[English-Japanese Annotation Book]

Little House on the Prairie

大草原の小さな家

by Laura Ingalls Wilder

sections=26, paragraphs=1451, sentences=4394

words=51946, characters=268877, annotations=5149

Contents

1. Chapter 1: GOING WEST

2. Chapter 2: CROSSING THE CREEK

3. Chapter 3: CAMP ON THE HIGH PRAIRIE

4. Chapter 4: PRAIRIE DAY

5. Chapter 5: THE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE

6. Chapter 6: MOVING IN

7. Chapter 7: THE WOLF-PACK

8. Chapter 8: TWO STOUT DOORS

9. Chapter 9: A FIRE ON THE HEARTH

10. Chapter 10: A ROOF AND A FLOOR

11. Chapter 11: INDIANS IN THE HOUSE

12. Chapter 12: FRESH WATER TO DRINK

13. Chapter 13: TEXAS LONGHORNS

14. Chapter 14: INDIAN CAMP

15. Chapter 15: FEVER’N'AGUE

16. Chapter 16: FIRE IN THE CHIMNEY

17. Chapter 17: PA GOES TO TOWN

18. Chapter 18: THE TALL INDIAN

19. Chapter 19: MR. EDWARDS MEETS SANTA CLAUS

20. Chapter 20: A SCREAM IN THE NIGHT

21. Chapter 21: INDIAN JAMBOREE

22. Chapter 22: PRAIRIE FIRE

23. Chapter 23: INDIAN WAR-CRY

24. Chapter 24: INDIANS RIDE AWAY

25. Chapter 25: SOLDIERS

26. Chapter 26: GOING OUT

License

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This book was automatically generated by extracting sentences from the original text and applying machine translation for each sentence. Therefore, translation quality should not be considered to be the same level as translation by human. Annotations were also generated automatically with an AI model.

Chapter 1: GOING WEST

chapter (章) [名] a main division of a book

go (行く) [動] move or travel from one place to another

第1章: 西部へ

A long time ago, when all the grandfathers and grandmothers of today were little boys and little girls or very small babies, or perhaps not even born, Pa and Ma and Mary and Laura and Baby Carrie left their little house in the Big Woods of Wisconsin.

a long time ago (ずっと昔) [副] in the distant past

grandfather (おじいちゃん) [名] the father of one's father or mother

grandmother (おばあちゃん) [名] the mother of one's father or mother

little boy (小さな男の子) [名] a young male child

little girl (小さな女の子) [名] a young female child

very small baby (とても小さな赤ちゃん) [名] a very young infant

perhaps (おそらく) [副] possibly; maybe

not even (まだ~ない) [副] not at all; not a bit

be born (生まれる) [動] come into existence

Pa (パパ) [名] Laura's father

Ma (ママ) [名] Laura's mother

Mary (メアリー) [名] Laura's older sister

Laura (ローラ) [名] the protagonist of the story

Baby Carrie (赤ちゃんのキャリー) [名] Laura's younger sister

leave (後にする) [動] go away from

little house (小さな家) [名] the Ingalls family's home

Big Woods (大きな森) [名] a large forest in Wisconsin

Wisconsin (ウィスコンシン) [名] a state in the U.S.

ずっと昔、今のおじいちゃんやおばあちゃんがみんな小さな男の子や女の子、あるいはとても小さな赤ちゃんだった頃、あるいはまだ生まれていなかった頃、パパとママとメアリーとローラと赤ちゃんのキャリーはウィスコンシンの大きな森にある小さな家を後にしました。

They drove away and left it lonely and empty in the clearing among the big trees, and they never saw that little house again.

drive away (馬車で去る) [動] leave in a vehicle

lonely (寂しく) [形] sad because one has no friends or company

empty (空っぽ) [形] containing nothing

clearing (空き地) [名] an open space in a forest

big (大きな) [形] of great size or extent

tree (木) [名] a woody perennial plant typically having a main stem or trunk

never (二度と~ない) [副] not ever; on no occasion; at no time

see (見る) [動] perceive with the eyes

彼らは馬車で去り、大きな木々の間の空き地に寂しく空っぽの家を残して、二度とその小さな家を見ることはありませんでした。

They were going to the Indian country.

go (向かう) [動] move or travel toward a place

Indian (インディアン) [名] a member of any of the indigenous peoples of the Americas

country (国) [名] a nation with its own government, occupying a particular territory

彼らはインディアンの国へ向かっていました。

Pa said there were too many people in the Big Woods now.

too many (多すぎる) [形] more than needed or wanted

now (今) [副] at the present time; at this moment

パパは、今では大きな森に人が多すぎると言いました。

Quite often Laura heard the ringing thud of an ax which was not Pa’s ax, or the echo of a shot that did not come from his gun.

quite often (よく) [副] frequently

hear (聞く) [動] perceive with the ear the sound made by (someone or something)

ringing (音) [名] the sound of a bell

thud (音) [名] a dull sound as of a heavy object falling to the ground

ax (斧) [名] a tool with a heavy bladed head attached to a handle, used for chopping or splitting wood

gun (銃) [名] a weapon consisting of a metal tube from which a bullet or shell may be shot by the force of exploding gunpowder

echo (反響) [名] a sound or series of sounds caused by the reflection of sound waves from a surface back to the listener

ローラは、パパの斧ではない斧の音や、パパの銃からではない銃声の反響をよく耳にしました。

The path that went by the little house had become a road.

path (小道) [名] a track or way made by people walking

go by (通る) [動] pass by

become (なる) [動] come to be; turn into

小さな家のそばを通る小道は道になっていました。

Almost every day Laura and Mary stopped their playing and stared in surprise at a wagon slowly creaking by on that road.

almost every day (ほとんど毎日) [副] on most days

stop (止める) [動] cease an action

stare (見つめる) [動] look fixedly or intently

surprise (驚き) [名] a feeling of sudden wonder or astonishment

wagon (荷馬車) [名] a vehicle with four wheels that is pulled by a horse or other animal

creak (軋む) [動] make a harsh, high-pitched sound

slowly (ゆっくり) [副] not quickly; at a low speed

ローラとメアリーは、ほとんど毎日、遊びを止めて、その道をゆっくりと軋む荷馬車を驚いて見つめていました。

Wild animals would not stay in a country where there were so many people.

wild animal (野生動物) [名] an animal that lives in the wild

stay (住み着く) [動] remain in a place

野生動物は、こんなに人が多い国には住み着かないでしょう。

Pa did not like to stay, either.

like (~したい) [動] want to do something

stay (残る) [動] remain in the same place

パパも残りたくはありませんでした。

He liked a country where the wild animals lived without being afraid.

live (住む) [動] have as one's home or place of residence

彼は野生動物が恐れずに住んでいる国が好きでした。

He liked to see the little fawns and their mothers looking at him from the shadowy woods, and the fat, lazy bears eating berries in the wild-berry patches.

little (小さな) [形] small in size

fawn (子鹿) [名] a young deer

mother (母親) [名] a female parent

shadowy (影の) [形] full of shadows

woods (森) [名] a large area of land covered with trees

fat (太った) [形] having a lot of flesh

lazy (怠惰な) [形] unwilling to work or use energy

bear (熊) [名] a large wild mammal

eat (食べる) [動] take into the body by the mouth

berry (ベリー) [名] a small round fruit that grows on a bush or a tree

彼は、小さな子鹿とその母親が影の森から自分を見ているのを見たり、太った怠惰な熊が野生のベリー畑でベリーを食べているのを見たりするのが好きでした。

In the long winter evenings he talked to Ma about the Western country.

long (長い) [形] having a great distance or duration

winter (冬) [名] the season of the year that is coldest

evening (夜) [名] the period of a day from the end of the afternoon to the time you go to bed

talk (話す) [動] speak or converse

Western (西部の) [形] of or relating to the west

長い冬の夜、彼はママに西部の国について話しました。

In the West the land was level, and there were no trees.

West (西部) [名] the western part of a country or region

land (土地) [名] the solid surface of the earth

level (平坦) [形] having a flat and even surface

西部では土地は平坦で、木はありませんでした。

The grass grew thick and high.

grass (草) [名] a plant with narrow leaves growing from the base

grow (成長する) [動] become larger or greater over a period of time

thick (厚い) [形] having a large distance between opposite sides

high (高い) [形] of great vertical extent

草は厚く高く成長しました。

There the wild animals wandered and fed as though they were in a pasture that stretched much farther than a man could see, and there were no settlers.

wander (歩き回る) [動] move about aimlessly or unsystematically

feed (餌を食べる) [動] give food to

pasture (牧草地) [名] a field where cattle or other animals graze

stretch (広がる) [動] extend in a specified direction

settler (入植者) [名] a person who moves to a new area and establishes a permanent residence there

そこでは野生動物が、人間の目が届くよりもはるかに遠くまで広がる牧草地にいるかのように歩き回り、餌を食べていました。そして入植者はいませんでした。

Only Indians lived there.

only (だけ) [副] and no one or nothing more or else

そこにはインディアンだけが住んでいました。

One day in the very last of the winter Pa said to Ma, “Seeing you don’t object, I’ve decided to go see the West.

one day (ある日) [名] at some unspecified time in the future

very last (終わり) [名] the final part of something

say (言う) [動] express (something) in words

冬の終わりのある日、パパはママにこう言いました。「君が反対しないのを見て、西部を見に行くことにしたよ。

I’ve had an offer for this place, and we can sell it now for as much as we’re ever likely to get, enough to give us a start in a new country.”

have an offer (申し出がある) [動] receive a proposal

for (の) [前] belonging to or connected with

this (この) [限] the person or thing that is close to you or that you are thinking about

place (場所) [名] a particular position or point in space

as much as (できるだけ) [副] to the greatest extent or degree possible

ever (これまでに) [副] at any time in the past or future; on any occasion

likely (ありそうな) [形] probable

to get (得る) [動] come to have or hold

enough (十分な) [形] as much or as many as required

to give (与える) [動] cause to have or receive

a start (始める) [名] the beginning of something

in (で) [前] within the limits or area of

a new (新しい) [形] recently made, grown, or created

この場所の申し出があったんだ。今なら、これまでに得た金額で売ることができる。新しい国で始めるのに十分な金額だ。」

“Oh, Charles, must we go now?” Ma said.

must (しなければならない) [助] be obliged to; be compelled to

「ああ、チャールズ、今行かなければならないの?」とママは言いました。

The weather was so cold and the snug house was so comfortable.

weather (天気) [名] the state of the atmosphere at a particular time and place

cold (寒い) [形] having a low temperature

snug (居心地の良い) [形] warm and comfortable

house (家) [名] a place where people live; a home

天気はとても寒く、居心地の良い家はとても快適でした。

“If we are going this year, we must go now,” said Pa.

this year (今年) [名] the year that is currently in progress

「今年行くなら、今行かなければならない」とパパは言いました。

“We can’t get across the Mississippi after the ice breaks.”

get across (渡る) [動] move or travel from one side to the other

Mississippi (ミシシッピ川) [名] the longest river in the United States

break (割れる) [動] separate into pieces as a result of impact or stress

「氷が割れた後ではミシシッピ川を渡れない。」

So Pa sold the little house.

sell (売る) [動] give or hand over (something) in exchange for money

それでパパは小さな家を売りました。

He sold the cow and calf.

cow (牛) [名] a large domesticated ungulate

calf (子牛) [名] a young cow

彼は牛と子牛を売りました。

He made hickory bows and fastened them upright to the wagon box.

make (作る) [動] create or produce

hickory (ヒッコリー) [名] a type of tree

bow (弓) [名] a weapon made of a curved piece of wood or plastic with a string stretched between its ends

fasten (固定する) [動] attach or join securely

upright (直立) [形] in a vertical position

box (箱) [名] a container with a flat base and sides, typically with a lid

彼はヒッコリー材の弓を作り、それを荷車の箱に直立に固定しました。

Ma helped him stretch white canvas over them.

help (手伝う) [動] make it easier for someone to do something

stretch (張る) [動] extend or reach out so as to touch or grasp something

canvas (帆布) [名] a strong, heavy cloth made from cotton, used for making tents, sails, etc.

ママは彼がそれらの上に白い帆布を張るのを手伝いました。

In the thin dark before morning Ma gently shook Mary and Laura till they got up.

in the thin dark (薄暗がりの中) [名] in the dim light

before morning (朝前) [名] before the time of sunrise

gently (優しく) [副] in a gentle manner

shake (揺さぶる) [動] move or cause to move up and down or from side to side with small rapid movements

till (まで) [接] up to the point in time or space when

get up (起きる) [動] rise from a lying, sitting, or kneeling position

朝前の薄暗がりの中、ママはメアリーとローラが起きるまで優しく揺さぶりました。

In firelight and candlelight she washed and combed them and dressed them warmly.

firelight (火の光) [名] the light produced by a fire

candlelight (ろうそくの明かり) [名] the light produced by a candle

wash (洗う) [動] clean with water

comb (髪をとかす) [動] untangle or arrange with a comb

dress (服を着せる) [動] put clothes on

彼女は火とろうそくの明かりで二人を洗い、髪をとかし、暖かい服を着せました。

Over their long red-flannel underwear she put wool petticoats and wool dresses and long wool stockings.

over (上に) [前] above or higher than

red (赤い) [形] of the color intermediate between orange and violet, as of blood, fire, or rubies

flannel (フランネル) [名] a soft, warm fabric, usually made of wool or a wool blend

underwear (下着) [名] clothing worn under other clothes, especially next to the skin

put (着せる) [動] place or cause to be in a specified place or position

wool (ウール) [名] the fine soft curly or wavy hair forming the coat of a sheep or goat

petticoat (ペチコート) [名] an underskirt, especially a full one made of stiff or starched material

dress (ドレス) [名] a one-piece garment for a woman or girl that covers the body and extends down over the legs

stocking (ストッキング) [名] a close-fitting covering for the foot and leg, typically made of knitted yarn

彼女は二人の長い赤いフランネルの下着の上にウールのペチコートとウールのドレスと長いウールのストッキングを着せました。

She put their coats on them, and their rabbit-skin hoods and their red yarn mittens.

put on (着せる) [動] put clothes on someone

coat (コート) [名] a garment worn on the upper body for warmth

rabbit-skin (ウサギの皮) [名] the skin of a rabbit

hood (フード) [名] a covering for the head and neck

yarn (毛糸) [名] a continuous length of interlocked fibers, either natural or synthetic, used in the production of textiles, sewing, crocheting, knitting, weaving, embroidery, and rope making

mitten (手袋) [名] a glove that covers the entire hand but not the fingers

彼女は二人にコートを着せ、ウサギの皮のフードと赤い毛糸の手袋をはめました。

Everything from the little house was in the wagon, except the beds and tables and chairs.

everything (すべて) [名] all the things

bed (ベッド) [名] a place to sleep

table (テーブル) [名] a piece of furniture with a flat top and one or more legs, providing a level surface for eating, writing, or working at

chair (椅子) [名] a seat with a back, usually for one person

ベッド、テーブル、椅子を除いて、小さな家から持ってきたものはすべて荷馬車に積み込まれていました。

They did not need to take these, because Pa could always make new ones.

need (必要) [名] a requirement for something

take (持っていく) [動] carry or bring with oneself

パパはいつでも新しいものを作れるので、これらを持っていく必要はありませんでした。

There was thin snow on the ground.

ground (地面) [名] the surface of the earth

snow (雪) [名] frozen water that falls from the sky

地面には薄い雪が積もっていました。

The air was still and cold and dark.

air (空気) [名] the mixture of gases that surrounds the earth and forms its atmosphere

still (静か) [形] making no sound; silent

dark (暗い) [形] having little or no light

空気は静かで冷たく暗かった。

The bare trees stood up against the frosty stars.

bare (裸の) [形] not covered or clothed

stand up (立つ) [動] be in or assume a position in which you put your weight chiefly on your feet and not on your knees or other parts of your body

frosty (霜の降りた) [形] covered with frost

star (星) [名] a large ball of gas that produces its own light and heat

裸の木々が霜の降りた星空に向かって立っていました。

But in the east the sky was pale and through the gray woods came lanterns with wagons and horses, bringing Grandpa and Grandma and aunts and uncles and cousins.

east (東) [名] the direction toward which the earth rotates on its axis, opposite to the west

sky (空) [名] the atmosphere and outer space seen from the earth

pale (青白い) [形] light in color or having little color

gray (灰色) [形] of a color intermediate between black and white

wood (森) [名] a large area of land covered with trees

lantern (ランタン) [名] a portable lamp with a transparent case protecting the flame

horse (馬) [名] a large four-legged mammal that has been domesticated by humans since prehistoric times

bring (連れてくる) [動] cause to come to a place

Grandpa (おじいちゃん) [名] the father of one's father or mother

Grandma (おばあちゃん) [名] the mother of one's father or mother

aunt (おばさん) [名] the sister of one's father or mother

uncle (おじさん) [名] the brother of one's father or mother

cousin (いとこ) [名] the child of one's uncle or aunt

しかし、東の空は青白く、灰色の森の中を馬車と馬を連れたランタンがやってきて、おじいちゃんとおばあちゃん、おばさん、おじさん、いとこたちを連れてきました。

Mary and Laura clung tight to their rag dolls and did not say anything.

cling (抱きしめる) [動] hold on tightly

tight (ぎゅっと) [副] firmly or closely

rag doll (ぼろぼろの人形) [名] a doll made of cloth

メアリーとローラはぼろぼろの人形をぎゅっと抱きしめて何も言わなかった。

The cousins stood around and looked at them.

stand around (立っている) [動] be in a standing position

look at (見る) [動] direct one's gaze toward

いとこたちは周りに立って、彼らを見た。

Grandma and all the aunts hugged and kissed them and hugged and kissed them again, saying good-by.

hug (抱きしめる) [動] put one's arms around someone and hold them tightly

kiss (キスをする) [動] touch with the lips as a sign of love, affection, greeting, or reverence

good-by (さよなら) [名] a phrase used to express a farewell

おばあちゃんとおばさんたちはみんな抱きしめてキスをして、また抱きしめてキスをして、さよならを言った。

Pa hung his gun to the wagon bows inside the canvas top, where he could reach it quickly from the seat.

hang (掛ける) [動] to fasten or be fastened to something above with no support from below

top (天井) [名] the highest part of something

seat (座席) [名] a place where someone can sit, especially in a vehicle or a theater

パパは銃をキャンバスの天井の内側にある馬車の弓に掛け、座席からすぐに届くようにした。

He hung his bullet-pouch and powder-horn beneath it.

bullet-pouch (弾丸ポーチ) [名] a small bag for carrying bullets

powder-horn (火薬角) [名] a container for gunpowder made from an animal's horn

彼は弾丸ポーチと火薬角をその下に掛けた。

He laid the fiddle-box carefully between pillows, where jolting would not hurt the fiddle.

lay (置く) [動] put or set down

carefully (注意深く) [副] taking care to avoid damage or risk

between (間に) [前] in the space separating two things

hurt (傷つける) [動] cause pain or injury to

彼はバイオリンの箱を枕の間に注意深く置き、揺れてもバイオリンが傷つかないようにした。

The uncles helped him hitch the horses to the wagon.

hitch (つなぐ) [動] fasten or tie up

おじさんたちは馬を馬車につなぐのを手伝った。

All the cousins were told to kiss Mary and Laura, so they did.

tell (言う) [動] communicate with words

いとこたちはみんなメアリーとローラにキスするように言われたので、そうした。

Pa picked up Mary and then Laura, and set them on the bed in the back of the wagon.

pick up (抱き上げる) [動] lift up

set (寝かせる) [動] put or place in a specified position

back (後ろ) [名] the rear part of something

パパはメアリーを抱き上げ、それからローラを抱き上げ、馬車の後ろのベッドに寝かせた。

He helped Ma climb up to the wagon seat, and Grandma reached up and gave her Baby Carrie.

climb up (登る) [動] move up or down with effort

wagon seat (馬車の座席) [名] a seat in a wagon

reach up (手を伸ばす) [動] stretch one's arms upward

give (渡す) [動] transfer the possession of something to someone

彼はママが馬車の座席に登るのを手伝い、おばあちゃんは手を伸ばして赤ちゃんのキャリーを渡した。

Pa swung up and sat beside Ma, and Jack, the brindle bulldog, went under the wagon.

swing up (乗り込む) [動] get on or into something

sit beside (横に座る) [動] sit next to

Jack (ジャック) [名] a male given name

brindle (ブリンドル) [形] having a gray or tawny coat with streaks of a darker color

bulldog (ブルドッグ) [名] a sturdy, heavily built dog with a short neck and a large head

go under (下に入る) [動] go beneath or below something

パパは馬車に乗り、ママの横に座り、ブリンドルのブルドッグのジャックは馬車の下に入った。

So they all went away from the little log house.

go away (去る) [動] leave a place

log house (丸太小屋) [名] a house made of logs

こうしてみんなは小さな丸太小屋を後にした。

The shutters were over the windows, so the little house could not see them go.

shutter (鎧戸) [名] a movable cover or screen for a window

window (窓) [名] an opening in a wall or roof that allows light and air to enter

窓には鎧戸が閉まっていたので、小さな家は彼らが去っていくのを見ることができなかった。

It stayed there inside the log fence, behind the two big oak trees that in the summertime had made green roofs for Mary and Laura to play under.

inside (内側) [名] the inner part of something

log fence (丸太の塀) [名] a fence made of logs

behind (後ろ) [名] the part of something that is farthest from the front

two (2本) [名] the number 2

oak tree (オークの木) [名] a tree of the genus Quercus

summertime (夏) [名] the season of the year between spring and autumn

green roof (緑の屋根) [名] a roof that is partially or completely covered with vegetation

play (遊ぶ) [動] engage in an activity for enjoyment and recreation

丸太の塀の内側に、夏にはメアリーとローラが下で遊ぶ緑の屋根を作った2本の大きなオークの木の後ろに残った。

And that was the last of the little house.

last (最後) [名] the end of something

そしてそれが小さな家の最後だった。

Pa promised that when they came to the West, Laura should see a papoose.

come (来る) [動] move or travel toward or into a place thought of as near or familiar to the speaker

papoose (インディアンの赤ちゃん) [名] a young child of American Indian parents

パパは西部に来たら、ローラにインディアンの赤ちゃんを見せると約束した。

“What is a papoose?” she asked him, and he said, “A papoose is a little, brown, Indian baby.”

ask (尋ねる) [動] say something in order to obtain an answer or some information

brown (茶色) [形] of the color intermediate between red and yellow in the spectrum; of a color produced by mixing red, yellow, and black

Indian (インディアンの) [形] of or relating to India or its people or languages or culture

baby (赤ちゃん) [名] a very young child; an infant

「インディアンの赤ちゃんって何?」と彼女が尋ねると、「インディアンの赤ちゃんは小さくて茶色いインディアンの赤ちゃんだ」と彼は言った。

They drove a long way through the snowy woods, till they came to the town of Pepin.

drive (走る) [動] operate and control the course of a vehicle, such as a car or train

long way (長い道のり) [名] a great distance

snowy (雪の) [形] covered with snow

come (着く) [動] reach a destination

town (町) [名] an urban area that has a name, defined boundaries, and local government, and that is generally larger than a village and smaller than a city

彼らは雪の森の中を長い道のりを走り、ペピンの町に着いた。

Mary and Laura had seen it once before, but it looked different now.

once (一度) [副] on one occasion or for one time only

before (前に) [副] earlier; previously

メアリーとローラは一度見たことがあるが、今は違って見えた。

The door of the store and the doors of all the houses were shut, the stumps were covered with snow, and no little children were playing outdoors.

door (扉) [名] a hinged barrier used to close an entrance

store (店) [名] a place where goods or services are sold

shut (閉じる) [動] move or cause to move into a position that blocks an opening

stump (切り株) [名] the bottom part of a tree that remains standing after the tree has been cut down

cover (覆う) [動] be or provide a covering for

child (子供) [名] a young human being below the age of puberty or below the legal age of majority

outdoors (外) [名] all of the area that is not inside a building

店の扉や家々の扉は閉じられ、切り株は雪に覆われ、子供たちは外で遊んでいなかった。

Big cords of wood stood among the stumps.

cord (薪) [名] a unit of volume for stacked firewood

wood (木) [名] the hard fibrous substance that forms the main part of a tree

stand (立つ) [動] be in or assume a position in which you put your weight on your feet but not on your knees

切り株の間には大きな薪が立っていた。

Only two or three men in boots and fur caps and bright plaid coats were to be seen.

two or three (2、3) [名] a small number of

boot (ブーツ) [名] a covering for the foot and lower leg

fur (毛皮) [名] the hairy coat of a mammal

cap (帽子) [名] a head covering

bright (明るい) [形] giving out or reflecting much light; shining

plaid (格子柄) [名] a pattern of squares of different colors

be to be seen (見られる) [動] be visible

ブーツと毛皮の帽子と明るい格子柄のコートを着た男性が2、3人しか見られなかった。

Ma and Laura and Mary ate bread and molasses in the wagon, and the horses ate corn from nosebags, while inside the store Pa traded his furs for things they would need on the journey.

bread (パン) [名] a food made of flour and water

molasses (糖蜜) [名] a thick, dark, sticky liquid obtained as a byproduct of the refining of sugar

corn (トウモロコシ) [名] a plant that is grown for its large seed heads

nosebag (鼻袋) [名] a bag containing food, hung from a horse's head

trade (交換する) [動] exchange (something) for something else

journey (旅) [名] a long and difficult process of personal change and growth

ママとローラとメアリーは荷馬車の中でパンと糖蜜を食べ、馬は鼻袋からトウモロコシを食べ、店の中でパパは毛皮を旅に必要なものと交換した。

They could not stay long in the town, because they must cross the lake that day.

long (長く) [副] for a long time

cross (渡る) [動] go or move across

lake (湖) [名] a large body of water surrounded by land

day (日) [名] a period of time from sunrise to sunset

その日のうちに湖を渡らなければならなかったので、彼らは町に長く滞在することはできなかった。

The enormous lake stretched flat and smooth and white all the way to the edge of the gray sky.

enormous (巨大な) [形] extremely large

flat (平ら) [形] having a level or even surface

smooth (滑らか) [形] having a surface without irregularities

white (白い) [形] of the color intermediate between black and gray

all the way (ずっと) [副] to the full extent

edge (端) [名] the outside limit of an object

巨大な湖は平らで滑らかで白く、灰色の空の端までずっと広がっていた。

Wagon tracks went away across it, so far that you could not see where they went;

wagon track (荷馬車の跡) [名] a mark left by a wagon

go away (続く) [動] continue

across (横切って) [前] from one side to the other of

so far (遠くへ) [副] to a great extent or degree

could not see (見ることができなかった) [動] be unable to see

荷馬車の跡が湖を横切って遠くへ続いていて、どこへ向かっているのか見ることができなかった。

they ended in nothing at all.

end (行き着く) [動] reach a final point; come to an end

nothing (どこにも) [名] not anything; no single thing

荷馬車の跡はどこにも行き着かなかった。

Pa drove the wagon out onto the ice, following those wagon tracks.

drive (走らせる) [動] cause to move or be moved by driving

ice (氷) [名] water in its solid form

follow (たどる) [動] go after someone or something

track (跡) [名] a mark or series of marks left by a person, animal, or thing

パパは荷馬車の跡をたどって、荷馬車を氷の上へと走らせた。

The horses’ hoofs clop-clopped with a dull sound, the wagon wheels went crunching.

hoof (ひづめ) [名] the horny part of the foot of an animal

clop (パカパカ) [動] make a sound like that of a horse's hooves striking the ground

dull (鈍い) [形] lacking interest or excitement

wheel (車輪) [名] a circular object that revolves on an axle and is fixed below a vehicle or other object to enable it to move easily over the ground

crunch (ザクザク) [動] make a sound as of crushing something

馬のひづめが鈍い音を立ててパカパカと鳴り、荷馬車の車輪がザクザクと音を立てた。

The town grew smaller and smaller behind, till even the tall store was only a dot.

grow smaller (小さくなる) [動] become smaller

even (でさえ) [副] to an extent or degree not previously thought possible

tall (背の高い) [形] of more than average height

dot (点) [名] a small round mark

町は後ろでどんどん小さくなり、背の高い店でさえ点にしか見えなくなった。

All around the wagon there was nothing but empty and silent space.

all around (周り) [副] in every direction

nothing but (しか) [副] only; just

silent (静かな) [形] making no sound

space (空間) [名] the area or distance between or around things

荷馬車の周りには空っぽで静かな空間しかなかった。

Laura didn’t like it.

like (好き) [動] find agreeable, enjoyable, or satisfactory

ローラはそれが嫌いだった。

But Pa was on the wagon seat and Jack was under the wagon;

wagon seat (荷馬車の座席) [名] the seat of a wagon

しかし、パパは荷馬車の座席にいて、ジャックは荷馬車の下にいた。

she knew that nothing could hurt her while Pa and Jack were there.

know (知っている) [動] be aware of

be there (いる) [動] be present

パパとジャックがいる限り、何も自分を傷つけることができないと彼女は知っていた。

At last the wagon was pulling up a slope of earth again, and again there were trees.

at last (ついに) [副] finally

pull up (登る) [動] move or cause to move to a higher position

slope (斜面) [名] a surface of which one end or side is at a higher level than the other

earth (土) [名] the ground; the surface of the world

ついに荷馬車は再び土の斜面を登り、再び木々があった。

There was a little log house, too, among the trees.

among (間に) [前] in the middle of; surrounded by

木々の間に小さな丸太小屋もあった。

So Laura felt better.

feel better (気分が良くなる) [動] to feel more healthy or happy

それでローラは気分が良くなった。

Nobody lived in the little house;

nobody (誰も) [代] no person; no one

誰もその小さな家に住んでいなかった。

it was a place to camp in.

camp (キャンプする) [動] live temporarily in a camp

それはキャンプする場所だった。

It was a tiny house, and strange, with a big fireplace and rough bunks against all the walls.

tiny (小さな) [形] very small

strange (奇妙な) [形] unusual or surprising in a way that is unsettling or hard to understand

fireplace (暖炉) [名] a place in a room where a fire can be lit

wall (壁) [名] a continuous vertical brick or stone structure that encloses or divides an area of land

それは小さな家で、大きな暖炉と壁に沿って粗い寝台がある奇妙な家だった。

But it was warm when Pa had built a fire in the fireplace.

build a fire (火を起こす) [動] to start a fire

しかし、パパが暖炉に火を起こすと暖かくなった。

That night Mary and Laura and Baby Carrie slept with Ma in a bed made on the floor before the fire, while Pa slept outside in the wagon, to guard it and the horses.

that night (その夜) [名] the night of the day just past

Baby Carrie (赤ん坊のキャリー) [名] the name of a person

sleep (寝る) [動] rest with the eyes closed

floor (床) [名] the lower surface of a room

fire (火) [名] the state of burning

outside (外) [名] the space that is not inside

guard (守る) [動] protect from harm

その夜、メアリーとローラと赤ん坊のキャリーは、火の前の床に作ったベッドでママと一緒に寝たが、パパは馬車と馬を守るために外で馬車の中で寝た。

In the night a strange noise wakened Laura.

in the night (夜に) [副] during the night

noise (音) [名] a sound, especially one that is loud or unpleasant or that causes disturbance

waken (目を覚ます) [動] stop sleeping

夜、奇妙な音でローラは目を覚ました。

It sounded like a shot, but it was sharper and longer than a shot.

sound (聞こえる) [動] be perceived or understood

shot (銃声) [名] the discharge of a gun

sharp (鋭い) [形] having a thin edge or point

それは銃声のように聞こえたが、銃声よりも鋭く長かった。

Again and again she heard it.

again and again (何度も) [副] repeatedly; over and over

彼女は何度もそれを聞いた。

Mary and Carrie were asleep, but Laura couldn’t sleep until Ma’s voice came softly through the dark.

Carrie (キャリー) [名] a female given name

voice (声) [名] the sound produced by a person's larynx and vocal chords

dark (暗闇) [名] the absence of light

メアリーとキャリーは眠っていたが、ローラはママの声が暗闇からそっと聞こえてくるまで眠れなかった。

“Go to sleep, Laura,” Ma said.

go to sleep (寝なさい) [動] go to bed and fall asleep

「ローラ、寝なさい」とママは言った。

“It’s only the ice cracking.”

crack (割れる) [動] break or cause to break without a complete separation of the parts

「ただ氷が割れただけよ」

Next morning Pa said, “It’s lucky we crossed yesterday, Caroline.

next morning (翌朝) [名] the morning of the day after the present day

yesterday (昨日) [名] the day before the present day

翌朝、パパは「昨日渡れてよかったよ、キャロライン。

Wouldn’t wonder if the ice broke up today.

break up (割れる) [動] separate into pieces as a result of impact or stress

今日氷が割れても不思議ではない。

We made a late crossing, and we’re lucky it didn’t start breaking up while we were out in the middle of it.”

make a crossing (渡る) [動] go across or over something

late (遅い) [形] coming or happening after the usual or expected time

start (始まる) [動] begin to do or be something

渡るのが遅かったけど、渡っている途中で割れ始めなくてよかった」

“I thought about that yesterday, Charles,” Ma replied, gently.

Charles (チャールズ) [名] a male given name

「昨日はそう思ったよ、チャールズ」とママは優しく答えた。

Laura hadn’t thought about it before, but now she thought what would have happened if the ice had cracked under the wagon wheels and they had all gone down into the cold water in the middle of that vast lake.

think about (考える) [動] to direct one's mind toward someone or something; to use one's mind actively to form connected ideas

before (これまで) [副] previously; earlier

what would have happened (どうなるだろう) [名] the result of a hypothetical situation

wagon wheel (馬車の車輪) [名] a wheel of a wagon

go down (落ちる) [動] move from a higher to a lower position

cold water (冷たい水) [名] water that is not warm

middle (真ん中) [名] the point or part that is equally distant from all sides, ends, or surfaces of something

vast lake (広大な湖) [名] a large lake

ローラはこれまでそのことを考えたことがなかったが、今、もし馬車の車輪の下で氷が割れて、みんながあの広大な湖の真ん中の冷たい水の中に落ちたらどうなるだろうと考えた。

“You’re frightening somebody, Charles,” Ma said, and Pa caught Laura up in his safe, big hug.

frighten (怖がらせる) [動] make someone afraid

catch up (抱きしめる) [動] hold someone tightly in one's arms, typically to express affection

「誰かを怖がらせているよ、チャールズ」とママが言うと、パパはローラを抱きしめた。

“We’re across the Mississippi!” he said, hugging her joyously.

joyously (喜んで) [副] in a happy or joyful way

「ミシシッピ川を渡ったぞ!」とパパはローラを抱きしめて喜んだ。

“How do you like that, little half-pint of sweet cider half drunk up?

half-pint (半パイント) [名] a unit of liquid volume equal to 8 fluid ounces

half (半分) [名] one of two equal parts into which something is or can be divided

drunk (飲んだ) [動] drink an alcoholic beverage

up (上) [副] to a higher position

「どうだ、半分飲んだ甘いリンゴ酒の半パイント瓶ちゃん?

