[18]

 Dr. Amos Varley was a very different proposition.
Dr. Amos Varley (エイモス・ヴァーリー医師) [名] a doctor
proposition (提案) [名] a statement or plan that is put forward for consideration or discussion
エイモス・ヴァーリー医師は全く違った提案をした。
He had a big old house in a big old garden with big old oak trees shading it.
garden (庭) [名] an area of land where plants, including flowers and other ornamental plants, are grown
彼は大きな古い庭に大きな古い家を持っていて、大きな古いオークの木が日陰を作っていた。
It was a massive frame structure with elaborate scrollwork along the overhang of the porches and the white porch railings had turned and fluted uprights like the legs of an old-fashioned grand piano.
massive (巨大な) [形] very large in size, amount, or extent
elaborate (精巧な) [形] very complicated or detailed
scrollwork (渦巻き模様) [名] an ornamental design of spiral curves
overhang (張り出し) [名] a part of a building that projects beyond the wall below
railing (手すり) [名] a fence or barrier made of rails
flute (溝を彫る) [動] make grooves or channels in
upright (直立) [形] in a vertical position
old-fashioned (昔ながらの) [形] of a kind or style that is no longer modern or current
grand piano (グランドピアノ) [名] a large full-toned piano with a horizontal soundboard and strings arranged in a horizontal plane
それは、ポーチの張り出し部分に沿って精巧な渦巻き模様が施された巨大なフレーム構造で、白いポーチの手すりは、昔ながらのグランドピアノの脚のように直立して溝が彫られていた。
A few frail elderly people sat in long chairs on the porches with rugs tucked around them.
frail (虚弱な) [形] physically weak
long chair (長椅子) [名] a chair with a long seat for more than one person
rug (敷物) [名] a piece of thick heavy fabric, often with a pile or nap, used as a floor covering
tuck (巻き付ける) [動] push, fold, or turn the edges or ends of something in or under so as to be held in place or to be concealed
数人の虚弱な老人たちが高い背もたれの椅子に座り、毛布を巻き付けていた。

 The entrance doors were double and had stained-glass panels.
stained-glass (ステンドグラス) [名] a glass painted with some colors and used for decoration
panel (パネル) [名] a thin, flat, rectangular piece of wood or other material used as a surface to paint on, a surface for an instrument panel, or a protective covering for a wall
玄関の扉は二重になっていて、ステンドグラスのパネルがはめ込まれていた。
The hall inside was wide and cool and the parquetry floor was polished and without a single rug.
中のホールは広くて涼しく、寄木細工の床は磨き上げられ、一枚の敷物も敷かれていない。
Altadena is a hot place in summer.
アルタデナは夏は暑い。
It is pushed back against the hills and the breeze jumps clear over it.
push back (押し戻す) [動] to move something away from oneself or from the front
jump (飛び越える) [動] to move oneself off the ground using one's legs
丘に押し戻され、そよ風がその上を飛び越える。
Eighty years ago people knew how to build houses for this climate.
eighty years ago (80年前) [名] 80 years before the present time
know how to (方法を知っている) [動] have the knowledge or skill to do something
80年前の人々はこの気候に合った家を建てる方法を知っていた。

 A nurse in crisp white took my card and after a wait Dr. Amos Varley condescended to see me.
condescend (許可する) [動] do something that you think is below your dignity
パリッとした白い服を着た看護師が私のカードを受け取り、しばらく待った後、エイモス・バーリー博士が私に会うことを許可した。
He was a big bald-headed guy with a cheery smile.
bald-headed (ハゲ頭の) [形] having a bald head
cheery (陽気な) [形] happy and cheerful
彼は陽気な笑顔の大きなハゲ頭の男だった。
His long white coat was spotless, he walked noiselessly on crepe rubber soles.
spotless (しみ一つない) [形] free from spots or stains
noiselessly (音もなく) [副] without making a noise
crepe rubber (クレープゴム) [名] a type of rubber with a rough surface
sole (靴底) [名] the underside of a person's foot
彼の長い白衣にはしみ一つなく、クレープゴムの靴底で音もなく歩いた。

