Chapter 6: TWO BIG BEARS
第6章: 2頭の大きな熊

 Then one day Pa said that spring was coming.
spring (春) [名] the season of the year between winter and summer
そしてある日、パパは春が来ると言った。

 In the Big Woods the snow was beginning to thaw.
大森林では雪が溶け始めていた。
Bits of it dropped from the branches of the trees and made little holes in the softening snowbanks below.
木の枝から雪のかけらが落ち、下の柔らかくなった雪の土手に小さな穴を開けた。
At noon all the big icicles along the eaves of the little house quivered and sparkled in the sunshine, and drops of water hung trembling at their tips.
noon (正午) [名] twelve o'clock in the daytime
quiver (震える) [動] shake or tremble slightly
drop (水滴) [名] a small round mass of liquid
tremble (震える) [動] shake or tremble slightly
正午になると、小さな家の軒先に沿ってつららになった大きな氷柱がすべて震え、日差しの中できらめき、水滴がその先端で震えながらぶら下がった。

 Pa said he must go to town to trade the furs of the wild animals he had been trapping all winter.
trade (売る) [動] buy and sell goods and services
パパは、冬の間ずっと捕獲していた野生動物の毛皮を売るために町に行かなければならないと言った。
So one evening he made a big bundle of them.
one evening (ある晩) [名] the evening of a particular day
make a big bundle (大きな束にする) [動] to make a large amount of something
それで、ある晩、パパは毛皮を大きな束にした。
There were so many furs that when they were packed tightly and tied together they made a bundle almost as big as Pa.
so many (たくさん) [限] a large number of
bundle (束) [名] a number of things tied or wrapped together
毛皮はたくさんあったので、ぎゅっと詰めて縛ると、パパと同じくらい大きな束になった。

 Very early one morning Pa strapped the bundle of furs on his shoulders, and started to walk to town.
strap (かける) [動] fasten or secure with a strap
ある朝早く、パパは毛皮の束を肩にかけ、町まで歩き始めた。
There were so many furs to carry that he could not take his gun.
毛皮があまりに多かったので、銃を持って行くことができなかった。

 Ma was worried, but Pa said that by starting before sun-up and walking very fast all day he could get home again before dark.
worried (心配した) [形] feeling or showing worry, nervousness, or unhappiness
sun-up (日の出) [名] the time of day when the sun rises
ママは心配したが、パパは日の出前に出発して、一日中とても速く歩けば、暗くなる前に帰宅できると言った。

 The nearest town was far away.
far (遠い) [形] a long way away
一番近い町は遠くにあった。
Laura and Mary had never seen a town.
ローラとメアリーは町を見たことがなかった。
They had never seen a store.
store (店) [名] a place where one can buy goods or services
二人は店を見たことがなかった。
They had never seen even two houses standing together.
二人は二軒の家が並んで立っているのを見たことがなかった。
But they knew that in a town there were many houses, and a store full of candy and calico and other wonderful things—powder, and shot, and salt, and store sugar.
wonderful (素晴らしい) [形] extremely good or impressive
shot (弾) [名] a small projectile made of metal
しかし、町にはたくさんの家があり、店にはキャンディやカリコやその他の素晴らしいもの、つまり粉、弾、塩、砂糖がいっぱいあることを知っていた。

 They knew that Pa would trade his furs to the storekeeper for beautiful things from town, and all day they were expecting the presents he would bring them.
trade (交換する) [動] exchange (something) for something else, typically as a commercial transaction
storekeeper (店主) [名] the owner or manager of a store
二人はパパが毛皮を店主に渡して町の素敵なものと交換してくれることを知っていたので、一日中パパが持ってくるプレゼントを期待していた。
When the sun sank low above the treetops and no more drops fell from the tips of the icicles they began to watch eagerly for Pa.
sink (沈む) [動] go down below the surface of a liquid
eagerly (熱心に) [副] in a very enthusiastic way
太陽が木のてっぺんより低く沈み、つららの先から水滴が落ちなくなったとき、二人はパパを熱心に待ち始めた。

 The sun sank out of sight, the woods grew dark, and he did not come.
grow (なる) [動] become
太陽が沈み、森が暗くなっても、パパは帰ってこなかった。
Ma started supper and set the table, but he did not come.
ママは夕食の準備を始めてテーブルをセットしたが、パパは帰ってこなかった。
It was time to do the chores, and still he had not come.
be time to (時間になる) [動] be the right time for something
do the chores (家事をやる) [動] do the routine work of a house
家事をやる時間になったが、パパは帰ってこなかった。

 Ma said that Laura might come with her while she milked the cow.
might (かもしれない) [助] expressing possibility
while (間) [名] a period of time
milk (乳搾りをする) [動] to draw or extract milk from
ママは、牛の乳搾りをする間、ローラも一緒に来てもいいと言った。
Laura could carry the lantern.
ローラはランタンを持ってもいい。