Do you like going out west where Indians live?”

go out (行く) [動] leave a place

インディアンの住む西部に行くのは好きか?」

Laura said she liked it, and she asked if they were in the Indian country now.

ローラは好きだと答え、今はインディアンの国にいるのかどうか尋ねた。

But they were not; they were in Minnesota.

Minnesota (ミネソタ州) [名] a state in the midwestern United States

でもそうではなく、ミネソタ州にいた。

It was a long, long way to Indian territory.

way (道のり) [名] the distance traveled or to be traveled

territory (領土) [名] an area of land under the jurisdiction of a ruler or state

インディアンの領土までは長い長い道のりだった。

Almost every day the horses traveled as far as they could;

as far as (できるだけ) [副] to the extent or degree that

could (できる) [助] be able to

馬たちはほとんど毎日、できるだけ遠くまで進んだ。

almost every night Pa and Ma made camp in a new place.

almost every night (ほとんど毎晩) [副] on most nights

make camp (キャンプする) [動] set up a temporary place to live outdoors

new place (新しい場所) [名] a place that has not been visited before

パパとママはほとんど毎晩、新しい場所でキャンプした。

Sometimes they had to stay several days in one camp because a creek was in flood and they couldn’t cross it till the water went down.

sometimes (時々) [副] occasionally; at times

have to (しなければならない) [助] be obliged to; must

several days (数日間) [名] a period of time lasting more than one day but not as long as a week

one camp (同じ場所) [名] a place where people live temporarily

creek (小川) [名] a small stream of water

flood (洪水) [名] an overflowing of water onto land that is usually dry

water (水) [名] the liquid that descends from the clouds as rain, forms streams, lakes, and seas, and is the major constituent of all living matter and that when pure is an odorless, tasteless, very slightly compress...

小川が洪水になっていて、水が引くまで渡れないので、同じ場所に数日間滞在しなければならない時もあった。

They crossed too many creeks to count.

too many (数えきれないほど多くの) [形] more than is needed or wanted

彼らは数えきれないほど多くの小川を渡った。

They saw strange woods and hills, and stranger country with no trees.

strange (見慣れない) [形] not known or familiar

hill (丘) [名] a small mountain

stranger (見慣れない) [形] not known or familiar

彼らは見慣れない森や丘、そして木のない見慣れない土地を見た。

They drove across rivers on long wooden bridges, and they came to one wide yellow river that had no bridge.

drive (渡る) [動] travel by car

river (川) [名] a large natural stream of water

wooden (木の) [形] made of wood

bridge (橋) [名] a structure built over a river, road, or railway to allow people or vehicles to cross from one side to the other

come (たどり着く) [動] reach a place

wide (広い) [形] having a large distance from one side to the other

yellow (黄色い) [形] of the color intermediate between green and orange in the spectrum

have (ない) [動] possess, own, or hold

彼らは長い木の橋を渡って川を渡り、橋のない広い黄色い川にたどり着いた。

That was the Missouri River.

Missouri River (ミズーリ川) [名] a river in the United States

それはミズーリ川だった。

Pa drove onto a raft, and they all sat still in the wagon

raft (いかだ) [名] a flat structure of planks or logs fastened together that floats on water

パパはいかだに乗って、みんな荷馬車にじっと座っていた。

while the raft went swaying away from the safe land

sway (揺れる) [動] move or cause to move slowly and smoothly from side to side or back and forth

away (離れて) [副] from a place

safe (安全な) [形] not likely to cause or be affected by injury, danger, or loss

いかだが安全な陸地から離れて揺れ動く間

and slowly crossed all that rolling muddy-yellow water.

ゆっくりと泥で黄色くなった水を渡った。

After more days they came to hills again.

after more days (数日後) [名] a few days later

come to (たどり着く) [動] reach a place

数日後、彼らは再び丘にたどり着いた。

In a valley the wagon stuck fast in deep black mud.

valley (谷) [名] an area of low land between hills

stick (はまる) [動] be or become fixed or embedded in something

fast (すっかり) [副] firmly or securely

deep (深い) [形] of great vertical extent

black (黒い) [形] of the color intermediate between white and gray

mud (泥) [名] wet, soft earth

谷で荷馬車が深い黒い泥にはまってしまった。

Rain poured down and thunder crashed and lightning flared.

pour down (降り注ぐ) [動] fall heavily

thunder (雷) [名] the sound caused by lightning

crash (鳴る) [動] make a loud noise

lightning (稲妻) [名] a flash of light produced by an electrical discharge

flare (光る) [動] burn with a sudden intensity

雨が降り注ぎ、雷が鳴り、稲妻が光った。

There was no place to make camp and build a fire.

make camp (キャンプをする) [動] to set up a temporary place to live outdoors

キャンプをして火を起こす場所がなかった。

Everything was damp and chill and miserable in the wagon, but they had to stay in it and eat cold bits of food.

damp (湿った) [形] slightly wet

chill (冷たい) [形] unpleasantly cold

miserable (惨め) [形] very unhappy or uncomfortable

荷馬車の中はすべてが湿って冷たく、惨めだったが、彼らはそこに留まり、冷たい食べ物を食べなければならなかった。

Next day Pa found a place on a hillside where they could camp.

next day (翌日) [名] the day after today

find (見つける) [動] discover or notice

hillside (丘の中腹) [名] the slope of a hill

翌日、パパは丘の中腹にキャンプできる場所を見つけた。

The rain had stopped, but they had to wait a week before the creek went down and the mud dried so that Pa could dig the wagon wheels out of it and go on.

rain (雨) [名] water falling in drops from a cloud

stop (止む) [動] come to an end

week (一週間) [名] a period of seven days

go down (下りる) [動] move or travel from a higher to a lower level

dry (乾く) [動] become free from moisture

dig (掘り出す) [動] break up and move earth with a tool or machine

go on (進む) [動] continue

雨は止んだが、小川が下り、泥が乾いてパパが荷馬車の車輪を掘り出して進むことができるようになるまで、彼らは一週間待たなければならなかった。

One day, while they were waiting, a tall, lean man came out of the woods, riding a black pony.

while (間に) [接] during the time that

wait (待つ) [動] stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or until something else happens

lean (痩せた) [形] lacking or having little fat

man (男) [名] an adult male human being

come out (出てきた) [動] move or travel from inside to outside

ride (乗って) [動] be carried or supported by

pony (ポニー) [名] a small horse

ある日、彼らが待っている間に、背の高い痩せた男が黒いポニーに乗って森から出てきた。

He and Pa talked awhile, then they went off into the woods together, and when they came back, both of them were riding black ponies.

awhile (しばらく) [副] for a short time

go off (行く) [動] leave

come back (戻ってくる) [動] return

both (二人とも) [限] the two people or things mentioned

彼とパパはしばらく話し、それから一緒に森へ行き、戻ってきた時には二人とも黒いポニーに乗っていた。

Pa had traded the tired brown horses for those ponies.

tired (疲れた) [形] in need of rest or sleep

パパは疲れた茶色の馬をポニーと交換したのだ。

They were beautiful little horses, and Pa said they were not really ponies;

beautiful (美しい) [形] pleasing to the senses or the mind

彼らは美しい小さな馬で、パパは本当はポニーではないと言った。

they were western mustangs.

mustang (ムスタング) [名] a small wild horse of the North American plains

彼らは西部のムスタングだった。

“They’re strong as mules and gentle as kittens,” Pa said.

strong (強い) [形] having the power to perform well or to withstand

gentle (優しい) [形] not rough or violent; mild, moderate, or slight

kitten (子猫) [名] a young cat

「彼らはラバのように強く、子猫のように優しい」とパパは言った。

They had large, soft, gentle eyes, and long manes and tails, and slender legs and feet much smaller and quicker than the feet of horses in the Big Woods.

large (大きい) [形] of considerable or relatively great size, extent, or capacity

soft (柔らかい) [形] not hard or firm to the touch; yielding readily to pressure

eye (目) [名] the organ of vision

mane (たてがみ) [名] the long hair on the neck of a horse, lion, or other animal

tail (尾) [名] the posterior prolongation of the body of some animals

slender (細い) [形] gracefully thin

leg (脚) [名] one of the limbs on which a person or animal walks and stands

foot (足) [名] the end of the leg on which a person or animal stands or walks

much (ずっと) [副] to a great extent; a lot

smaller (小さい) [形] of less than average size

quicker (素早い) [形] done or occurring with great speed or rapidity

彼らは大きくて柔らかく優しい目をしており、長いたてがみと尾、そして細い脚と足は大きな森の馬の足よりもずっと小さく素早かった。

When Laura asked what their names were, Pa said that she and Mary could name them.

name (名前) [名] a word or set of words using which a person is referred to

they (彼ら) [代] the people or things previously mentioned or easily identified

could (してもいい) [助] be able to; have the ability to

ローラが彼らの名前は何かと尋ねると、パパは彼女とメアリーが彼らに名前を付けてもいいと言った。

So Mary named one, Pet, and Laura named the other, Patty.

name (名付ける) [動] give a name to

one (1頭) [名] the number 1

the other (もう1頭) [名] the remaining one of two or more people or things

それでメアリーは1頭にペット、ローラはもう1頭にパティと名付けた。

When the creek’s roar was not so loud and the road was drier, Pa dug the wagon out of the mud.

roar (轟音) [名] a loud, deep, prolonged sound

loud (大きい) [形] producing or capable of producing much noise

road (道) [名] a way on land between two places that has been paved to allow travel by transport

dry (乾燥した) [形] free from moisture or liquid

小川の轟音がそれほど大きくなく、道がより乾燥した時、パパは泥から荷馬車を掘り出した。

He hitched Pet and Patty to it, and they all went on together.

彼はペットとパティをそれにつなぎ、みんな一緒に進んだ。

They had come in the covered wagon all the long way from the Big Woods of Wisconsin, across Minnesota and Iowa and Missouri.

covered wagon (幌馬車) [名] a wagon with a canvas cover supported by a wooden frame

all the long way (ずっと) [副] for a long distance

Minnesota (ミネソタ) [名] a state in the north-central United States

Iowa (アイオワ) [名] a state in the midwestern United States

Missouri (ミズーリ) [名] a state in the midwestern United States

彼らは幌馬車でウィスコンシンの大きな森からミネソタ、アイオワ、ミズーリを横断してずっとやってきた。

All that long way, Jack had trotted under the wagon.

all that (その) [限] the whole of

trot (小走りする) [動] run at a speed between a walk and a run

その長い道のりずっと、ジャックは荷馬車の下を小走りしていた。

Now they set out to go across Kansas.

set out (出発する) [動] start a journey

go across (横断する) [動] travel from one side to the other of

今、彼らはカンザスを横断しようと出発した。

Kansas was an endless flat land covered with tall grass blowing in the wind.

Kansas (カンザス) [名] a state in the midwestern United States

endless (果てしない) [形] having or seeming to have no end

blow (吹く) [動] move or be moved by the wind

カンザスは風に吹かれる背の高い草に覆われた果てしなく平らな土地だった。

Day after day they traveled in Kansas, and saw nothing but the rippling grass and the enormous sky.

day after day (毎日) [副] on each successive day

travel (旅する) [動] go from one place to another

彼らは毎日カンザスを旅したが、波打つ草と広大な空以外は何も見えなかった。

In a perfect circle the sky curved down to the level land, and the wagon was in the circle’s exact middle.

perfect circle (完全な円) [名] a circle in which all points on the edge are the same distance from the center

curve (曲がる) [動] move or cause to move in a smooth, rounded course

level land (平地) [名] a large area of flat land with few trees

空は完全な円を描いて平地に曲がり、荷馬車はその円の真ん中にいた。

All day long Pet and Patty went forward, trotting and walking and trotting again, but they couldn’t get out of the middle of that circle.

all day long (一日中) [副] for the entire day

go forward (前進する) [動] move ahead

walk (歩く) [動] move at a regular and fairly slow pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn, never having both feet off the ground at once

get out of (抜け出す) [動] leave or escape from

ペットとパティは一日中、小走りしたり歩いたり、また小走りしたりしながら前進したが、その円の真ん中から抜け出せなかった。

When the sun went down, the circle was still around them and the edge of the sky was pink.

sun (日) [名] the star that the Earth revolves around

circle (円) [名] a round plane figure whose boundary (the circumference) consists of points equidistant from a fixed point (the center)

pink (ピンク) [形] of a color intermediate between red and white

日が沈んでも、円は彼らの周りにあり、空の端はピンク色だった。

Then slowly the land became black.

then (それから) [副] after that; afterwards

それからゆっくりと大地は黒くなった。

The wind made a lonely sound in the grass.

wind (風) [名] a natural movement of air

make (立てる) [動] cause to be or become

lonely (寂しい) [形] sad from being alone

sound (音) [名] a mechanical wave of compression and rarefaction, by which sound is transmitted in an elastic medium such as air

風が草の中で寂しい音を立てた。

The camp fire was small and lost in so much space.

camp fire (キャンプファイヤー) [名] a fire made in the open air

small (小さい) [形] of a size that is less than average

lose (埋もれる) [動] be unable to find

so much (広い) [形] of a size that is greater than average

キャンプファイヤーは小さく、広い空間に埋もれていた。

But large stars hung from the sky, glittering so near that Laura felt she could almost touch them.

hang (ぶら下がる) [動] be suspended or held up

glitter (輝く) [動] shine or sparkle brightly

near (近く) [副] not far away

feel (感じる) [動] be aware of (something) through touch

touch (触れる) [動] come into or be in contact with

しかし、大きな星が空からぶら下がり、とても近くで輝いていたので、ローラはほとんど触れられるように感じた。

Next day the land was the same, the sky was the same, the circle did not change.

翌日も大地は同じで、空も同じで、円は変わらなかった。

Laura and Mary were tired of them all.

be tired of (飽き飽きする) [動] be bored with

ローラとメアリーはみんなに飽き飽きしていた。

There was nothing new to do and nothing new to look at.

new (新しい) [形] not existing before; made, introduced, or discovered recently or now for the first time

新しくやることも、見るものも何もなかった。

The bed was made in the back of the wagon and neatly covered with a gray blanket;

neatly (きれいに) [副] in a tidy manner

ベッドは荷馬車の後ろに作られ、灰色の毛布できれいに覆われていた。

Laura and Mary sat on it.

sit (座る) [動] be in a position in which your weight is supported by your buttocks rather than your feet and your upper body is more or less upright

ローラとメアリーはそこに座った。

The canvas sides of the wagon-top were rolled up and tied, so the prairie wind blew in.

wagon-top (荷馬車の幌) [名] the canvas cover of a wagon

roll up (巻き上げる) [動] to make into a roll

tie (縛る) [動] to fasten or secure with a cord, string, or the like, as by knotting or looping

prairie (大草原) [名] a large area of flat or rolling grassland in the interior of North America

荷馬車の幌の側面は巻き上げられて縛られていたので、大草原の風が吹き込んできた。

It whipped Laura’s straight brown hair and Mary’s golden curls every-which-way, and the strong light screwed up their eyelids.

whip (吹き飛ばす) [動] move or cause to move with a sudden quick movement

straight (まっすぐな) [形] not bent or curved

hair (髪) [名] a threadlike structure on the head of a person

golden (金色の) [形] of the color of gold

curl (巻き毛) [名] a lock of hair that forms a spiral or ring

every-which-way (あらゆる方向に) [副] in every direction

light (光) [名] the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible

screw up (閉じさせる) [動] to cause to contract or wrinkle

風はローラのまっすぐな茶色の髪とメアリーの金色の巻き毛をあらゆる方向に吹き飛ばし、強い光がまぶたを閉じさせた。

Sometimes a big jack rabbit bounded in big bounds away over the blowing grass.

jack rabbit (ウサギ) [名] a hare of the genus Lepus

bound (跳ねる) [動] move or cause to move with a series of leaps

over (上を) [前] above and across

blowing (吹き飛ばされる) [動] move or cause to move by the force of wind

時々、大きなウサギが吹き飛ばされる草の上を大きく跳ねて逃げていった。

Jack paid no attention.

pay attention (気に留める) [動] notice or give attention to

ジャックは気にも留めなかった。

Poor Jack was tired, too, and his paws were sore from traveling so far.

poor (かわいそうな) [形] deserving of pity

paw (足) [名] the foot of an animal having claws and pads

sore (痛い) [形] causing pain or discomfort

かわいそうなジャックも疲れていて、長旅で足が痛かった。

The wagon kept on jolting, the canvas top snapped in the wind.

keep on (し続ける) [動] continue doing something

jolt (揺れる) [動] move or cause to move with a sudden jerky motion

snap (バタバタと音を立てる) [動] break or cause to break with a sharp cracking sound

荷馬車は揺れ続け、帆布の屋根は風にバタバタと音を立てた。

Two faint wheel tracks kept going away behind the wagon, always the same.

faint (薄い) [形] lacking brightness or vividness

keep (続く) [動] continue to do something

荷馬車の後ろには、いつも同じ2本の薄い車輪の跡が続いていた。

Pa’s back was hunched.

back (背中) [名] the part of the human body between the neck and the bottom of the spine

hunch (丸まる) [動] sit or stand with the shoulders hunched forward

パパの背中は丸まっていた。

The reins were loose in his hands, the wind blew his long brown beard.

rein (手綱) [名] a long, narrow strap of leather or other material used to control a horse

loose (緩む) [動] not held or tied together, or not held or fastened firmly

hand (手) [名] the end of an arm

beard (髭) [名] the hair that grows on a man's face

手綱は緩んでいて、長い茶色の髭が風に吹かれていた。

Ma sat straight and quiet, her hands folded in her lap.

straight (まっすぐ) [形] without a bend or curve

quiet (静かに) [形] making little or no noise

fold (組む) [動] bend (something flexible and relatively flat) over on itself so that one part lies on top of another

lap (膝) [名] the flat area between the waist and the knees of a seated person

ママは手を膝の上で組んで、まっすぐ静かに座っていた。

Baby Carrie slept in a nest among the soft bundles.

nest (巣) [名] a structure built by a bird to hold its eggs and young

bundle (包み) [名] a collection of things tied or wrapped together

赤ん坊のキャリーは柔らかい包みの中の巣で眠っていた。

“Ah-wow!” Mary yawned, and Laura said: “Ma, can’t we get out and run behind the wagon?

yawn (欠伸をする) [動] open one's mouth and take a deep breath, usually involuntarily, as when sleepy or bored

get out (降りる) [動] leave a place

run (走る) [動] move at a speed faster than a walk

「あーあ」メアリーは欠伸をし、ローラは言った。「ママ、降りて馬車の後ろを走ってもいい?

My legs are so tired.”

leg (足) [名] one of the two lower limbs of a human being

be tired (疲れた) [動] having little energy or strength

足がとても疲れた」

“No, Laura,” Ma said.

No (だめ) [間] a negative response

「だめよ、ローラ」ママは言った。

“Aren’t we going to camp pretty soon?” Laura asked.

pretty soon (もうすぐ) [副] in a short time; before long

「もうすぐキャンプするんじゃないの?」ローラは尋ねた。

It seemed such a long time since noon, when they had eaten their lunch sitting on the clean grass in the shade of the wagon.

noon (正午) [名] twelve o'clock in the daytime

shade (陰) [名] comparative darkness and coolness caused by shelter from direct sunlight

馬車の陰のきれいな草の上に座って昼食を食べた正午からとても長い時間が経ったように思えた。

Pa answered: “Not yet. It’s too early to camp now.”

answer (答える) [動] say something in reply

early (早い) [形] happening or done before the usual or expected time

パパは答えた。「まだだ。今キャンプするには早すぎる。」

“I want to camp, now!

want (したい) [動] feel a need or a wish for

camp (キャンプ) [名] a place with temporary accommodations of huts, tents, or other structures

「今キャンプしたい!

I’m so tired,” Laura said.

とても疲れた」とローラは言った。

Then Ma said, “Laura.”

then (すると) [副] at that time; at the time in question

するとママが「ローラ」と言った。

That was all, but it meant that Laura must not complain.

that (それ) [代] the thing mentioned before

be (だった) [動] to exist or live

all (すべて) [代] the whole amount

mean (意味する) [動] to intend to convey, indicate, or refer to (something)

must (いけない) [助] be obliged to; have to

complain (文句を言う) [動] to express dissatisfaction or annoyance

それだけだったが、それはローラが文句を言ってはいけないという意味だった。

So she did not complain any more out loud, but she was still naughty, inside.

out loud (声を出して) [副] audibly

naughty (不機嫌な) [形] badly behaved

inside (心の中で) [副] in or into the interior

だから彼女は声を出して文句を言うことはもうしなかったが、心の中ではまだ不機嫌だった。

She sat and thought complaints to herself.

think (思う) [動] have a particular opinion, belief, or idea about someone or something

complaint (不満) [名] a statement that you are unhappy about something

彼女は座って、自分の中で不満を抱いていた。

Her legs ached and the wind wouldn’t stop blowing her hair.

ache (痛む) [動] to suffer a dull, persistent pain

stop (やめる) [動] cease doing something

彼女の足は痛み、風は彼女の髪を吹き続けるのをやめなかった。

The grass waved and the wagon jolted and nothing else happened for a long time.

wave (揺れる) [動] move one's hand to and fro in greeting or as a signal

else (ほかに) [副] in addition; besides; as well

happen (起こる) [動] take place; occur

草が揺れ、荷馬車が揺れ、長い間何も起こらなかった。

“We’re coming to a creek or a river,” Pa said.

「小川か川に近づいている」とパパは言った。

“Girls, can you see those trees ahead?”

girl (娘) [名] a female child

「娘たち、前方の木が見えるかい?」

Laura stood up and held to one of the wagon bows.

stand up (立ち上がる) [動] rise to a standing position

hold (握る) [動] grasp and keep hold of

ローラは立ち上がり、荷馬車の弓の1つを握った。

Far ahead she saw a low dark smudge.

far (はるか) [副] a great distance

ahead (前方) [副] in front of

low (低い) [形] not high or tall

smudge (汚れ) [名] a dirty mark

はるか前方に、低く暗い汚れが見えた。

“That’s trees,” Pa said.

「あれは木だ」とパパは言った。

“You can tell by the shape of the shadows.

shape (形) [名] the external form, contours, or outline of someone or something

「影の形でわかるんだ。

In this country, trees mean water.

この国では、木は水を意味する。

That’s where we’ll camp tonight.”

that's where (そこが) [代] that is the place where

we'll (私たちは) [代] we will

tonight (今夜) [名] the night of the present day

そこが今夜の宿営地だ」

Chapter 2: CROSSING THE CREEK

第2章: 小川を渡る

Pet and Patty began to trot briskly, as if they were glad, too.

Pet (ペット) [名] a domesticated animal kept for companionship or pleasure

Patty (パティ) [名] a small pie

begin (走り出す) [動] start to do something

briskly (元気よく) [副] quickly and energetically

as if (まるで) [接] as though

glad (嬉しそうに) [形] pleased; happy

ペットとパティも、嬉しそうに、元気よく走り出した。

Laura held tight to the wagon bow and stood up in the jolting wagon.

hold tight (しっかりつかむ) [動] hold firmly

wagon bow (幌馬車の弓状の部分) [名] the curved front of a covered wagon

jolting wagon (揺れる馬車) [名] a wagon that is moving in a bumpy way

ローラは幌馬車の弓状の部分をしっかりつかんで、揺れる馬車の中で立ち上がった。

Beyond Pa’s shoulder and far across the waves of green grass she could see the trees, and they were not like any trees she had seen before.

beyond (向こうに) [前] on or to the farther side of

shoulder (肩) [名] the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

far (遠く) [副] a long way off

wave (波) [名] a wall of water that moves towards the shore

green (緑の) [形] of the color intermediate between blue and yellow in the spectrum

like (違っていた) [前] similar to

パパの肩越しに、緑の草の波の向こうに、木々が見えたが、それは今まで見たどの木とも違っていた。

They were no taller than bushes.

no taller than (よりも高くない) [形] not taller than

bush (低木) [名] a woody plant that is usually smaller than a tree

木々は低木よりも高くなかった。

“Whoa!” said Pa, suddenly.

whoa (ウォー) [間] used to stop a horse or other animal

「ウォー!」とパパが突然言った。

“Now which way?” he muttered to himself.

which way (どっち) [名] which direction

mutter (独り言を言う) [動] say something in a low voice, as in talking to oneself

「さて、どっちだ?」とパパは独り言を言った。

The road divided here, and you could not tell which was the more-traveled way.

divide (分岐する) [動] separate into two or more parts

tell (分からない) [動] be able to say

more-traveled (より通行量が多い) [形] more frequently used

道はここで分岐していたが、どちらがより通行量が多い道か分からなかった。

Both of them were faint wheel tracks in the grass.

faint (ぼんやりとした) [形] not bright or strong

どちらも草の中のぼんやりとした車輪の跡だった。

One went toward the west, the other sloped downward a little, toward the south.

go toward (向かう) [動] move or travel toward

the west (西) [名] the direction toward the setting sun

downward (下方へ) [副] toward a lower place or position

a little (少し) [副] to a small extent

toward (に向かって) [前] in the direction of

一方は西に向かい、もう一方は少し下り坂になって南に向かっていた。

Both soon vanished in the tall, blowing grass.

soon (すぐに) [副] in a short time

vanish (消える) [動] disappear suddenly and completely

どちらもすぐに背の高い、風に吹かれる草の中に消えてしまった。

“Better go downhill, I guess,” Pa decided.

go downhill (下り坂に行く) [動] go down a hill

guess (思う) [動] think or suppose that something is true or likely

decide (決める) [動] reach a decision about something

「下り坂の方がいいと思う」とパパは決めた。

“The creek’s down in the bottoms.

down (下) [副] to or in a lower place or position

bottom (低地) [名] the lowest part of something

「小川は低地にある。

Must be this is the way to the ford.”

must be (きっと) [助] used to express a strong belief that something is the case

way (道) [名] a method, style, or manner of doing something

ford (浅瀬) [名] a shallow place in a river or stream that can be crossed by wading or driving

きっとこれが浅瀬への道だ」

He turned Pet and Patty toward the south.

turn (向ける) [動] change direction

south (南) [名] the direction that is to your right when you are facing the rising sun

パパはペットとパティを南に向けた。

The road went down and up and down and up again, over gently curving land.

go up (上る) [動] move from a lower to a higher position

道は緩やかに曲がった土地の上を下り、上り、下り、また上った。

The trees were nearer now, but they were no taller.

tall (高い) [形] of great vertical extent

木々は今やもっと近くにあったが、それほど高くはなかった。

Then Laura gasped and clutched the wagon bow, for almost under Pet’s and Patty’s noses there was no more blowing grass, there was no land at all.

gasp (息を呑む) [動] catch one's breath with an open mouth

clutch (つかむ) [動] grasp or grip something tightly

nose (鼻先) [名] the part of the face that projects above the mouth and contains the nostrils

するとローラは息を呑み、幌馬車の弓状の部分をつかんだ。ペットとパティの鼻先のすぐ下には、もはや風に揺れる草も、陸地も全くなかった。

She looked beyond the edge of the land and across the tops of trees.

look (見る) [動] direct one's gaze

top (てっぺん) [名] the highest or uppermost point, part, or level of something

ローラは陸地の端の向こうと木々のてっぺんの向こうを見た。

The road turned there.

道はそこで曲がった。

For a little way it went along the cliff’s top, then it went sharply downward.

for a little way (少しの間) [副] for a short distance

go along (進む) [動] move or travel forward

cliff (崖) [名] a steep rock face

top (頂上) [名] the highest point of something

go downward (下り坂になる) [動] move or travel in a descending direction

道は少しの間崖の頂上を進み、それから急に下り坂になった。

Pa put on the brakes;

put on (かける) [動] to place or fasten on one's person

brake (ブレーキ) [名] a device for slowing or stopping a moving vehicle or machine

パパはブレーキをかけた。

Pet and Patty braced themselves backward and almost sat down.

brace (踏ん張る) [動] make stronger or firmer

backward (後ろ向き) [副] toward the back

sit down (座り込む) [動] move into a sitting position

ペットとパティは後ろ向きに踏ん張って、ほとんど座り込んでしまった。

The wagon wheels slid onward, little by little lowering the wagon farther down the steep slope into the ground.

slide onward (前方に滑る) [動] move or cause to move smoothly, easily, or gently

little by little (少しずつ) [副] gradually; by small degrees

lower (下ろす) [動] move something to a lower position

steep slope (急な坂) [名] a slope with a large gradient

荷馬車の車輪は前方に滑り、荷馬車を少しずつ急な坂を下って地面に下ろしていった。

Jagged cliffs of bare red earth rose up on both sides of the wagon.

jagged (ギザギザの) [形] having a rough, sharp edge or outline

bare (むき出しの) [形] not covered or protected

rise (そびえ立つ) [動] go up or move up

荷馬車の両側には、むき出しの赤土のギザギザの崖がそびえ立っていた。

Grass waved along their tops, but nothing grew on their seamed, straight-up-and-down sides.

seam (継ぎ目) [名] a line of stitches joining two pieces of fabric together

straight (真っ直ぐな) [形] extending or moving uniformly in one direction only

side (側面) [名] a position to the left or right of an object, place, or central point

草は崖の頂上に沿って揺れていたが、継ぎ目のある真っ直ぐな側面には何も生えていなかった。

They were hot, and heat came from them against Laura’s face.

hot (熱い) [形] having a high temperature

heat (熱) [名] the quality of being hot; high temperature

face (顔) [名] the front of a person's head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

崖は熱く、ローラの顔に熱が伝わってきた。

The wind was still blowing overhead, but it did not blow down into this deep crack in the ground.

overhead (頭上) [副] above one's head

crack (割れ目) [名] a break or fissure in something

風はまだ頭上を吹いていたが、地面のこの深い割れ目には吹き下ろさなかった。

The stillness seemed strange and empty.

stillness (静けさ) [名] the state of being still

seem (思える) [動] appear to be; give the impression of being

静けさは奇妙で空虚に思えた。

Then once more the wagon was level.

once more (再び) [副] one more time; again

そして、再び荷馬車は水平になった。

The narrow crack down which it had come opened into the bottom lands.

narrow (狭い) [形] of small width

open (開く) [動] move a door or window so as to leave a space allowing access and vision

荷馬車が降りてきた狭い割れ目は、低地へと開いていた。

Here grew the tall trees whose tops Laura had seen from the prairie above.

ここに、ローラが上の大草原から見た高い木々が生えていた。

Shady groves were scattered on the rolling meadows, and in the groves deer were lying down, hardly to be seen among the shadows.

shady grove (日陰の木立) [名] a small group of trees

rolling meadow (起伏のある牧草地) [名] a large area of grass

be scattered (点在する) [動] be spread over a large area

hardly (ほとんど~ない) [副] almost not

shadow (影) [名] a dark area or shape produced by an object blocking the light

日陰の木立が起伏のある牧草地に点在し、木立の中には鹿が横たわっていて、影の中にはほとんど見えなかった。

The deer turned their heads toward the wagon, and curious fawns stood up to see it more clearly.

deer (鹿) [名] a ruminant mammal of the family Cervidae

curious (好奇心旺盛な) [形] eager to know or learn something

鹿は荷馬車の方へ頭を向け、好奇心旺盛な子鹿はもっとはっきりと見ようと立ち上がった。

Laura was surprised because she did not see the creek.

be surprised (驚く) [動] feel or show surprise

ローラは小川が見えなかったので驚いた。

But the bottom lands were wide.

bottom land (低地) [名] a low-lying area of land, especially one that is near a river

しかし、低地は広かった。

Down here, below the prairie, there were gentle hills and open sunny places.

down here (ここ) [副] in this place

below (下に) [前] lower in position, rank, or value than

open (日当たりの良い) [形] allowing access and vision

sunny (日当たりの良い) [形] exposed to the sun

ここには、大草原の下に、なだらかな丘と日当たりの良い場所があった。

The air was still and hot.

空気は静かで暑かった。

Under the wagon wheels the ground was soft.

under (下で) [前] below or beneath

荷車の車輪の下では地面が柔らかかった。

In the sunny open spaces the grass grew thin, and deer had cropped it short.

open space (開けた場所) [名] an area of land that is not built on

grow thin (薄く生える) [動] become thinner

crop (刈り取る) [動] cut short

日当たりの良い開けた場所では草は薄く生え、鹿がそれを短く刈り取っていた。

For a while the high, bare cliffs of red earth stood up behind the wagon.

for a while (しばらくの間) [副] for a short period of time

red earth (赤土) [名] soil that is red in color

しばらくの間、赤土のむき出しの高い崖が荷車の後ろにそびえていた。

But they were almost hidden behind hills and trees when Pet and Patty stopped to drink from the creek.

しかし、ペットとパティが小川の水を飲むために立ち止まった時には、それらは丘や木々の後ろにほとんど隠れていた。

The rushing sound of the water filled the still air.

rushing (流れる) [形] moving or acting with urgent haste

fill (満たす) [動] make or become full

水の流れる音が静かな空気を満たした。

All along the creek banks the trees hung over it and made it dark with shadows.

all along (ずっと) [副] throughout the length of

bank (土手) [名] the land alongside a river

hang over (覆いかぶさる) [動] be suspended over

小川の土手沿いには木々が覆いかぶさり、影で暗くなっていた。

In the middle it ran swiftly, sparkling silver and blue.

in the middle (真ん中) [名] the middle part of something

run (流れる) [動] move or cause to move quickly

swiftly (素早く) [副] very fast

sparkle (輝く) [動] shine brightly

silver (銀色) [名] a shiny grayish-white metal

blue (青色) [名] the color intermediate between green and violet, as of the sky or sea on a sunny day

真ん中では、銀色と青色に輝きながら、素早く流れていた。

“This creek’s pretty high,” Pa said.

pretty (かなり) [副] to a moderately high degree

「この小川はかなり高いところにあるな」とパパは言った。

“But I guess we can make it all right.

make it (渡れる) [動] succeed in reaching a destination

all right (無事に) [副] safely

「でも、無事に渡れると思う。

You can see this is a ford, by the old wheel ruts.

old (古い) [形] having lived or existed for a long time

rut (わだち) [名] a deep track made by the repeated passage of wheels

古い車輪のわだちから、ここが浅瀬だとわかるだろう。

What do you say, Caroline?”

Caroline (キャロライン) [名] a female given name

キャロライン、どう思う?」

“Whatever you say, Charles,” Ma answered.

whatever (何でも) [代] no matter what

「チャールズ、あなたが言うとおりにするよ」とママは答えた。

Pet and Patty lifted their wet noses.

lift (持ち上げる) [動] move something to a higher position

ペットとパティは濡れた鼻を持ち上げた。

They pricked their ears forward, looking at the creek;

prick (立てる) [動] to cause a slight sharp pain

ear (耳) [名] the organ of hearing and balance in humans and other vertebrates

forward (前方) [副] toward the front

彼らは耳を前方に向け、小川を見た。

then they pricked them backward to hear what Pa would say.