 “What can I do for you, Mr. Marlowe?”
What can I do for you (何か用ですか) [句] a polite way of asking someone what they want
「何か用ですか、マーロウさん?」
He had a rich soft voice to soothe the pain and comfort the anxious heart.
soothe (和らげる) [動] to make less intense or severe
pain (痛み) [名] a highly unpleasant physical sensation caused by illness or injury
comfort (慰める) [動] to make (someone) feel less unhappy, worried, or upset
彼は痛みを和らげ、不安な心を慰めるような豊かで柔らかい声をしていた。
Doctor is here, there is nothing to worry about, everything will be fine.
worry (心配) [名] a state of anxiety and uncertainty over actual or potential problems
医者がここにいます、心配することはありません、すべてうまくいくでしょう。
He had that bedside manner, thick, honeyed layers of it.
bedside manner (枕元での態度) [名] the way a doctor behaves towards a patient
honeyed (蜜のような) [形] sweet or smooth
彼にはそういう枕元での態度があった、厚く、蜜のような層が。
He was wonderful--and he was as tough as armor plate.
wonderful (素晴らしい) [形] extremely good or impressive
armor plate (装甲板) [名] a protective metal covering for a vehicle or ship
彼は素晴らしかった--そして彼は装甲板のように強かった。

 “Doctor, I am looking for a man named Wade, a well-to-do alcoholic who has disappeared from his home.
well-to-do (裕福な) [形] having a great deal of money
「先生、私はウェードという名の男を探しています。裕福なアルコール依存症で、自宅から姿を消したのです。
His past history suggests that he is holed up in some discreet joint that can handle him with skill.
past history (過去の履歴) [名] the events of a person's life up to the present time
discreet (目立たない) [形] careful not to attract attention
joint (場所) [名] a place where two or more things are joined together
skill (巧み) [名] the ability to do something well
彼の過去の履歴から、彼は彼を巧みに扱うことができる、目立たない場所に潜んでいることが示唆されている。
My only lead is a reference to a Dr. V.
reference (言及) [名] the action of mentioning or referring to something
私の唯一の手掛かりはV博士への言及です。
You're my third Dr. V. and I'm getting discouraged.”
V. (V) [名] the 22nd letter of the English alphabet
discourage (落胆させる) [動] cause someone to lose confidence or hope
あなたは私の3人目のV博士で、私は落胆し始めています」

 He smiled benignly.
benignly (優しく) [副] in a kind and gentle way
彼は優しく微笑んだ。
“Only your third, Mr. Marlowe?
「3人目だけですか、マーロウさん?
Surely there must be a hundred doctors in and around the Los Angeles area whose names begin with V.”
surely (確かに) [副] without doubt
area (周辺) [名] a region or part of a country
確かにロサンゼルス周辺には名前がVで始まる医者が100人はいるでしょう」

 “Sure, but not many of them would have rooms with barred windows.
「確かに、しかし、そのうちの多くは格子窓のある部屋を持っていないでしょう。
I noticed a few upstairs here, on the side of the house.”
私は家の横にある2階の部屋にいくつかあるのに気づきました」

 “Old people,” Dr. Varley said sadly, but it was a rich full sadness.
Dr. Varley (バーリー医師) [名] a doctor named Varley
sadness (悲しみ) [名] the state of being sad
「年寄り」バーリー医師は悲しそうに言った、しかしそれは豊かで完全な悲しみだった。
“Lonely old people, depressed and unhappy old people, Mr. Marlowe.
depressed (落ち込んで) [形] in a state of general unhappiness or despondency
unhappy (不幸な) [形] not happy
「孤独な年寄り、落ち込んで不幸な年寄り、マーロウさん。
Sometimes--” He made an expressive gesture with his hand, a curving motion outwards, a pause, then a gentle falling, like a dead leaf fluttering to the ground.
expressive (表現力豊かな) [形] effectively conveying thought or feeling
outward (外側) [形] of, relating to, or directed toward the outside
時々--」彼は手で表現力豊かな身振りをした、外側に向かって曲がる動き、一時停止、そして地面に舞い落ちる枯れ葉のように優しく落ちる。
“I don't treat alcoholics here,” he added precisely.
precisely (正確に) [副] in a precise manner
「私はここではアルコール依存症の治療はしていない」と彼は正確に付け加えた。
“Now if you will excuse me--”
「では失礼します--」