 So Laura put on her coat and Ma buttoned it up.
up (留める) [副] to a higher place or position
ローラはコートを着て、ママがボタンを留めてくれた。
And Laura put her hands into her red mittens that hung by a red yarn string around her neck, while Ma lighted the candle in the lantern.
put one's hands into (手を入れた) [動] to put one's hands into something
red mittens (赤いミトン) [名] a pair of red gloves
hang by (ぶら下げた) [動] to be suspended from something
red yarn string (赤い毛糸の紐) [名] a piece of red yarn
around one's neck (首に巻いた) [名] the part of a person's or animal's body that connects the head to the rest of the body
light (火をつけた) [動] to cause to burn or to be on fire
candle (ろうそく) [名] a stick of wax with a wick in the middle that is lit to produce light
ローラは、首に巻いた赤い毛糸の紐にぶら下げた赤いミトンに手を入れ、ママはランタンのろうそくに火をつけた。

 Laura was proud to be helping Ma with the milking, and she carried the lantern very carefully.
be proud (誇りに思う) [動] be pleased with oneself or with one's achievements
milking (搾乳) [名] the act of milking a cow or other animal
ローラはママの搾乳を手伝えることを誇りに思い、ランタンをとても注意深く運んだ。
Its sides were of tin, with places cut in them for the candle-light to shine through.
側面はブリキで、ろうそくの光が透けて見えるように切り込みが入っている。

 When Laura walked behind Ma on the path to the barn, the little bits of candle-light from the lantern leaped all around her on the snow.
ローラがママの後ろを歩いて納屋に向かうと、ランタンのろうそくの光が雪の上に飛び散った。
The night was not yet quite dark.
not yet (まだ) [副] up to now; until now
quite (かなり) [副] to a certain extent; fairly
夜はまだ真っ暗ではなかった。
The woods were dark, but there was a gray light on the snowy path, and in the sky there were a few faint stars.
sky (空) [名] everything that lies above earth
森は暗かったが、雪道には灰色の光があり、空にはかすかな星がいくつかあった。
The stars did not look as warm and bright as the little lights that came from the lantern.
星はランタンから出る小さな光ほど暖かく明るく見えなかった。

 Laura was surprised to see the dark shape of Sukey, the brown cow, standing at the barnyard gate.
be surprised (驚く) [動] feel or show surprise
shape (姿) [名] the external form, contours, or outline of someone or something
barnyard (納屋) [名] a yard surrounded by farm buildings
gate (門) [名] a hinged barrier used to close an opening in a wall, fence, or hedge
ローラは、納屋の門に立っている茶色の牛、スーキーの暗い姿を見て驚いた。
Ma was surprised, too.
ママも驚いた。

 It was too early in the spring for Sukey to be let out in the Big Woods to eat grass.
early (早い) [形] happening or done before the usual or expected time
let out (放たれる) [動] allow to leave
スーキーが草を食べるために大森林に放たれるには、春には早すぎた。
She lived in the barn.
彼女は納屋に住んでいた。
But sometimes on warm days Pa left the door of her stall open so she could come into the barnyard.
stall (屋台) [名] a compartment for an animal in a stable or barn
しかし、暖かい日には、パパは彼女が納屋の庭に来ることができるように、彼女の屋台の扉を開けたままにしておいた。
Now Ma and Laura saw her behind the bars, waiting for them.
ママとローラは、彼女がバーの後ろで待っているのを見た。

 Ma went up to the gate, and pushed against it to open it.
go up to (行く) [動] move towards something
push against (押す) [動] exert force on something so as to move it away from oneself
ママは門まで行き、それを押し開けた。
But it did not open very far, because there was Sukey, standing against it.
しかし、スーキーがそこに立っていたので、あまり開かなかった。
Ma said,
ママは言った。

 “Sukey, get over!”
get over (どく) [動] move to the other side of something
「スーキー、どいて!」
She reached across the gate and slapped Sukey's shoulder.
slap (叩く) [動] hit with the palm of the hand or a flat object
彼女は門を越えて手を伸ばし、スーキーの肩を叩いた。

 Just then one of the dancing little bits of light from the lantern jumped between the bars of the gate, and Laura saw long, shaggy, black fur, and two little, glittering eyes.
Just then (ちょうどその時) [副] at that exact moment
dancing (踊る) [動] move rhythmically to music, typically following a set sequence of steps
two (2つの) [名] a number one more than one; the second cardinal number
ちょうどその時、ランタンから踊る小さな光の1つが門の棒の間を飛び、ローラは長く、毛むくじゃらの、黒い毛皮と2つの小さな、きらめく目を見た。