それから、パパが何を言うか聞くために耳を後ろに向けた。

They sighed and laid their soft noses together to whisper to each other.

sigh (ため息をつく) [動] let out a long, deep breath, usually expressing sadness, tiredness, or relief

together (一緒に) [副] with or near each other

whisper (ささやく) [動] speak softly

彼らはため息をつき、お互いにささやき合うために柔らかい鼻をくっつけた。

A little way upstream, Jack was lapping the water with his red tongue.

a little way (少し) [名] a small amount

upstream (上流) [名] a direction along a river

lap (なめる) [動] move or flow with a gentle splashing sound

少し上流で、ジャックは赤い舌で水をなめていた。

“I’ll tie down the wagon-cover,” Pa said.

tie down (縛り付ける) [動] fasten or secure with a rope or cord

wagon-cover (幌) [名] a canvas cover for a wagon

「幌を縛り付けよう」とパパは言った。

He climbed down from the seat, unrolled the canvas sides and tied them firmly to the wagon box.

climb down (降りる) [動] move from a higher to a lower position

unroll (広げる) [動] open or spread out (something rolled up)

tie (縛り付ける) [動] fasten or secure with a cord, string, or the like, as by making a knot

firmly (しっかりと) [副] in a secure manner

彼は座席から降り、キャンバスの側面を広げて、荷馬車の箱にしっかりと縛り付けた。

Then he pulled the rope at the back, so that the canvas puckered together in the middle, leaving only a tiny round hole, too small to see through.

pull (引っ張る) [動] exert force on (something) so as to move it toward oneself or the origin of the force

rope (ロープ) [名] a length of strong thick cord made by twisting together strands of fiber

pucker (しわが寄る) [動] contract into wrinkles

round (丸い) [形] having a circular shape

hole (穴) [名] an opening through something

see through (透けて見える) [動] be transparent

それから彼は後ろのロープを引っ張ったので、キャンバスは真ん中で一緒にしわが寄り、小さな丸い穴だけが残り、小さすぎて透けて見えなかった。

Mary huddled down on the bed.

huddle (うずくまる) [動] crowd together

メアリーはベッドにうずくまった。

She did not like fords; she was afraid of the rushing water.

rushing (急流) [名] a fast-moving stream of water

彼女は浅瀬が好きではなかった。彼女は急流を恐れていた。

But Laura was excited; she liked the splashing.

excited (興奮している) [形] feeling or showing great happiness or pleasure

しかし、ローラは興奮していた。彼女は水しぶきが好きだった。

Pa climbed to the seat, saying, “They may have to swim, out there in the middle.

climb (登る) [動] go up or down with effort

swim (泳ぐ) [動] move through water by using one's limbs

パパは席に登り、「彼らは真ん中で泳がなければならないかもしれない。

But we’ll make it all right, Caroline.”

make it (大丈夫だ) [動] be successful

しかし、私たちは大丈夫だ、キャロライン。」

Laura thought of Jack and said, “I wish Jack could ride in the wagon, Pa.”

think of (考える) [動] to have in mind

wish (願う) [動] to want something to happen or be true

ローラはジャックのことを考えて、「ジャックが荷馬車に乗れたらいいのに、パパ」と言った。

Pa did not answer.

パパは答えなかった。

He gathered the reins tightly in his hands.

gather (握る) [動] to bring together or collect

tightly (しっかりと) [副] in a firm or secure manner

彼は手綱をしっかりと握った。

Ma said, “Jack can swim, Laura.

ママは「ジャックは泳げるのよ、ローラ。

He will be all right.”

all right (大丈夫) [形] satisfactory; in good condition

大丈夫よ」と言った。

The wagon went forward softly in mud.

softly (ゆっくりと) [副] slowly

荷馬車は泥の中をゆっくりと進んだ。

Water began to splash against the wheels.

begin (始まる) [動] start to happen or exist

splash (跳ね返る) [動] cause (liquid) to strike or fall on something in scattered drops

水が車輪に跳ね返り始めた。

The splashing grew louder.

splash (水しぶき) [名] the sound of splashing

水しぶきの音が大きくなった。

The wagon shook as the noisy water struck at it.

noisy (騒がしい) [形] making a lot of noise

荷馬車は騒がしい水が当たって揺れた。

Then all at once the wagon lifted and balanced and swayed.

all at once (急に) [副] suddenly

lift (持ち上がる) [動] move or cause to move upwards

balance (バランスを取る) [動] keep or put (something) in a state of equilibrium

それから、荷馬車は急に持ち上がり、バランスを取って揺れた。

It was a lovely feeling.

lovely (素敵な) [形] very beautiful or attractive

feeling (感覚) [名] a physical sensation

それは素敵な感覚だった。

The noise stopped, and Ma said, sharply, “Lie down, girls!”

sharply (鋭く) [副] in a sharp manner

lie down (横になる) [動] get into a lying position

音が止まり、ママは鋭く「横になりなさい、娘たち!」と言った。

Quick as a flash, Mary and Laura dropped flat on the bed.

quick as a flash (電光石火の速さで) [副] very quickly

drop flat (平らに寝転がる) [動] lie down flat

メアリーとローラは電光石火の速さでベッドに平らに寝転がった。

When Ma spoke like that, they did as they were told.

like that (そのように) [副] in that manner

as (通りに) [副] in the way or manner that

ママがそのように話す時、彼女たちは言われた通りにした。

Ma’s arm pulled a smothering blanket over them, heads and all.

blanket (毛布) [名] a large piece of cloth material used as a covering

head (頭) [名] the upper part of the human body or the front or upper part of the body of an animal, typically separated from the rest of the body by a neck, and containing the brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth

ママの腕が彼女たちの頭から全てを覆う息苦しい毛布を引っ張った。

“Be still, just as you are.

be still (じっとしなさい) [動] to not move

just as you are (そのままで) [副] in the same way as you are now

「じっとしなさい、そのままで。

Don’t move!” she said.

move (動く) [動] change position or posture

she (彼女) [代] a female person or animal that is being discussed

動いてはいけない!」と彼女は言った。

Mary did not move; she was trembling and still.

tremble (震える) [動] shake or shiver

still (じっと) [副] motionless; stationary

メアリーは動かなかった。彼女は震えながらじっとしていた。

But Laura could not help wriggling a little bit.

help (せずにはいられない) [動] be of use to

wriggle (もぞもぞする) [動] move or cause to move up and down or from side to side with small rapid movements

しかしローラは少しもぞもぞせずにはいられなかった。

She did so want to see what was happening.

do so (本当に) [副] to a very great extent

彼女は本当に何が起こっているのか見たくてたまらなかった。

She could feel the wagon swaying and turning;

彼女は馬車が揺れ、曲がっていくのを感じることができた。

the splashing was noisy again, and again it died away.

die away (消えていく) [動] become fainter or weaker

水しぶきが再び騒がしくなり、そして再び消えていった。

Then Pa’s voice frightened Laura.

するとパパの声がローラを怖がらせた。

It said, “Take them, Caroline!”

キャロライン、連れて行け!」と言った。

The wagon lurched; there was a sudden heavy splash beside it.

lurch (揺れる) [動] move or cause to move unsteadily

beside (横に) [前] at the side of; next to

馬車が揺れ、突然横に大きな水しぶきが上がった。

Laura sat straight up and clawed the blanket from her head.

sit up (起き上がる) [動] rise from a lying or sitting position

claw (はぎ取る) [動] tear or scratch with claws or fingernails

ローラは起き上がって、頭から毛布をはぎ取った。

Pa was gone.

be gone (いない) [動] not present; away

パパはいなかった。

Ma sat alone, holding tight to the reins with both hands.

alone (一人で) [副] without other people

hold (握り締める) [動] keep or maintain in a certain position

both hands (両手) [名] the two hands of a person

ママは一人座り、両手で手綱を握り締めていた。

Mary hid her face in the blanket again, but Laura rose up farther.

hide (隠す) [動] put or keep out of sight; conceal

rise (起き上がる) [動] get up from lying or sitting

farther (さらに) [副] to a greater extent or degree

メアリーは再び毛布に顔を隠したが、ローラはさらに起き上がった。

She couldn’t see the creek bank.

couldn't (できなかった) [助] was not able to

彼女には小川の岸は見えなかった。

She couldn’t see anything in front of the wagon but water rushing at it.

rush (押し寄せる) [動] move with urgent haste

彼女には荷馬車の前には水が押し寄せている以外何も見えなかった。

And in the water, three heads;

そして水の中には3つの頭があった。

Pet’s head and Patty’s head and Pa’s small, wet head.

Pet's head (ペットの頭) [名] the head of the family's dog

Patty's head (パティの頭) [名] the head of the family's daughter

Pa's head (パパの頭) [名] the head of the family's father

wet (濡れた) [形] covered or saturated with water or another liquid

ペットの頭とパティの頭とパパの小さく濡れた頭だった。

Pa’s fist in the water was holding tight to Pet’s bridle.

fist (拳) [名] a hand with the fingers closed tightly into the palm

hold tight (しっかり握る) [動] to hold something firmly

bridle (手綱) [名] the headgear used to control a horse

水の中のパパの拳はペットの手綱をしっかり握っていた。

Laura could faintly hear Pa’s voice through the rushing of the water.

faintly (かすかに) [副] in a faint manner

through (を通して) [前] going in one side and out of the other side of (an opening, channel, or location)

ローラは水の音を通してかすかにパパの声を聞くことができた。

It sounded calm and cheerful, but she couldn’t hear what he said.

calm (落ち着いた) [形] not agitated or excited

cheerful (陽気な) [形] noticeably happy and optimistic

それは落ち着いていて陽気な声だったが、彼女には何を言っているのか聞こえなかった。

He was talking to the horses.

talk to (話しかける) [動] speak to

彼は馬に話しかけていた。

Ma’s face was white and scared.

scared (怖がっていた) [形] frightened; afraid

ママの顔は青ざめていて怖がっていた。

“Lie down, Laura,” Ma said.

「横になりなさい、ローラ」とママは言った。

Laura lay down.

lay down (横になる) [動] to assume a horizontal position

ローラは横になった。

She felt cold and sick.

feel (覚える) [動] experience a particular emotion or sensation

cold (寒気) [名] a lack of warmth

sick (吐き気) [名] a feeling of nausea

彼女は寒気と吐き気を覚えた。

Her eyes were shut tight, but she could still see the terrible water and Pa’s brown beard drowning in it.

shut tight (ぎゅっと閉じる) [動] close firmly

still (まだ) [副] even now or even then

terrible (恐ろしい) [形] causing or likely to cause terror; shocking

drown (沈む) [動] die through submersion in and inhalation of water

彼女は目をぎゅっと閉じていたが、それでも恐ろしい水とその中に沈むパパの茶色いひげを見ることができた。

For a long, long time the wagon swayed and swung, and Mary cried without making a sound, and Laura’s stomach felt sicker and sicker.

for a long, long time (長い長い時間) [名] a very long time

swing (揺れ動く) [動] move or cause to move back and forth or from side to side

cry (泣く) [動] shed tears

make a sound (音を立てる) [動] produce a sound

stomach (胃) [名] the organ in the body that breaks down food

feel sick (気分が悪くなる) [動] feel as if one is going to vomit

長い長い時間、馬車は揺れ動き、メアリーは音を立てずに泣き、ローラの胃はますます気分が悪くなった。

Then the front wheels struck and grated, and Pa shouted.

front wheel (前輪) [名] the wheel that is located at the front of a vehicle

strike (ぶつかる) [動] hit or come into contact with forcibly

grate (軋む) [動] make a harsh sound by rubbing against something

shout (叫ぶ) [動] say something loudly

すると前輪が何かにぶつかって軋み、パパが叫んだ。

The whole wagon jerked and jolted and tipped backward, but the wheels were turning on the ground.

jerk (ぐいと揺れる) [動] move or cause to move with a sudden sharp movement

tip (傾く) [動] be or cause to be in a sloping position

turn (回る) [動] move or cause to move in a circular motion

馬車全体がぐいと揺れて後ろに傾いたが、車輪は地面を回っていた。

Laura was up again, holding to the seat;

up (起き上がる) [副] in or to a higher position

hold (つかまる) [動] keep a firm grip on

ローラは座席につかまって再び起き上がった。

she saw Pet’s and Patty’s scrambling wet backs climbing a steep bank, and Pa running beside them, shouting, “Hi, Patty! Hi, Pet! Get up! Get up! Whoopsy-daisy! Good girls!”

scramble (よじ登る) [動] climb or move quickly and awkwardly

steep (急な) [形] having a sharp or almost vertical slope

Hi (こんにちは) [間] an expression of greeting

Whoopsy-daisy (おっとっと) [間] an expression of surprise or mild apology

Good (いい) [形] to be desired or approved of

ペットとパティが急な土手を登る濡れた背中をよじ登り、パパがその横を走って「パティ! ペット! 起きろ! 起きろ! おっとっと! いい子だ!」と叫んでいるのが見えた。

At the top of the bank they stood still, panting and dripping.

stand still (じっと立つ) [動] to remain motionless

pant (息を切らす) [動] to breathe with short, quick gasps

drip (水滴を垂らす) [動] to let fall or let out drops of liquid

土手の頂上で、彼らは息を切らして水滴を垂らしながらじっと立っていた。

And the wagon stood still, safely out of that creek.

stand still (静かに立つ) [動] to be in a stationary position

safely (無事に) [副] without harm or injury

out of (から出る) [前] from the inside to the outside of

そして馬車は静かに立って、無事に小川から出ていた。

Pa stood panting and dripping, too, and Ma said, “Oh, Charles!”

パパも息を切らして水滴を垂らしながら立っていたので、ママは「ああ、チャールズ!」と言った。

“There, there, Caroline,” said Pa.

「ほら、ほら、キャロライン」とパパは言った。

“We’re all safe, thanks to a good tight wagon-box well fastened to the running-gear.

thanks to (おかげで) [前] because of

good (頑丈な) [形] of high quality

tight (しっかりとした) [形] held or tied together, or held in position, firmly

wagon-box (馬車) [名] a vehicle with two or more wheels that is pulled by an animal

well (しっかりと) [副] in a good or proper way

「走行装置にしっかりと固定された頑丈な馬車のおかげで、みんな無事だ。

I never saw a creek rise so fast in my life.

rise (増水する) [動] go up or increase

人生でこんなに早く小川が増水するのを見たことがない。

Pet and Patty are good swimmers, but I guess they wouldn’t have made it if I hadn’t helped them.”

swimmer (泳ぎ) [名] a person who swims

make it (成功する) [動] to achieve success

help (助ける) [動] to make it easier for someone to do something

ペットとパティは泳ぎが得意だが、私が助けなければ成功しなかっただろう」

If Pa had not known what to do, or if Ma had been too frightened to drive, or if Laura and Mary had been naughty and bothered her, then they would all have been lost.

know what to do (何をすべきか知る) [動] be aware of the right thing to do

be frightened (怖がる) [動] be afraid

be naughty (いたずらをする) [動] behave badly

bother (困らせる) [動] cause annoyance or difficulty to

be lost (死んでしまう) [動] die

もしパパが何をすべきか知らなかったり、ママが怖くて運転できなかったり、ローラとメアリーがいたずらをしてママを困らせていたら、みんな死んでしまっていただろう。

The river would have rolled them over and over and carried them away and drowned them, and nobody would ever have known what became of them.

roll (転がす) [動] move or cause to move by turning over and over

carry (押し流す) [動] take or bring from one place to another

know (知る) [動] be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information

川は彼らを何度も転がし、押し流し、溺れさせ、誰も彼らがどうなったのか知ることはなかっただろう。

For weeks, perhaps, no other person would come along that road.

for weeks (何週間も) [副] for a period of seven days

no other (誰も) [限] not any other

come along (通る) [動] move or travel along

おそらく何週間も、誰もその道を通らないだろう。

“Well,” said Pa, “all’s well that ends well,” and Ma said, “Charles, you’re wet to the skin.”

well (さて) [副] in a good or satisfactory manner

end (終わり) [名] the final part of something

skin (肌) [名] the natural outer covering of the body of a person or animal

「さて」とパパは言った、「終わりよければすべてよし」そしてママは言った、「チャールズ、あなたびしょ濡れよ」

Before Pa could answer, Laura cried, “Oh, where’s Jack?”

cry (叫ぶ) [動] say something loudly

where (どこ) [副] in or to what place or position

パパが答える前に、ローラは叫んだ、「ああ、ジャックはどこ?」

They had forgotten Jack.

forget (忘れる) [動] not be able to remember

彼らはジャックを忘れていた。

They had left him on the other side of that dreadful water and now they could not see him anywhere.

other side (向こう岸) [名] the opposite side

dreadful (恐ろしい) [形] causing or likely to cause fear or alarm

彼らはジャックをあの恐ろしい川の向こう岸に残してきてしまったし、今はどこにも彼の姿が見えなかった。

He must have tried to swim after them, but they could not see him struggling in the water now.

must have (違いない) [助] be very likely to have

after (後) [前] later or following (the event mentioned)

try (試みる) [動] make an attempt or effort to do something

struggle (もがく) [動] make strenuous or violent efforts to get free of or from

彼は彼らの後を追って泳ごうとしたに違いなかったが、彼らは今、彼が水の中でもがいているのを見ることができなかった。

Laura swallowed hard, to keep from crying.

swallow (飲み込む) [動] cause to pass from the mouth into the stomach

hard (ぐっと) [副] with a great deal of effort

keep from (しないようにする) [動] prevent or restrain oneself from doing something

ローラは泣かないように、ぐっと飲み込んだ。

She knew it was shameful to cry, but there was crying inside her.

shameful (恥ずかしい) [形] causing a feeling of shame

彼女は泣くのは恥ずかしいことだと知っていたが、彼女の心の中では泣いていた。

All the long way from Wisconsin poor Jack had followed them so patiently and faithfully, and now they had left him to drown.

all the long way (ずっと長い道のり) [名] a long distance

patiently (辛抱強く) [副] in a patient manner

faithfully (忠実に) [副] in a faithful manner

leave (置き去りにする) [動] go away from a place

ウィスコンシンからずっと長い道のりを、かわいそうなジャックは辛抱強く忠実に彼らについてきたのに、今や彼らは彼を置き去りにして溺れさせてしまった。

He was so tired, and they might have taken him into the wagon.

be tired (疲れている) [動] feel a need for sleep or rest

take (乗せる) [動] carry or transport

彼はとても疲れていたし、彼らは彼を馬車に乗せることができたかもしれない。

He had stood on the bank and seen the wagon going away from him, as if they didn’t care for him at all.

bank (岸) [名] the land alongside or sloping down to a river, lake, or other body of water

go away (遠ざかる) [動] move or travel away from a place

care (気にする) [動] feel concern or interest; attach importance to

彼は岸に立って、まるで彼らが彼のことを全く気にしていないかのように、馬車が彼から遠ざかっていくのを見た。

And he would never know how much they wanted him.

never (決して) [副] not ever; at no time in the past or future; on no occasion; not at all

how much (どれほど) [副] to what extent or degree

そして、彼は彼らがどれほど彼を欲しがっているかを知ることはないだろう。

Pa said he wouldn’t have done such a thing to Jack, not for a million dollars.

do (する) [動] perform or execute

such a thing (そんなこと) [名] something of the same type or category

million dollars (百万ドル) [名] a unit of money equal to 1000000 dollars

パパは、ジャックにそんなことをしたら、百万ドルでも嫌だと言った。

If he’d known how that creek would rise when they were in midstream, he would never have let Jack try to swim it.

if (もし) [接] on the condition or supposition that; in the event that

rise (上昇する) [動] go up

midstream (中流) [名] the middle part of a stream

let (泳がせる) [動] allow to

もし彼が、彼らが川の中流にいるときにその小川がどれほど上昇するかを知っていたら、彼はジャックに泳がせようとはしなかっただろう。

“But that can’t be helped now,” he said.

can't be helped (仕方がない) [動] be unable to be avoided or prevented

「しかし、今となっては仕方がない」と彼は言った。

He went far up and down the creek bank, looking for Jack, calling him and whistling for him.

go up and down (行き来する) [動] move from one place to another

look for (探す) [動] try to find

call (呼ぶ) [動] to say or shout something in a loud voice

whistle (口笛を吹く) [動] to make a clear, high-pitched sound by blowing air through a small opening between your lips

彼は小川の土手を遠くまで行き来して、ジャックを探し、彼を呼び、彼に口笛を吹いた。

It was no use.

no use (無駄) [名] a situation or action that is not helpful or effective

無駄だった。

Jack was gone.

be gone (いなくなる) [動] to be no longer present or in existence

ジャックはいなくなっていた。

At last there was nothing to do but to go on.

ついに、先に進む以外に何もすることがなくなった。

Pet and Patty were rested.

be rested (休息する) [動] be in a state of relaxation and refreshment following sleep or a period of relaxation

ペットとパティは休息していた。

Pa’s clothes had dried on him while he searched for Jack.

search (探す) [動] try to find something by looking or otherwise seeking carefully and thoroughly

パパの服は、ジャックを探している間に乾いていた。

He took the reins again, and drove uphill, out of the river bottoms.

take the reins (手綱を握る) [動] take control of something

drive (登っていった) [動] move or cause to move in a specified way

uphill (上り坂) [名] a slope rising upward

out of (から) [前] from the inside of

パパは再び手綱を握り、川底から上り坂を登っていった。

Laura looked back all the way.

look back (振り返る) [動] turn one's head and look in the direction from which one has come

ローラはずっと後ろを振り返っていた。

She knew she wouldn’t see Jack again, but she wanted to.

see (会う) [動] meet

again (再び) [副] once more; another time

ローラはジャックに二度と会えないことを知っていたが、会いたかった。

She didn’t see anything but low curves of land coming between the wagon and the creek, and beyond the creek those strange cliffs of red earth rose up again.

ローラには、馬車と小川の間にある低い曲線の土地と、小川の向こうに再びそびえ立つ赤土の奇妙な崖しか見えなかった。

Then other bluffs just like them stood up in front of the wagon.

bluff (断崖) [名] a high, steep bank, as by a river

stand up (立ちはだかる) [動] to be or become erect

すると、それと同じような断崖が馬車の前に立ちはだかった。

Faint wheel tracks went into a crack between those earthen walls.

go into (入る) [動] move or travel into

earthen (土の) [形] made of earth or clay

かすかな車輪の跡が、土の壁の間の割れ目に入っていた。

Pet and Patty climbed till the crack became a small grassy valley.

small (小さな) [形] little in size

grassy (草の) [形] covered with grass

ペットとパティは、割れ目が小さな草の谷になるまで登った。

And the valley widened out to the High Prairie once more.

widen out (広がる) [動] become wider

そして、谷は再びハイ・プレーリーへと広がった。

No road, not even the faintest trace of wheels or of a rider’s passing, could be seen anywhere.

rider (乗り手) [名] a person who rides a horse, bicycle, motorcycle, etc.

pass (通る) [動] move or cause to move in a specified direction

anywhere (どこにも) [副] in or to any place; in all places

道も、車輪の跡も、乗り手が通った跡も、どこにも見えなかった。

That prairie looked as if no human eye had ever seen it before.

look (見える) [動] seem or appear

human (人間) [名] a person

その大草原は、まるで人間の目が見た事もないような景色だった。

Only the tall wild grass covered the endless empty land and a great empty sky arched over it.

wild grass (野草) [名] grass that grows in the wild

great (大きな) [形] of major significance or importance

arch (広がる) [動] form or cause to form an arch

背の高い野草だけが果てしなく続く空き地を覆い、その上には大きな空が広がっていた。

Far away the sun’s edge touched the rim of the earth.

far away (遠くで) [副] at a great distance

earth (地球) [名] the planet that we live on

遠くで太陽の端が地球の縁に触れた。

The sun was enormous and it was throbbing and pulsing with light.

throb (脈打つ) [動] beat or sound with a strong, regular rhythm

太陽は巨大で、光で脈打っていた。

All around the sky’s edge ran a pale pink glow, and above the pink was yellow, and above that blue.

pale (淡い) [形] light in color or shade

glow (輝き) [名] a light that is not very bright

above (上) [前] in or to a higher place or position

yellow (黄色) [名] the color intermediate between green and orange in the visible spectrum

空の端の周りには淡いピンクの輝きが走り、ピンクの上には黄色、その上には青があった。

Above the blue the sky was no color at all.

no color (無色) [名] the absence of color

青の上には空は全く色がなかった。

Purple shadows were gathering over the land, and the wind was mourning.

gather (集まる) [動] come together

mourn (悲しむ) [動] feel or show deep sorrow or regret

紫の影が陸地に集まり、風が悲しげに吹いていた。

Pa stopped the mustangs.

パパはムスタングを止めた。

He and Ma got out of the wagon to make camp, and Mary and Laura climbed down to the ground, too.

パパとママはキャンプを作るために荷馬車から降り、メアリーとローラも地面に降りた。

“Oh, Ma,” Laura begged, “Jack has gone to heaven, hasn’t he?

beg (懇願する) [動] ask for something earnestly

heaven (天国) [名] the place where God lives and where good people go after they die

「ああ、ママ」ローラは懇願した。「ジャックは天国に行ったのよね?

He was such a good dog, can’t he go to heaven?”

such a good dog (とても良い犬) [名] a dog that is very good

go to heaven (天国に行く) [動] die

ジャックはとても良い犬だったから、天国に行けるよね?」

Ma did not know what to answer, but Pa said:

ママは何と答えていいか分からなかったが、パパは言った。

“Yes, Laura, he can.

yes (そうだ) [副] used to express agreement or acceptance

can (できる) [助] be able to; have the ability to

「そうだ、ローラ、ジャックは天国に行けるよ。

God that doesn’t forget the sparrows won’t leave a good dog like Jack out in the cold.”

sparrow (雀) [名] a small bird

cold (寒い所) [名] a low temperature

雀を忘れない神様は、ジャックのような良い犬を寒い所に置き去りにしないよ。」

Laura felt only a little better.

only (少しだけ) [副] no more than; just

better (良くなる) [形] of a more excellent or effective type or quality

ローラは少しだけ気分が良くなった。

She was not happy.

happy (幸せ) [形] feeling or showing pleasure or contentment

彼女は幸せではなかった。

Pa did not whistle about his work as usual, and after a while he said, “And what we’ll do in a wild country without a good watchdog I don’t know.”

as usual (いつものように) [副] in the usual way

after a while (しばらくして) [副] after a short period of time

wild country (荒野) [名] a large area of land with few or no people living in it

watchdog (番犬) [名] a dog kept to guard property

I don't know (わからない) [動] be not sure or certain about something

パパはいつものように口笛を吹きながら仕事をせず、しばらくして「良い番犬なしにこの荒野でどうしたらいいのかわからない」と言った。

Chapter 3: CAMP ON THE HIGH PRAIRIE

第3章: 大草原のキャンプで

Pa made camp as usual.

make camp (キャンプを作る) [動] set up a camp

パパはいつものようにキャンプを作った。

First, he unhitched and unharnessed Pet and Patty, and he put them on their picket-lines.

first (まず) [副] before anything else; initially

unhitch (外す) [動] to unfasten or release from a hitch

unharness (外す) [動] to remove the harness from

put (つなぐ) [動] to place in a specified position or place

picket-line (馬をつなぐロープ) [名] a line of people picketing a place of work

まず、パパはペットとパティを馬車から外して、馬をつなぐロープにつないだ。

Picket-lines were long ropes fastened to iron pegs driven into the ground.

iron peg (鉄の杭) [名] a stake made of iron

馬をつなぐロープとは、地面に打ち込んだ鉄の杭に結びつけた長いロープのことである。

The pegs were called picket-pins.

peg (杭) [名] a short, thick piece of wood, metal, or plastic with a pointed end, used for holding things together or in position

picket-pin (馬つなぎ杭) [名] a stake or peg driven into the ground to which a horse may be tethered

その杭は馬つなぎ杭と呼ばれていた。

When horses were on picket-lines they could eat all the grass that the long ropes would let them reach.

be on (つながれている) [動] be connected to

picket-line (馬つなぎロープ) [名] a rope used to tether a horse

let (届く) [動] allow to reach

馬が馬つなぎロープにつながれている時、馬は長いロープが届く範囲の草を全部食べることができた。

But when Pet and Patty were put on them, the first thing they did was to lie down and roll back and forth and over.

first (最初) [形] coming before all others in time or order

roll (転がる) [動] to move by turning over and over

しかし、ペットとパティが馬つなぎロープにつながれた時、彼らが最初にしたことは、横になって前後に転がることだった。

They rolled till the feeling of the harness was all gone from their backs.

harness (馬具) [名] the equipment of straps and fittings by which a horse or other draft animal is fastened to a cart, plow, etc., and is controlled by its driver

彼らは背中から馬具の感覚がなくなるまで転がった。

While Pet and Patty were rolling, Pa pulled all the grass from a large, round space of ground.

pull (引っこ抜く) [動] move or cause to move toward oneself or the origin of the force

ペットとパティが転がっている間に、パパは地面の大きく丸い場所から草を全部引っこ抜いた。

There was old, dead grass at the roots of the green grass, and Pa would take no chance of setting the prairie on fire.

root (根元) [名] the part of a plant that grows into the ground

dead (枯れた) [形] no longer alive

take no chance (危険を冒さない) [動] not do something that might have a bad result

set on fire (火をつける) [動] cause to burn

緑の草の根元には古い枯れ草があり、パパは草原に火をつける危険を冒さなかった。

If fire once started in that dry under-grass, it would sweep that whole country bare and black.

start (つく) [動] begin to burn

under-grass (下草) [名] grass growing under trees

sweep (焼き尽くす) [動] move or cause to move quickly and smoothly

whole (全体) [形] all of; the entire

country (地方) [名] a political state or nation or its territory

bare (真っ黒) [形] without covering or clothing

black (真っ黒) [形] of the color black

もしその乾燥した下草に火がついたら、その地方全体が焼き尽くされて真っ黒になってしまうだろう。

Pa said, “Best be on the safe side, it saves trouble in the end.”

be on the safe side (安全策をとる) [動] to act in a way that avoids risk

save trouble (面倒を省く) [動] to avoid difficulty or problems

パパは「安全策をとるのが一番だ、結局は面倒が省ける」と言った。

When the space was clear of grass, Pa laid a handful of dry grass in its center.

clear (なくなる) [動] become free of clouds or mist

handful (一握り) [名] the quantity that can be held in the hand

center (真ん中) [名] the middle point of something

草がなくなったら、パパはその真ん中に乾いた草を一握り置いた。

From the creek bottoms he brought an armful of twigs and dead wood.

bring (持ってくる) [動] cause to come or go with oneself

armful (抱え) [名] as much as one can hold in one arm

twig (小枝) [名] a small thin branch of a tree or bush

dead wood (枯れ木) [名] wood that is no longer alive

彼は小川の底から小枝や枯れ木を抱えてきた。

He laid small twigs and larger twigs and then the wood on the handful of dry grass, and he lighted the grass.

larger (大きな) [形] big in size

light (火をつける) [動] set on fire; ignite

彼は小さな小枝と大きな小枝を置き、それから一握りの乾いた草の上に木を置き、草に火をつけた。

The fire crackled merrily inside the ring of bare ground that it couldn’t get out of.

crackle (パチパチと音を立てる) [動] make a series of light cracking sounds

merrily (陽気に) [副] in a cheerful manner

bare ground (裸地) [名] ground that is not covered with vegetation

火は、外に出られない裸地の輪の中で陽気にパチパチと音を立てた。

Then Pa brought water from the creek, while Mary and Laura helped Ma get supper.

bring (汲んでくる) [動] take or carry with oneself

get (準備する) [動] prepare or make ready

それからパパが小川から水を汲んできてくれたので、メアリーとローラはママが夕食の準備をするのを手伝った。

Ma measured coffee beans into the coffee-mill and Mary ground them.

measure (量る) [動] determine the size, amount, or degree of (something) by using an instrument or device marked in standard units or by comparing it with an object of known size

coffee bean (コーヒー豆) [名] the seed of a coffee plant

coffee-mill (コーヒーミル) [名] a machine for grinding coffee beans

grind (挽く) [動] reduce to small particles or powder by crushing, abrading, or cutting

ママはコーヒー豆をコーヒーミルに量り、メアリーはそれを挽いた。

Laura filled the coffee-pot with the water Pa brought, and Ma set the pot in the coals.

coffee-pot (コーヒーポット) [名] a pot for making coffee

set (かける) [動] put into a specified state

pot (ポット) [名] a vessel used for cooking or storing food

ローラはパパが持ってきた水をコーヒーポットに注ぎ、ママはポットを炭火にかけた。

She set the iron bake-oven in the coals, too.

iron (鉄製) [名] a hard, strong, magnetic, malleable, ductile, silver-gray metal

bake-oven (焼き窯) [名] an oven for baking bread

coal (炭火) [名] a black or dark brown rock consisting mainly of carbonized plant matter

ママは鉄製の焼き窯も炭火にかけた。

While it heated, she mixed cornmeal and salt with water and patted it into little cakes.

heat (熱くなる) [動] make or become hot

mix (混ぜる) [動] combine or blend together

cornmeal (コーンミール) [名] a coarse flour made from corn

salt (塩) [名] a white crystalline substance which gives seawater its characteristic taste and is used for seasoning or preserving food

pat (成形する) [動] shape by patting

cake (ケーキ) [名] a sweet dessert made from ingredients such as flour, sugar, eggs, and baking powder and usually baked in an oven

それが熱くなる間に、ママはコーンミールと塩を水で混ぜて、小さなケーキに成形した。

She greased the bake-oven with a pork-rind, laid the cornmeal cakes in it, and put on its iron cover.

grease (油を塗る) [動] apply grease to

pork-rind (豚の皮) [名] the skin of a pig

put on (する) [動] place or position on top of or over something

cover (蓋) [名] a thing that covers or protects something

ママは焼き窯に豚の皮で油を塗り、コーンミールのケーキをその中に置き、鉄製の蓋をした。

Then Pa raked more coals over the cover, while Ma sliced fat salt pork.

rake (かき集める) [動] move with a rake

slice (薄切りにする) [動] cut into thin pieces

fat (脂肪の多い) [形] having a lot of fat

salt pork (塩漬け豚肉) [名] pork that has been preserved in salt

それからパパが蓋の上にさらに炭をかき集め、ママは脂肪の多い塩漬け豚肉を薄切りにした。

She fried the slices in the iron spider.

fry (焼く) [動] cook in hot fat

slice (薄切り肉) [名] a thin piece of food

iron (鉄製の) [形] made of iron

spider (鉄板) [名] a frying pan with a long handle and short legs

ママは鉄製の鉄板で薄切り肉を焼いた。

The spider had short legs to stand on in the coals, and that was why it was called a spider.

short (短い) [形] having little length

that (それが) [代] the thing or things mentioned before

be called (呼ばれる) [動] give a name to

鉄板には炭火の中に立つための短い脚があり、それが鉄板が鉄板と呼ばれる理由だった。

If it had had no legs, it would have been only a frying pan.

have no legs (脚がない) [動] lack legs

frying pan (フライパン) [名] a pan used for frying

もし脚がなかったら、ただのフライパンだっただろう。

The coffee boiled, the cakes baked, the meat fried, and they all smelled so good that Laura grew hungrier and hungrier.

coffee (コーヒー) [名] a hot drink made from the roasted and ground beans of a tropical shrub

boil (沸騰する) [動] reach or cause to reach the boiling point

bake (焼く) [動] cook by dry heat in an oven

meat (肉) [名] the flesh of an animal or a bird that is eaten as food

smell (匂いがする) [動] be perceived or have a quality suggestive of something specified

hungry (お腹が空く) [形] feeling a need or wish to eat

コーヒーが沸騰し、ケーキが焼け、肉が焼け、どれもとても良い匂いがしたので、ローラはますますお腹が空いてきた。

Pa set the wagon-seat near the fire.

set (置く) [動] put something in a certain place

wagon-seat (馬車の座席) [名] a seat in a wagon

near (そば) [前] close to; not far from

パパは馬車の座席を火のそばに置いた。

He and Ma sat on it.