 “Sorry, Doctor. You just happened to be on our list.
happen (たまたま) [動] take place by chance
「すみません、先生。たまたまあなたがリストに載っていただけです。
Probably a mistake.
おそらく間違いでしょう。
Something about a run-in with the narcotics people a couple of years ago.”
run-in (衝突) [名] a brief argument or fight
narcotics (麻薬) [名] a drug that produces numbness or stupor
数年前に麻薬捜査官と衝突したとか」

 “Is that so?” He looked puzzled, then the light broke.
Is that so? (そうですか?) [句] an expression of surprise or disbelief
the light broke (すぐに理解した) [句] to suddenly understand something
「そうですか?」彼は困惑したように見えたが、すぐに理解した。
“Ah, yes, an assistant I was unwise enough to employ.
assistant (助手) [名] a person who helps someone in their work
employ (雇う) [動] give work to someone in return for regular pay
「ああ、そうですね、私が雇うには賢くない助手でした。
For a very short time.
for (の間) [前] during
ごく短い期間です。
He abused my confidence badly.
abuse (裏切る) [動] use something in a wrong or harmful way
confidence (信頼) [名] the feeling or belief that one can have faith in or rely on someone or something
彼は私の信頼をひどく裏切りました。
Yes, indeed.”
はい、確かに」

 “Not the way I heard it,” I said.
「私が聞いた話とは違う」と私は言った。
“I guess I heard it wrong.”
「私が聞き間違えたんだな」

 “And how did you hear it, Mr. Marlowe?”
「では、あなたはどのように聞いたのですか、マーロウさん?」
He was still giving me the full treatment with his smile and his mellow tones.
give (接する) [動] to cause to have or receive
mellow (柔らかい) [形] (of sound) soft and rich
彼は相変わらず笑顔と柔らかな口調で私に接していた。

 “That you had to turn in your narcotic prescription book.”
「麻薬処方箋を提出しなければならなかった」

 That got to him a little.
get to (動揺させる) [動] to have an effect on someone or something
彼は少し動揺した。
He didn't quite scowl but he peeled off a few layers of the charm.
peel off (剥がす) [動] to remove the outer layer of something
layer (層) [名] a sheet or covering of material that is placed over or under another
彼は顔をしかめたわけではないが、魅力の層をいくつか剥がした。
His blue eyes had a chilly glint.
chilly (冷たい) [形] unpleasantly cold
glint (輝き) [名] a small bright light or a bright point
彼の青い目は冷たい輝きを放っていた。
“And the source of this fantastic information?”
source (出所) [名] the place, person, or thing from which something comes or can be obtained
「そしてこの素晴らしい情報の出所は?」

 “A large detective agency that has facilities for building files on that sort of thing.”
detective agency (探偵事務所) [名] a business that provides private investigation services
「そういうことを調べる設備のある大きな探偵事務所だ」

 “A collection of cheap blackmailers, no doubt.”
collection (集まり) [名] a group of things or people
「安っぽい恐喝者の集まりに違いない」

 “Not cheap, Doctor. Their base rate is a hundred dollars a day.
base rate (基本料金) [名] the lowest rate charged by a lender to a borrower
hundred dollars (百ドル) [名] a unit of money equal to 100 cents
「安くはないですよ、先生。基本料金は一日百ドルです。
It's run by a former colonel of military police.
元憲兵大佐が経営しています。
No nickel grabber, Doctor.
nickel (小銭) [名] a coin worth five cents
grabber (稼ぎ) [名] a person who grabs something
小銭稼ぎではありません、先生。
He rates way up.”
rate (評価する) [動] estimate the value, quality, or importance of
way up (高く) [副] to a high degree or level
彼は高く評価されています」

 “I shall give him a piece of my mind,” Dr. Varley said with cool distaste.
give someone a piece of one's mind (考えを話す) [動] to tell someone angrily what you think of them
cool distaste (冷静に嫌悪感を抱いて) [名] a feeling of dislike or disgust
「彼に私の考えを話そう」バーリー医師は冷静に嫌悪感を抱いて言った。
“His name?”
「彼の名前は?」
The sun had set in Dr. Varley's manner.
set (沈む) [動] go below the horizon
バーリー医師の態度に日が沈んだ。
It was getting to be a chilly evening.
chilly (肌寒い) [形] somewhat cold
肌寒い夜になりつつあった。