 Sukey had thin, short, brown fur.
thin (薄い) [形] having little substance or quality
スーキーは薄く、短く、茶色の毛皮を持っていた。
Sukey had large, gentle eyes.
gentle (優しい) [形] not rough or violent; mild, moderate, or slight
スーキーは大きくて優しい目をしていた。

 Ma said, “Laura, walk back to the house.”
walk back (歩いて帰る) [動] go back to a place by walking
ママは「ローラ、家まで歩いて帰りなさい」と言った。

 So Laura turned around and began to walk toward the house.
turn around (振り返る) [動] change direction, position, or course
それでローラは振り返って家に向かって歩き始めた。
Ma came behind her.
ママは彼女の後ろに来た。
When they had gone part way, Ma snatched her up, lantern and all, and ran.
go part way (途中まで行く) [動] go part of the way
snatch (抱きかかえる) [動] grab suddenly and forcibly
途中まで来ると、ママはローラをランタンもろとも抱きかかえて走った。
Ma ran with her into the house, and slammed the door.
ママは彼女を抱えて家の中に走り込み、ドアをバタンと閉めた。

 Then Laura said, “Ma, was it a bear?”
それからローラは「ママ、あれは熊だったの?」と言った。

 “Yes, Laura,” Ma said.
「そうよ、ローラ」とママは言った。
“It was a bear.”
「あれは熊だったよ」

 Laura began to cry.
ローラは泣き始めた。
She hung on to Ma and sobbed, “Oh, will he eat Sukey?”
hang on (しがみつく) [動] to hold on to something tightly
sob (むせび泣く) [動] to cry noisily, taking deep breaths
彼女はママにしがみついて「ああ、熊はスーキーを食べちゃうの?」とむせび泣いた。

 “No,” Ma said, hugging her.
「いいえ」とママは彼女を抱きしめて言った。
“Sukey is safe in the barn.
「スーキーは納屋で安全よ。
Think, Laura—all those big, heavy logs in the barn walls.
think (考える) [動] have a particular opinion, belief, or idea about someone or something
考えてごらん、ローラ、納屋の壁にあるあの大きくて重い丸太を。
And the door is heavy and solid, made to keep bears out.
keep (入らないようにする) [動] to not give, allow, or admit
それにドアは重くて頑丈で、熊が入らないように作られているのよ。
No, the bear cannot get in and eat Sukey.”
いいえ、熊は中に入ってスーキーを食べることはできないよ。」

 Laura felt better then.
feel better (安心する) [動] to feel more at ease
then (その時) [副] at that time
ローラはその時安心した。
“But he could have hurt us, couldn't he?” she asked.
「でも、熊は私たちを傷つけることはできたでしょう?」と彼女は尋ねた。

 “He didn't hurt us,” Ma said.
「熊は私たちを傷つけなかったよ」とママは言った。
“You were a good girl, Laura, to do exactly as I told you, and to do it quickly, without asking why.”
exactly (通りに) [副] in a way that is accurate or correct
without (ずに) [前] not having or not doing something
「ローラ、私の言った通りに素早く、理由も聞かずに行動して、いい子だったよ。」

 Ma was trembling, and she began to laugh a little.
ママは震えながら、少し笑い始めた。
“To think,” she said, “I've slapped a bear!”
slap (平手打ちする) [動] hit someone with the palm of your hand
「考えてみれば、私は熊を平手打ちしたのよ!」と彼女は言った。

 Then she put supper on the table for Laura and Mary.
それから、彼女はローラとメアリーのために夕食をテーブルに出した。
Pa had not come yet.
yet (まだ) [副] up until the present time; so far
パパはまだ帰っていなかった。
He didn't come.
彼は来なかった。
Laura and Mary were undressed, and they said their prayers and snuggled into the trundle bed.
undress (服を脱ぐ) [動] take off one's clothes
ローラとメアリーは服を脱ぎ、お祈りをして、引き出し式のベッドに潜り込んだ。

 Ma sat by the lamp, mending one of Pa's shirts.
mend (繕う) [動] repair
shirt (シャツ) [名] a garment for the upper body made of cotton or a similar fabric, with a collar, sleeves, and buttons down the front
ママはランプのそばに座って、パパのシャツを繕っていた。
The house seemed cold and still and strange, without Pa.
still (静かな) [形] making little or no noise
家はパパがいなくて、寒くて静かで奇妙な感じがした。

 Laura listened to the wind in the Big Woods.
ローラは大きな森の風の音を聞いた。
All around the house the wind went crying as though it were lost in the dark and the cold.
as though (かのように) [接] in the way that; as if
lose (迷子になる) [動] fail to find or keep
家の周りでは、風が暗闇と寒さの中で迷子になったかのように泣き叫んでいた。
The wind sounded frightened.
sound (ようだった) [動] to seem or appear
frightened (怯えている) [形] feeling or showing fear
風は怯えているようだった。