パパとママはそこに座った。

Mary and Laura sat on the wagon tongue.

tongue (舌) [名] the fleshy muscular organ in the mouth that is used for tasting, licking, swallowing, and speech

メアリーとローラは馬車の舌の上に座った。

Each of them had a tin plate, and a steel knife and a steel fork with white bone handles.

each (それぞれ) [形] every one of two or more people or things

tin (ブリキ) [名] a thin sheet of iron or steel coated with tin

plate (皿) [名] a flat dish with raised edges that is used to hold food

steel (鋼) [名] a hard, strong metal made from iron and carbon

knife (ナイフ) [名] a cutting instrument with a sharp blade

fork (フォーク) [名] a pronged tool used for eating or serving food

bone (骨) [名] any of the hard parts inside the body of a person or animal that are covered with muscle, skin etc

handle (柄) [名] the part of an object that is held in the hand when using it

それぞれがブリキの皿と、白い骨の柄のついた鋼のナイフとフォークを持っていた。

Ma had a tin cup and Pa had a tin cup, and Baby Carrie had a little one all her own, but Mary and Laura had to share their tin cup.

share (共有する) [動] have or use something in common with others

ママはブリキのコップを持っていて、パパもブリキのコップを持っていて、赤ちゃんのキャリーは小さなコップを自分だけで持っていたが、メアリーとローラはブリキのコップを共有しなければならなかった。

They drank water.

drink (飲む) [動] take into the mouth and swallow

彼らは水を飲んだ。

They could not drink coffee until they grew up.

grow up (大人になる) [動] become an adult

彼らは大人になるまでコーヒーを飲むことはできなかった。

While they were eating supper the purple shadows closed around the camp fire.

supper (夕食) [名] the last meal of the day

purple (紫の) [形] of a color intermediate between red and blue

close (閉じる) [動] move so as to cover an opening

around (周り) [前] on every side of

彼らが夕食を食べている間に、紫の影がキャンプファイヤーの周りを閉じた。

The vast prairie was dark and still.

vast (広大な) [形] of very great extent or size

広大な大草原は暗く静かだった。

Only the wind moved stealthily through the grass, and the large, low stars hung glittering from the great sky.

stealthily (こっそりと) [副] in a secretive manner

great (大きい) [形] of considerable or relatively great size, extent, or capacity

風だけが草の中をこっそりと動き、大きくて低い星が大きな空からきらめいていた。

The camp fire was cozy in the big, chill darkness.

cozy (居心地がよい) [形] comfortable and warm

chill (寒い) [形] cold or chilly

darkness (暗闇) [名] the absence of light

キャンプファイヤーは大きくて寒い暗闇の中で居心地が良かった。

The slices of pork were crisp and fat, the corncakes were good.

slice (スライス) [名] a thin, broad piece of food

pork (豚肉) [名] the flesh of a pig

crisp (カリカリ) [形] firm and crunchy

corncake (コーンケーキ) [名] a cake made from cornmeal

豚肉のスライスはカリカリで脂っこく、コーンケーキはおいしかった。

In the dark beyond the wagon, Pet and Patty were eating, too.

in the dark (暗闇の中で) [副] in a dark place

too (も) [副] also; as well

荷馬車の向こうの暗闇の中で、ペットとパティも食べていた。

They bit off bites of grass with sharply crunching sounds.

bite off (噛みちぎる) [動] to bite something off

bite (噛む) [名] the act of biting

crunch (歯を鳴らす) [動] to crush or chew with a noisy, crackling sound

彼らは草を噛みちぎり、鋭く歯を鳴らした。

“We’ll camp here a day or two,” said Pa.

two (2) [数] one more than one

「ここで1日か2日キャンプする」とパパは言った。

“Maybe we’ll stay here.

maybe (もしかしたら) [副] perhaps; possibly

stay (住む) [動] live in a place for a period of time

「もしかしたらここに住むかもしれない。

There’s good land, timber in the bottoms, plenty of game—everything a man could want.

good land (良い土地) [名] land that is fertile and suitable for farming

timber (木材) [名] wood that is suitable for building

plenty of (たくさんの) [名] a lot of

game (獲物) [名] wild animals that are hunted for food or sport

良い土地、谷底の木材、たくさんの獲物、人が望むものすべてがある。

What do you say, Caroline?”

キャロライン、どう思う?」

“We might go farther and fare worse,” Ma replied.

go farther (もっと遠くに行く) [動] travel a greater distance

fare worse (もっとひどい目に遭う) [動] experience something more unpleasant

「もっと遠くに行ってももっとひどい目に遭うかもしれない」とママは答えた。

“Anyway, I’ll look around tomorrow,” Pa said.

look around (見回す) [動] to look in all directions

tomorrow (明日) [名] the day after today

「とにかく、明日は周りを見てみよう」とパパは言った。

“I’ll take my gun and get us some good fresh meat.”

get (取って来る) [動] obtain by care, effort, or the use of special means

「銃を持って行って、新鮮な肉を取って来よう」

He lighted his pipe with a hot coal, and stretched out his legs comfortably.

pipe (パイプ) [名] a tube made of wood, clay, or metal that is used for smoking tobacco

stretch out (伸ばす) [動] extend to full length

パパは熱い石炭でパイプに火をつけ、気持ちよさそうに足を伸ばした。

The warm, brown smell of tobacco smoke mixed with the warmth of the fire.

warm (暖かい) [形] having or giving out heat to a moderate or slight degree

smell (匂い) [名] the property of a substance that is perceptible by the olfactory system

tobacco (タバコ) [名] a plant widely cultivated for its leaves, which are dried and processed chiefly for smoking

smoke (煙) [名] a cloud of fine particles in the air, typically one suspended in the atmosphere

mix (混ざり合う) [動] combine or be combined

warmth (暖かさ) [名] the quality or state of being warm

暖かい茶色いタバコの煙の匂いが火の暖かさと混ざり合った。

Mary yawned, and slid off the wagon tongue to sit on the grass.

slide off (滑り落ちる) [動] move or cause to move smoothly and quickly

wagon tongue (馬車の舌) [名] the pole between the front wheels of a wagon

メアリーは欠伸をして、馬車の舌から滑り落ちて草の上に座った。

Laura yawned, too.

ローラも欠伸をした。

Ma quickly washed the tin plates, the tin cups, the knives and forks.

quickly (すばやく) [副] at a fast pace

tin plate (ブリキの皿) [名] a thin sheet of iron or steel coated with tin

tin cup (ブリキのコップ) [名] a cup made of tin

ママはすばやくブリキの皿、ブリキのコップ、ナイフとフォークを洗った。

She washed the bake-oven and the spider, and rinsed the dish-cloth.

bake-oven (オーブン) [名] an oven for baking

rinse (すすぐ) [動] wash with clean water

ママはオーブンとフライパンを洗い、ふきんをすすいだ。

For an instant she was still, listening to the long, wailing howl from the dark prairie.

for an instant (一瞬) [名] a very short space of time

still (静かに) [副] without moving or making a sound

listen (耳を傾ける) [動] give one's attention to a sound

wail (悲しげな) [動] make a long, loud, high-pitched cry of pain, grief, or anger

howl (遠吠え) [名] a long, loud, mournful cry of a dog or wolf

一瞬、彼女は静かに暗い大草原からの長く悲しげな遠吠えに耳を傾けた。

They all knew what it was.

all (みんな) [代] the whole amount of; the entire number of

know (わかる) [動] be aware of; be informed about

みんなそれが何かわかっていた。

But that sound always ran cold up Laura’s backbone and crinkled over the back of her head.

run cold (冷たく走り抜ける) [動] to cause a feeling of fear or dread

backbone (背骨) [名] the series of vertebrae forming the spinal column

crinkle (震わせる) [動] to cause to wrinkle or crease

over (後ろ) [前] above and across the top of

でも、その音はいつもローラの背骨を冷たく走り抜け、頭の後ろを震わせた。

Ma shook the dish-cloth, and then she walked into the dark and spread the cloth on the tall grass to dry.

dish-cloth (ふきん) [名] a cloth for washing dishes

spread (広げる) [動] stretch out so as to cover a wider area

dry (乾かす) [動] make or become dry

ママはふきんを振り、それから暗闇の中を歩き、ふきんを乾かすために背の高い草の上に広げた。

When she came back Pa said: “Wolves. Half a mile away, I’d judge.

wolf (狼) [名] a wild carnivorous mammal

half a mile (半マイル) [名] a unit of length equal to 0.5 miles

away (離れている) [副] at a distance

judge (思う) [動] form an opinion or conclusion about something

彼女が戻ってきたとき、パパは言った。「狼だ。半マイル離れていると思う。

Well, where there’s deer there will be wolves.

鹿がいるところには狼がいる。

I wish——”

wish (そうしたい) [動] feel or express a strong desire or hope for something that is not easily attainable

私もそうしたいけど」

He didn’t say what he wished, but Laura knew.

wish (望む) [動] want something to happen or be the case

彼は彼が望むことを言わなかったが、ローラは知っていた。

He wished Jack were there.

there (そこに) [副] in or at that place

彼はジャックがそこにいればいいと思った。

When wolves howled in the Big Woods, Laura had always known that Jack would not let them hurt her.

howl (遠吠えする) [動] make a long, loud, mournful cry

大きな森で狼が遠吠えした時、ローラはジャックが狼に彼女を傷つけさせないといつも知っていた。

A lump swelled hard in her throat and her nose smarted.

swell (膨らむ) [動] grow or cause to grow in size, amount, or intensity

hard (固い) [形] not soft; firm or solid

throat (喉) [名] the passage that leads from the back of the mouth to the stomach

smart (痛む) [動] cause a sharp, stinging pain

彼女の喉に固い塊が膨らみ、鼻が痛んだ。

She winked fast and did not cry.

wink (瞬きする) [動] shut one eye briefly, typically to indicate that something is a joke or secret or as a signal of affection or greeting

fast (素早く) [副] at high speed; quickly

彼女は素早く瞬きして泣かなかった。

That wolf, or perhaps another wolf, howled again.

その狼、あるいは別の狼が再び遠吠えした。

“Bedtime for little girls!” Ma said, cheerfully.

bedtime (寝る時間) [名] the time when you go to bed

cheerfully (元気よく) [副] in a cheerful manner

「小さな女の子は寝る時間よ!」とママは元気よく言った。

Mary got up and turned around so that Ma could unbutton her.

get up (立ち上がる) [動] rise to a standing position

turn around (後ろを向く) [動] change direction so as to face the opposite way

so that (~できるように) [接] with the result or aim that

unbutton (ボタンを外す) [動] undo the buttons of

メアリーは立ち上がって、ママがボタンを外せるように後ろを向いた。

But Laura jumped up and stood still.

jump up (飛び上がる) [動] to jump or leap upwards

しかし、ローラは飛び上がってじっと立っていた。

She saw something.

彼女は何かを見た。

Deep in the dark beyond the firelight, two green lights were shining near the ground.

deep (奥深く) [形] extending far down or in from the top or surface

firelight (焚き火) [名] the light of a fire

shine (輝く) [動] be bright; be shiny

焚き火の向こうの暗闇の奥深くで、2つの緑色の光が地面の近くで輝いていた。

They were eyes.

それは目だった。

Cold ran up Laura’s backbone, her scalp crinkled, her hair stood up.

run up (走り) [動] move quickly

backbone (背筋) [名] the spine

scalp (頭皮) [名] the skin on the top of the head

crinkle (縮む) [動] make or become wrinkled

ローラの背筋に冷たいものが走り、頭皮が縮み、髪の毛が逆立った。

The green lights moved; one winked out, then the other winked out, then both shone steadily, coming nearer.

green light (緑色の光) [名] a green-colored light

steadily (着実に) [副] in a regular and even manner

緑色の光が動いた。1つが消え、もう1つが消え、そして両方が着実に輝き、近づいてきた。

Very rapidly they were coming nearer.

very (とても) [副] to a high degree; extremely

rapidly (素早く) [副] at a fast pace

とても素早く近づいてきた。

“Look, Pa, look!” Laura said.

「見て、パパ、見て!」とローラは言った。

“A wolf!”

「狼だ!」

Pa did not seem to move quickly, but he did.

seem (見える) [動] appear to be

quickly (素早く) [副] at a fast speed

パパは素早く動いているようには見えなかったが、動いていた。

In an instant he took his gun out of the wagon and was ready to fire at those green eyes.

in an instant (一瞬のうちに) [副] immediately; at once

take out (取り出す) [動] remove something from a place

fire (撃つ) [動] shoot a gun

green (緑色の) [形] of the color between blue and yellow in the spectrum

一瞬のうちに彼は荷馬車から銃を取り出し、緑色の目に撃つ準備をした。

The eyes stopped coming.

目は近づいて来なくなった。

They were still in the dark, looking at him.

look at (見つめる) [動] direct one's gaze at

目は暗闇の中で彼を見つめていた。

“It can’t be a wolf.

「狼のはずがない。

Unless it’s a mad wolf,” Pa said.

unless (でなければ) [接] except if; if not

mad (狂った) [形] insane; crazy

狂った狼でなければ」とパパは言った。

Ma lifted Mary into the wagon.

lift (乗せる) [動] move or carry from a lower to a higher position

ママはメアリーを馬車に乗せた。

“And it’s not that,” said Pa.

「そうではない」とパパは言った。

“Listen to the horses.”

listen (聞く) [動] to give one's attention to a sound or action

「馬の声を聞いてみろ」

Pet and Patty were still biting off bits of grass.

off (離す) [前] away from; at a distance from

bit (少し) [名] a small piece or amount

ペットとパティは草を噛み続けていた。

“A lynx?” said Ma.

lynx (オオヤマネコ) [名] a wild cat with tufted ears and a short tail

「オオヤマネコ?」とママは言った。

“Or a coyote?” Pa picked up a stick of wood;

coyote (コヨーテ) [名] a small wolf native to North America

pick up (拾い上げる) [動] lift or take up something with one's hands

「それともコヨーテ?」パパは木の棒を拾い上げた。

he shouted, and threw it.

throw (投げる) [動] propel through the air by a rapid movement of the arm and hand

彼は叫び、それを投げた。

The green eyes went close to the ground, as if the animal crouched to spring.

go close to (近づく) [動] move or travel toward

crouch (身をかがめる) [動] bend one's knees and lower one's body

spring (跳びかかる) [動] move or jump suddenly and quickly

緑色の目は地面に近づき、まるで動物が跳びかかろうと身をかがめたようだった。

Pa held the gun ready.

hold (構える) [動] to keep or maintain in a certain position

パパは銃を構えた。

The creature did not move.

creature (生き物) [名] a living being

その生き物は動かなかった。

“Don’t, Charles,” Ma said.

don't (やめて) [動] do not

「やめて、チャールズ」とママは言った。

But Pa slowly walked toward those eyes.

しかし、パパはその目に向かってゆっくりと歩いていった。

And slowly along the ground the eyes crawled toward him.

along (沿って) [前] in a line parallel to the length or direction of

crawl (這う) [動] move slowly with the body close to the ground

そして、ゆっくりと地面を這ってその目が彼に向かって来た。

Laura could see the animal in the edge of the dark.

ローラは暗闇の端にその動物を見ることができた。

It was a tawny animal and brindled.

tawny (黄褐色の) [形] of a light brown or yellowish-brown color

それは黄褐色の動物で、まだら模様だった。

Then Pa shouted and Laura screamed.

scream (悲鳴を上げる) [動] utter a loud, piercing cry

するとパパが叫び、ローラも悲鳴を上げた。

The next thing she knew she was trying to hug a jumping, panting, wriggling Jack, who lapped her face and hands with his warm wet tongue.

the next thing (次に) [名] the next thing that happens

try (しようとする) [動] make an effort to do something

jump (飛び跳ねる) [動] move up or down or from one place to another

wriggle (身をよじる) [動] twist and turn

次に彼女が気づいた時には、彼女は飛び跳ね、息を切らし、身をよじるジャックを抱きしめようとしていて、ジャックは彼女の顔や手を暖かく湿った舌でなめていた。

She couldn’t hold him.

hold (抱きしめる) [動] grasp or grip something firmly

彼女は彼を抱きしめることができない。

He leaped and wriggled from her to Pa to Ma and back to her again.

leap (飛び跳ねる) [動] jump or spring a long way

from (から) [前] used to indicate a starting point

to (へ) [前] used to indicate a destination

back (戻る) [副] to the place or person that was left

彼は彼女からパパ、ママへと飛び跳ね、身をよじり、また彼女のところに戻ってきた。

“Well, I’m beat!” Pa said.

beat (参った) [形] tired or exhausted

「まあ、参ったな!」パパは言った。

“So am I,” said Ma.

so (私も) [副] to the same extent

「私も」ママは言った。

“But did you have to wake the baby?”

wake (起こす) [動] cause to stop sleeping

「でも、赤ちゃんを起こさなければならなかった?」

She rocked Carrie in her arms, hushing her.

rock (揺らす) [動] move or cause to move slowly and gently to and fro or from side to side

arm (腕) [名] an upper limb of the human body

hush (なだめる) [動] make or become quiet

彼女はキャリーを腕に抱いて揺らし、彼女をなだめた。

Jack was perfectly well.

perfectly (全く) [副] in a perfect manner

well (元気) [形] in good health

ジャックは全く元気だった。

But soon he lay down close to Laura and sighed a long sigh.

close (近く) [副] near

sigh (ため息) [名] a long, deep, audible breath that expresses sadness, tiredness, or relief

しかし、すぐに彼はローラの近くに横になり、長いため息をついた。

His eyes were red with tiredness, and all the under part of him was caked with mud.

tiredness (疲労) [名] a state of mental or physical exhaustion

under (下の) [形] lower in position, rank, or importance

cake (固まる) [動] form into a hard mass

彼の目は疲労で赤く、彼の下の部分はすべて泥で固まっていた。

Ma gave him a cornmeal cake and he licked it and wagged politely, but he could not eat.

lick (なめる) [動] move the tongue over the surface of something

wag (振る) [動] move or cause to move up and down or from side to side

politely (丁寧に) [副] in a way that is socially correct and shows respect for other people

ママは彼にコーンミールのケーキを与え、彼はそれをなめ、丁寧に尻尾を振ったが、食べることができなかった。

He was too tired.

too (あまりに) [副] to a higher degree than is desirable, permissible, or possible

彼は疲れすぎた。

“No telling how long he kept swimming,” Pa said.

no telling (わからない) [動] it is impossible to know

keep swimming (泳ぎ続ける) [動] continue to swim

「彼がどれだけ泳ぎ続けたかはわからない」とパパは言った。

“Nor how far he was carried downstream before he landed.”

how far (どれだけ) [副] to what extent or degree

downstream (下流) [名] the direction along a river toward the sea

land (上陸する) [動] go ashore

「また、彼が上陸するまでどれだけ下流に流されたかもわからない」

And when at last he reached them, Laura called him a wolf, and Pa threatened to shoot him.

reach (たどり着く) [動] arrive at a destination

threaten (脅す) [動] state one's intention to punish or hurt someone

そして、ついに彼が彼らにたどり着いたとき、ローラは彼を狼と呼び、パパは彼を撃つと脅した。

But Jack knew they didn’t mean it.

mean (本気である) [動] intend to convey

しかし、ジャックは彼らが本気ではないことを知っていた。

Laura asked him, “You knew we didn’t mean it, didn’t you, Jack?”

ローラは彼に尋ねた、「私たちが本気ではないことを知っていたでしょう、ジャック?」

Jack wagged his stump of a tail;

ジャックは尻尾の切り株を振った。

he knew.

彼は知っていた。

It was past bedtime.

be past (過ぎている) [動] to be later than

就寝時刻を過ぎていた。

Pa chained Pet and Patty to the feed-box at the back of the wagon and fed them their corn.

chain (鎖でつなぐ) [動] fasten or secure with a chain

feed-box (飼料箱) [名] a box containing food for animals

corn (とうもろこし) [名] a plant that produces large ears of kernels on a cob

パパはペットとパティを荷馬車の後ろにある飼料箱に鎖でつなぎ、とうもろこしを与えた。

Carrie slept again, and Ma helped Mary and Laura undress.

undress (服を脱ぐ) [動] take off one's clothes

キャリーはまた眠り、ママはメアリーとローラの服を脱ぐのを手伝った。

She put their long nightgowns over their heads while they stuck their arms into the sleeves.

put (かぶせる) [動] place or position

nightgown (寝巻き) [名] a loose garment worn in bed

stick (入れる) [動] push or thrust

sleeve (袖) [名] the part of a garment that covers the arm

彼女は長い寝巻きを彼女たちの頭からかぶせ、彼女たちは袖に腕を入れた。

They buttoned the neckbands themselves, and tied the strings of their nightcaps beneath their chins.

button (留める) [動] fasten with a button

neckband (襟) [名] a band of material around the neck

themselves (自分で) [代] used to emphasize that the subject does something on their own

string (紐) [名] a thin cord of twisted fiber

nightcap (ナイトキャップ) [名] a cap worn in bed

beneath (下で) [前] below or under

彼女たちは自分で襟のボタンを留め、ナイトキャップの紐を顎の下で結んだ。

Under the wagon Jack wearily turned around three times, and lay down to sleep.

wearily (疲れたように) [副] in a tired way

turn around (回転する) [動] move in a circular motion

荷馬車の下でジャックは疲れたように3回転して、横になって眠った。

In the wagon Laura and Mary said their prayers and crawled into their little bed.

prayer (祈り) [名] a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God or an object of worship

荷馬車の中でローラとメアリーは祈りを捧げ、小さなベッドに潜り込んだ。

Ma kissed them good night.

good night (おやすみ) [名] a farewell said at night or on retiring for the night

ママは彼女たちにおやすみのキスをした。

On the other side of the canvas, Pet and Patty were eating their corn.

on the other side of (の向こう側で) [前] in a position on the opposite side of

帆布の向こう側では、ペットとパティがトウモロコシを食べていた。

When Patty whooshed into the feed-box, the whoosh was right at Laura’s ear.

when (とき) [接] at the time that

whoosh (音) [名] a sound of or like a swift movement of air

right (耳元で) [副] directly; straight

パティが飼料箱に鼻を突っ込んだとき、その音はローラの耳元で鳴った。

There were little scurrying sounds in the grass.

草むらで小さな音がした。

In the trees by the creek an owl called, “Who-oo? who-oo?”

owl (フクロウ) [名] a nocturnal bird of prey with large forward-facing eyes and a hooked beak

call (鳴く) [動] make a loud, clear sound

小川のそばの木々でフクロウが「ホーホー、ホーホー」と鳴いた。

Farther away another owl answered, “Oo-oo, oo-oo.”

farther (遠くで) [副] at or to a greater distance

another (別の) [形] different from the one already mentioned

遠くで別のフクロウが「ホーホー、ホーホー」と答えた。

Far away on the prairie the wolves howled, and under the wagon Jack growled low in his chest.

growl (唸る) [動] make a low, threatening sound in the throat

遠くの大草原で狼が遠吠えし、荷馬車の下でジャックが低く唸った。

In the wagon everything was safe and snug.

荷馬車の中はすべてが安全で心地よかった。

Thickly in front of the open wagon-top hung the large, glittering stars.

thickly (ぎっしりと) [副] in a dense manner

in front of (前に) [前] in the space that is directly ahead of someone or something

open (開いた) [形] not closed or blocked

wagon-top (荷馬車の屋根) [名] the top of a wagon

glittering (きらめく) [形] shining or sparkling brightly

荷馬車の開いた屋根の前には、大きくてきらめく星がぎっしりと輝いていた。

Pa could reach them, Laura thought.

reach (届く) [動] stretch out so as to touch or grasp something

パパなら届くだろう、とローラは思った。

She wished he would pick the largest one from the thread on which it hung from the sky, and give it to her.

pick (摘む) [動] take hold of and remove with the fingers

thread (糸) [名] a thin, continuous strand of cotton, nylon, or other fibers used in sewing or weaving

彼女は、パパが空から吊り下げられた糸から一番大きな星を摘んで、自分にくれることを願った。

She was wide awake, she was not sleepy at all, but suddenly she was very much surprised.

wide awake (すっかり目が覚めて) [形] fully awake

sleepy (眠い) [形] feeling a need or a desire to sleep

suddenly (突然) [副] quickly and without warning

very much (とても) [副] to a great extent or degree

surprised (驚いた) [形] feeling or showing surprise

彼女はすっかり目が覚めていて、眠くはなかったが、突然とても驚いた。

The large star winked at her!

大きな星が彼女にウィンクしたのだ!

Then she was waking up, next morning.

wake up (目を覚ます) [動] stop sleeping

そして、彼女は翌朝目を覚ました。

Chapter 4: PRAIRIE DAY

第4章: 大草原の一日

Soft whickerings were close to Laura’s ear, and grain rattled into the feed-box.

whickering (鼻息) [名] the sound made by a horse when it whinnies

grain (穀物) [名] the seed of a cereal

rattle (ガラガラ) [動] make a rapid succession of short, sharp sounds

ローラの耳の近くで柔らかい鼻息が聞こえ、穀物が飼料箱にガラガラと落ちた。

Pa was giving Pet and Patty their breakfasts.

breakfast (朝食) [名] the first meal of the day

パパはペットとパティに朝食を与えていた。

“Back, Pet! Don’t be greedy,” he said.

back (後ろに下がれ) [副] to or toward the rear

greedy (欲張るな) [形] having or showing an intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food

「後ろに下がれ、ペット! 欲張るな」と彼は言った。

“You know it’s Patty’s turn.”

turn (番) [名] a chance to do something

「パティの番だってわかってるだろ。」

Pet stamped her foot and nickered.

stamp (踏み鳴らす) [動] bring down (one's foot) heavily and noisily

nicker (いななく) [動] (of a horse) make a soft gentle noise

ペットは足を踏み鳴らし、いなないた。

“Now, Patty, keep your own end of the box,” said Pa.

keep (守る) [動] to continue to have or do something

end (端) [名] the last part of something

「さあ、パティ、箱の端を守れ」とパパは言った。

“This is for Pet.”

for (用だ) [前] intended to be given to

「これはペット用だ。」

Then a little squeal from Patty.

squeal (悲鳴) [名] a high-pitched cry or sound

それからパティが小さく悲鳴を上げた。

“Hah! Got nipped, didn’t you?” Pa said.

nip (噛む) [動] bite or pinch sharply and quickly

didn't (~しなかった) [助] did not

「はっ! 噛まれたな?」とパパは言った。

“And serve you right.

serve (正しい) [動] be right or correct

「そしてあなたは正しい。

I told you to eat your own corn.”

自分のトウモロコシを食べろと言っただろう。」

Mary and Laura looked at each other and laughed.

look at (顔を見合わせる) [動] to direct one's gaze toward

each other (お互い) [代] one another

laugh (笑う) [動] to express mirth, satisfaction, or derision with a chuckle or explosive vocal sound

メアリーとローラは顔を見合わせて笑った。

They could smell bacon and coffee and hear pancakes sizzling, and they scrambled out of bed.

bacon (ベーコン) [名] cured and smoked meat from the back and sides of a pig

pancake (パンケーキ) [名] a thin, flat, round cake made from batter, usually fried and turned in a pan

sizzle (焼ける音) [動] make a hissing sound when frying or boiling

scramble (飛び出す) [動] move or climb hurriedly and with difficulty

ベーコンとコーヒーの匂いがして、パンケーキが焼ける音が聞こえ、二人はベッドから飛び出した。

Mary could dress herself, all but the middle button.

button (ボタン) [名] a small round object that is sewn onto a piece of clothing and is used to fasten two parts of the clothing together

メアリーは真ん中のボタン以外は自分で服を着ることができた。

Laura buttoned that one for her, then Mary buttoned Laura all the way up the back.

all the way (全部) [副] completely

ローラがそのボタンを留めてあげると、メアリーはローラの背中のボタンを全部留めてくれた。

They washed their hands and faces in the tin washbasin on the wagon-step.

washbasin (洗面器) [名] a large bowl for washing oneself

wagon-step (馬車のステップ) [名] a step on a wagon

二人は馬車のステップにあるブリキの洗面器で手と顔を洗った。

Ma combed every snarl out of their hair, while Pa brought fresh water from the creek.

comb (梳かす) [動] brush and tidy with a comb

snarl (もつれ) [名] a tangle or knot

fresh (新鮮な) [形] recently produced or harvested

パパが小川から新鮮な水を汲んでくる間に、ママは二人の髪の毛をくまなく梳かした。

Then they sat on the clean grass and ate pancakes and bacon and molasses from the tin plates in their laps.

clean (きれいな) [形] free from dirt, marks, or stains

それから、きれいな草の上に座り、膝の上のブリキの皿からパンケーキとベーコンと糖蜜を食べた。

All around them shadows were moving over the waving grasses, while the sun rose.

太陽が昇るにつれて、周囲の草の波の上を影が動いていた。

Meadow larks were springing straight up from the billows of grass into the high, clear sky, singing as they went.

meadow lark (草原のヒバリ) [名] a species of bird

straight (真っ直ぐに) [副] in a direct line

billow (波) [名] a large mass of something that moves or flows

clear (澄んだ) [形] free from clouds or mist

sing (歌う) [動] make musical sounds with the voice

草原のヒバリが草の波から高く澄んだ空に向かって真っ直ぐに飛び上がり、歌いながら飛んでいった。

Small pearly clouds drifted in the immense blueness overhead.

pearly (真珠のような) [形] resembling a pearl in color or luster

cloud (雲) [名] a visible mass of condensed water vapor floating in the atmosphere typically high above the general level of the ground

drift (浮かぶ) [動] be carried along by a current of air or water

immense (広大な) [形] extremely large or great

blueness (青空) [名] the state or quality of being blue

頭上には真珠のような小さな雲が広大な青空に浮かんでいた。

In all the weed-tops tiny birds were swinging and singing in tiny voices.

weed (雑草) [名] a plant that grows where it is not wanted

bird (鳥) [名] a warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrate animal with feathers and wings

雑草のてっぺんには小さな鳥が揺れ、小さな声で歌っていた。

Pa said they were dickcissels.

dickcissel (ディックシセル) [名] a species of bird

パパは、それはディックシセルだと言った。

“Dickie, dickie!” Laura called back to them.

call back (呼びかける) [動] to call someone again

them (彼ら) [代] the people or things previously mentioned

「ディッキー、ディッキー!」ローラは彼らに呼びかけた。

“Dickie bird!”

Dickie bird (ディッキーの鳥) [名] a bird that belongs to Dickie

「ディッキーの鳥!」

“Eat your breakfast, Laura,” Ma said.

「朝食を食べなさい、ローラ」とママは言った。

“You must mind your manners, even if we are a hundred miles from anywhere.”

mind (気を付ける) [動] be careful or cautious about

manner (行儀) [名] a way of behaving

hundred (百) [名] the number 100

mile (マイル) [名] a unit of length equal to 1.609 kilometers

「どこからも百マイル離れていても、行儀よくしなさい。」

Pa said, mildly, “It’s only forty miles to Independence, Caroline, and no doubt there’s a neighbor or so nearer than that.”

mildly (穏やかに) [副] in a gentle and moderate manner

Independence (インデペンデンス) [名] a city in western Missouri

no doubt (間違いなく) [副] certainly; without doubt

neighbor (隣人) [名] a person who lives next door or near you

nearer (より近い) [形] closer in distance or time

パパは穏やかに言った、「インデペンデンスまではたった40マイルだ、キャロライン、そして間違いなくそれより近い隣人がいるだろう。」

“Forty miles, then,” Ma agreed.

forty (40) [形] the number 40

agree (同意する) [動] have the same opinion about something

「40マイルね」とママは同意した。

“But whether or no, it isn’t good manners to sing at table.

whether or no (そうでもなくても) [接] regardless of whether

「でも、そうでもなくても、食卓で歌うのは行儀が悪い。

Or when you’re eating,” she added, because there was no table.

or (あるいは) [接] used to connect alternatives

when (~する時) [接] at or during the time that

add (付け加える) [動] say or write something further

あるいは食事中は」と彼女は付け加えた、なぜなら食卓がなかったからだ。

There was only the enormous, empty prairie, with grasses blowing in waves of light and shadow across it, and the great blue sky above it, and birds flying up from it and singing with joy because the sun was rising.

enormous (広大な) [形] extremely large or great

fly (飛ぶ) [動] move through the air with wings

joy (喜び) [名] a feeling of great pleasure or happiness

そこにはただ広大で空っぽの大草原があり、草が光と影の波に吹かれ、その上には大きな青い空があり、鳥がそこから飛び立ち、太陽が昇るので喜びの歌を歌っていた。

And on the whole enormous prairie there was no sign that any other human being had ever been there.

on the whole (全体に) [副] in general; all things considered

sign (兆候) [名] an object, quality, or event whose presence or occurrence indicates the probable presence or occurrence of something else

human being (人間) [名] a human

そして、広大な大草原全体に、他の人間がそこにいたことがあるという兆候は全くなかった。

In all that space of land and sky stood the lonely, small, covered wagon.

