The imprudent question
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A pergunta era imprudente, na ocasião em que eu cuidava de transferir o embarque. Equivalia a confessar que o motivo principal ou único da minha repulsa ao seminário era Capitu, e fazer crer improvável a viagem. Compreendi isto depois que falei; quis emendar-me, mas nem soube como, nem ele me deu tempo.
The question was imprudent, in the occasion in which I was thinking of transferring the embarkation. It amounted to confessing that the main or only motive of my repulsion to the seminary was Capitu, and to make the voyage seem unlikely. I understood this after I spoke; I wanted to correct myself, but I did not know how, nor did he give me time.
The narrator realizes that his question was imprudent, as it could reveal his true motive for wanting to postpone the voyage.
The narrator realizes his question was imprudent because it could reveal that his true reason for wanting to postpone the voyage was Capitu, not the seminary. He tries to correct himself but is unable to, and his interlocutor does not give him time.
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