 Ma finished mending the shirt.
finish (終える) [動] bring to an end; come to an end
ママはシャツの繕いを終えた。
Laura saw her fold it slowly and carefully.
fold (畳む) [動] bend (something flexible and relatively flat) over on itself so that one part of it covers another
ローラはママがゆっくりと丁寧にシャツを畳むのを見た。
She smoothed it with her hand.
ママは手でシャツを撫でた。
Then she did a thing she had never done before.
そしてママは今までしたことのないことをした。
She went to the door and pulled the leather latch-string through its hole in the door, so that nobody could get in from outside unless she lifted the latch.
go to (行く) [動] move or travel toward or into a place thought of as near or familiar to the speaker
latch-string (掛け金の紐) [名] a string passed through a hole in a door and attached to the latch, enabling the door to be opened from the outside
so that (~ように) [接] with the result or aim that
nobody (誰も) [代] no person; no one
get in (入る) [動] go or come in
outside (外) [名] all the area beyond a room, building, town, etc.
unless (~しない限り) [接] except if; if not
ママはドアのところへ行き、革製の掛け金の紐をドアの穴から引っ張り、ママが掛け金を上げない限り誰も外から入ってこられないようにした。
She came and took Carrie, all limp and sleeping, out of the big bed.
take (抱き上げる) [動] move something or someone to a different place
limp (ぐったり) [形] lacking energy or force
ママは戻ってきて、ぐったりと眠っているキャリーを大きなベッドから抱き上げた。

 She saw that Laura and Mary were still awake, and she said to them: “Go to sleep, girls.
see (気づく) [動] notice or become aware of
awake (起きている) [動] be out of bed and doing things
ママはローラとメアリーがまだ起きていることに気づき、二人に言った。「寝なさい、お嬢さんたち。
Everything is all right.
everything (何も問題はない) [名] all that exists; all that is included in a group or category
all right (問題はない) [形] satisfactory; in good condition
何も問題はないのよ。
Pa will be here in the morning.”
be here (帰ってくる) [動] arrive at a place
パパは朝には帰ってくるよ。」

 Then she went back to her rocking chair and sat there rocking gently and holding Baby Carrie in her arms.
go back (戻る) [動] return to a previous place or state
それからママはロッキングチェアに戻り、赤ちゃんキャリーを抱いて優しく揺れながら座った。

 She was sitting up late, waiting for Pa, and Laura and Mary meant to stay awake, too, till he came.
sit up (起きる) [動] to move from a lying to a sitting position
ママはパパを待って夜更かししていたので、ローラとメアリーもパパが帰ってくるまで起きていることにした。
But at last they went to sleep.
しかし、ついに眠ってしまった。

 In the morning Pa was there.
be there (帰ってきていた) [動] be present in a place
朝にはパパが帰ってきていた。
He had brought candy for Laura and Mary, and two pieces of pretty calico to make them each a dress.
パパはローラとメアリーのためにキャンディと、それぞれにドレスを作るためのきれいな更紗を2枚持ってきた。
Mary's was a china-blue pattern on a white ground, and Laura's was dark red with little golden-brown dots on it.
dark red (濃い赤) [名] a dark shade of red
golden-brown (金茶色) [形] of a color intermediate between gold and brown
dot (点) [名] a small round mark
メアリーのは白い地に青磁色の模様で、ローラは濃い赤に金茶色の小さな点々がついたものだった。
Ma had calico for a dress, too;
ママにもドレス用の更紗があった。
it was brown, with a big, feathery white pattern all over it.
feathery (羽のような) [形] light and delicate like a feather
それは茶色で、全体に大きな羽のような白い模様があった。

 They were all happy because Pa had got such good prices for his furs that he could afford to get them such beautiful presents.
get such good prices (高く売れる) [動] to sell something for a lot of money
afford (余裕がある) [動] to be able to pay for something
such beautiful presents (こんな素敵なプレゼント) [名] a gift or something that is given
パパが毛皮を高く売れたので、こんな素敵なプレゼントを買う余裕があったため、みんな幸せだった。

 The tracks of the big bear were all around the barn, and there were marks of his claws on the walls.
大きな熊の足跡が納屋の周りにあり、壁には爪の跡があった。
But Sukey and the horses were safe inside.
safe (無事) [形] protected from or not exposed to danger or risk; not likely to cause or lead to harm, injury, or loss
しかし、スーキーと馬たちは無事に中に入れた。