 “Confidential, Doctor. But don't give it a thought.
「内緒ですよ、先生。でも気にしないで。
All in the day's work.
all in the day's work (すべては一日の仕事のうちだ) [名] a routine or ordinary part of one's work
すべては一日の仕事のうちだ。
Name of Wade doesn't ring a bell at all, huh?”
ring a bell (思い出させる) [動] to seem familiar
ウェードという名前は全く思い出せないか?」

 “I believe you know your way out, Mr. Marlowe.”
「出口はご存知でしょう、マーロウさん」

 The door of a small elevator opened behind him.
彼の後ろで小さなエレベーターのドアが開いた。
A nurse pushed a wheel chair out.
wheel chair (車椅子) [名] a chair on wheels for a person who cannot walk
看護師が車椅子を押し出した。
The chair contained what was left of a broken old man.
chair (車椅子) [名] a wheeled chair for a person who cannot walk
what was left of (残骸) [名] the remaining parts of something that has been destroyed or badly damaged
broken (壊れた) [形] damaged or no longer working
車椅子には、壊れた老人の残骸が乗っていた。
His eyes were closed, his skin had a bluish tinge.
bluish (青みがかった) [形] somewhat blue in color
tinge (かかった) [名] a slight trace of some color
彼の目は閉じられ、肌は青みがかっていた。
He was well wrapped up.
be wrapped up (包まれている) [動] to be wearing a lot of warm clothes
彼はよく包まれていた。
The nurse wheeled him silently across the polished floor and out of a side door.
wheel (車椅子で押す) [動] to move or be moved on wheels
silently (静かに) [副] without any sound
polished (磨かれた) [形] made smooth and shiny by rubbing
side door (横のドア) [名] a door on the side of a building
看護師は磨かれた床を横切って彼を静かに車椅子で押し、横のドアから出て行った。
Dr. Varley said softly:
バーリー医師は静かに言った。

 “Old people. Sick old people. Lonely old people.
「老人。病気の老人。孤独な老人。
Do not come back, Mr. Marlowe.
戻って来ないでください、マーロウさん。
You might annoy me.
あなたは私を困らせるかもしれない。
When annoyed I can be rather unpleasant.
annoyed (困らされる) [形] feeling or showing slight anger
困らされると私はかなり不愉快になる。
I might even say very unpleasant.”
とても不愉快になると言ってもいい。」

 “Okay by me, Doctor.
「私には構いません、先生。
Thanks for the time.
お時間ありがとうございました。
Nice little dying-in home you got here.”
素敵な小さな終の棲家をお持ちですね。」

 “What was that?”
「あれは何だったんだ?」
He took a step towards me and peeled off the remaining layers of honey.
take a step (一歩踏み出す) [動] move forward by lifting and setting down each foot in turn, never having both feet off the ground at once
peel off (剥ぎ取る) [動] remove the outer layer of something
彼は私に向かって一歩踏み出し、残っていた蜜の層を剥ぎ取った。
The soft lines of his face set themselves into hard ridges.
set (なる) [動] become
ridge (隆起) [名] a long, narrow elevation of land, a mountain range
彼の顔の柔らかい線が硬い隆起になった。

 “What's the matter?” I asked him.
「どうしたんだ?」と私は彼に尋ねた。
“I can see my man wouldn't be here.
「私の男がここにいないのは分かる。
I wouldn't look for anybody here that wasn't too frail to fight back.
fight back (反撃する) [動] to attack someone who has attacked you
私はここで反撃するには弱すぎる人以外は探さないだろう。
Sick old people. Lonely old people.
病気の老人。孤独な老人。
You said it yourself, Doctor.
あなたは自分でそう言ったんですよ、先生。
Unwanted old people, but with money and hungry heirs.
unwanted (誰も欲しがらない) [形] not wanted or desired
old people (老人) [名] a person who is old
hungry (貪欲な) [形] having a strong desire for food
heir (相続人) [名] a person who inherits or is entitled to inherit property
誰も欲しがらない老人だが、金と貪欲な相続人がいる。
Most of them probably judged incompetent by the court.”
彼らのほとんどはおそらく裁判所によって無能と判断されたのでしょう。」