大地と空のすべての空間に、孤独で小さな幌馬車が立っていた。

And close to it sat Pa and Ma and Laura and Mary and Baby Carrie, eating their breakfasts.

close to (近くに) [副] near

そしてその近くにパパとママとローラとメアリーと赤ん坊のキャリーが座って、朝食を食べていた。

The mustangs munched their corn, and Jack sat still, trying hard not to beg.

munch (むしゃむしゃ食べる) [動] chew noisily

sit still (じっと座る) [動] remain seated and not move

try hard (一生懸命努力する) [動] make a great effort

ムスタングはとうもろこしをむしゃむしゃ食べ、ジャックは物乞いをしないようにじっと座っていた。

Laura was not allowed to feed him while she ate, but she saved bits for him.

be allowed to (許される) [動] be permitted to

save (残しておく) [動] keep for future use

ローラは食事中に彼に餌を与えることは許されなかったが、彼のために少し残しておいた。

And Ma made a big pancake for him, of the last of the batter.

batter (生地) [名] a mixture of flour, egg, and milk or water used in cooking

そしてママは彼のために、最後の生地で大きなパンケーキを作った。

Rabbits were everywhere in the grass, and thousands of prairie chickens, but Jack could not hunt his breakfast that day.

rabbit (ウサギ) [名] a small mammal with long ears and a short tail

everywhere (至る所) [副] in all places or parts

thousands (何千) [名] a very large number

prairie chicken (プレーリーチキン) [名] a large North American grouse

could not (できなかった) [助] be unable to

hunt (狩る) [動] pursue and kill or capture for food

草むらの至る所にウサギがいて、何千羽ものプレーリーチキンがいたが、ジャックはその日、朝食を狩ることができなかった。

Pa was going hunting, and Jack must guard the camp.

go hunting (狩りに出かける) [動] go out to kill or capture animals

パパは狩りに出かけ、ジャックはキャンプを守らなければならなかった。

First Pa put Pet and Patty on their picket-lines.

put (配置する) [動] place in a specified position

picket-line (ピケットライン) [名] a line of people outside a place of work who are protesting against something

まずパパはペットとパティをピケットラインに配置した。

Then he took the wooden tub from the side of the wagon and filled it with water from the creek.

take (取り出す) [動] get into one's possession, power, or control

tub (桶) [名] a round, open container with a flat bottom

それから彼は荷馬車の横から木製の桶を取り出し、小川の水で満たした。

Ma was going to do the washing.

be going to (するつもりだった) [助] have something already planned or arranged; have something that is bound to happen; will

washing (洗濯) [名] the action of washing something

ママは洗濯をするつもりだった。

Then Pa stuck his sharp hatchet in his belt, he hung his powder-horn beside the hatchet, he put the patch-box and the bullet-pouch in his pocket, and he took his gun on his arm.

stick (差す) [動] push something sharp or pointed into or through something

hatchet (手斧) [名] a small axe with a short handle

belt (ベルト) [名] a strip of leather or cloth worn around the waist

hang (吊るす) [動] suspend or be suspended from above

put (入れる) [動] move something to a place

patch-box (パッチボックス) [名] a box containing patches for repairing a tube

pocket (ポケット) [名] a small bag sewn into or on clothing so as to form part of it, used for carrying small articles

take (抱える) [動] hold in one's arms or hands

それからパパは鋭い手斧をベルトに差し、火薬入れを手斧の横に吊るし、パッチボックスと弾丸ポーチをポケットに入れ、銃を腕に抱えた。

He said to Ma: “Take your time, Caroline.

take one's time (ゆっくりする) [動] do something slowly or carefully

彼はママに言った。「ゆっくりして、キャロライン。

We won’t move the wagon till we want to.

move (動かす) [動] change position

私たちは荷馬車を動かしたい時まで動かさない。

We’ve got all the time there is.”

all the time (たっぷり) [名] a lot of time

there is (ある) [動] to exist

私たちには時間はたっぷりある。」

He went away.

彼は去っていった。

For a little while they could see the upper part of him above the tall grasses, going away and growing smaller.

for a little while (しばらくの間) [副] for a short period of time

upper part (上半身) [名] the part of something that is higher than the rest

しばらくの間、彼らは彼の上半身が背の高い草の上に見え、遠ざかって小さくなっていくのを見ることができた。

Then he went out of sight and the prairie was empty.

go out of sight (見えなくなる) [動] become invisible

それから彼は見えなくなり、大草原は空になった。

Mary and Laura washed the dishes while Ma made the beds in the wagon.

dish (皿) [名] a flat, round container with raised edges that is used to hold or serve food

make (整える) [動] construct or create

メアリーとローラは皿を洗い、ママは荷車のベッドを整えた。

They put the clean dishes neatly in their box;

neatly (きちんと) [副] in a neat and tidy way

彼らはきれいな皿を箱にきちんと入れた。

they picked up every scattered twig and put it in the fire;

pick up (拾う) [動] take hold of and lift up

scatter (散らばる) [動] throw around in various directions

散らばった小枝をすべて拾って火の中に入れた。

they stacked the wood against a wagon wheel.

stack (積み上げる) [動] arrange in a stack

彼らは荷車の車輪に木を積み上げた。

Then everything about the camp was tidy.

tidy (整頓された) [形] neat and organized

これでキャンプ場のすべてが整頓された。

Ma brought the wooden pannikin of soft soap from the wagon.

ママは荷車から木製の軟石鹸の鍋を持ってきた。

She kilted up her skirts and rolled up her sleeves, and she knelt by the tub on the grass.

kilt up (たくし上げる) [動] to tuck up

roll up (まくり上げる) [動] to roll something up

kneel (ひざまずく) [動] to be in or assume a position in which you bend your legs at the knee and your upper body is more or less upright

彼女はスカートをたくし上げ、袖をまくり、草の上のたらいのそばにひざまずいた。

She washed sheets and pillow-cases and white underthings, she washed dresses and shirts, and she rinsed them in clear water and spread them on the clean grass, to dry in the sun.

sheet (シーツ) [名] a large piece of cloth used as a bed covering

pillow-case (枕カバー) [名] a removable cover for a pillow

underthing (下着) [名] an article of clothing worn under other clothes

shirt (シャツ) [名] a garment for the upper body with a collar and sleeves

clear (きれいな) [形] free from dirt or contamination

彼女はシーツや枕カバー、白い下着を洗い、ドレスやシャツを洗い、それらをきれいな水ですすぎ、きれいな草の上に広げて天日で乾かした。

Mary and Laura were exploring.

explore (探検する) [動] travel in or through an unfamiliar area in order to learn about it

メアリーとローラは探検していた。

They must not go far from the wagon, but it was fun to run through the tall grass, in the sunshine and wind.

must not (いけない) [助] be not allowed to

go far (遠くに行く) [動] travel a long distance

sunshine (日差し) [名] direct sunlight unbroken by cloud, especially over a comparatively large area

荷車から遠くに行ってはいけないが、日差しと風の中、背の高い草の中を走るのは楽しかった。

Huge rabbits bounded away before them, birds fluttered up and settled again.

huge (大きな) [形] very large

flutter (羽ばたく) [動] move or cause to move with a light irregular or trembling motion

settle (落ち着く) [動] come to rest in a place

大きなウサギが目の前を跳びはね、鳥が羽ばたいてまた落ち着いた。

The tiny dickie-birds were everywhere, and their tiny nests were in the tall weeds.

dickie-bird (ディッキー鳥) [名] a small bird

小さなディッキー鳥が至る所にいて、背の高い雑草の中に小さな巣があった。

And everywhere were little brown-striped gophers.

everywhere (どこにでも) [副] in all places or in all parts

striped (縞模様の) [形] having stripes

gopher (ホリネズミ) [名] a small ground squirrel

そして、どこにでも小さな茶色の縞模様のホリネズミがいた。

These little creatures looked soft as velvet.

velvet (ビロード) [名] a fabric with a thick, soft, smooth surface

これらの小さな生き物はビロードのように柔らかく見えた。

They had bright round eyes and crinkling noses and wee paws.

彼らは明るい丸い目と鼻にしわが寄り、小さな足をしていた。

They popped out of holes in the ground, and stood up to look at Mary and Laura.

pop out (飛び出す) [動] come out or appear suddenly

彼らは地面の穴から飛び出し、メアリーとローラを見上げるために立ち上がった。

Their hind legs folded under their haunches, their little paws folded tight to their chests, and they looked exactly like bits of dead wood sticking out of the ground.

hind leg (後ろ足) [名] the leg of an animal that is located at the back of the body

haunch (腰) [名] the part of the body of a person or animal that is between the lowest ribs and the hip

little paw (小さな足) [名] the foot of an animal that has claws and pads

chest (胸) [名] the front surface of a person's or animal's body between the neck and the abdomen

look like (~のように見える) [動] have the same appearance as

bit (かけら) [名] a small piece of something

stick out (突き出る) [動] project beyond the main surface or line

彼らの後ろ足は腰の下に折り畳まれ、小さな足は胸にしっかりと折り畳まれ、地面から突き出た枯れ木のかけらのように見えた。

Only their bright eyes glittered.

彼らの明るい目だけがきらめいていた。

Mary and Laura wanted to catch one to take to Ma.

catch (捕まえたかった) [動] capture or seize, especially after a chase

メアリーとローラはママに連れて行くために1匹捕まえたかった。

Again and again they almost had one.

almost (捕まえそうになった) [副] very nearly; all but

何度も何度も捕まえそうになった。

The gopher would stand perfectly still until you were sure you had him this time, then just as you touched him, he wasn’t there.

gopher (ゴーファー) [名] a ground squirrel

ゴーファーは、今度こそ捕まえたと確信するまでじっと立っていて、触れた瞬間にそこにはいなかった。

There was only his round hole in the ground.

地面に丸い穴があるだけだった。

Laura ran and ran, and couldn’t catch one.

ローラは走り回ったが、1匹も捕まえることができなかった。

Mary sat perfectly still beside a hole, waiting for one to come up, and just beyond her reach gophers scampered merrily, and gophers sat up and looked at her.

perfectly still (じっと) [副] without moving at all

come up (出てくる) [動] move from a lower to a higher position

just beyond (すぐ向こう) [副] a short distance away

scamper (走り回る) [動] run or move quickly and lightly

メアリーは穴の横にじっと座って、1匹が出てくるのを待っていたが、手の届かないところでゴーファーが陽気に走り回り、ゴーファーが座って彼女を見た。

But not one ever came out of that hole.

not one (1匹も) [名] not a single one

しかし、その穴から出てくるものは1匹もいなかった。

Once a shadow floated across the grass, and every gopher vanished.

float (横切る) [動] move slowly and smoothly through the air

一度影が草の上を横切ると、すべてのゴーファーが消えた。

A hawk was sailing overhead.

hawk (タカ) [名] a diurnal bird of prey with short rounded wings and a long tail

sail (飛ぶ) [動] move smoothly and quickly

タカが頭上を飛んでいた。

It was so close that Laura saw its cruel round eye turned downward to look at her.

so close (とても近くに) [副] very near

cruel (残酷な) [形] causing pain or suffering to others

turn (見下ろす) [動] change direction, position, or course

とても近くにいたので、ローラはその残酷な丸い目が自分を見下ろしているのを見た。

She saw its sharp beak and its savage claws curled ready to pounce.

beak (くちばし) [名] the horny projecting jaws of a bird

savage (残忍な) [形] fierce, violent, and uncontrolled

claw (爪) [名] a curved, pointed horny nail on the foot of an animal or bird

curl (曲がる) [動] to form or cause to form a curve

pounce (襲いかかる) [動] to spring or swoop suddenly, as in attacking prey

彼女はその鋭いくちばしと、襲いかかる準備ができて曲がった残忍な爪を見た。

But the hawk saw nothing but Laura and Mary and round, empty holes in the ground.

しかし、タカはローラとメアリーと地面の丸い空の穴以外何も見なかった。

It sailed away, looking somewhere else for its dinner.

sail away (飛び去る) [動] leave by ship

dinner (夕食) [名] the last meal of the day

タカは飛び去り、夕食を探してどこかへ行ってしまった。

Then all the little gophers came up again.

すると、小さなジリスたちがみんなまた出てきた。

It was nearly noon then.

nearly (近く) [副] almost

その時はもう正午近くだった。

The sun was almost overhead.

太陽はほとんど真上にあった。

So Laura and Mary picked flowers from the weeds, and they took the flowers to Ma, instead of a gopher.

instead of (代わりに) [前] as an alternative to

だからローラとメアリーは雑草の中から花を摘み、ジリスの代わりに花をママに持っていった。

Ma was folding the dry clothes.

clothes (服) [名] things that people wear

ママは乾いた服を畳んでいた。

The little panties and petticoats were whiter than snow, warm from the sun, and smelling like the grass.

panties (パンツ) [名] a woman's or girl's underpants

小さなパンツやペチコートは雪よりも白く、太陽の熱で暖かく、草のような匂いがした。

Ma laid them in the wagon, and took the flowers.

ママはそれらを荷車に置き、花を受け取った。

She admired equally the flowers that Laura gave her and the flowers that Mary gave her, and she put them together in a tin cup full of water.

admire (褒める) [動] regard with respect or warm approval

flower (花) [名] the seed-bearing part of a plant

ママはローラがくれた花とメアリーがくれた花を同じように褒め、それらを水を入れたブリキのコップに一緒に入れた。

She set them on the wagon-step, to make the camp pretty.

make (きれいにする) [動] cause to become

ママはキャンプ地をきれいにするために、それらを荷車のステップに置いた。

Then she split two cold corncakes and spread them with molasses.

split (割る) [動] break or cause to break apart

spread (塗る) [動] apply or cover with a layer of something

それからママは冷めたコーンケーキを二つに割り、糖蜜を塗った。

She gave one to Mary and one to Laura.

one (一つ) [名] the lowest cardinal number; half of two

ママは一つをメアリーに、もう一つをローラに渡した。

That was their dinner, and it was very good.

それが夕食で、とてもおいしかった。

“Where is a papoose, Ma?” Laura asked.

「パプースはどこにいるの、ママ?」とローラは尋ねた。

“Don’t speak with your mouth full, Laura,” said Ma.

mouth (口) [名] the opening and cavity in the lower part of the human face, surrounded by the lips, through which food is taken in and vocal sounds are emitted

full (いっぱい) [形] containing or holding as much or as many as possible

speak (しゃべる) [動] make a statement or express an opinion

「口に食べ物を入れたまましゃべらないの、ローラ」とママは言った。

So Laura chewed and swallowed, and she said, “I want to see a papoose.”

chew (噛む) [動] bite and grind with the teeth

ローラは噛んで飲み込んでから、「パプースが見たい」と言った。

“Mercy on us!” Ma said.

mercy (なんてこと) [名] compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm

on (に) [前] in contact with and supported by

「なんてこと!」とママは言った。

“Whatever makes you want to see Indians?

「どうしてインディアンに会いたいの?

We will see enough of them.

彼らには十分会うことになるよ。

More than we want to, I wouldn’t wonder.”

more than (以上に) [副] to a greater extent than

私たちが望む以上にね」

“They wouldn’t hurt us, would they?” Mary asked.

「彼らは私たちを傷つけないよね?」とメアリーは尋ねた。

Mary was always good; she never spoke with her mouth full.

always (いつも) [副] at all times; on all occasions

good (行儀がよい) [形] well-behaved

speak (話す) [動] say words out loud

メアリーはいつも行儀がよく、口に食べ物を入れたまま話すことはなかった。

“No!” Ma said.

「だめ!」とママは言った。

“Don’t get such an idea into your head.”

get (入れる) [動] cause to be in a certain state

idea (考え) [名] a thought or suggestion as to a possible course of action

「そんな考えを頭に入れないで」

“Why don’t you like Indians, Ma?” Laura asked, and she caught a drip of molasses with her tongue.

catch (キャッチする) [動] to grasp or seize something

「ママはどうしてインディアンが嫌いなの?」とローラは尋ね、舌でたれた糖蜜をキャッチした。

“I just don’t like them;

just (ただ) [副] only; simply

「ただ嫌いなだけよ。

and don’t lick your fingers, Laura,” said Ma.

finger (指) [名] any of the four long thin parts at the end of the hand

ローラ、指をなめないで」とママは言った。

“This is Indian country, isn’t it?” Laura said.

isn't it (でしょう) [他] used in speech as a way of inviting agreement

「ここはインディアンの国でしょう?」とローラは言った。

“What did we come to their country for, if you don’t like them?”

「ママがインディアンを嫌いなら、どうして彼らの国に来たんですか?」

Ma said she didn’t know whether this was Indian country or not.

whether (かどうか) [接] if

ママはここがインディアンの国かどうかはわからないと言った。

She didn’t know where the Kansas line was.

line (境界線) [名] a mark that forms the boundary of an area

ママはカンザスの境界線がどこにあるか知らなかった。

But whether or no, the Indians would not be here long.

whether or no (いずれにせよ) [接] in any case; regardless

would (だろう) [助] used to express a strong intention or determination

しかし、いずれにせよ、インディアンはここに長くはいないだろう。

Pa had word from a man in Washington that the Indian Territory would be open to settlement soon.

have word (知らせを受け取る) [動] receive a message

Washington (ワシントン) [名] the capital city of the United States

Indian Territory (インディアン居留地) [名] a region of the United States that was set aside for Native Americans

be open to (開放される) [動] be accessible to

settlement (入植) [名] the establishment of a community in a new area

パパはワシントンの男性からインディアン居留地がまもなく入植に開放されるという知らせを受け取った。

It might already be open to settlement.

すでに入植に開放されているかもしれない。

They could not know, because Washington was so far away.

far away (遠い) [形] a long way off; distant

ワシントンがとても遠いので、彼らは知ることができなかった。

Then Ma took the sadiron out of the wagon and heated it by the fire.

それからママは荷馬車からアイロンを取り出し、火で熱した。

She sprinkled a dress for Mary and a dress for Laura and a little dress for Baby Carrie, and her own sprigged calico.

sprinkle (振りかける) [動] scatter or cover with small drops or particles

Baby Carrie (赤ちゃんキャリー) [名] the youngest daughter of the Ingalls family

sprigged (小花柄の) [形] decorated with a design of small flowers

calico (更紗) [名] a plain-woven cotton fabric

彼女はメアリーのドレスとローラのドレスと赤ちゃんキャリーの小さなドレスと彼女自身の小花柄の更紗に水を振りかけた。

She spread a blanket and a sheet on the wagon seat, and she ironed the dresses.

iron (アイロンをかける) [動] press with a heated iron to remove creases

彼女は毛布とシーツを荷馬車の座席に広げ、ドレスにアイロンをかけた。

Baby Carrie slept in the wagon.

赤ちゃんキャリーは荷馬車の中で眠った。

Laura and Mary and Jack lay on the shady grass beside it, because now the sunshine was hot.

lay (横たわる) [動] be in or move into a horizontal position

shady (日陰) [形] giving shade

ローラとメアリーとジャックはその横の日陰の草の上に横たわった、なぜなら今は日差しが熱かったからだ。

Jack’s mouth was open and his red tongue hung out, his eyes blinked sleepily.

hang out (垂らす) [動] be suspended or protruding

blink (瞬く) [動] shut and open the eyes quickly

sleepily (眠そうに) [副] in a sleepy manner

ジャックは口を開けて赤い舌を垂らし、眠そうに目を瞬かせた。

Ma hummed softly to herself while the iron smoothed all the wrinkles out of the little dresses.

hum (鼻歌を歌う) [動] sing with closed lips

iron (アイロン) [名] a device with a flat heated surface that is used to smooth clothes

smooth (伸ばす) [動] make smooth or even

wrinkle (しわ) [名] a small fold or crease in the skin

ママは小さなドレスのしわをアイロンで伸ばしながら、小さく鼻歌を歌った。

All around them, to the very edge of the world, there was nothing but grasses waving in the wind.

nothing but (以外) [副] only; no more than

彼らの周りには、世界の端まで、風に揺れる草以外何もなかった。

Far overhead, a few white puffs of cloud sailed in the thin blue air.

a few (いくつか) [限] a small number of

puff (雲) [名] a small cloud

sail (浮かぶ) [動] travel by water

thin (薄い) [形] having opposite surfaces or sides close together

blue (青い) [形] of the color intermediate between green and violet, as of the sky or sea on a sunny day

はるか頭上には、薄い青い空に白い雲がいくつか浮かんでいた。

Laura was very happy.

ローラはとても幸せだった。

The wind sang a low, rustling song in the grass.

rustle (ざわめく) [動] make a light, soft sound like that of dry leaves being moved by a gentle breeze

風が草の中で低くざわめく歌を歌った。

Grasshoppers’ rasping quivered up from all the immense prairie.

grasshopper (バッタ) [名] a plant-eating insect with long hind legs

rasp (鳴き声) [名] a harsh, grating sound

quiver (聞こえてくる) [動] tremble or shake slightly

バッタの鳴き声が広大な大草原から聞こえてきた。

A buzzing came faintly from all the trees in the creek bottoms.

小川の底にあるすべての木からかすかにブンブンという音が聞こえてきた。

But all these sounds made a great, warm, happy silence.

make (作り出す) [動] cause to exist or happen

silence (沈黙) [名] the absence of sound or noise

しかし、これらの音はすべて、大きくて暖かく、幸せな沈黙を作り出していた。

Laura had never seen a place she liked so much as this place.

like (気に入る) [動] find agreeable or attractive

ローラはここほど気に入った場所を見たことがなかった。

She didn’t know she had gone to sleep until she woke up.

go to sleep (眠る) [動] enter a state of sleep

彼女は目が覚めるまで眠っていたことを知らなかった。

Jack was on his feet, wagging his stump tail.

on one's feet (立ち上がる) [動] in a standing position

stump (短い) [名] the remaining part of a tree that has been cut down

ジャックは立ち上がって、短い尻尾を振っていた。

The sun was low, and Pa was coming across the prairie.

be low (低い) [動] not high or tall

come across (横切ってやってくる) [動] move or travel from one side to the other of

太陽は低く、パパは大草原を横切ってやってきた。

Laura jumped up and ran, and his long shadow stretched to meet her in the waving grasses.

stretch (伸びる) [動] be made or become longer or wider

meet (会う) [動] come into the presence of

ローラは飛び上がって走り、彼の長い影が波打つ草の中で彼女に会うために伸びた。

He held up the game in his hand, for her to see.

hold up (掲げる) [動] raise something to a higher position

彼は彼女に見せるために、獲物を手に掲げた。

He had a rabbit, the largest rabbit she had ever seen, and two plump prairie hens.

have (抱える) [動] hold or carry

plump (ふっくらとした) [形] having a full rounded shape

hen (雌鳥) [名] a female bird

彼はウサギを抱えていたが、それは彼女が今まで見た中で一番大きなウサギで、2羽のふっくらとした草原の雌鳥だった。

Laura jumped up and down and clapped her hands and squealed.

jump up and down (飛び跳ねる) [動] jump repeatedly

clap one's hands (手を叩く) [動] strike the palms of one's hands together

squeal (金切り声を上げる) [動] make a high-pitched sound

ローラは飛び跳ねて手を叩き、金切り声を上げた。

Then she caught hold of his other sleeve and hippety-hopped through the tall grasses, beside him.

catch hold of (つかむ) [動] to grab or grip something

hippety-hop (ピョンピョンと跳ねる) [動] to move by hopping

それから彼女は彼のもう一方の袖をつかみ、彼の横で背の高い草の中をピョンピョンと跳ねた。

“This country’s cram-jammed with game,” he told her.

cram-jammed (ぎゅうぎゅう詰め) [形] packed full

「この国は獲物でぎゅうぎゅう詰めだ」と彼は彼女に言った。

“I saw fifty deer if I saw one, and antelope, squirrels, rabbits, birds of all kinds.

fifty (50) [名] the cardinal number that is equal to five times ten

antelope (アンテロープ) [名] a swift-running deerlike animal of the family Bovidae

squirrel (リス) [名] a small rodent with a bushy tail

「鹿を50頭も見たし、アンテロープ、リス、ウサギ、あらゆる種類の鳥を見た。

The creek’s full of fish.”

full of (いっぱいだ) [形] having a lot of something

小川は魚でいっぱいだ」

He said to Ma, “I tell you, Caroline, there’s everything we want here.

彼はママに言った、「キャロライン、ここには私たちが欲しいものがすべてある。

We can live like kings!”

live (生活する) [動] be alive; have life

king (王様) [名] the male ruler of an independent state

王様のような生活ができるぞ!」

That was a wonderful supper.

wonderful (素晴らしい) [形] extremely good; marvelous

それは素晴らしい夕食だった。

They sat by the camp fire and ate the tender, savory, flavory meat till they could eat no more.

sit by (そばに座る) [動] sit next to

tender (柔らかい) [形] soft or yielding to the touch

savory (風味豊かな) [形] having a strong and pleasant flavor

flavory (香り高い) [形] having a strong and pleasant flavor

彼らはキャンプファイヤーのそばに座り、柔らかく、風味豊かで、香り高い肉を、もう食べられないほど食べた。

When at last Laura set down her plate, she sighed with contentment.

set down (置く) [動] put something down

contentment (満足) [名] a state of happiness and satisfaction

ローラはついに皿を置くと、満足そうにため息をついた。

She didn’t want anything more in the world.

anything (何も) [代] something, no matter what

more (これ以上) [副] to a greater extent or degree

world (世界) [名] the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

彼女は世界でこれ以上何も欲しくないと思った。

The last color was fading from the enormous sky and all the level land was shadowy.

last (最後の) [形] coming after all others in time or order

color (色) [名] the property possessed by an object of producing different sensations on the eye as a result of the way it reflects or emits light

fade (消える) [動] gradually grow faint or dim

最後の色が広大な空から消え、平らな土地はすべて影になっていた。

The warmth of the fire was pleasant because the night wind was cool.

pleasant (心地よい) [形] giving or capable of giving joy or pleasure; delightful

night (夜) [名] the period of darkness from sunset to sunrise

夜風が涼しかったので、火の暖かさが心地よかった。

Phoebe-birds called sadly from the woods down by the creek.

Phoebe-bird (フィービー鳥) [名] a small bird of the tyrant flycatcher family

sadly (悲しそうに) [副] in a sad manner

小川のほとりの森からフィービー鳥が悲しそうに鳴いた。

For a little while a mockingbird sang, then the stars came out and the birds were still.

mockingbird (マネシツグミ) [名] a bird that is native to the Americas

しばらくの間、マネシツグミが歌い、それから星が出てきて、鳥たちは静かになった。

Softly Pa’s fiddle sang in the starlight.

softly (そっと) [副] in a gentle or quiet manner

fiddle (フィドル) [名] a violin

starlight (星明かり) [名] the light of the stars

パパのフィドルが星明かりの下でそっと歌った。

Sometimes he sang a little and sometimes the fiddle sang alone.

時々彼は少し歌い、時々フィドルは一人歌った。

Sweet and thin and far away, the fiddle went on singing:

sweet (甘い) [形] having a pleasant taste

thin (細い) [形] having little flesh or fat

singing (歌う) [動] make musical sounds with the voice

甘く、細く、遠くで、フィドルは歌い続けた。

“None knew thee but to love thee,

love (愛する) [動] feel a deep or constant affection for

「誰も君を愛する以外に君を知らなかった。

Thou dear one of my heart. . . .”

thou (汝) [代] you

dear (愛しい) [形] regarded with deep affection

one (人) [名] a human being

heart (心) [名] the organ that pumps blood through the body

私の心の愛しい人よ・・・」

The large, bright stars hung down from the sky.

hang down (ぶら下がる) [動] be suspended from above

大きくて明るい星が空からぶら下がっていた。

Lower and lower they came, quivering with music.

lower (低く) [形] less high

quiver (震える) [動] shake or tremble slightly

彼らは音楽で震えながら、どんどん低く降りてきた。

Laura gasped, and Ma came quickly.

ローラは息を呑み、ママがすぐに来た。

“What is it, Laura?” she asked, and Laura whispered, “The stars were singing.”

what (どうしたの) [代] the thing that

「どうしたの、ローラ?」と彼女は尋ね、ローラは「星が歌っていたの」とささやいた。

“You’ve been asleep,” Ma said.

be asleep (眠っている) [動] be in or enter a state of sleep

「あなたは眠っていたのよ」とママは言った。

“It is only the fiddle.

「それはただのフィドルよ。

And it’s time little girls were in bed.”

time (時間) [名] the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole

そして、小さな女の子がベッドに入る時間よ。」

She undressed Laura in the firelight and put her nightgown on and tied her nightcap, and tucked her into bed.

tuck (寝かせる) [動] put someone to bed

彼女はローラの服を脱がせて、寝間着を着せ、ナイトキャップをかぶせ、ベッドに寝かせた。

But the fiddle was still singing in the starlight.

しかし、フィドルは星明かりの下でまだ歌っていた。

The night was full of music, and Laura was sure that part of it came from the great, bright stars swinging so low above the prairie.

be full of (いっぱいである) [動] be filled with

music (音楽) [名] the art or science of combining vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion

part (一部) [名] a piece or portion of something

come from (来る) [動] move or travel toward or into a place thought of as near or familiar to the speaker

夜は音楽でいっぱいで、ローラはその一部が草原の上にとても低く揺れている大きくて明るい星から来ていると確信していた。

Chapter 5: THE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE

第5章: 大草原の家

Laura and Mary were up next morning earlier than the sun.

earlier than (よりも早く) [副] before the usual or expected time

sun (日の出) [名] the star that is the source of light and heat for the Earth's solar system

ローラとメアリーは翌朝、日の出よりも早く起きた。

They ate their breakfast of cornmeal mush with prairie-hen gravy, and hurried to help Ma wash the dishes.

cornmeal mush (コーンミール粥) [名] a dish made from cornmeal

prairie-hen gravy (草原の雌鳥のグレービーソース) [名] a sauce made from the juices of cooked meat

hurry (急ぐ) [動] move or act quickly

dish (食器) [名] a plate, bowl, cup, or other container used to hold or serve food

彼女たちは朝食に草原の雌鳥のグレービーソースをかけたコーンミール粥を食べ、急いでママの食器洗いを手伝った。

Pa was loading everything else into the wagon and hitching up Pet and Patty.

load (積み込む) [動] put a load on or in

hitch (つなぎとめる) [動] fasten or tie with a loop, hook, or knot

パパは他のすべてのものを荷馬車に積み込み、ペットとパティをつなぎとめていた。

When the sun rose, they were driving on across the prairie.

日が昇ると、彼らは大草原を横切って走っていた。

There was no road now.

道はもうなかった。

Pet and Patty waded through the grasses, and the wagon left behind it only the tracks of its wheels.

wade (歩く) [動] walk through water or another liquid

leave behind (残す) [動] not take with one when one leaves

ペットとパティは草の中を歩き、荷馬車は車輪の跡だけを残していった。

Before noon, Pa said, “Whoa!”

before noon (正午前) [名] the time before 12:00 PM

正午前に、パパは「おーい!」と言った。

The wagon stopped.

荷馬車は止まった。

“Here we are, Caroline!” he said.

here we are (着いたぞ) [間] used to announce one's arrival

「着いたぞ、キャロライン!」と彼は言った。

“Right here we’ll build our house.”

right here (ここに) [副] in this place

build (建てる) [動] construct by putting parts or material together over a period of time

「ここに家を建てるんだ」

Laura and Mary scrambled over the feed-box and dropped to the ground in a hurry.

drop (降りる) [動] move or cause to move from a higher to a lower level

hurry (急いで) [副] quickly; rapidly

ローラとメアリーは飼料箱をよじ登り、急いで地面に降りた。

All around them there was nothing but grassy prairie spreading to the edge of the sky.

spread (広がる) [動] stretch out over a wide area

彼らの周りには、空の端まで広がる草原しかなかった。

Quite near them, to the north, the creek bottoms lay below the prairie.

quite near (すぐ近く) [副] very close

north (北) [名] the direction that is to your left when you are facing the rising sun

lay (ある) [動] be in a resting position

彼らのすぐ近くの北には、草原の下に小川の底があった。

Some darker green tree-tops showed, and beyond them bits of the rim of earthen bluffs held up the prairie’s grasses.

some (いくつかの) [限] an unspecified number or amount of

dark (濃い) [形] having a deep or strong color

tree-top (木のてっぺん) [名] the uppermost part of a tree

show (見える) [動] be or become visible

rim (縁) [名] the outer edge of a circular object

hold up (支える) [動] support or keep from falling

いくつかの濃い緑の木のてっぺんが見え、その向こうには草原の草を支える土の断崖の縁の一部が見えた。

Far away to the east, a broken line of different greens lay on the prairie, and Pa said that was the river.

broken line (折れ線) [名] a line that is not continuous

different (異なる) [形] not the same

はるか東には、草原に異なる緑の折れ線が横たわっており、パパはそれが川だと言った。

“That’s the Verdigris River,” he said, pointing it out to Ma.

Verdigris River (ヴェルディグリス川) [名] a river in the U.S.

point out (指さす) [動] indicate with one's finger

「あれがヴェルディグリス川だ」と彼はママに指さして言った。

Right away, he and Ma began to unload the wagon.

right away (すぐに) [副] without delay or hesitation; immediately

すぐに、彼とママは荷馬車から荷物を降ろし始めた。

They took out everything and piled it on the ground.

pile (積み上げる) [動] put things on top of each other

彼らはすべてを取り出し、地面に積み上げた。

Then they took off the wagon-cover and put it over the pile.

take off (外す) [動] remove something from a surface

wagon-cover (荷馬車のカバー) [名] a cover for a wagon

それから彼らは荷馬車のカバーを外し、それを山の上に置いた。

Then they took even the wagon-box off, while Laura and Mary and Jack watched.

wagon-box (荷馬車の箱) [名] the box-shaped part of a wagon

watch (眺める) [動] look at or observe attentively

それから彼らは荷馬車の箱さえも取り外し、ローラとメアリーとジャックはそれを眺めていた。

The wagon had been home for a long time.

be home (家である) [動] be in one's own house

for a long time (長い間) [副] for a long period of time

荷馬車は長い間家だった。

Now there was nothing left of it but the four wheels and the parts that connected them.

left (残っていなかった) [動] remain after the departure, removal, or disappearance of others

four (4つの) [形] being one more than three

part (部品) [名] a piece of something

connect (つなぐ) [動] join or fasten together

今や荷馬車には4つの車輪とそれらをつなぐ部品以外何も残っていなかった。

Pet and Patty were still hitched to the tongue.

still (依然として) [副] even now or at this time; yet

ペットとパティは依然として荷馬車の舌につながれていた。

Pa took a bucket and his ax, and sitting on this skeleton wagon, he drove away.

take (持つ) [動] to get into one's possession, power, or control

bucket (バケツ) [名] a cylindrical container with a handle, used to hold and carry liquids

skeleton (骨組み) [名] the hard internal or external framework of a person or an animal that provides protection and support for the soft tissues and internal organs

drive away (走り去る) [動] to leave a place in a vehicle

パパはバケツと斧を持ち、この骨組みだけの荷馬車に座って、走り去った。

He drove right down into the prairie, out of sight.

right down (真っ直ぐに) [副] in a direct line

out of sight (見えなくなる) [副] not visible

パパは草原に真っ直ぐに走り去り、見えなくなった。

“Where’s Pa going?” Laura asked, and Ma said, “He’s going to get a load of logs from the creek bottoms.”

load (積む) [名] the quantity that can be carried at one time

log (丸太) [名] a part of a tree that has been cut off

「パパはどこに行くの?」とローラが尋ねると、ママは「小川の底から丸太を積んでくるのよ」と言った。

It was strange and frightening to be left without the wagon on the High Prairie.

High Prairie (ハイ・プレーリー) [名] a large area of flat land with only a few trees on it

frightening (恐ろしい) [形] causing fear or worry

ハイ・プレーリーに荷馬車なしで残されるのは奇妙で恐ろしいことだった。

The land and the sky seemed too large, and Laura felt small.