 All that day the sun shone, the snow melted, and little streams of water ran from the icicles, which all the time grew thinner.
shine (照る) [動] to emit or reflect light
run (流れる) [動] to go quickly by moving the legs more rapidly than at a walk and in such a manner that for an instant in each step all or both feet are off the ground
thin (細い) [形] having little distance from one surface to the opposite one
その日中、太陽が照り、雪が溶け、つららから小さな水の流れが流れ、つららはずっと細くなっていった。
Before the sun set that night, the bear tracks were only shapeless marks in the wet, soft snow.
set (沈む) [動] go below the horizon
wet (湿った) [形] covered or saturated with water or another liquid
その夜、日が沈む前に、熊の足跡は湿った柔らかい雪の中の形のない跡だけになった。

 After supper Pa took Laura and Mary on his knees and said he had a new story to tell them.
夕食後、パパはローラとメアリーを膝に乗せ、新しい話をすると言いました。

 The Story of Pa and the Bear in the Way.
パパと道にいる熊の話。

 “WHEN I went to town yesterday with the furs I found it hard walking in the soft snow.
yesterday (昨日) [名] the day before today
「昨日、毛皮を持って町に行った時、柔らかい雪の中を歩くのが大変だった。
It took me a long time to get to town, and other men with furs had come in earlier to do their trading.
take (かかる) [動] require (a period of time)
trading (取引) [名] the action of buying and selling goods and services
町に着くまでに長い時間がかかり、毛皮を持った他の男たちはもっと早く取引に来ていた。
The storekeeper was busy, and I had to wait until he could look at my furs.
店主は忙しく、私の毛皮を見てくれるまで待たなければならなかった。

 “Then we had to bargain about the price of each one, and then I had to pick out the things I wanted to take in trade.
bargain (交渉する) [動] negotiate the terms of a transaction
pick out (選ぶ) [動] choose or select from a number of alternatives
「それから、一枚一枚の値段を交渉し、物々交換で受け取りたいものを選ばなければならなかった。

 “So it was nearly sundown before I could start home.
start home (家路につく) [動] begin to go home
sundown (日が暮れる) [名] the time in the evening when the sun goes below the horizon
「だから、家路につく頃には日が暮れそうだった。

 “I tried to hurry, but the walking was hard and I was tired, so I had not gone far before night came.
hard (大変) [形] requiring a great deal of effort
tired (疲れた) [形] in need of rest or sleep
「急ごうとしたけど、歩くのが大変で疲れていたので、夜になる前にあまり遠くへは行けなかった。
And I was alone in the Big Woods without my gun.
alone (一人ぼっち) [形] having no one else present
そして、私は銃を持たずに大森林に一人ぼっちだった。

 “There were still six miles to walk, and I came along as fast as I could.
six miles (6マイル) [名] a unit of length equal to 1.609344 kilometers
as fast as I could (できるだけ速く) [副] as quickly as possible
「まだ6マイル歩かなければならなかったが、できるだけ速く歩いた。
The night grew darker and darker, and I wished for my gun, because I knew that some of the bears had come out of their winter dens.
grow darker (暗くなる) [動] become dark
winter den (冬の巣穴) [名] a place where a bear spends the winter
夜はますます暗くなり、私は銃が欲しくなった。なぜなら、熊の何頭かが冬の巣穴から出てきていたことを知っていたからだ。
I had seen their tracks when I went to town in the morning.
朝、町に行った時に熊の足跡を見かけたのだった。

 “Bears are hungry and cross at this time of year;
cross (怒りっぽい) [形] angry or annoyed
「熊は今の時期は空腹で怒りっぽい。
you know they have been sleeping in their dens all winter long with nothing to eat, and that makes them thin and angry when they wake up.
nothing to eat (何も食べない) [名] no food
熊は冬の間ずっと巣穴で何も食べずに眠っているから、目覚めた時には痩せていて怒りっぽいんだ。
I did not want to meet one.
meet (会う) [動] come into the presence of
one (熊) [名] the number 1
私は熊に会いたくなかった。

 “I hurried along as quick as I could in the dark.
「私は暗闇の中をできるだけ急いで歩いた。
By and by the stars gave a little light.
by and by (やがて) [副] before long; soon
やがて星が少し光をくれた。
It was still black as pitch where the woods were thick, but in the open places I could see, dimly.
open (開けた) [形] not closed or blocked
dimly (ぼんやりと) [副] not brightly or clearly
森が深いところは真っ暗だったが、開けた場所ではぼんやりと見えた。
I could see the snowy road ahead a little way, and I could see the dark woods standing all around me.
ahead (先) [副] in front of one in space or time
少し先の雪道と、私の周りにある暗い森が見えた。
I was glad when I came into an open place where the stars gave me this faint light.
come into (出る) [動] to move from one place to another
faint light (かすかな光) [名] a light that is not very bright
星がかすかな光をくれる開けた場所に出た時は嬉しかった。

