Search for Mr. Hyde

That evening, Mr. Utterson went home. He was in a sad mood and he did not enjoy his dinner. Usually, on Sundays, he sat by the fire after his meal. He read a book about religion until twelve o'clock. Then he went to bed. But tonight, Mr. Utterson did not read. He took a candle and went into his office. He opened his safe (a strong metal box for keeping money and papers). He took out a paper. This paper was Dr. Jekyll’s will (a document that says who gets a person's money after they die). Mr. Utterson did not help Dr. Jekyll write this document. The paper said that if Dr. Jekyll died, all his money would go to Edward Hyde. It also said something very strange. If Dr. Jekyll disappeared for more than three months, Edward Hyde would take his place. He would get the house and the money immediately. Mr. Utterson did not like this document. He was a lawyer and he liked things to be normal. Before, he did not know who Mr. Hyde was. Now he knew a story about Mr. Hyde. He thought Mr. Hyde was a very bad person. He felt afraid for his friend, Dr. Jekyll. Mr. Utterson put the paper away. He put on his coat and went to Cavendish Square. His friend Dr. Lanyon lived there. Dr. Lanyon was a famous doctor. Mr. Utterson thought that Dr. Lanyon might know Mr. Hyde. A servant opened the door and welcomed Mr. Utterson. Mr. Utterson went to the dining room. Dr. Lanyon was sitting alone. Dr. Lanyon was a healthy man with a red face and white hair. He was very happy to see Mr. Utterson. They were friends from school and college. The two men talked for a short time. Then Mr. Utterson asked about Dr. Jekyll. He asked if Dr. Lanyon still saw Dr. Jekyll often. Dr. Lanyon said he did not see him much now. He said they were still friends, but they had a big argument. Dr. Lanyon said Dr. Jekyll's ideas about science were wrong. He called them "unscientific nonsense." Dr. Lanyon became very angry when he talked about it. Mr. Utterson was happy because they only argued about science. He then asked if Dr. Lanyon knew a man named Mr. Hyde. Dr. Lanyon said he never heard of him. Mr. Utterson went home and went to bed. But he could not sleep. He thought about the story of the door all night. He imagined a dark city with many lamps. He saw the small man walk over the little girl. He saw the girl screaming on the ground. Mr. Utterson also imagined Dr. Jekyll's bedroom. He saw a man stand by Dr. Jekyll’s bed. This man had power over Dr. Jekyll. In the dream, the man did not have a face. Mr. Utterson wanted to see Mr. Hyde's face. He thought that would help him understand the mystery. From that day, Mr. Utterson watched the dirty door every day. He went there in the morning and at night. He waited in the rain and in the fog. He said to himself, "If he is Mr. Hyde, I will be Mr. Seek." Finally, his patience was rewarded. It was a clear, cold night. The street was very quiet. Mr. Utterson heard a light footstep. The sound became louder. A small man walked toward the door. He was dressed simply. Mr. Utterson felt a strange dislike for the man immediately. The man took a key from his pocket. Mr. Utterson stepped forward and touched the man’s shoulder. He asked, "Mr. Hyde, is that you?" Mr. Hyde was surprised but he answered. He asked Mr. Utterson what he wanted. Mr. Utterson said he was a friend of Dr. Jekyll. He asked to see Mr. Hyde’s face. Mr. Hyde hesitated but then he looked at Mr. Utterson. Now Mr. Utterson knew the face. Mr. Hyde gave Mr. Utterson his address in a part of London called Soho. Mr. Hyde asked how Mr. Utterson knew him. Mr. Utterson said they had common friends like Dr. Jekyll. Mr. Hyde became angry. He said Dr. Jekyll had never told Mr. Utterson about him. He called Mr. Utterson a liar. Then he laughed, opened the door, and went inside. Mr. Utterson stood in the street. He felt very worried. Mr. Hyde was small and pale. He had a mean smile and a quiet, whispering voice. But there was something else about him. He did not seem like a normal human. He was very frightening and unpleasant. Mr. Utterson went around the corner to a square. The houses there were very big and expensive. One house belonged to Dr. Jekyll. Mr. Utterson knocked on the door. An old servant named Poole opened the door. Mr. Utterson asked if Dr. Jekyll was home. Poole said Dr. Jekyll was out. He invited Mr. Utterson into the hall. The room was large and comfortable with a bright fire. Usually, Mr. Utterson loved this room. But tonight, he felt afraid of the shadows. Mr. Utterson told Poole that he saw Mr. Hyde enter the old building. Poole said that was normal. He said Mr. Hyde had a key. Poole said all the servants had orders to obey Mr. Hyde. Mr. Utterson asked if Mr. Hyde ever ate dinner there. Poole said no. Mr. Utterson walked home with a heavy heart. He felt very sorry for Dr. Jekyll. He thought Dr. Jekyll was in trouble. He thought Mr. Hyde knew a dark secret from Dr. Jekyll’s past. He thought Mr. Hyde was using this secret to get money. Mr. Utterson felt cold when he thought about Mr. Hyde. He was afraid for Dr. Jekyll's life. He thought Mr. Hyde might kill Dr. Jekyll to get the money from the will. Mr. Utterson decided to help his friend. He said, "I must try to help Dr. Jekyll."

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Contenus

Expression orale et entraînement

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Vocafy

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

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