大地と空があまりに大きく見え、ローラは自分が小さく感じた。

She wanted to hide and be still in the tall grass, like a little prairie chicken.

hide (隠れる) [動] be or go out of sight

be still (じっとしている) [動] not move

ローラは小さなプレーリーチキンのように、背の高い草の中に隠れてじっとしていたかった。

But she didn’t.

but (しかし) [接] on the contrary; rather

しかし、そうはしなかった。

She helped Ma, while Mary sat on the grass and minded Baby Carrie.

mind (世話する) [動] look after and take care of

baby (赤ん坊) [名] a very young child

ローラはママを手伝い、メアリーは草の上に座って赤ん坊のキャリーを世話した。

First Laura and Ma made the beds, under the wagon-cover tent.

まずローラとママは幌馬車の下でベッドを作った。

Then Ma arranged the boxes and bundles, while Laura pulled all the grass from a space in front of the tent.

arrange (整理する) [動] put in a neat, attractive, or required order

front (前) [名] the side or part of something that faces forward or toward the direction that you are facing or traveling

それからママが箱や荷物を整理し、ローラはテントの前の空間から草を全部抜いた。

That made a bare place for the fire.

これで火を焚く場所ができた。

They couldn’t start the fire until Pa brought wood.

start (起こす) [動] cause to begin

パパが薪を持ってくるまでは火を起こせなかった。

There was nothing more to do, so Laura explored a little.

他に何もすることがなかったので、ローラは少し探検した。

She did not go far from the tent.

tent (テント) [名] a portable shelter made of fabric and supported by poles

彼女はテントから遠くには行かなかった。

But she found a queer little kind of tunnel in the grass.

queer (奇妙な) [形] strange or odd

kind (一種の) [名] a type or category

tunnel (トンネル) [名] an underground passage

しかし、彼女は草の中に奇妙な小さなトンネルを見つけた。

You’d never notice it if you looked across the waving grass-tops.

look across (見渡す) [動] look over or across

grass-top (草のてっぺん) [名] the top of a blade of grass

揺れる草のてっぺんを見渡しても、決して気づかないだろう。

But when you came to it, there it was—a narrow, straight, hard path down between the grass stems.

there (そこ) [副] in that place

path (道) [名] a way on land between two places that has been paved to make travel easier

しかし、そこまで来ると、草の茎の間に狭く、まっすぐで、固い道があった。

It went out into the endless prairie.

go out (続く) [動] extend in a specified direction

それは果てしない大草原へと続いていた。

Laura went along it a little way.

ローラは少しその道を進んだ。

She went slowly, and more slowly, and then she stood still and felt queer.

go (進む) [動] move or travel

more slowly (さらにゆっくりと) [副] not fast at all

stand still (立ち止まる) [動] stop moving

彼女はゆっくりと、さらにゆっくりと進み、そして立ち止まって奇妙な感じがした。

So she turned around and came back quickly.

turn around (向きを変える) [動] change direction

それで彼女は向きを変えて急いで戻ってきた。

When she looked over her shoulder, there wasn’t anything there.

look over (振り返る) [動] turn one's head and direct one's gaze in a specified direction

彼女が肩越しに振り返ると、そこには何もなかった。

But she hurried.

しかし彼女は急いだ。

When Pa came riding back on a load of logs, Laura told him about that path.

come riding back (馬に乗って戻ってくる) [動] return on a horse

パパが丸太を積んで馬に乗って戻ってきた時、ローラはその道について彼に話した。

He said he had seen it yesterday.

彼は昨日それを見たと言った。

“It’s some old trail,” he said.

trail (道) [名] a path or track made by the passage of people, animals, or vehicles

「それは古い道だ」と彼は言った。

That night by the fire Laura asked again when she would see a papoose, but Pa didn’t know.

by the fire (火のそばで) [副] near a fire

papoose (赤ちゃん) [名] a Native American infant or very young child

その夜、火のそばでローラはいつ赤ちゃんを見れるのかと再び尋ねたが、パパは知らなかった。

He said you never saw Indians unless they wanted you to see them.

彼は、インディアンは彼らに見られたくない限り決して見られないと言った。

He had seen Indians when he was a boy in New York State, but Laura never had.

New York State (ニューヨーク州) [名] a state in the northeastern United States

彼はニューヨーク州で少年だった頃にインディアンを見たことがあるが、ローラは見たことがなかった。

She knew they were wild men with red skins, and their hatchets were called tomahawks.

wild (野蛮な) [形] not civilized

tomahawk (トマホーク) [名] a light ax used by North American Indians as a weapon or tool

彼女は彼らが赤い肌の野蛮人であり、彼らの手斧はトマホークと呼ばれていることを知っていた。

Pa knew all about wild animals, so he must know about wild men, too.

know about (知っている) [動] be aware of the existence or truth of

wild man (野蛮人) [名] a man who lives in the wild

パパは野生動物のことをすべて知っていたので、野蛮人のことについても知っているはずだ。

Laura thought he would show her a papoose some day, just as he had shown her fawns, and little bears, and wolves.

some day (いつか) [副] at some future time

show (見せる) [動] cause or allow to be seen

little bear (小さな熊) [名] a young bear

ローラは、彼が子鹿や小さな熊や狼を見せてくれたように、いつかパプースを見せてくれるだろうと思った。

For days Pa hauled logs.

for days (何日も) [副] for a long time

haul (運ぶ) [動] pull or drag with effort

パパは何日も丸太を運んだ。

He made two piles of them, one for the house and one for the stable.

make (積み上げる) [動] form or produce

pile (山) [名] a heap of things laid or lying one on top of another

stable (馬小屋) [名] a building for housing horses

彼は丸太を2つに分けて積み上げた。1つは家用、もう1つは馬小屋用だった。

There began to be a road where he drove back and forth to the creek bottoms.

drive (行く) [動] travel or be transported in a vehicle

back and forth (行ったり来たり) [副] from one place to another and back again

彼が小川の底まで行ったり来たりしているうちに道ができ始めた。

And at night on their picket-lines Pet and Patty ate the grass, till it was short and stubby all around the log-piles.

at night (夜になると) [副] during the night

picket-line (杭) [名] a line of people who stand outside a place of work or a public building and try to persuade other people not to go in

stubby (刈り取られたようになった) [形] short and thick

そして夜になると、ペットとパティは杭につながれたまま草を食べ、丸太の山の周りの草は短く刈り取られたようになった。

Pa began the house first.

パパはまず家から始めた。

He paced off the size of it on the ground, then with his spade he dug a shallow little hollow along two sides of that space.

pace off (歩測する) [動] measure by pacing

size (サイズ) [名] the physical magnitude of something

spade (シャベル) [名] a tool for digging

shallow (浅い) [形] of little depth

hollow (くぼみ) [名] a hole or depression

彼は地面に家のサイズを歩測し、その空間の2つの側面に沿ってシャベルで浅く小さなくぼみを掘った。

Into these hollows he rolled two of the biggest logs.

into (に) [前] to the inside of

these (これらの) [限] the ones being talked about

彼はこれらのくぼみに2本の大きな丸太を転がした。

They were sound, strong logs, because they must hold up the house.

sound (丈夫な) [形] free from defect or decay

それらは家を支えなければならないので、丈夫で強い丸太だった。

They were called sills.

sill (土台) [名] a horizontal piece of wood or stone that forms the base of a window or door frame

それらは土台と呼ばれた。

Then Pa chose two more strong, big logs, and he rolled these logs onto the ends of the sills, so that they made a hollow square.

choose (選ぶ) [動] pick out or select from a number of alternatives

hollow (中空の) [形] having a space or cavity inside

square (正方形) [名] a plane figure with four equal straight sides and four right angles

それからパパはさらに2本の強くて大きな丸太を選び、それらの丸太を土台の端に転がして、中空の正方形を作った。

Now with his ax he cut a wide, deep notch near each end of these logs.

with (で) [前] using

cut (切る) [動] make an opening in or through

notch (切り込み) [名] a V-shaped cut

彼は斧でこれらの丸太の両端近くに広く深い切り込みを入れた。

He cut these notches out of the top of the log, but with his eye he measured the sills, and he cut the notches so that they would fit around half of the sill.

measure (測る) [動] ascertain the size, amount, or degree of (something) by using an instrument or device marked in standard units or by comparing it with an object of known size

fit (収まる) [動] be of the right shape and size to go into or around something else

彼は丸太の上部にこれらの切り込みを入れたが、目で土台を測り、土台の半分くらいに収まるように切り込みを入れた。

When the notches were cut, he rolled the log over.

切り込みを入れると、彼は丸太を転がした。

And the notches fitted down over the sill.

そして切り込みは土台の上にぴったりとはまった。

That finished the foundation of the house.

finish (完成する) [動] bring to an end; complete

foundation (土台) [名] the lowest and supporting layer of a building or other structure

これで家の土台は完成した。

It was one log high.

high (高さ) [名] the distance from the top to the bottom of something

丸太一本分高さがあった。

The sills were half buried in the ground, and the logs on their ends fitted snugly to the ground.

bury (埋める) [動] put or hide under the ground

snugly (ぴったりと) [副] in a warm and comfortable way

土台は半分地面に埋まっていて、その端の丸太は地面にぴったりと合っていた。

At the corners, where they crossed, the notches let them fit together so that they were no thicker than one log.

corner (角) [名] the point or area where two or more sides or edges meet

cross (交差する) [動] intersect or go across

fit together (ぴったりと合う) [動] be the right size or shape to go together

角の交差するところでは、切り込みがぴったりと合うようになっていて、丸太一本分より厚くならないようになっていた。

And the two ends stuck out beyond the notches.

そして、両端は切り込みから突き出ていた。

Next day Pa began the walls.

begin (作り始める) [動] start to do or make something

翌日、パパは壁を作り始めた。

From each side he rolled up a log, and he notched its ends so that it fitted down over the end logs.

roll up (転がす) [動] move or cause to move by turning over and over

パパは両側から丸太を転がして、端の丸太にぴったり合うように端に切り込みを入れた。

Then he rolled up logs from the ends, and notched them so that they fitted down over the side logs.

それから、端から丸太を転がして、側面の丸太にぴったり合うように切り込みを入れた。

Now the whole house was two logs high.

これで家全体が丸太2本分高くなった。

The logs fitted solidly together at the corners.

solidly (しっかりと) [副] in a strong and firm way

丸太は角でしっかりと組み合わさっていた。

But no log is ever perfectly straight, and all logs are bigger at one end than at the other end, so cracks were left between them all along the walls.

crack (隙間) [名] a break or opening

しかし、丸太はどれも完全に真っ直ぐではなく、どの丸太も片方の端がもう片方の端よりも大きいので、壁に沿って丸太の間に隙間が残った。

But that did not matter, because Pa would chink those cracks.

matter (問題である) [動] be of importance or significance

chink (埋める) [動] fill a crack or gap in

しかし、パパがその隙間を埋めるので、それは問題ではなかった。

All by himself, he built the house three logs high.

all by oneself (一人で) [副] without any help

three (3) [数] the number 3

パパは丸太3本分高くなるまで家を建てた。

Then Ma helped him.

それからママがパパを手伝った。

Pa lifted one end of a log onto the wall, then Ma held it while he lifted the other end.

one end (片方の端) [名] one of the two ends of something

hold (支える) [動] keep in a certain position

other end (もう片方の端) [名] the other of the two ends of something

パパは丸太の片方の端を壁に持ち上げ、ママがそれを支えている間にパパがもう片方の端を持ち上げた。

He stood up on the wall to cut the notches, and Ma helped roll and hold the log while he settled it where it should be to make the corner perfectly square.

settle (置く) [動] put into a certain place or position

square (直角) [形] having four equal sides and four right angles

パパは壁の上に立ち、切り込みを入れ、ママは丸太を転がして支え、パパは角が完全に直角になるように丸太を置いた。

So, log by log, they built the walls higher, till they were pretty high, and Laura couldn’t get over them any more.

get over (乗り越える) [動] to cross or climb over

こうして、丸太を1本1本積み上げて壁を高くしていき、かなり高くなってローラはもう乗り越えられなくなった。

She was tired of watching Pa and Ma build the house, and she went into the tall grass, exploring.

ローラはパパとママが家を建てるのを見るのに飽きてしまい、背の高い草の中に入って探検した。

Suddenly she heard Pa shout, “Let go! Get out from under!”

let go (離す) [動] release one's hold on

突然、パパが「離せ! 下から出ろ!」と叫ぶのが聞こえた。

The big, heavy log was sliding.

heavy (重い) [形] having great weight

slide (滑り落ちる) [動] move or cause to move smoothly and quickly

大きくて重い丸太が滑り落ちていた。

Pa was trying to hold up his end of it, to keep it from falling on Ma.

keep (落ちないようにする) [動] cause to remain in a specified state

fall (落ちる) [動] move from a higher to a lower position

パパは丸太がママの上に落ちないように、自分の端を持ち上げようとしていた。

He couldn’t.

彼にはできなかった。

It crashed down.

crash (落ちる) [動] fall or cause to fall with a loud noise

丸太は落ちた。

Laura saw Ma huddled on the ground.

ローラはママが地面にうずくまっているのを見た。

She got to Ma almost as quickly as Pa did.

get to (着く) [動] reach a destination

almost (ほとんど) [副] very nearly

彼女はパパとほとんど同じくらい早くママのところに着いた。

Pa knelt down and called Ma in a dreadful voice, and Ma gasped, “I’m all right.”

kneel down (ひざまずく) [動] go down on one's knees

パパはひざまずいて恐ろしい声でママを呼び、ママは「大丈夫」と息を切らした。

The log was on her foot.

be on (上にある) [動] be supported by

丸太は彼女の足の上にあった。

Pa lifted the log and Ma pulled her foot from under it.

パパは丸太を持ち上げ、ママはその下から足を引っ張った。

Pa felt her to see if any bones were broken.

feel (触って確かめる) [動] examine or explore by touch

break (折れる) [動] separate into two or more pieces as a result of impact or stress

パパは骨が折れていないか触って確かめた。

“Move your arms,” he said.

「腕を動かして」と彼は言った。

“Is your back hurt?

hurt (痛い) [形] feeling pain in a part of your body

「背中は痛い?

Can you turn your head?”

頭は回せるか?」

Ma moved her arms and turned her head.

ママは腕を動かし、頭を回した。

“Thank God,” Pa said.

thank (感謝する) [動] express gratitude to

God (神) [名] the creator and ruler of the universe and source of all moral authority; the supreme being

「神に感謝する」とパパは言った。

He helped Ma to sit up.

彼はママが起き上がるのを手伝った。

She said again, “I’m all right, Charles. It’s just my foot.”

彼女は再び言った、「大丈夫よ、チャールズ。足だけよ。」

Quickly Pa took off her shoe and stocking.

take off (脱がす) [動] remove an item of clothing from someone else

shoe (靴) [名] an item of footwear

パパは素早く彼女の靴と靴下を脱がせた。

He felt her foot all over, moving the ankle and the instep and every toe.

feel (触る) [動] perceive through physical contact

all over (全体) [副] everywhere

ankle (足首) [名] the joint connecting the foot with the leg

instep (甲) [名] the arched upper surface of the human foot between the toes and the ankle

toe (指) [名] any of the five digits at the end of the foot

彼は彼女の足全体を触り、足首と甲と全ての指を動かした。

“Does it hurt much?” he asked.

hurt (痛む) [動] feel pain in a part of your body

「とても痛むか?」と彼は尋ねた。

Ma’s face was gray and her mouth was a tight line.

line (結ばれていた) [名] a long, thin mark or band

ママの顔は青白く、口は固く結ばれていた。

“Not much,” she said.

not much (それほどではない) [副] not to a great extent; not very

「それほどではないよ」と彼女は言った。

“No bones broken,” said Pa.

「骨は折れていない」とパパは言った。

“It’s only a bad sprain.”

bad (ひどい) [形] of poor quality or a low standard

sprain (捻挫) [名] a painful injury caused by a ligament being twisted or pulled

「ひどい捻挫だけだ」

Ma said, cheerfully: “Well, a sprain’s soon mended.

mend (治る) [動] repair or restore

ママは元気よく言った。「まあ、捻挫ならすぐに治るよ。

Don’t be so upset, Charles.”

be upset (落ち込む) [動] be unhappy or disappointed

そんなに落ち込まないで、チャールズ」

“I blame myself,” said Pa.

blame (責める) [動] assign responsibility for a fault or wrong

oneself (自分) [代] the person who is speaking or writing

「自分を責めている」とパパは言った。

“I should have used skids.”

should have (べきだった) [助] expressing a past obligation or duty

use (使う) [動] convert to one's own purposes

skid (そり) [名] a device that is attached to a wheel to prevent it from rotating

「そりを使うべきだった」

He helped Ma to the tent.

彼はママをテントに連れて行った。

He built up the fire and heated water.

build up (起こす) [動] to make a fire start burning strongly

heat (温める) [動] to make or become warm or hot

彼は火を起こして水を温めた。

When the water was as hot as Ma could bear, she put her swollen foot into it.

as hot as (耐えられるくらい熱い) [副] to the same degree that

bear (耐える) [動] to tolerate or endure

水がママが耐えられるくらい熱くなった時、彼女は腫れた足をその中に入れた。

It was Providential that the foot was not crushed.

crush (押しつぶす) [動] press or squeeze with a lot of force

Providential (天の配剤) [形] of or relating to divine providence

足が押しつぶされなかったのは天の配剤だった。

Only a little hollow in the ground had saved it.

little (わずかな) [形] small in size, amount, or degree

save (救う) [動] prevent from being lost, wasted, or destroyed

地面のわずかなくぼみがそれを救っただけだった。

Pa kept pouring more hot water into the tub in which Ma’s foot was soaking.

keep (続ける) [動] continue doing something

pour (注ぐ) [動] cause to flow in a stream

hot water (熱いお湯) [名] water that is heated to a high temperature

soak (浸す) [動] cause to be thoroughly wet

パパはママの足が浸かっている桶にもっと熱いお湯を注ぎ続けた。

Her foot was red from the heat and the puffed ankle began to turn purple.

puff (腫れる) [動] swell or cause to swell

turn (変わり始める) [動] change in course, direction, or position

purple (紫色) [名] a color intermediate between red and blue

彼女の足は熱で赤くなり、腫れた足首は紫色に変わり始めた。

Ma took her foot out of the water and bound strips of rag tightly around and around the ankle.

bind (巻き付ける) [動] tie or fasten together

strip (布切れ) [名] a long, narrow piece of cloth or paper

rag (布切れ) [名] a piece of old cloth, especially one torn from a larger piece

tightly (きつく) [副] in a way that is held or tied together firmly

around (ぐるぐる) [副] in a circular motion

ママは足を水から出し、足首に布切れをぐるぐると巻き付けた。

“I can manage,” she said.

manage (大丈夫) [動] be able to do something

「私は大丈夫よ」と彼女は言った。

She could not get her shoe on.

get on (履く) [動] put on

彼女は靴を履くことができなかった。

But she tied more rags around her foot, and she hobbled on it.

hobble (足を引きずって歩く) [動] walk lamely or awkwardly

しかし、彼女は足にもっと布を巻き付け、足を引きずって歩いた。

She got supper as usual, only a little more slowly.

get supper (夕食の支度をする) [動] prepare supper

only a little more slowly (少しゆっくり) [副] at a somewhat slower pace

彼女はいつものように夕食の支度をしたが、少しゆっくりだった。

But Pa said she could not help to build the house until her ankle was well.

しかし、パパは彼女の足首が治るまでは家を建てるのを手伝うことはできないと言う。

He hewed out skids.

hew (切り出す) [動] cut or shape with an axe or other sharp tool

skid (滑り台) [名] a plank or platform on which something is placed for sliding

彼は滑り台を切り出した。

These were long, flat slabs.

slab (厚板) [名] a thick, flat, rectangular piece of a hard material, such as stone, wood, or metal

それは長くて平らな厚板だった。

One end rested on the ground, and the other end rested on the log wall.

rest (置かれる) [動] be supported by and not move

log wall (丸太の壁) [名] a wall made of logs

一方の端は地面に置かれ、もう一方の端は丸太の壁に置かれた。

He was not going to lift any more logs;

be not going to (つもりはない) [助] have something already planned or arranged; have something that is bound to happen; will

彼はもう丸太を持ち上げるつもりはなかった。

he and Ma would roll them up these skids.

彼とママは丸太を滑り台に転がして上げるつもりだった。

But Ma’s ankle was not well yet.

not well (治っていない) [形] sick; ill

しかし、ママの足首はまだ治っていなかった。

When she unwrapped it in the evenings, to soak it in hot water, it was all purple and black and green and yellow.

unwrap (ほどく) [動] remove the wrapping from

black (黒色) [形] of the color that is produced by the absence of or complete absorption of light

彼女が夕方包帯をほどいて、足をお湯に浸けると、足は紫と黒と緑と黄色になっていた。

The house must wait.

家は待たなければならない。

Then one afternoon Pa came merrily whistling up the creek road.

one afternoon (ある午後) [名] a specific afternoon

そしてある午後、パパが小川の道を陽気に口笛を吹きながらやってきた。

They had not expected him home from hunting so soon.

expect (思う) [動] regard something as likely to happen

home (家) [名] the place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household

hunting (狩り) [名] the sport or activity of hunting animals or birds

彼らは彼がそんなに早く狩りから帰ってくるとは思っていなかった。

As soon as he saw them he shouted, “Good news!”

as soon as (すぐに) [副] at the first possible moment

good news (良い知らせ) [名] a report of a situation or event that is positive or favorable

彼は彼らを見るとすぐに「良い知らせだ!」と叫んだ。

They had a neighbor, only two miles away on the other side of the creek.

only (わずか) [副] merely; just

two miles (2マイル) [名] a unit of length equal to 1.609344 kilometers

彼らには、小川の向こう側にわずか2マイルしか離れていない隣人がいた。

Pa had met him in the woods.

パパは森の中で彼に会った。

They were going to trade work and that would make it easier for everyone.

work (仕事) [名] an activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose of result

everyone (誰にとっても) [代] every person

彼らは仕事を交換するつもりだったし、それは誰にとっても楽になるだろう。

“He’s a bachelor,” said Pa, “and he says he can get along without a house better than you and the girls can.

bachelor (独身) [名] a man who has never been married

get along (やっていく) [動] to manage or cope

「彼は独身だ」とパパは言った、「そして彼は君や娘たちよりも家がなくてもうまくやっていけると言っている。

So he’s going to help me first.

so (だから) [接] for that reason; therefore

だから彼はまず私を手伝ってくれる。

Then as soon as he gets his logs ready, I’ll go over and help him.”

as soon as (準備ができたら) [接] immediately after

ready (準備) [形] in a state of readiness

go over (手伝う) [動] to go to a place

それから彼が丸太の準備ができたら、私は彼のところに行って手伝うつもりだ。」

They need not wait any longer for the house, and Ma need not do any more work on it.

need not (必要がない) [助] not be required to

any longer (もはや) [副] for any more time

any more (これ以上) [副] to any greater extent or degree

彼らは家を待つ必要がなくなり、ママは家で仕事をする必要がなくなった。

“How do you like that, Caroline?” Pa asked, joyfully;

How do you like that (どうだい) [句] what do you think of that

「どうだい、キャロライン?」パパは嬉しそうに尋ねた。

and Ma said, “That’s good, Charles. I’m glad.”

glad (嬉しい) [形] feeling or showing pleasure or contentment

ママは「それはよかったよ、チャールズ。嬉しいよ」と言った。

Early next morning Mr. Edwards came.

early (早く) [副] before the usual or expected time

Mr. Edwards (エドワーズさん) [名] a man named Edwards

翌朝早くエドワーズさんが来た。

He was lean and tall and brown.

lean (痩せている) [形] having little or no fat

brown (褐色) [形] of a color produced by mixing red, yellow, and black

彼は痩せていて背が高く、肌は褐色だった。

He bowed to Ma and called her “Ma’am,” politely.

bow (お辞儀をする) [動] bend the upper part of the body as a sign of respect

彼はママにお辞儀をして、丁寧に「奥様」と呼んだ。

But he told Laura that he was a wildcat from Tennessee.

Tennessee (テネシー) [名] a state in the southeastern United States

しかし彼はローラに、自分はテネシー出身の山猫だと言った。

He wore tall boots and a ragged jumper, and a coon-skin cap, and he could spit tobacco juice farther than Laura had ever imagined that anyone could spit tobacco juice.

wear (履く) [動] have on one's person

ragged (ぼろぼろの) [形] old and torn

jumper (ジャンパー) [名] a sleeveless dress

coon-skin cap (アライグマの毛皮の帽子) [名] a hat made from the skin of a raccoon

spit (吐く) [動] eject saliva from the mouth

tobacco juice (タバコの汁) [名] the liquid produced by chewing tobacco

imagine (想像する) [動] form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

彼は長靴とぼろぼろのジャンパーとアライグマの毛皮の帽子をかぶっていて、ローラが想像していたよりもずっと遠くにタバコの汁を吐くことができた。

He could hit anything he spit at, too.

hit (当てる) [動] come into contact with forcefully

彼はまた、吐きかけたどんなものにも当てることができた。

Laura tried and tried, but she could never spit so far or so well as Mr. Edwards could.

well (上手) [副] in a good manner or way

ローラは何度も試したが、エドワーズさんほど遠くにも上手にも吐くことができなかった。

He was a fast worker.

fast (早い) [形] done or occurring quickly

worker (労働者) [名] a person who works

彼は仕事が早かった。

In one day he and Pa built those walls as high as Pa wanted them.

one day (一日) [名] a period of 24 hours

as high as (望む高さまで) [副] to the same height as

彼とパパは一日でパパが望む高さまで壁を造った。

They joked and sang while they worked, and their axes made the chips fly.

joke (冗談を言う) [動] say something in a humorous way

axe (斧) [名] a tool with a heavy bladed head attached to a handle

chip (木片) [名] a small piece of wood

彼らは働きながら冗談を言い、歌い、斧で木片を飛ばした。

On top of the walls they set up a skeleton roof of slender poles.

on top of (上に) [前] on the highest part of

set up (立てる) [動] put up or erect

roof (屋根) [名] the structure forming the upper covering of a building or vehicle

彼らは壁の上に細い棒で屋根の骨組みを立てた。

Then in the south wall they cut a tall hole for a door, and in the west wall and the east wall they cut square holes for windows.

south wall (南の壁) [名] the wall that faces south

tall hole (縦長の穴) [名] a hole that is taller than it is wide

west wall (西の壁) [名] the wall that faces west

east wall (東の壁) [名] the wall that faces east

square hole (四角い穴) [名] a hole that is square in shape

それから南の壁にドア用の縦長の穴を切り、西の壁と東の壁に窓用の四角い穴を切った。

Laura couldn’t wait to see the inside of the house.

couldn't wait (待ちきれなかった) [動] be very eager to do something

ローラは家の中を見るのが待ちきれなかった。

As soon as the tall hole was cut, she ran inside.

縦長の穴が切られるとすぐに、彼女は中へ走った。

Everything was striped there.

stripe (縞模様) [名] a long, narrow band of a different color or texture from the rest of the surface

そこはすべて縞模様だった。

Stripes of sunshine came through the cracks in the west wall, and stripes of shadow came down from the poles overhead.

come through (差し込む) [動] pass through an opening

come down (落ちる) [動] move from a higher to a lower position

西の壁の割れ目から日差しの縞模様が差し込み、頭上の柱から影の縞模様が落ちていた。

The stripes of shade and sunshine were all across Laura’s hands and her arms and her bare feet.

bare foot (素足) [名] a foot without a shoe or sock

日陰と日差しの縞模様がローラの手や腕や素足にかかっていた。

And through the cracks between the logs she could see stripes of prairie.

そして丸太の間の割れ目から草原の縞模様が見えた。

The sweet smell of the prairie mixed with the sweet smell of cut wood.

sweet smell (甘い香り) [名] a pleasant smell

cut wood (木を切る) [名] wood that has been cut

草原の甘い香りと木を切った甘い香りが混ざっていた。

Then, as Pa cut away the logs to make the window hole in the west wall, chunks of sunshine came in.

cut away (切り取る) [動] remove by cutting

そして、パパが西の壁に窓の穴を開けるために丸太を切り取ると、日差しが差し込んできた。

When he finished, a big block of sunshine lay on the ground inside the house.

finish (終わる) [動] bring to an end; come to an end

彼が終わると、大きな日差しが家の中の地面に降り注いだ。

Around the door hole and the window holes, Pa and Mr. Edwards nailed thin slabs against the cut ends of the logs.

door hole (ドアの穴) [名] an opening in a wall that a door can be fitted into

window hole (窓の穴) [名] an opening in a wall that a window can be fitted into

nail (釘で打ち付ける) [動] fasten with a nail

thin slab (薄い板) [名] a thin, flat piece of wood

パパとエドワーズさんは、ドアの穴と窓の穴の周りに、丸太の切断面に薄い板を釘で打ち付けた。

And the house was finished, all but the roof.

そして、屋根以外は家が完成した。

The walls were solid and the house was large, much larger than the tent.

solid (頑丈な) [形] strong and in one piece, with no holes or spaces inside

壁は頑丈で、家は大きく、テントよりもずっと大きかった。

It was a nice house.

nice (素敵な) [形] pleasant; agreeable; satisfactory

それは素敵な家だった。

Mr. Edwards said he would go home now, but Pa and Ma said he must stay to supper.

go home (帰る) [動] return to one's place of residence

エドワーズさんは、もう帰ると言ったが、パパとママは夕食までいるように言った。

Ma had cooked an especially good supper because they had company.

cook (作る) [動] prepare (food) by heating it

company (来客) [名] a guest or guests

ママは、来客があったので、特別においしい夕食を作った。

There was stewed jack rabbit with white-flour dumplings and plenty of gravy.

stew (シチュー) [名] a dish of meat or fish cooked slowly in liquid

white-flour (白い小麦粉) [名] flour made from wheat

dumpling (団子) [名] a small ball of dough cooked in a liquid

plenty (たっぷり) [名] a large or sufficient amount or supply

gravy (グレービーソース) [名] a sauce made from the juices that come out of meat or vegetables when they are cooked

ウサギのシチューに白い小麦粉の団子とたっぷりのグレービーソースがかかっていた。

There was a steaming-hot, thick cornbread flavored with bacon fat.

steaming-hot (湯気の立つ) [形] very hot

cornbread (コーンブレッド) [名] a bread made from cornmeal

flavor (味付けする) [動] to add a particular taste to something

ベーコンの脂で味付けした、湯気の立つ厚いコーンブレッドがあった。

There was molasses to eat on the cornbread, but because this was a company supper they did not sweeten their coffee with molasses.

sweeten (甘くする) [動] make or become sweet

コーンブレッドにかける糖蜜があったが、来客があったので、コーヒーに糖蜜を入れて甘くすることはしなかった。

Ma brought out the little paper sack of pale-brown store sugar.

bring out (取り出す) [動] take out of a place

paper sack (紙袋) [名] a bag made of paper

pale-brown (薄茶色の) [形] of a light shade of brown

store sugar (砂糖) [名] a type of sugar that is sold in stores

ママは、薄茶色の砂糖の入った小さな紙袋を取り出した。

Mr. Edwards said he surely did appreciate that supper.

surely (本当に) [副] without doubt; certainly

appreciate (感謝する) [動] be grateful for

エドワーズさんは、本当に夕食に感謝していると言っていた。

Then Pa brought out his fiddle.

fiddle (バイオリン) [名] a stringed musical instrument played with a bow

それからパパはバイオリンを取り出した。

Mr. Edwards stretched out on the ground, to listen.

stretch out (横になる) [動] lie down at full length

エドワーズさんは、地面に横になって聴いていた。

But first Pa played for Laura and Mary.

play (弾く) [動] perform music on a musical instrument

しかし、まずパパはローラとメアリーのために弾いた。

He played their very favorite song, and he sang it.

favorite (大好きな) [形] preferred before all others

song (歌) [名] a short poem or other set of words set to music or meant to be sung

パパは二人の大好きな歌を弾き、歌った。

Laura liked it best of all because Pa’s voice went down deep, deep, deeper in that song.

best (一番) [形] of the highest quality, excellence, or standing

ローラはそれが何よりも好きだった。なぜなら、その歌ではパパの声が深く、深く、深くなっていくからだ。

“Oh, I am a Gypsy King!

Gypsy (ジプシー) [名] a member of a nomadic people with dark skin and hair who speak Romany and who traditionally live by seasonal work, itinerant trade, and fortune-telling

「ああ、私はジプシーの王様だ!

I come and go as I please!

come and go (行き来する) [動] move to and fro

as I please (好きなように) [副] in the way that I want

私は好きなように行き来する!

I pull my old nightcap down,

pull down (かぶる) [動] put on one's head

私は古いナイトキャップをかぶる。

And take the world at my ease.”

take (旅する) [動] go to a place

ease (気楽に) [名] a state of being comfortable and relaxed

そして、気楽に世界を旅する。」

Then his voice went deep, deep down, deeper than the very oldest bullfrog’s.

go deep (低くなる) [動] become lower in pitch

deep down (深く) [副] to a great depth

old (年老いた) [形] having lived for a long time

bullfrog (ウシガエル) [名] a large frog with a deep voice

それから彼の声は、とても年老いたウシガエルよりも深く、深く低くなった。

“Oh, I am a Gypsy KING!”

「ああ、私はジプシーの王様だ!」

They all laughed.

みんな笑った。

Laura could hardly stop laughing.

could hardly (ほとんどできなかった) [助] be almost unable to

ローラは笑いを止めることができなかった。

“Oh, sing it again, Pa! Sing it again!” she cried, before she remembered that children must be seen and not heard.

remember (思い出す) [動] have a recollection of

be seen (見られる) [動] be perceived or noticed

be heard (聞かれる) [動] be perceived or noticed

「ああ、もう一度歌って、パパ! もう一度歌って!」と彼女は叫んだが、子供は見られて聞かれてはいけないことを思い出した。

Then she was quiet.

be quiet (静かになる) [動] make or become silent

それから彼女は静かになった。

Pa went on playing, and everything began to dance.

playing (演奏) [名] the action of playing a musical instrument

パパは演奏を続け、すべてが踊り始めた。

Mr. Edwards rose up on one elbow, then he sat up, then he jumped up and he danced.

rise up (起き上がる) [動] get up from a lying or sitting position

elbow (肘) [名] the joint between the upper and lower arm

dance (踊る) [動] move rhythmically to music, typically following a set sequence of steps

エドワーズさんは片方の肘で起き上がり、それから起き上がり、それから飛び上がって踊った。

He danced like a jumping-jack in the moonlight, while Pa’s fiddle kept on rollicking and his foot kept tapping the ground, and Laura’s hands and Mary’s hands were clapping together and their feet were patting, too.

moonlight (月明かり) [名] the light of the moon

jumping-jack (びっくり箱) [名] a toy consisting of a box with a figure inside that springs up when the lid is opened

rollick (陽気に鳴る) [動] behave or move in a cheerful, lively, or playful way

tap (叩く) [動] strike or touch lightly

clap (拍手する) [動] strike the palms of one's hands together, typically in order to applaud

pat (叩く) [動] strike or touch lightly

彼は月明かりの下でびっくり箱のように踊り、パパのフィドルは陽気に鳴り続け、足は地面を叩き続け、ローラの手とメアリーの手は一緒に拍手し、足も叩いていた。

“You’re the fiddlin’est fool that ever I see!” Mr. Edwards shouted admiringly to Pa.

admiringly (賞賛して) [副] in an admiring manner

fool (愚か者) [名] a person who acts unwisely or imprudently; a silly person

「君は私が今まで見た中で一番のフィドル弾きだ!」エドワーズさんはパパを賞賛して叫んだ。

He didn’t stop dancing, Pa didn’t stop playing.

dancing (踊る) [動] move rhythmically to music, typically following a set sequence of steps

playing (演奏する) [動] perform music on a musical instrument

彼は踊るのをやめず、パパは演奏をやめなかった。

He played “Money Musk” and “Arkansas Traveler,” “Irish Washerwoman” and the “Devil’s Hornpipe.”

