参考例句：

• A washing machine is run by a small electric motor.洗衣机由一台小电动机驱动。
• She hung the washing on the line to dry.她把洗好的衣服晾在绳子上。

3 chain   

n.链，连锁，束缚；vt.用铁练锁住，束缚，囚禁

参考例句：

• He now owns a chain of 970 food stores.他现在拥有970家连锁食品店。
• He joined the ends of the chain.他把链子的两端接起来了。

4 sue   

vt.控告，起诉；vi.请求，追求，起诉

参考例句：

• If you don't pay me the money,I'll sue you.如果你不付给我钱，我就告你。
• The war criminals sue for peace.战犯求和。

5 sealed   

adj.未知的，密封的v.密封( seal的过去式和过去分词 )；决定；确定；封上（信封）

参考例句：

• The floor is sealed to prevent water penetration. 地板加了密封涂料防止渗水。
• We will never forget the friendship sealed in adversity. 患难之交永不忘。 来自《简明英汉词典》