 “All the time I was watching, as well as I could, for bears.
all the time (ずっと) [副] continuously
as well as (できる限り) [接] in addition to
「私はずっと、できる限り熊を探していた。
I was listening for the sounds they make when they go carelessly through the bushes.
listen for (耳を澄ませる) [動] to try to hear something
carelessly (不注意に) [副] without care or concern
熊が藪の中を不注意に歩く時に立てる音に耳を澄ませていた。

 “Then I came again into an open place, and there, right in the middle of my road, I saw a big black bear.
「それからまた開けた場所に出た。そして道の真ん中に大きな黒い熊を見た。

 “He was standing up on his hind legs, looking at me,
「熊は後ろ足で立って私を見ていた。
I could see his eyes shine.
shine (光る) [動] emit or reflect light
熊の目が光っているのが見えた。
I could see his pig-snout.
pig-snout (豚のような鼻) [名] the nose of a pig
熊の豚のような鼻が見えた。
I could even see one of his claws, in the starlight.
星明かりで熊の爪の1本まで見えた。

 “My scalp prickled, and my hair stood straight up.
scalp (頭皮) [名] the skin covering the top of the head
prickle (チクチクする) [動] to have or cause a slight tingling or stinging sensation
「頭皮がチクチクして、髪の毛が逆立った。
I stopped in my tracks, and stood still.
私は足を止めて、じっと立った。
The bear did not move.
熊は動かなかった。
There he stood, looking at me.
me (私) [代] the speaker or writer
熊はそこに立って、私を見ていた。

 “I knew it would do no good to try to go around him.
go around (避けて通る) [動] to avoid or bypass
do no good (無駄だ) [動] to be of no use or benefit
「熊を避けて通ろうとしても無駄だとわかっていた。
He would follow me into the dark woods, where he could see better than I could.
熊は私を暗い森まで追いかけてくるだろうし、熊は私よりも暗闇でもよく見える。
I did not want to fight a winter-starved bear in the dark.
暗闇の中で冬に飢えた熊と戦いたくなかった。
Oh, how I wished for my gun!
wish (願う) [動] feel or express a strong desire or hope for something that is not easily attainable
ああ、銃があればどんなによかったか!

 “I had to pass that bear, to get home.
pass (通り過ぎる) [動] move or cause to move in a specified direction
「家に帰るには、あの熊を通り過ぎなければならなかった。
I thought that if I could scare him, he might get out of the road and let me go by.
get out of (どく) [動] move or cause to move from the inside to the outside of something
let (通す) [動] allow to pass
熊を怖がらせることができれば、道からどいて通してくれるかもしれないと思った。
So I took a deep breath, and suddenly I shouted with all my might and ran at him, waving my arms.
take a deep breath (深呼吸をする) [動] to breathe deeply
suddenly (突然) [副] quickly and without warning
with all my might (全力で) [副] as much as possible
wave (振る) [動] move one's hand to and fro in greeting or as a signal
だから私は深呼吸をして、突然全力で叫び、腕を振りながら熊に向かって走った。

 “He didn't move.
「熊は動かなかった。

 “I did not run very far toward him, I tell you!
far (遠く) [副] a long way off; a great distance
toward (に向かって) [前] in the direction of
「熊に向かってあまり遠くまで走らなかったよ!
I stopped and looked at him, and he stood looking at me.
私は立ち止まって熊を見た。熊は立って私を見ていた。
Then I shouted again.
それから私はまた叫んだ。
There he stood.
熊はそこに立っていた。
I kept on shouting and waving my arms, but he did not budge.
budge (動く) [動] move or cause to move slightly
私は叫び続け、腕を振り続けたが、熊は動かなかった。

 “Well, it would do me no good to run away.
「逃げても無駄だ。
There were other bears in the woods.
森には他の熊もいた。
I might meet one any time.
any time (いつでも) [名] at any time; whenever
いつでも熊に出会うかもしれない。
I might as well deal with this one as with another.
might as well (した方がいい) [動] it would be better to
deal with (戦う) [動] take action in order to resolve a situation or problem
他の熊と戦うくらいなら、この熊と戦った方がいい。
Besides, I was coming home to Ma and you girls.
besides (それに) [副] in addition to; as well as
you girls (あなたたち) [名] the girls that are being addressed
それに、私はママとあなたたちのところへ帰るところだった。
I would never get here, if I ran away from everything in the woods that scared me.
get here (ここにたどり着く) [動] arrive at this place
森の中で怖いものから逃げ回っていたら、ここにはたどり着けなかっただろう。

 “So at last I looked around, and I got a good big club, a solid, heavy branch that had been broken from a tree by the weight of snow in the winter.
look around (見回す) [動] to turn your head and eyes in different directions in order to see what is around you
get (見つける) [動] to obtain by searching, asking, or buying
club (棍棒) [名] a heavy stick with a thick end, used as a weapon
break (折れる) [動] to cause to come apart by force
「それで、ついに私は周りを見回して、冬に雪の重みで木から折れた、大きくて頑丈な枝を棍棒にした。