Money Musk (マネー・マスク) [名] a traditional American fiddle tune

Arkansas Traveler (アーカンソー・トラベラー) [名] a traditional American fiddle tune

Irish Washerwoman (アイリッシュ・ウォッシャーウーマン) [名] a traditional Irish fiddle tune

Devil's Hornpipe (デビルズ・ホーンパイプ) [名] a traditional English folk tune

彼は「マネー・マスク」「アーカンソー・トラベラー」「アイリッシュ・ウォッシャーウーマン」「デビルズ・ホーンパイプ」を演奏した。

Baby Carrie couldn’t sleep in all that music.

赤ん坊のキャリーはそんな音楽の中では眠れなかった。

She sat up in Ma’s lap, looking at Mr. Edwards with round eyes, and clapping her little hands and laughing.

sit up (座る) [動] to move from a lying position to a sitting position

clap (叩く) [動] to strike together with a sharp sound

彼女はママの膝の上に座り、丸い目でエドワーズさんを見て、小さな手を叩いて笑った。

Even the firelight danced, and all around its edge the shadows were dancing.

火の光さえも踊り、その端の周りでは影が踊っていた。

Only the new house stood still and quiet in the dark, till the big moon rose and shone on its gray walls and the yellow chips around it.

moon (月) [名] the natural satellite of the earth

shine (照らす) [動] give out or reflect light

大きな月が昇り、灰色の壁とその周りの黄色い木片を照らすまで、新しい家だけが暗闇の中で静かに立っていた。

Mr. Edwards said he must go.

エドワーズさんは行かなければならないと言った。

It was a long way back to his camp on the other side of the woods and the creek.

back (帰る) [副] to the place where one came from

森と小川の向こう側にある彼のキャンプに帰るまでは長い道のりだった。

He took his gun, and said good night to Laura and Mary and Ma.

彼は銃を持ち、ローラとメアリーとママにおやすみを言った。

He said a bachelor got mighty lonesome, and he surely had enjoyed this evening of home life.

get (なる) [動] become

mighty (ひどく) [形] very

lonesome (寂しい) [形] sad from being alone

enjoy (楽しむ) [動] take delight or pleasure in

彼は独身者はひどく寂しくなると言い、この夜の家庭生活を本当に楽しんだ。

“Play, Ingalls!” he said.

Ingalls (インガルス) [名] the family name of the main characters in the story

「インガルス、弾け!」と彼は言った。

“Play me down the road!”

down (下る) [前] from a higher to a lower place

「道を下るまで弾いてくれ!」

So while he went down the creek road and out of sight, Pa played, and Pa and Mr. Edwards and Laura sang with all their might.

might (力) [名] great and impressive power or strength

彼が小川の道を下り、見えなくなるまで、パパは弾き、パパとエドワーズさんとローラは力を込めて歌った。

“Old Dan Tucker was a fine old man;

Old Dan Tucker (オールド・ダン・タッカー) [名] a character in a song

fine (立派な) [形] of high quality

「オールド・ダン・タッカーは立派な老人だった。

He washed his face in the frying-pan,

frying-pan (フライパン) [名] a pan used for frying

彼はフライパンで顔を洗い、

He combed his hair with a wagon wheel,

彼は荷車の車輪で髪をとかし、

And died of the toothache in his heel.

die (死ぬ) [動] stop living

toothache (歯痛) [名] a pain in or around a tooth

そしてかかとの歯痛で死んだ。

“Git out of the way for old Dan Tucker!

git (行け) [動] go

out of the way (道を空けろ) [副] to a remote or secluded place

Dan Tucker (ダン・タッカー) [名] a character in a folk song

「オールド・ダン・タッカーのために道を空けろ!

He’s too late to get his supper!

too late (遅すぎる) [副] after the proper or usual time

get (とる) [動] receive or obtain

彼は夕食をとるには遅すぎる!

Supper’s over and the dishes washed,

be over (終わる) [動] be finished

夕食が終わり、食器が洗われ、

Nothing left but a piece of squash!”

left (残っていない) [動] remain after the removal or departure of others

piece (切れ端) [名] a portion of something that has been broken off or cut off

squash (カボチャ) [名] a kind of vegetable

カボチャの切れ端しか残っていない!」

“Old Dan Tucker went to town,

go to town (町へ行く) [動] go to a city or town

「オールド・ダン・タッカーは町へ行き、

Riding a mule, leading a houn’...”

mule (ラバ) [名] the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse

lead (連れる) [動] take or guide someone or something along a route

ラバに乗り、犬を連れて・・・」

Far over the prairie rang Pa’s big voice and Laura’s little one, and faintly from the creek bottoms came a last whoop from Mr. Edwards.

ring (響く) [動] to make a clear resonant sound

whoop (雄叫び) [名] a loud cry or shout

大草原の彼方までパパの大きな声とローラの小さな声が響き、小川の底からかすかにエドワーズさんの最後の雄叫びが聞こえてきた。

“Git out of the way for old Dan Tucker!

「オールド・ダン・タッカーのために道を空けろ!

He’s too late to get his supper!”

too late (遅れた) [形] after the usual or expected time

彼は夕食に遅れたんだ!」

When Pa’s fiddle stopped, they could not hear Mr. Edwards any more.

パパのフィドルが止まると、エドワーズさんの声はもう聞こえなかった。

Only the wind rustled in the prairie grasses.

大草原の草を風がさらさらと揺らす音だけが聞こえた。

The big, yellow moon was sailing high overhead.

大きな黄色い月が頭上に高く浮かんでいた。

The sky was so full of light that not one star twinkled in it, and all the prairie was a shadowy mellowness.

twinkle (瞬く) [動] shine or sparkle intermittently

mellowness (柔らかさ) [名] the quality of being soft, smooth, and rich

空は光で満ちていて、星は一つも瞬かず、大草原はすべて影の柔らかさだった。

Then from the woods by the creek a nightingale began to sing.

by (そば) [前] near or next to

nightingale (ナイチンゲール) [名] a small brown bird with a beautiful song

すると、小川のそばの森からナイチンゲールが歌い始めた。

Everything was silent, listening to the nightingale’s song.

すべてが静まり返り、ナイチンゲールの歌に耳を傾けていた。

The bird sang on and on.

on and on (歌い続ける) [副] continuously

鳥は歌い続けた。

The cool wind moved over the prairie and the song was round and clear above the grasses’ whispering.

cool (涼しい) [形] moderately cold

whisper (ささやき) [名] a soft or confidential tone of voice

涼しい風が大草原を吹き抜け、歌は草のささやきを超えて丸く澄んでいた。

The sky was like a bowl of light overturned on the flat black land.

bowl (ボウル) [名] a round, deep dish with a flat bottom used for holding food

overturn (ひっくり返る) [動] turn upside down

空は平らな黒い大地にひっくり返った光のボウルのようだった。

The song ended.

end (終わる) [動] come to an end; finish

歌が終わった。

No one moved or spoke.

no one (誰も) [代] not a single person

誰も動かず、話さなかった。

Laura and Mary were quiet,

be quiet (静かだ) [動] make little or no noise

ローラとメアリーは静かだった。

Pa and Ma sat motionless.

motionless (動かずに) [形] not moving

パパとママは動かずに座っていた。

Only the wind stirred and the grasses sighed.

stir (吹く) [動] move or cause to move slightly

風だけが吹き、草がため息をついた。

Then Pa lifted the fiddle to his shoulder and softly touched the bow to the strings.

string (弦) [名] a thin piece of wire or other material stretched between two points, on which the notes are played on a musical instrument

それからパパはバイオリンを肩に持ち上げ、弓を弦に優しく触れた。

A few notes fell like clear drops of water into the stillness.

note (音) [名] a musical sound

drop (水滴) [名] a small round mass of liquid

いくつかの音が静寂の中に澄んだ水滴のように落ちた。

A pause, and Pa began to play the nightingale’s song.

pause (一時停止) [名] a temporary stop or rest

一時停止し、パパはナイチンゲールの歌を弾き始めた。

The nightingale answered him.

ナイチンゲールが彼に答えた。

The nightingale began to sing again.

ナイチンゲールは再び歌い始めた。

It was singing with Pa’s fiddle.

それはパパのフィドルと一緒に歌っていた。

When the strings were silent, the nightingale went on singing.

be silent (沈黙する) [動] make or be no noise

弦が沈黙した時、ナイチンゲールは歌い続けた。

When it paused, the fiddle called to it and it sang again.

pause (休止する) [動] temporarily stop an activity

call (呼びかける) [動] cry out to

それが休止した時、フィドルがそれに呼びかけ、それは再び歌った。

The bird and the fiddle were talking to each other in the cool night under the moon.

鳥とフィドルは月の下の涼しい夜に互いに話していた。

Chapter 6: MOVING IN

move in (引っ越す) [動] take up residence in a new place

第6章: 引っ越し

“The walls are up,” Pa was saying to Ma in the morning.

be up (できる) [動] be finished; be ready

「壁ができた」とパパは朝ママに言っていた。

“We’d better move in and get along as best we can without a floor or other fixings.

fixing (備品) [名] an object that is fixed in position

「床や他の備品がなくても、引っ越して、できるだけうまくやっていくべきだ。

I must build the stable as fast as I can, so Pet and Patty can be inside walls, too.

as fast as I can (できるだけ早く) [副] as quickly as possible

できるだけ早く馬小屋を建てなければ、ペットとパティも壁の中にいれられる。

Last night I could hear wolves howling from every direction, seemed like, and close, too.”

last night (昨夜) [名] the night before the present day

could hear (聞こえた) [動] be able to perceive with the ear

every direction (あらゆる方向) [名] all possible directions

昨夜は、狼があらゆる方向から遠吠えしているのが聞こえた、近くにいるようだった。」

“Well, you have your gun, so I’ll not worry,” said Ma.

worry (心配する) [動] feel or show concern or anxiety

「まあ、あなたは銃を持っているから、心配しないよ」とママは言った。

“Yes, and there’s Jack.

「そうね、それにジャックがいるよ。

But I’ll feel easier in my mind when you and the girls have good solid walls around you.”

feel easier (安心できる) [動] feel more relaxed or at ease

mind (気持ち) [名] the state of a person's thoughts and feelings

でも、あなたと娘たちが頑丈な壁に囲まれていると、安心できるよ。」

“Why do you suppose we haven’t seen any Indians?” Ma asked.

suppose (思う) [動] think or assume that something is true or probable

「どうしてインディアンを全く見かけないと思う?」とママは尋ねた。

“Oh, I don’t know,” Pa replied, carelessly.

oh (ああ) [間] an expression of surprise, disappointment, or disgust

don't know (わからない) [動] be not aware of

carelessly (気楽に) [副] without care or concern

「ああ、わからないな」とパパは気楽に答えた。

“I’ve seen their camping-places among the bluffs.

camping-place (キャンプの場所) [名] a place where people camp

bluff (崖) [名] a high steep bank

「崖の間に彼らのキャンプの場所を見かけたことがある。

They’re away on a hunting-trip now, I guess.”

be away (出かけている) [動] be absent from a place

hunting-trip (狩り) [名] an excursion for the purpose of hunting

彼らは今、狩りに出かけているんだと思う。」

Then Ma called: “Girls! The sun’s up!”

be up (昇る) [動] to have risen

するとママが呼んだ。「お嬢さんたち! 日が昇ったよ!」

and Laura and Mary scrambled out of bed and into their clothes.

scramble (飛び起きる) [動] move or climb quickly and awkwardly

ローラとメアリーはベッドから飛び起きて服を着た。

“Eat your breakfasts quickly,” Ma said, putting the last of the rabbit stew on their tin plates.

last (残り) [名] the final part of something

「朝食を急いで食べなさい」とママは言い、ウサギのシチューの残りを彼女たちのブリキの皿に盛った。

“We’re moving into the house today, and all the chips must be out.”

move into (入る) [動] start living in a new place

「今日は家に入るから、木くずは全部取り除かなくてはいけない。」

So they ate quickly, and hurried to carry all the chips out of the house.

だから彼女たちは急いで食べ、急いで木くずを全部家から運び出した。

They ran back and forth as fast as they could, gathering their skirts full of chips and dumping them in a pile near the fire.

run back and forth (行き来する) [動] move from one place to another and back again

fast (速く) [副] at high speed

gather (集める) [動] come together or cause to come together

skirt (スカート) [名] a woman's garment that hangs from the waist

dump (捨てる) [動] get rid of something

彼女たちはできるだけ速く行き来し、スカートいっぱいに木くずを集めて火のそばの山に捨てた。

But there were still chips on the ground inside the house when Ma began to sweep it with her willow-bough broom.

sweep (掃く) [動] clean with a broom

willow (柳) [名] a tree or shrub of the genus Salix

broom (箒) [名] a long-handled brush of bristles or twigs for sweeping

しかし、ママが柳の枝の箒で掃き始めた時、家の中の床にはまだ木くずがあった。

Ma limped, though her sprained ankle was beginning to get well.

limp (足を引きずる) [動] walk with difficulty, typically because of a damaged or injured leg or foot

ママは足首の捻挫が治り始めていたが、足を引きずっていた。

But she soon swept the earthen floor, and then Mary and Laura began to help her carry things into the house.

しかし、彼女はすぐに土の床を掃き、それからメアリーとローラは彼女が物を家の中に運ぶのを手伝い始めた。

Pa was on top of the walls, stretching the canvas wagon-top over the skeleton roof of saplings.

sapling (若木) [名] a young tree

パパは壁の上にいて、若木の骨組みの屋根の上に幌馬車の屋根を張っていた。

The canvas billowed in the wind, Pa’s beard blew wildly and his hair stood up from his head as if it were trying to pull itself out.

billow (膨らむ) [動] swell out or bulge

wildly (激しく) [副] in a wild manner

帆布は風に膨らみ、パパの髭は激しく吹き、髪の毛は頭から抜け出そうとするかのように逆立っていた。

He held onto the canvas and fought it.

hold onto (つかむ) [動] grasp or grip something firmly

fight (戦う) [動] take part in a violent confrontation

彼は帆布をつかんで戦った。

Once it jerked so hard that Laura thought he must let go or sail into the air like a bird.

so hard (とても激しく) [副] to a great extent or degree

一度それはとても激しく揺れたので、ローラは彼が手を離すか、鳥のように空を飛ぶに違いないと思った。

But he held tight to the wall with his legs, and tight to the canvas with his hands, and he tied it down.

しかし、彼は足で壁をしっかりとつかみ、手で帆布をしっかりとつかみ、それを縛り付けた。

“There!” he said to it.

there (ほら) [間] used to express satisfaction or approval

「ほら!」と彼は言った。

“Stay where you are, and be——”

be (——) [動] exist or live

「そこにいろ、そして——」

“Charles!” Ma said.

「チャールズ!」とママは言った。

She stood with her arms full of quilts and looked up at him reprovingly.

quilt (キルト) [名] a padded bed covering

look up (見上げる) [動] direct one's gaze upward

reprovingly (非難するように) [副] in a manner that expresses disapproval

彼女は腕いっぱいにキルトを抱えて立ち、非難するように彼を見上げた。

“—and be good,” Pa said to the canvas.

be good (いい子にしろ) [動] behave well

「——そしていい子にしろ」とパパは帆布に向かって言った。

“Why, Caroline, what did you think I was going to say?”

「おい、キャロライン、私が何を言おうとしたと思う?」

“Oh, Charles!” Ma said.

「ああ、チャールズ!」とママは言った。

“You scalawag!”

scalawag (悪党) [名] a person who is dishonest or immoral

「この悪党め!」

Pa came right down the corner of the house.

パパは家の角から降りてきた。

The ends of the logs stuck out, and he used them for a ladder.

丸太の端が突き出ていて、パパはそれを梯子代わりに使った。

He ran his hand through his hair so that it stood up even more wildly, and Ma burst out laughing.

run one's hand through (手を通す) [動] move one's hand through

burst out laughing (爆笑する) [動] suddenly start laughing

パパは髪に手を通して、髪がさらに乱れたので、ママは爆笑した。

Then he hugged her, quilts and all.

all (もろとも) [副] completely; totally

それからパパはママをキルトもろとも抱きしめた。

Then they looked at the house and Pa said, “How’s that for a snug house!”

それから二人は家を見て、パパは「居心地の良い家になっただろう!」と言った。

“I’ll be thankful to get into it,” said Ma.

be thankful (ありがたい) [動] grateful

get into (中に入る) [動] enter

「中に入れたらありがたいよ」とママは言った。

There was no door and there were no windows.

ドアも窓もなかった。

There was no floor except the ground and no roof except the canvas.

地面以外に床はなく、帆布以外に屋根はなかった。

But that house had good stout walls, and it would stay where it was.

stout (頑丈な) [形] strong and thick

しかし、その家には頑丈な壁があり、そのままの場所にとどまっていた。

It was not like the wagon, that every morning went on to some other place.

wagon (幌馬車) [名] a horse-drawn vehicle with four wheels

every morning (毎朝) [副] each morning

some other place (どこか別の場所) [名] a different place

毎朝どこか別の場所に移動する幌馬車とは違っていた。

“We’re going to do well here, Caroline,” Pa said.

do well (うまくやる) [動] be successful

「ここでうまくやっていくよ、キャロライン」とパパは言った。

“This is a great country.

This (ここ) [代] the place that is near you or that you are talking about

「ここは素晴らしい国だ。

This is a country I’ll be contented to stay in the rest of my life.”

rest of (残り) [名] the remaining part of something

life (人生) [名] the period of time during which a person is alive

ここは私の残りの人生を過ごすのに満足できる国だ。」

“Even when it’s settled up?” Ma asked.

even (でも) [副] in spite of the fact that

settle (開拓する) [動] establish oneself in a place

up (進む) [副] to a higher level or position

「開拓が進んでも?」とママは尋ねた。

“Even when it’s settled up.

settle up (開拓が進む) [動] to pay off a debt or obligation

「開拓が進んでも。

No matter how thick and close the neighbors get, this country’ll never feel crowded.

no matter how (どんなに) [副] to whatever extent or degree

thick (密集した) [形] having a large number of things or people in a small space

close (近い) [形] having a small distance between two things

どんなに隣人が密集しても、この国は決して混雑したようには感じられない。

Look at that sky!”

あの空を見ろ!」

Laura knew what he meant.

ローラは彼が何を意味しているか分かった。

She liked this place, too.

彼女もこの場所が好きだった。

She liked the enormous sky and the winds, and the land that you couldn’t see to the end of.

彼女は広大な空と風、そして果てしなく続く大地が好きだった。

Everything was so fresh and clean and big and splendid.

splendid (素晴らしい) [形] impressive in quality or appearance

全てがとても新鮮で清潔で大きくて素晴らしかった。

By dinner time the house was in order.

by (までに) [前] not later than

in order (整頓されている) [形] arranged in a neat, tidy, or systematic way

夕食の時間までには家は整頓されていた。

The beds were neatly made on the floor.

make (作られる) [動] create or produce something

ベッドは床にきちんと作られていた。

The wagon-seat and two ends of logs were brought in for chairs.

two ends (両端) [名] the two ends of something

馬車の座席と丸太の両端が椅子として運び込まれた。

Pa’s gun lay on its pegs above the doorway.

peg (釘) [名] a short piece of wood, metal, or plastic with a pointed end

doorway (出入り口) [名] an entrance to a room or building

パパの銃は出入り口の上の釘に掛けられていた。

Boxes and bundles were neat against the walls.

neat (きちんとした) [形] tidy, organized, or smart

箱や包みは壁にきちんと立てかけてあった。

It was a pleasant house.

それは快適な家だった。

A soft light came through the canvas roof, wind and sunshine came through the window holes, and every crack in the four walls glowed a little because the sun was overhead.

glow (光る) [動] to shine brightly and steadily

柔らかい光が帆布の屋根から差し込み、風と日差しが窓の穴から差し込み、太陽が真上にあったため、四方の壁のすべてのひびが少し光っていた。

Only the camp fire stayed where it had been.

キャンプファイヤーだけが元の場所にあった。

Pa said he would build a fireplace in the house as soon as he could.

as soon as (できるだけ早く) [副] at the earliest possible time

build (作る) [動] construct or make

パパはできるだけ早く家に暖炉を作ると言った。

He would hew out slabs to make a solid roof, too, before winter came.

彼はまた、冬が来る前に、頑丈な屋根を作るために厚板を切り出すつもりだった。

He would lay a puncheon floor, and make beds and tables and chairs.

puncheon (厚板) [名] a short, upright piece of timber

彼は厚板の床を張り、ベッドやテーブルや椅子を作るつもりだった。

But all that work must wait until he had helped Mr. Edwards and had built a stable for Pet and Patty.

しかし、そのすべての仕事は、彼がエドワーズさんを助け、ペットとパティのために馬小屋を建てるまで待たなければならない。

“When that’s all done,” said Ma, “I want a clothes-line.”

be done (終わる) [動] be finished

clothes-line (物干し竿) [名] a rope or wire on which clothes are hung to dry

「それが全部終わったら」とママは言った、「物干し竿が欲しいよ」

Pa laughed.

パパは笑った。

“Yes, and I want a well.”

well (井戸) [名] a hole dug in the ground to obtain water

「そうだな、井戸も欲しいな」

After dinner he hitched Pet and Patty to the wagon and he hauled a tubful of water from the creek, so that Ma could do the washing.

after dinner (夕食後) [副] after the evening meal

tubful (桶一杯) [名] the amount that a tub will hold

夕食後、彼はペットとパティを荷車につなぎ、ママが洗濯できるように、小川から桶一杯の水を運んだ。

“You could wash clothes in the creek,” he told her.

「小川で洗濯できるよ」と彼は彼女に言った。

“Indian women do.”

woman (女性) [名] an adult human female

「インディアンの女性はそうしている」

“If we wanted to live like Indians, you could make a hole in the roof to let the smoke out, and we’d have the fire on the floor inside the house,” said Ma.

live (暮らす) [動] be alive

let out (逃がす) [動] allow to go out

「もし私たちがインディアンのように暮らしたいのなら、屋根に穴を開けて煙を逃がし、家の中の床に火を起こせばいいよ」とママは言った。

“Indians do.”

「インディアンはそうしている」

That afternoon she washed the clothes in the tub and spread them on the grass to dry.

that afternoon (その日の午後) [名] the afternoon of the day being discussed

clothes (洗濯物) [名] things that are worn on the body

その日の午後、彼女は桶で洗濯をし、草の上に広げて乾かした。

After supper they sat for a while by the camp fire.

夕食後、彼らはしばらくキャンプファイヤーのそばに座っていた。

That night they would sleep in the house;

その夜は家で寝る。

they would never sleep beside a camp fire again.

彼らは二度とキャンプファイヤーのそばで寝ることはないだろう。

Pa and Ma talked about the folks in Wisconsin, and Ma wished she could send them a letter.

talk about (話す) [動] discuss or speak about

send (送る) [動] cause to go or be taken to a destination; arrange for the delivery of

パパとママはウィスコンシンの人々について話し、ママは彼らに手紙を送りたいと思った。

But Independence was forty miles away, and no letter could go until Pa made the long trip to the post-office there.

forty miles (40マイル) [名] a unit of length equal to 1.609344 kilometers

long trip (長い旅) [名] a journey of great distance

post office (郵便局) [名] a public department or corporation responsible for postal services and in some countries telecommunications

しかし、インディペンデンスは40マイルも離れており、パパがそこの郵便局まで長い旅をするまでは手紙を送ることはできなかった。

Back in the Big Woods so far away, Grandpa and Grandma and the aunts and uncles and cousins did not know where Pa and Ma and Laura and Mary and Baby Carrie were.

back (遠く離れた) [副] at a distance in space or time

Big Woods (ビッグウッズ) [名] a large wooded area

遠く離れたビッグウッズでは、おじいちゃん、おばあちゃん、おばさん、おじさん、いとこたちは、パパ、ママ、ローラ、メアリー、赤ちゃんキャリーがどこにいるか知らなかった。

And sitting there by the camp fire, no one knew what might have happened in the Big Woods.

そして、キャンプファイヤーのそばに座っている誰も、ビッグウッズで何が起こったのか知らなかった。

There was no way to find out.

find out (知る) [動] discover or notice something

知る方法はなかった。

“Well, it’s bedtime,” Ma said.

「さて、寝る時間だ」とママは言った。

Baby Carrie was already asleep.

already (すでに) [副] before or by now or the time in question

asleep (眠っている) [形] in or into a state of sleep

赤ちゃんキャリーはすでに眠っていた。

Ma carried her into the house and undressed her, while Mary unbuttoned Laura’s dress and petticoat waist down the back, and Pa hung a quilt over the door hole.

waist (腰) [名] the part of the human body below the ribs and above the hips

ママは彼女を家の中に運び、服を脱がせ、メアリーはローラのドレスとペチコートの腰のボタンを後ろで外し、パパはドアの穴にキルトを掛けた。

The quilt would be better than no door.

be better than (ましだろう) [動] be more desirable or preferable than

キルトはドアがないよりはましだろう。

Then Pa went out to bring Pet and Patty close to the house.

それからパパはペットとパティを家の近くに連れてくるために出かけた。

He called back, softly, “Come out here, Caroline, and look at the moon.”

call back (呼び返す) [動] return a phone call

彼はそっと「キャロライン、ここに来て月を見てごらん」と呼び返した。

Mary and Laura lay in their little bed on the ground inside the new house, and watched the sky through the window hole to the east.

メアリーとローラは新しい家の中の地面に置かれた小さなベッドに横たわり、東の窓の穴から空を眺めた。

The edge of the big, bright moon glittered at the bottom of the window space, and Laura sat up.

大きくて明るい月の端が窓の下の部分で輝き、ローラは起き上がった。

She looked at the great moon, sailing silently higher in the clear sky.

silently (静かに) [副] in a quiet manner

彼女は澄んだ空に静かに高く浮かぶ大きな月を見た。

Its light made silvery lines in all the cracks on that side of the house.

silvery (銀色の) [形] having a color or luster like that of silver

その光は家のその側のすべての割れ目に銀色の線を作った。

The light poured through the window hole and made a square of soft radiance on the floor.

光は窓の穴から注ぎ込み、床に柔らかな輝きの四角形を作った。

It was so bright that Laura saw Ma plainly when she lifted the quilt at the door and came in.

so bright (とても明るい) [形] very bright

see plainly (はっきりと見る) [動] see clearly

come in (入ってくる) [動] enter

とても明るかったので、ローラはママがドアのキルトを持ち上げて入ってきたとき、はっきりとママを見た。

Then Laura very quickly lay down, before Ma saw her naughtily sitting up in bed.

very quickly (とても素早く) [副] at a high speed

naughtily (いたずらに) [副] in a mischievous manner

それからローラは、ママが彼女がベッドにいたずらに座っているのを見る前に、とても素早く横になった。

She heard Pet and Patty whinnying softly to Pa.

whinny (いななく) [動] (of a horse) make a gentle, high-pitched sound

softly (優しく) [副] gently or quietly

彼女はペットとパティがパパに優しくいなないているのを聞いた。

Then the faint thuds of their feet came into her ear from the floor.

come into (入ってくる) [動] enter

それから、彼らの足のかすかな音が床から彼女の耳に入ってきた。

Pet and Patty and Pa were coming toward the house, and Laura heard Pa singing.

come toward (向かって来る) [動] move in the direction of

ペットとパティとパパが家に向かって来ていて、ローラはパパが歌っているのを聞いた。

“Sail on, silver moon!

sail on (進み続けよ) [動] continue sailing

silver (銀の) [形] of the color silver

「銀の月よ、進み続けよ!

Shed your radiance o’er the sky——”

shed (放つ) [動] to let fall

radiance (輝き) [名] brightness or warmth

空に輝きを放て」

His voice was like a part of the night and the moonlight and the stillness of the prairie.

彼の声は夜と月明かりと大草原の静けさの一部のようだった。

He came to the doorway, singing,

彼は歌いながら戸口に来た。

“By the pale, silver light of the moon——”

「月のかすかな銀色の光の下で」

Softly Ma said, “Hush, Charles. You’ll wake the children.”

hush (静かに) [動] be quiet

ママはそっと「静かに、チャールズ。子供達を起こしてしまうよ」と言った。

So Pa came in without a sound.

come in (中に入る) [動] enter a place

without (なしに) [前] not having or not accompanied by

それでパパは音を立てずに中に入った。

Jack followed at his heels and lay down across the doorway.

heel (踵) [名] the end of a foot

ジャックはパパの踵の後に続き、出入り口を横切って横になった。

Now they were all inside the stout walls of their new home, and they were snug and safe.

今や彼らは皆、新しい家の頑丈な壁の中にいて、心地よく安全だった。

Drowsily Laura heard a long wolf-howl rising from far away on the prairie, but only a little shiver went up her backbone and she fell asleep.

drowsily (眠たげに) [副] in a sleepy way

shiver (震え) [名] an act of shivering

fall asleep (眠り込む) [動] go to sleep

ローラは眠たげに、遠く大草原から聞こえてくる長い狼の遠吠えを聞いたが、背筋に少し震えが走っただけで、眠り込んでしまった。

Chapter 7: THE WOLF-PACK

pack (群れ) [名] a group of animals of one type which live and hunt together

第7章: 狼の群れ

All in one day Pa and Mr. Edwards built the stable for Pet and Patty.

all in one day (一日で) [副] in a single day

パパとエドワーズさんは、ペットとパティのために一日で馬小屋を建てた。

They even put the roof on, working so late that Ma had to keep supper waiting for them.

put on (つける) [動] place or fasten on one's person

work (働く) [動] be engaged in physical or mental activity in order to achieve a purpose of result

late (遅く) [副] after the usual or expected time

屋根までつけてしまい、遅くまで働いたので、ママは夕食を待たなければならなかった。

There was no stable door, but in the moonlight Pa drove two stout posts well into the ground, one on either side of the doorway.

stable door (馬小屋のドア) [名] a door that is divided horizontally into two parts so that the upper part can be opened and the lower part can be closed

drive (打ち込む) [動] to cause to move or be moved by force

post (柱) [名] a long, thin piece of wood or metal that is fixed upright in the ground and used as a support for something

馬小屋にはドアがなかったが、月明かりの下でパパは出入り口の両側に2本の頑丈な柱を地面に打ち込んだ。

He put Pet and Patty inside the stable, and then he laid small, split logs one above another, across the door space.

lay (積み重ねる) [動] put something in a flat position

split (割れた) [形] broken or divided into two or more parts

パパはペットとパティを馬小屋の中に入れ、それからドアの空間を横切って小さな割れた丸太を積み重ねた。

The posts held them, and they made a solid wall.

柱がそれらを支え、頑丈な壁になった。

“Now!” said Pa.

「さあ!」とパパは言った。

“Let those wolves howl!

「狼に遠吠えさせてやれ!

I’ll sleep, tonight.”

今夜は眠れるぞ。」

In the morning, when he lifted the split logs from behind the posts, Laura was amazed.

in the morning (朝) [名] the period of time from sunrise to noon

be amazed (驚く) [動] feel or show surprise

朝、パパが柱の後ろから割れた丸太を持ち上げた時、ローラは驚いた。

Beside Pet stood a long-legged, long-eared, wobbly little colt.

long-legged (足の長い) [形] having long legs

long-eared (耳の長い) [形] having long ears

wobbly (よろよろした) [形] unsteady; shaky

colt (子馬) [名] a young male horse

ペットの横に、足の長い、耳の長い、よろよろした小さな子馬が立っていた。

When Laura ran toward it, gentle Pet laid back her ears and snapped her teeth at Laura.

run toward (向かって走る) [動] move at a fast pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn, never having both feet off the ground at once

lay back (後ろに倒す) [動] move into a relaxed position

snap (むく) [動] bite or grasp suddenly and sharply

ローラが子馬に向かって走ると、優しいペットは耳を後ろに倒して、ローラに歯をむいた。

“Keep back, Laura!” Pa said, sharply.

keep back (下がる) [動] move away from something

「ローラ、下がれ!」パパは鋭く言った。

He said to Pet, “Now, Pet, you know we won’t hurt your little colt.”

パパはペットに言った、「ペット、あなたは私たちがあなたの子馬を傷つけないことを知っている。」

Pet answered him with a soft whinny.

whinny (いななき) [名] the gentle, high-pitched sound made by a horse

ペットは柔らかいいななきで答えた。

She would let Pa stroke her colt, but she would not let Laura or Mary come near it.

stroke (撫でる) [動] move one's hand gently and smoothly over

come near (近寄る) [動] move or travel toward

ペットはパパに子馬を撫でさせてくれたが、ローラやメアリーには近寄らせなかった。

When they even peeked at it through the cracks in the stable wall, Pet rolled the whites of her eyes at them and showed them her teeth.

peek (覗き見ようとする) [動] look quickly or furtively

tooth (歯) [名] one of the hard, white structures in the mouth that are used for biting and chewing

ローラやメアリーが馬小屋の壁の割れ目から覗き見ようとした時でさえ、ペットは彼女たちに白目を剥いて歯を見せた。

They had never seen a colt with ears so long.

ローラやメアリーはそんなに長い耳をした子馬を見たことがなかった。

Pa said it was a little mule, but Laura said it looked like a jack rabbit.

look like (みたいだ) [動] have the appearance of

パパは小さなラバだと言ったが、ローラはウサギみたいだと言った。

So they named the little colt Bunny.