 “I am getting annoyed,” Dr. Varley said.
get annoyed (イライラし始める) [動] to start to feel angry or impatient
「私はイライラし始めている」とバーリー医師は言った。

 “Light food, light sedation, firm treatment.
sedation (鎮静剤) [名] the reduction of anxiety, stress, irritability, or excitement by the administration of a sedative agent
firm (断固とした) [形] not soft or yielding to pressure
「軽い食事、軽い鎮静剤、断固とした治療。
Put them out in the sun, put them back in the bed.
彼らを日光に当て、ベッドに戻す。
Bar some of the windows in case there's a little spunk left.
bar (鉄格子を付ける) [動] to fasten or secure with a bar
case (場合に備えて) [名] a situation or event that is possible or likely
spunk (元気) [名] courage and determination
少しでも元気が残っている場合に備えて、窓の一部に鉄格子を付ける。
They love you, Doctor, one and all.
彼らはあなたを愛している、ドクター、みんな。
They die holding your hand and seeing the sadness in your eyes.
彼らはあなたの手を握り、あなたの目の中の悲しみを見ながら死んでいく。
It's genuine too.”
本物でもある。」

 “It certainly is,” he said in a low throaty growl.
throaty (喉を鳴らす) [形] produced in the throat
「確かにそうだ」と彼は低く喉を鳴らして言った。
His hands were fists now.
彼の手は今や拳になっていた。
I ought to knock it off.
knock it off (やめる) [動] stop doing something
私はそれをやめるべきだ。
But he had begun to nauseate me.
nauseate (吐き気を催させる) [動] cause to feel sick
しかし、彼は私を吐き気を催させ始めていた。

 “Sure it is,” I said.
「確かにそうだ」と私は言った。
“Nobody likes to lose a good paying customer.
「誰も支払いの良い顧客を失いたくはない。
Especially one you don't even have to please.”
one (客) [名] a person or thing that is the object of a particular action
特に喜ばせる必要すらない客を」

 “Somebody has to do it,” he said.
「誰かがやらなきゃいけない」と彼は言った。
“Somebody has to care for these sad old people, Mr. Marlowe.”
「誰かがこの悲しい老人たちを世話しなければいけないんだ、マーロウさん」

 “Somebody has to clean out cesspools.
clean out (掃除する) [動] to remove all the contents of something
cesspool (汚水槽) [名] a covered tank for the temporary storage of sewage
「誰かが汚水槽を掃除しなければいけない。
Come to think of it that's a clean honest job.
come to think of it (考えてみれば) [句] now that I think about it
考えてみればそれは清潔で正直な仕事だ。
So long, Dr. Varley.
さようなら、ヴァーリー先生。
When my job makes me feel dirty I'll think of you.
仕事で自分が汚いと感じたらあなたのことを思い出すよ。
It will cheer me up no end.”
cheer up (元気が出る) [動] to become happier or more cheerful
no end (とても) [副] to a very great degree
とても元気が出るよ」

 “You filthy louse,” Dr. Varley said between his wide white teeth.
filthy (汚い) [形] very dirty
louse (シラミ) [名] a small wingless jumping insect which feeds on the blood of mammals and birds
teeth (歯) [名] the hard white structures in the mouth that are used for biting and chewing
「この汚いシラミ野郎」ヴァーリー先生は白い歯の間から言った。
“I ought to break your back.
「あなたの背骨を折ってやるべきだ。
Mine is an honorable branch of an honorable profession.”
honorable (立派な) [形] deserving great respect
branch (分野) [名] a subdivision of a main body or category
私のは立派な職業の立派な分野だ」

 “Yeah.” I looked at him wearily.
「ああ」私は疲れたように彼を見た。
“I know it is. Only it smells of death.”
smell (匂いがする) [動] be aware of or detect the odor of
「それは知っている。ただ死の匂いがするだけだ」

 He didn't slug me, so I walked away from him and out.
walk away (歩き出す) [動] leave a place by walking
彼は私を殴らなかった。だから私は彼から離れて歩き出した。
I looked back from the wide double doors.
私は広い二重ドアから振り返った。
He hadn't moved.
彼は動かなかった。
He had a job to do, putting back the layers of honey.
have a job to do (やるべき仕事がある) [動] have a task that needs to be completed
彼にはやるべき仕事があった。蜂蜜の層を元に戻すことだ。