 “I lifted it up in my hands, and I ran straight at that bear.
「私はそれを両手で持ち上げ、熊に向かってまっすぐ走った。
I swung my club as hard as I could and brought it down, bang!
swing (振り回す) [動] move or cause to move back and forth or from side to side
hard (強く) [副] with a great deal of force or strength
bring down (振り下ろす) [動] cause to fall
bang (ドン) [名] a sudden loud noise
私は棍棒をできるだけ強く振り回し、それを振り下ろした。
on his head.
熊の頭に。

 “And there he still stood, for he was nothing but a big, black, burned stump!
burn (焼ける) [動] be on fire; be very hot
「そして、熊はそこに立ったままだった。熊は大きくて黒い焼けた切り株にすぎなかったのだ!

 “I had passed it on my way to town that morning.
「私はその朝、町に行く途中でそれを通り過ぎていた。
It wasn't a bear at all.
熊ではなかったのだ。
I only thought it was a bear, because I had been thinking all the time about bears and being afraid I'd meet one.”
熊だと思っただけだった。私はずっと熊のことを考えていて、熊に出会うのを恐れていたからだ。」

 “It really wasn't a bear at all?”
「本当に熊ではなかったの?」
Mary asked.
メアリーは尋ねた。

 “No, Mary, it wasn't a bear at all.
No (いいえ) [間] a negative response
「いいえ、メアリー、熊ではなかった。
There I had been yelling, and dancing, and waving my arms, all by myself in the Big Woods, trying to scare a stump!”
yell (叫ぶ) [動] to speak or shout loudly
dance (踊る) [動] to move rhythmically to music, typically following a set sequence of steps
大森林の中で、私は一人で叫び、踊り、腕を振り回して、切り株を怖がらせようとしていたんだ!」

 Laura said: “Ours was really a bear.
ローラは言った。「私たちのは本当に熊だった。
But we were not scared, because we thought it was Sukey.”
でも、私たちは怖くなかった、スーキーだと思ったから。」

 Pa did not say anything, but he hugged her tighter.
パパは何も言わなかったが、彼女をもっと強く抱きしめた。

 “Oo-oo! That bear might have eaten Ma and me all up!” Laura said, snuggling closer to him.
up (全部) [副] to a higher position or level
「うわー! あの熊はママと私を全部食べちゃったかもしれない!」ローラは彼にもっと寄り添いながら言った。
“But Ma walked right up to him and slapped him, and he didn't do anything at all.
walk up to (歩いて行く) [動] approach someone
do anything (何もしない) [動] not do anything
「でもママは彼のすぐそばまで歩いて行って、彼を叩いた、そして彼は何もせずにいた。
Why didn't he do anything?”
なぜ彼は何もしないの?」

 “I guess he was too surprised to do anything, Laura,” Pa said.
guess (思う) [動] to form an opinion or conclusion about something without having all the facts
surprised (驚く) [形] feeling or showing surprise
「彼は何もできないほど驚いていたんだと思うよ、ローラ」パパは言った。
“I guess he was afraid, when the lantern shone in his eyes.
「彼はランタンが目に当たった時、怖かったんだと思う。
And when Ma walked up to him and slapped him, he knew she wasn't afraid.”
そしてママが彼の所まで歩いて行って彼を叩いた時、彼は彼女が怖がっていないことを知ったんだ。」

 “Well, you were brave, too,” Laura said.
brave (勇敢な) [形] ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage
too (も) [副] in addition; also; as well
「ええ、あなたも勇敢だったよ」ローラは言った。
“Even if it was only a stump, you thought it was a bear.
「それがただの切り株だったとしても、あなたはそれを熊だと思ったのよ。
You'd have hit him on the head with a club, if he had been a bear, wouldn't you, Pa?”
wouldn't (でしょう) [助] would not
もしそれが熊だったら、あなたは彼の頭を棍棒で殴ったでしょう、パパ?」

 “Yes,” said Pa, “I would. You see, I had to.”
had to (しなければならなかった) [助] be obliged to; must
「そう」パパは言った。「そうするだろう。わかるだろう、そうしなければならなかったんだ。」

 Then Ma said it was bedtime.
bedtime (寝る時間) [名] the time when you go to bed
それからママは寝る時間だと言った。
She helped Laura and Mary undress and button up their red flannel nightgowns.
button up (ボタンをかける) [動] fasten with buttons
彼女はローラとメアリーが服を脱いで赤いフランネルの寝巻きのボタンをかける手伝いをした。
They knelt down by the trundle bed and said their prayers.
彼女たちは引き出し式のベッドのそばにひざまずいて祈りを捧げた。

 “Now I lay me down to sleep,
「今私は眠りにつく。

 I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
pray (祈る) [動] address a prayer to God or another deity
Lord (主) [名] the creator and ruler of the universe and source of all moral authority; the supreme being
soul (魂) [名] the spiritual or immaterial part of a human being or animal
keep (守る) [動] continue in a specified condition, position, course, etc.
私の魂を守ってくださるよう主に祈る。

 If I should die before I wake,
もし私が目覚める前に死んだら、

 I pray the Lord my soul to take.”
私の魂を召し取ってくださいますよう主に祈る。」

 Ma kissed them both, and tucked the covers in around them.
tuck (掛け直す) [動] put or fold the edges of something in or under something else
cover (布団) [名] something that lies on top of or in front of something else
ママは二人にキスをして、布団を掛け直した。
They lay there awhile, looking at Ma's smooth, parted hair and her hands busy with sewing in the lamplight.
awhile (しばらく) [副] for a short time
part (分ける) [動] divide into two or more pieces
sewing (縫い物) [名] the activity or occupation of sewing
lamplight (ランプの明かり) [名] the light from a lamp
二人はしばらく横になって、ママのつやつやした分け目のついた髪と、ランプの明かりの下で忙しく縫い物をしている手を眺めていた。
Her needle made little clicking sounds against her thimble and then the thread went softly, swish!
swish (シュッと) [動] move or cause to move with a hissing or rushing sound
ママの針は指ぬきに当たって小さな音を立て、それから糸が柔らかく、シュッと通った。
through the pretty calico that Pa had traded furs for.
パパが毛皮と交換したきれいな更紗の中を。

 Laura looked at Pa, who was greasing his boots.
boot (ブーツ) [名] a covering for the foot and lower leg
ローラはブーツに油を塗っているパパを見た。
His mustaches and his hair and his long brown beard were silky in the lamplight, and the colors of his plaid jacket were gay.
beard (ひげ) [名] the hair growing on a man's chin and cheeks
silky (絹のような) [形] made of silk
plaid (格子柄) [名] a pattern of squares of different colors
gay (明るい) [形] happy
パパの口ひげと髪の毛と長い茶色のひげはランプの光の中で絹のように見え、格子柄のジャケットの色は明るかった。
He whistled cheerfully while he worked, and then he sang:
whistle (口笛を吹く) [動] to make a clear, high-pitched sound by forcing air through a small opening between one's lips
cheerfully (陽気に) [副] in a cheerful manner
work (作業する) [動] to be engaged in physical or mental activity in order to achieve a purpose of result
パパは作業中陽気に口笛を吹き、それから歌った。

 “The birds were singing in the morning,
「朝、鳥が歌っていた。

 And the myrtle and the ivy were in bloom,
myrtle (ギンバイカ) [名] an evergreen shrub with glossy leaves and white or pink flowers
ivy (ツタ) [名] a woody climbing plant with lobed leaves
ギンバイカとツタが咲いていた。

 And the sun o'er the hills was a-dawning,
dawn (夜明け) [名] the first appearance of light in the sky before sunrise
丘の向こうに太陽が昇っていた。

 Twas then that I laid her in the tomb.”
tomb (墓) [名] a grave or other place of burial
その時、私は彼女を墓に埋めた。」

 It was a warm night.
暖かい夜だった。
The fire had gone to coals on the hearth, and Pa did not build it up.
go to (になる) [動] change into
build up (燃やす) [動] to increase in size, amount, or intensity
火は炉床の炭火になっており、パパはそれを燃やさなかった。
All around the little house, in the Big Woods, there were little sounds of falling snow, and from the eaves there was the drip, drip of the melting icicles.
falling snow (雪が降る) [名] snow that is falling
eaves (軒先) [名] the edge of a roof that projects beyond the side of a building
melting icicles (溶けたつらら) [名] icicles that are melting
大きな森の小さな家の周りには、雪が降る小さな音がして、軒先からは溶けたつららがポタポタと落ちていた。

 In just a little while the trees would be putting out their baby leaves, all rosy and yellow and pale green, and there would be wild flowers and birds in the woods.
put out (出す) [動] to cause to be in a specified state
rosy (バラ色) [形] of a color intermediate between red and pink
pale (淡い) [形] light in color or having little color
ほんの少しすると、木々は赤みがかった黄色や淡い緑の若葉を出し、森には野生の花や鳥が現れるだろう。

 Then there would be no more stories by the fire at night, but all day long Laura and Mary would run and play among the trees, for it would be spring.
no more (もうない) [限] not any more
in the spring (春に) [副] during the spring season
そうなれば、夜に火のそばで物語を聞くことはなくなるが、ローラとメアリーは一日中木々の間を走り回って遊ぶだろう。春になるからだ。