Bunny (バニー) [名] a rabbit

それで、ローラやメアリーは子馬にバニーという名前をつけた。

When Pet was on the picket-line, with Bunny frisking around her and wondering at the big world, Laura must watch Baby Carrie carefully.

be on (いる) [動] be present at or in

picket line (ピケットライン) [名] a line of people outside a place of work who are protesting about something

wonder (驚く) [動] be curious or surprised about

ペットがピケットラインにいる時、バニーが彼女の周りを飛び跳ねて大きな世界に驚いている時、ローラは赤ん坊のキャリーを注意深く見守らなければならなかった。

If anyone but Pa came near Bunny, Pet squealed with rage and dashed to bite that little girl.

anyone (誰か) [代] any person

come near (近づく) [動] approach

rage (怒り) [名] violent anger

dash (突進する) [動] move or travel quickly

bite (噛みつく) [動] cut or wound with the teeth

little girl (少女) [名] a young female human being

パパ以外の誰かがバニーに近づくと、ペットは怒りで悲鳴を上げ、その少女を噛みつこうと突進した。

Early that Sunday afternoon Pa rode Patty away across the prairie to see what he should see.

Sunday (日曜日) [名] the first day of the week

afternoon (午後) [名] the time from noon to evening

その日曜日の午後早く、パパはパティに乗って大草原を横切り、見るべきものを見に行った。

There was plenty of meat in the house, so he did not take his gun.

plenty of (十分な) [名] a lot of; more than enough

家には肉が十分にあったので、彼は銃を持って行かなかった。

He rode away through the tall grass, along the rim of the creek bluffs.

ride away (馬で走り去る) [動] leave a place on a horse

tall grass (背の高い草) [名] grass that is tall

彼は小川の断崖の縁に沿って、背の高い草の中を馬で走り去った。

Birds flew up before him and circled and sank into the grasses.

fly up (飛び上がる) [動] move quickly upwards

before (前) [前] in front of

circle (旋回する) [動] move in a circular motion

sink (沈む) [動] go down below the surface of a liquid

鳥が彼の前を飛び、旋回して草の中に沈んだ。

Pa was looking down into the creek bottoms as he rode;

look down (見下ろす) [動] direct one's gaze downward

パパは馬に乗りながら小川の底を見下ろしていた。

perhaps he was watching deer browsing there.

browse (草を食む) [動] feed on growing shoots, twigs, and leaves

おそらく彼はそこで草を食む鹿を見ていたのだろう。

Then Patty broke into a gallop, and swiftly she and Pa grew smaller.

break into (始める) [動] start doing something suddenly

gallop (ギャロップ) [名] the fastest gait of a horse

swiftly (すぐに) [副] very fast; rapidly

それからパティはギャロップを始め、彼女とパパはすぐに小さくなった。

Soon there was only waving grass where they had been.

there was (あった) [動] to exist or be present

waving (揺れる) [動] move to and fro in the air

すぐに彼らがいた場所には揺れる草だけがあった。

Late that afternoon Pa had not come home.

come home (帰って来る) [動] return to one's house

その日の午後遅くになってもパパは帰って来なかった。

Ma stirred the coals of the fire and laid chips on them, and began to get supper.

ママは火の炭をかき混ぜて、その上に木片を置き、夕食の準備を始めた。

Mary was in the house, minding the baby, and Laura asked Ma, “What’s the matter with Jack?”

mind (世話をする) [動] take care of

メアリーは家の中で赤ちゃんの世話をしていたので、ローラはママに「ジャックはどうしたの?」と尋ねた。

Jack was walking up and down, looking worried.

walk up and down (歩き回る) [動] walk back and forth

look worried (心配そうに見える) [動] appear to be worried

ジャックは心配そうに歩き回っていた。

He wrinkled his nose at the wind, and the hair rose up on his neck and lay down, and then rose up again.

wrinkle (しわを寄せる) [動] make or cause to make small folds in the skin

lay down (寝る) [動] go to bed

彼は風に鼻にしわを寄せ、首の毛が逆立って寝て、また逆立った。

Pet’s hoofs suddenly thudded.

thud (ドスンと鳴る) [動] make a dull sound

ペットのひづめが突然ドスンと鳴った。

She ran around the circle of her picket-rope and stood still, whickering a low whicker.

run around (走り回る) [動] move quickly in circles

whicker (いななく) [動] (of a horse) make a soft gentle sound

彼女はピケットロープの円を走り回り、低い声でいななきながらじっと立っていた。

Bunny came close to her.

come close (近づいてくる) [動] move or travel toward

to (に) [前] toward

her (彼女) [代] the woman or girl who is being discussed

バニーは彼女に近づいてきた。

“What’s the matter, Jack?” Ma asked.

matter (どうした) [名] the situation or circumstances of a particular event or action

「どうしたの、ジャック?」とママは尋ねた。

He looked up at her, but he couldn’t say anything.

彼は彼女を見上げたが、何も言うことができなかった。

Ma gazed around the whole circle of earth and sky.

gaze (見回す) [動] look intently or steadily

ママは地球と空の円全体を見回した。

She could not see anything unusual.

unusual (異常な) [形] not usual or common or ordinary

彼女は何も異常なものを見ることができなかった。

“Likely it isn’t anything, Laura,” she said.

likely (おそらく) [副] probably

「おそらく何もないよ、ローラ」と彼女は言った。

She raked coals around the coffee-pot and the spider and onto the top of the bake-oven.

彼女はコーヒーポットとフライパンの周りとオーブンの上に石炭を掻き集めた。

The prairie hen sizzled in the spider and the corncakes began to smell good.

prairie hen (草原の雌鳥) [名] a female prairie chicken

smell good (いい匂いがする) [動] have a pleasant smell

フライパンで草原の雌鳥がジュージューと音を立て、コーンケーキがいい匂いになった。

But all the time Ma kept glancing at the prairie all around.

all the time (ずっと) [副] continuously; without interruption

glance (ちらちら見る) [動] look briefly or quickly

しかし、ママはずっと草原をちらちら見ていた。

Jack walked about restlessly, and Pet did not graze.

walk about (歩き回る) [動] walk around

restlessly (落ち着きなく) [副] in a restless manner

graze (草を食べる) [動] feed on growing grass and vegetation

ジャックは落ち着きなく歩き回り、ペットは草を食べなかった。

She faced the northwest, where Pa had gone, and kept her colt close beside her.

face (向く) [動] be oriented or turned toward

northwest (北西) [名] the direction midway between north and west

彼女はパパが行った北西を向き、子馬をすぐそばに置いた。

All at once Patty came running across the prairie.

come running (走ってくる) [動] run to a place

突然、パティが草原を横切って走ってきた。

She was stretched out, running with all her might, and Pa was leaning almost flat on her neck.

stretch out (体を伸ばす) [動] extend one's body or limbs

lean (もたれかかる) [動] be in or move into a sloping position

neck (首) [名] the part of a person's or animal's body that connects the head to the rest of the body

彼女は体を伸ばして全力で走り、パパは彼女の首にほとんど平らになってもたれかかっていた。

She ran right past the stable before Pa could stop her.

run past (通り過ぎて走る) [動] run beyond

彼女はパパが止められないうちに馬小屋を通り過ぎて走った。

He stopped her so hard that she almost sat down.

彼は彼女を強く止めたので、彼女はほとんど座り込んでしまった。

She was trembling all over and her black coat was streaked with sweat and foam.

coat (毛皮) [名] an outer garment worn on the upper body for warmth

streak (筋) [名] a long, thin mark or band

sweat (汗) [名] moisture or liquid exuded from the pores of the skin

foam (泡) [名] a mass of small bubbles formed on or in a liquid

彼女は全身を震わせていて、黒い毛皮には汗と泡が筋状に付いていた。

Pa swung off her.

swing off (飛び降りる) [動] jump off

パパは彼女から飛び降りた。

He was breathing hard, too.

breathe (息をする) [動] take air into and expel it from the lungs

彼もまた激しく息をしていた。

“What is the matter, Charles?”

「どうしたの、チャールズ?」

Ma asked him.

ママは彼に尋ねた。

Pa was looking toward the creek, so Ma and Laura looked at it, too.

look toward (の方を見る) [動] turn one's eyes in the direction of

パパが小川の方を見ていたので、ママとローラもそちらを見た。

But they could see only the space above the bottom lands, with a few tree-tops in it, and the distant tops of the earthen bluffs under the High Prairie’s grasses.

bottom land (底地) [名] the lowest land in a valley

distant (遠くの) [形] far away in space or time

しかし、彼らには、底地の上の空間と、そこに見える数本の木のてっぺん、そしてハイプレーリーの草の下にある土の断崖の遠くのてっぺんしか見えなかった。

“What is it?” Ma asked again.

「何なの?」ママは再び尋ねた。

“Why did you ride Patty like that?”

ride (乗り回す) [動] sit on and control the movement of a horse or other animal

like that (あんなに) [副] to that extent; so much

「どうしてパティにあんなに乗り回したの?」

Pa breathed a long breath.

パパは長い息を吐いた。

“I was afraid the wolves would beat me here.

be afraid (心配する) [動] be worried or anxious

beat (先に着く) [動] arrive earlier than

「狼が私より先にここに着くのではないかと心配だったんだ。

But I see everything’s all right.”

でも、何もかも大丈夫みたいだね。」

“Wolves!” she cried.

「狼!」と彼女は叫んだ。

“What wolves?”

「狼って?」

“Everything’s all right, Caroline,” said Pa.

「何もかも大丈夫だよ、キャロライン」とパパは言った。

“Let a fellow get his breath.”

fellow (仲間) [名] a man or boy

get (得る) [動] come to have or hold

breath (息) [名] the air taken into or expelled from the lungs

「息をつかせてよ。」

When he had got some breath, he said, “I didn’t ride Patty like that.

get some breath (息を整える) [動] to breathe deeply and slowly

彼は息を整えてから言った、「パティにはそんな乗り方はしなかった。

It was all I could do to hold her at all.

all I could do (精一杯だった) [名] the most that I could do

hold (抑える) [動] keep in a certain state or position

彼女を抑えておくのが精一杯だった。

Fifty wolves, Caroline, the biggest wolves I ever saw.

wolf (オオカミ) [名] a large wild carnivorous mammal

50匹のオオカミだ、キャロライン、今まで見た中で一番大きなオオカミだ。

I wouldn’t go through such a thing again, not for a mint of money.”

go through (経験する) [動] experience

not for a mint of money (大金が手に入るとしても) [名] a large amount of money

二度とこんなことは経験したくない、大金が手に入るとしても。」

A shadow came over the prairie just then because the sun had gone down, and Pa said, “I’ll tell you about it later.”

come over (差す) [動] to come to visit

just then (ちょうどその時) [副] at that very moment

later (後で) [副] at a time in the future

ちょうどその時、太陽が沈んだので草原に影が差し、パパは「後で話すよ」と言った。

“We’ll eat supper in the house,” said Ma.

「夕食は家の中で食べましょう」とママは言った。

“No need of that,” he told her.

no need of (必要はない) [名] not necessary

「そんな必要はない」と彼は彼女に言った。

“Jack will give us warning in plenty of time.”

give warning (警告する) [動] to inform someone in advance of something

plenty of time (十分な時間) [名] a lot of time

「ジャックが十分な時間内に警告してくれるだろう。」

He brought Pet and her colt from the picket-line.

彼はペットとその子馬をピケットラインから連れてきた。

He didn’t take them and Patty to drink from the creek, as he usually did.

彼はいつものように、彼らとパティを連れて小川で水を飲ませなかった。

He gave them the water in Ma’s washtub, which was standing full, ready for the washing next morning.

washtub (洗濯桶) [名] a tub for washing clothes

stand (立っている) [動] be in a position in which you put your weight on your feet but not on your knees

彼は彼らにママの洗濯桶の水を与えたが、それは翌朝の洗濯の準備が整っていっぱいになっていた。

He rubbed down Patty’s sweaty sides and legs and put her in the barn with Pet and Bunny.

rub down (こする) [動] to clean or dry by rubbing

sweaty (汗ばんだ) [形] covered with or smelling of sweat

side (脇腹) [名] the part of a person's or animal's body between the ribs and the hip

barn (納屋) [名] a large farm building used for storing grain or keeping animals

彼はパティの汗ばんだ脇腹と脚をこすり、ペットとバニーと一緒に納屋に入れた。

Supper was ready.

be ready (準備が整う) [動] be prepared or made ready for use or action

夕食の準備が整った。

The camp fire made a circle of light in the dark.

キャンプファイヤーが暗闇の中に光の輪を作った。

Laura and Mary stayed close to the fire, and kept Baby Carrie with them.

keep (連れる) [動] have or retain possession of

ローラとメアリーは火のそばにいて、赤ん坊のキャリーを連れていた。

They could feel the dark all around them, and they kept looking behind them at the place where the dark mixed with the edge of the firelight.

彼女たちは周囲の暗闇を感じることができ、暗闇が火の光の端と混ざり合う場所を後ろを振り返って見続けた。

Shadows moved there, as if they were alive.

alive (生きている) [形] living; not dead

影がまるで生きているかのように動いた。

Jack sat on his haunches beside Laura.

ジャックはローラの横に腰を下ろした。

The edges of his ears were lifted, listening to the dark.

彼の耳の端は持ち上げられ、暗闇に耳を傾けていた。

Now and then he walked a little way into it.

now and then (時々) [副] occasionally; from time to time

時々、彼は暗闇の中を少し歩いた。

He walked all around the camp fire, and came back to sit beside Laura.

walk around (歩き回る) [動] walk in all directions

彼はキャンプファイヤーの周りを歩き回り、ローラの横に座った。

The hair lay flat on his thick neck and he did not growl.

lay flat (平らに寝る) [動] be in a horizontal position

毛は太い首に平らに寝ていて、彼は唸らなかった。

His teeth showed a little, but that was because he was a bulldog.

彼の歯は少し見えたが、それは彼がブルドッグだったからだ。

Laura and Mary ate their corncakes and the prairie hen’s drumsticks, and they listened to Pa while he told Ma about the wolves.

prairie hen (草原の雌鶏) [名] a hen that lives in the prairie

drumstick (脚) [名] the lower leg of a bird

ローラとメアリーはコーンケーキと草原の雌鶏の脚を食べ、パパがママに狼のことを話すのを聞いた。

He had found some more neighbors.

彼はさらに何人かの隣人を見つけていた。

Settlers were coming in and settling along both sides of the creek.

come in (やってくる) [動] arrive

both sides (両側) [名] the two sides of something

入植者たちがやってきて、小川の両側に住み着いていた。

Less than three miles away, in a hollow on the High Prairie, a man and his wife were building a house.

less than (~も離れていない) [副] not as much as

three miles (3マイル) [名] a unit of length equal to 5280 feet

3マイルも離れていない、ハイ・プレーリーのくぼみに、ある男とその妻が家を建てていた。

Their name was Scott, and Pa said they were nice folks.

Scott (スコット) [名] a surname of English and Scottish origin

folks (人々) [名] people in general

彼らの名前はスコットで、パパは彼らはいい人たちだと言った。

Six miles beyond them, two bachelors were living in one house.

six miles (6マイル) [名] a unit of length equal to 5280 feet

beyond (先に) [前] farther on than; past

彼らから6マイル先に、2人の独身男性が1つの家に住んでいた。

They had taken two farms, and built the house on the line between them.

farm (農場) [名] an area of land and its buildings used for growing crops and rearing animals

彼らは2つの農場を取得し、その間の境界線上に家を建てた。

One man’s bunk was against one wall of the house, and the other man’s bunk was against the other wall.

bunk (寝台) [名] a narrow bed, typically one of two or more arranged one on top of the other

against (接する) [前] in contact with

1人の男の寝台は家の片方の壁に接し、もう1人の男の寝台は反対側の壁に接していた。

So each man slept on his own farm, although they were in the same house and the house was only eight feet wide.

own (自分の) [形] belonging to (the person or thing mentioned)

although (にもかかわらず) [接] in spite of the fact that

same (同じ) [形] being the same one or ones

eight (8) [数] the number 8

foot (フィート) [名] a unit of length equal to 12 inches

そのため、同じ家にいるにもかかわらず、それぞれが自分の農場で寝ていた。その家は幅がわずか8フィートだった。

They cooked and ate together in the middle of the house.

彼らは家の真ん中で一緒に料理して食べた。

Pa had not said anything about the wolves yet.

パパはまだ狼については何も言わなかった。

Laura wished he would.

ローラはパパが狼について話してくれることを望んだ。

But she knew that she must not interrupt when Pa was talking.

interrupt (口を挟む) [動] break the continuity of

しかし、ローラはパパが話しているときに口を挟んではいけないことを知っていた。

He said that these bachelors did not know that anyone else was in the country.

パパは、この独身者たちはこの国に誰か他にいることを知らないと言っていた。

They had seen nobody but Indians.

but (以外) [前] except

彼らはインディアン以外誰も見ていなかった。

So they were glad to see Pa, and he stayed there longer than he had meant to.

be glad to (嬉しく思う) [動] be happy to

longer (長く) [副] for a longer period of time

than (よりも) [接] used to introduce the second element in a comparison

だから彼らはパパに会えて嬉しかったし、パパは予定よりも長くそこに滞在した。

Then he rode on, and from a little rise in the prairie he saw a white speck down in the creek bottoms.

ride on (馬を走らせる) [動] continue riding

rise (高くなったところ) [名] an increase in the level of something

それからパパは馬を走らせ、草原の少し高くなったところから小川の底に白い点が見えた。

He thought it was a covered wagon, and it was.

it was (そうだった) [動] it was the case that

パパは幌馬車だと思ったし、実際そうだった。

When he came to it, he found a man and his wife and five children.

come to (近づく) [動] move or travel toward

wife (妻) [名] a married woman

five (5) [数] the number 5

パパが幌馬車に近づいてみると、男とその妻と5人の子供がいた。

They had come from Iowa, and they had camped in the bottoms because one of their horses was sick.

彼らはアイオワから来ていて、馬の1頭が病気だったので、谷底にキャンプしていた。

The horse was better now, but the bad night air so near the creek had given them fever’n’ague.

馬は良くなったが、小川に近い夜の悪い空気が彼らに熱病を与えていた。

The man and his wife and the three oldest children were too sick to stand up.

sick (具合が悪い) [形] affected by illness or disease

男とその妻と3人の年長の子供たちは、立ち上がれないほど具合が悪かった。

The little boy and girl, no bigger than Mary and Laura, were taking care of them.

boy (男の子) [名] a male child

no bigger than (と同じくらいの大きさの) [形] not larger than

take care of (世話をする) [動] look after; attend to

メアリーとローラと同じくらいの大きさの男の子と女の子が、彼らの世話をしていた。

So Pa did what he could for them, and then he rode back to tell the bachelors about them.

do what one can (できることをする) [動] do everything that is possible

ride back (馬で戻る) [動] go back on a horse

tell (伝える) [動] communicate information to

パパは彼らのためにできることをして、それから独身男性たちに彼らのことを伝えるために馬で戻った。

One of them rode right away to fetch that family up on the High Prairie, where they would soon get well in the good air.

fetch (連れて行く) [動] go and get someone or something

family (家族) [名] a group of people who are related to each other

get well (元気になる) [動] become healthy again

good air (良い空気) [名] air that is clean and fresh

独身男性の1人がすぐに馬で出かけ、その家族をハイ・プレーリーに連れて行き、そこで彼らはすぐに良い空気の中で元気になった。

One thing had led to another, until Pa was starting home later than he had meant.

one thing (用事) [名] an unspecified event or action

lead to (重なる) [動] cause to happen or occur

another (次) [名] an additional one of the same type

start (出発する) [動] begin a journey

パパが家を出発するまで、次から次へと用事が重なった。

He took a short cut across the prairie, and as he was loping along on Patty, suddenly out of a little draw came a pack of wolves.

take a short cut (近道をとる) [動] go by a shorter route

as (~すると) [接] at the same time that

lope along (走る) [動] run with a long, easy stride

draw (谷) [名] a valley

パパは草原を横切る近道をとり、パティに乗って走っていると、突然小さな谷から狼の群れが現れた。

They were all around Pa in a moment.

all around (周りを取り囲む) [副] on all sides of

in a moment (すぐに) [副] in a very short time

狼たちはすぐにパパの周りを取り囲んだ。

“It was a big pack,” Pa said.

「大きな群れだった」とパパは言った。

“All of fifty wolves, and the biggest wolves I ever saw in my life.

「50匹の狼がいて、私の人生で見た中で一番大きな狼だった。

Must be what they call buffalo wolves.

buffalo wolf (バッファローウルフ) [名] a wolf that preys on buffalo

must (違いない) [助] be certain or inevitable

バッファローウルフと呼ばれる狼に違いない。

Their leader’s a big gray brute that stands three feet at the shoulder, if an inch.

leader (リーダー) [名] the person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country

gray (灰色の) [形] of the color intermediate between black and white

brute (狼) [名] a savagely violent person or animal

stand (ある) [動] be in a specified state or condition

three feet (3フィート) [名] a unit of length equal to 12 inches

リーダーは大きな灰色の狼で、肩の高さが3フィートもある。

I tell you my hair stood straight on end.”

stand on end (逆立つ) [動] to be or become very frightened or shocked

髪の毛が逆立ったよ」

“And you didn’t have your gun,” said Ma.

「銃も持っていなかったんでしょ」とママは言った。

“I thought of that.

「それも考えた。

But my gun would have been no use if I’d had it.

no use (役に立たない) [名] not useful or helpful

でも銃を持っていても役に立たなかっただろう。

You can’t fight fifty wolves with one gun.

銃一丁で50匹のオオカミと戦うことはできない。

And Patty couldn’t outrun them.”

outrun (より速く走る) [動] run faster than

それにパティは彼らより速く走れない。」

“What did you do?” Ma asked.

「どうしたの?」とママが尋ねた。

“Nothing,” said Pa.

「何も」とパパは言った。

“Patty tried to run.

「パティは走ろうとした。

I never wanted anything worse than I wanted to get away from there.

get away (離れる) [動] move or travel away from a place

私はそこを離れたいと思った以上にひどいことを望んだことはなかった。

But I knew if Patty even started, those wolves would be on us in a minute, pulling us down.

start (走り始める) [動] begin doing something

be on (襲い掛かる) [動] attack

pull down (引きずり倒す) [動] cause to fall by pulling

しかし、パティが走り始めれば、狼はすぐに私たちに襲い掛かり、私たちを引きずり倒すだろうとわかっていた。

So I held Patty to a walk.”

だから私はパティを歩かせた。」

“Goodness, Charles!” Ma said under her breath.

goodness (なんてこと) [名] the quality of being good

under one's breath (小声で) [副] in a whisper

「なんてこと、チャールズ!」ママは小声で言った。

“Yes. I wouldn’t go through such a thing again for any money.

money (お金) [名] a current medium of exchange in the form of coins and banknotes

「そうだ。どんなお金を積まれても、あんなことは二度と経験したくない。

Caroline, I never saw such wolves.

キャロライン、あんな狼は見たことがない。

One big fellow trotted along, right by my stirrup.

along (そば) [副] in a line with the length of something

right (すぐ) [副] immediately; without delay

stirrup (あぶみ) [名] a support for the foot of a rider, typically a metal loop with a flat base attached to a saddle by a strap

一匹の大きなやつが私のあぶみのすぐそばを小走りしていた。

I could have kicked him in the ribs.

kick (蹴る) [動] strike or propel forcibly with the foot

rib (肋骨) [名] any of the 24 curved bones that are attached to the spine and protect the chest

肋骨を蹴り飛ばしてやろうかと思った。

They didn’t pay any attention to me at all.

pay attention (注意を払う) [動] direct one's mind to something

at all (全く) [副] in any way; to any extent

狼たちは私には全く注意を払わなかった。

They must have just made a kill and eaten all they could.

make a kill (獲物を仕留める) [動] kill an animal

all (できるだけ) [副] as much or as many as possible

狼たちは獲物を仕留めて、食べられるだけ食べたに違いない。

“I tell you, Caroline, those wolves just closed in around Patty and me and trotted along with us.

close in (近づく) [動] move nearer

「本当だよ、キャロライン、狼たちはパティと私の周りに近づいてきて、一緒に小走りしていたんだ。

In broad daylight.

broad daylight (白昼堂々) [名] the time of day when the sun is shining

白昼堂々。

For all the world like a pack of dogs going along with a horse.

for all the world (まるで) [副] in every way; exactly

dog (犬) [名] a domesticated carnivorous mammal that typically has a long snout, an acute sense of smell, and a barking, howling, or whining voice

go along with (一緒に歩く) [動] accompany

まるで犬の群れが馬と一緒に歩いているみたいだった。

They were all around us, trotting along, and jumping and playing and snapping at each other, just like dogs.”

snap (噛み付く) [動] bite or try to bite quickly and suddenly

狼たちは私たちの周りを小走りしたり、飛び跳ねたり、遊んだり、犬のように互いに噛み付いたりしていたんだ。」

“Goodness, Charles!” Ma said again.

「まあ、チャールズ!」ママはまた言った。

Laura’s heart was thumping fast, and her mouth and her eyes were wide open, staring at Pa.

thump (ドキドキ) [動] beat or strike heavily or loudly

wide (大きく) [形] of great extent from side to side; broad

ローラの心臓はドキドキと速く打ち、口と目は大きく開いてパパを見つめていた。

“Patty was shaking all over, and fighting the bit,” said Pa.

bit (くつわ) [名] a metal mouthpiece that is put into a horse's mouth and used to control the horse

「パティは全身を震わせて、くつわと戦っていた」とパパは言った。

“Sweat ran off her, she was so scared.

run off (流れる) [動] flow or cause to flow away

「彼女は汗を流し、とても怖がっていた。

I was sweating, too.

sweat (汗を流す) [動] to excrete heat slowly and steadily during workouts, when body temperature is lower

私も汗を流していた。

But I held her down to a walk, and we went walking along among those wolves.

hold down (歩かせた) [動] to keep in a low position

しかし、私は彼女を歩かせ、私たちは狼の中を歩いていった。

They came right along with us, a quarter of a mile or more.

come along (ついてくる) [動] accompany someone

right along (ずっと) [副] continuously

a quarter of a mile (4分の1マイル) [名] a unit of length equal to 440 yards

彼らは私たちと一緒に4分の1マイル以上もついてきた。

That big fellow trotted by my stirrup as if he were there to stay.

あの大きなやつは、まるでそこにいるかのように私のあぶみのそばを小走りしていた。

“Then we came to the head of a draw, running down into the creek bottoms.

「それから、私たちは小川の底に流れ落ちるくぼみの頭に来た。

The big gray leader went down it, and all the rest of the pack trotted down into it, behind him.

all the rest (残りすべて) [名] the remaining part of something

into (中へ) [前] expressing movement or action with the result that someone or something is enclosed or surrounded by something else

大きな灰色のリーダーがそこを下り、残りの群れはすべて彼の後ろを小走りで下りていった。

As soon as the last one was in the draw, I let Patty go.

draw (くぼみ) [名] a shallow depression in the ground

最後の一匹がくぼみに入るとすぐに、私はパティを放した。

“She headed straight for home, across the prairie.

head (向かう) [動] move in a specified direction

「彼女は大草原を横切って、まっすぐ家に向かった。

And she couldn’t have run faster if I’d been cutting into her with a rawhide whip.

cut into (打つ) [動] strike or hit

rawhide (生皮) [名] untanned cattle hide

whip (鞭) [名] a strip of leather or other flexible material used as a weapon or to urge on an animal

私が生皮の鞭で彼女を打ったとしても、彼女はもっと速く走ることはできなかっただろう。

I was scared the whole way.

be scared (怖がる) [動] be afraid or frightened

the whole way (ずっと) [副] all the way; completely

私はずっと怖かった。

I thought the wolves might be coming this way and they might be making better time than I was.

this way (こちら) [副] in this direction

make (来る) [動] travel or cover a distance

狼がこちらに向かって来ているかもしれないし、私よりも早く来ているかもしれないと思った。

I was glad you had the gun, Caroline.

be glad (よかった) [動] feel pleased about something

キャロライン、銃を持っていてよかったよ。

And glad the house is built.

家が建ってよかった。

I knew you could keep the wolves out of the house, with the gun.

銃があれば狼を家から遠ざけることができると分かっていた。

But Pet and the colt were outside.”

でもペットと子馬は外にいた。」

“You need not have worried, Charles,” Ma said.

「心配する必要はなかったのよ、チャールズ」とママは言った。

“I guess I would manage to save our horses.”

save (守る) [動] keep safe or rescue from harm

「私はなんとか馬を守れたと思うよ。」

“I was not fully reasonable, at the time,” said Pa.

fully (完全に) [副] completely

reasonable (理性的) [形] having or showing reason or sound judgment

at the time (その時) [名] at the moment being considered

「その時は、私は完全に理性的ではなかった」とパパは言った。

“I know you would save the horses, Caroline.

「君が馬を守ってくれるのは分かっているよ、キャロライン。

Those wolves wouldn’t bother you, anyway.

those (あの) [限] the ones mentioned

you (君) [代] the person being spoken to

いずれにせよ、あの狼たちは君を困らせないだろう。

If they had been hungry, I wouldn’t be here to——”

be hungry (空腹である) [動] have a need or desire to eat

be here (ここにいる) [動] be present in this place

もし彼らが空腹だったら、私はここにいないだろう」

“Little pitchers have big ears,” Ma said.

pitcher (つぼ) [名] a container with a handle and a spout for pouring liquids

「小さなつぼには大きな耳がある」とママは言った。

She meant that he must not frighten Mary and Laura.

彼女は、彼がメアリーとローラを怖がらせてはいけないという意味だった。

“Well, all’s well that ends well,” Pa replied.

all's well that ends well (終わりよければ全てよし) [他] a bad beginning can still have a good ending

reply (答える) [動] say something in response

「まあ、終わりよければ全てよしだ」とパパは答えた。

“And those wolves are miles from here by now.”

「そして、あの狼たちは今頃ここから何マイルも離れている」

“What made them act like that?”

make (させる) [動] cause to happen or exist

act (行動) [名] something that is done

「何が彼らをあんなにさせたの?」

Laura asked him.

ローラは彼に尋ねた。

“I don’t know, Laura,” he said.

「わからないよ、ローラ」と彼は言った。

“I guess they had just eaten all they could hold, and they were on their way to the creek to get a drink.

hold (食べる) [動] take into the body by the mouth

「彼らはちょうど食べられるだけ食べて、水を飲みに小川に向かう途中だったんだと思う。

Or perhaps they were out playing on the prairie, and not paying any attention to anything but their play, like little girls do sometimes.

out (外で) [副] not in a building

あるいは、彼らは草原で遊んでいて、小さな女の子が時々するように、遊び以外には何も注意を払っていなかったのかもしれない。

Perhaps they saw that I didn’t have my gun and couldn’t do them any harm.

harm (危害) [名] physical or mental damage or injury

おそらく、私が銃を持っていなくて、彼らに危害を加えることができないのを見たんだろうな。

Or perhaps they had never seen a man before and didn’t know that men can do them any harm.

あるいは、彼らはこれまで人間を見たことがなく、人間が彼らに危害を加えることができることを知らなかったのかもしれない。

So they didn’t think about me at all.”

think about (気にする) [動] to consider or be concerned about

だから、彼らは私のことを全く気にしていなかったんだ」

Pet and Patty were restlessly walking around and around, inside the barn.

ペットとパティは、納屋の中を落ち着きなく歩き回っていた。

Jack walked around the camp fire.

ジャックはキャンプファイヤーの周りを歩き回った。

When he stood still to smell the air and listen, the hair lifted on his neck.

smell (匂いを嗅ぐ) [動] to sense the odor of

lift (逆立つ) [動] to raise something to a higher position

彼が空気の匂いを嗅いで耳を傾けるためにじっと立ったとき、首の毛が逆立った。

“Bedtime for little girls!” Ma said, cheerfully.

「小さな女の子は寝る時間よ!」とママは元気よく言った。

Not even Baby Carrie was sleepy yet, but Ma took them all into the house.

not even (でさえ) [副] not in the least; not at all

yet (まだ) [副] up to the present time; so far

赤ん坊のキャリーでさえまだ眠くなかったが、ママはみんなを家の中に連れて行った。

She told Mary and Laura to go to bed, and she put Baby Carrie’s little nightgown on and laid her in the big bed.

go to bed (寝る) [動] go to sleep

lay (寝かせる) [動] put someone or something in a flat position

ママはメアリーとローラに寝るように言い、赤ん坊のキャリーに小さなネグリジェを着せて大きなベッドに寝かせた。

Then she went outdoors to do the dishes.

go outdoors (外に出た) [動] go outside

do the dishes (食器を洗う) [動] wash the dishes

それからママは食器を洗うために外に出た。

Laura wanted Pa and Ma in the house.

ローラはパパとママが家の中にいてほしいと思った。

They seemed so far away outside.

外にいるパパとママはとても遠くにいるように思えた。

Mary and Laura were good and lay still, but Carrie sat up and played by herself in the dark.

lay still (じっと寝ている) [動] lie without moving

by oneself (一人で) [副] without the help of others

メアリーとローラはいい子でじっと寝ていたが、キャリーは起き上がって暗闇の中で一人で遊んでいた。

In the dark Pa’s arm came from behind the quilt in the doorway and quietly took away his gun.

come from (出てくる) [動] move or travel from one place to another

behind (後ろから) [前] at or to the rear of

quietly (静かに) [副] with little or no noise

take away (取り上げる) [動] remove or carry something from a place

暗闇の中でパパの腕が戸口のキルトの後ろから出てきて、静かに銃を取り上げた。

Out by the camp fire the tin plates rattled.

out by (そばで) [前] near or next to

キャンプファイヤーのそばでブリキの皿がガタガタと音を立てた。

Then a knife scraped the spider.

scrape (こする) [動] move or cause to move with a grating or scratching sound

それからナイフがクモをこすった。

Ma and Pa were talking together and Laura smelled tobacco smoke.

ママとパパは一緒に話していて、ローラはタバコの煙の匂いがした。

The house was safe, but it did not feel safe because Pa’s gun was not over the door and there was no door;

家は安全だったが、パパの銃がドアの上になく、ドアもなかったので安全だとは感じられなかった。

there was only the quilt.

there be (ある) [動] exist

キルトしかなかった。

After a long time Ma lifted the quilt.

after a long time (長い時間の後) [副] after a long period of time

長い時間の後、ママはキルトを持ち上げた。

Baby Carrie was asleep then.

赤ん坊のキャリーはその時眠っていた。

Ma and Pa came in very quietly and very quietly went to bed.

ママとパパはとても静かに入って来て、とても静かにベッドに行った。

Jack lay across the doorway, but his chin was not on his paws.

lie across (横たわる) [動] be in or assume a horizontal or resting position

chin (顎) [名] the lower part of a person's face below the mouth

ジャックは出入り口に横たわっていたが、彼の顎は彼の前足の上になかった。

His head was up, listening.

be up (上を向いている) [動] be in a raised position

彼の頭は上を向いていて、耳を澄ましていた。

Ma breathed softly, Pa breathed heavily, and Mary was asleep, too.

softly (静かに) [副] in a quiet manner

heavily (大きく) [副] in a heavy manner

ママは静かに息をし、パパは大きく息をし、メアリーも眠っていた。

But Laura strained her eyes in the dark to watch Jack.

strain (凝らす) [動] make a strenuous or violent effort

しかし、ローラは暗闇の中でジャックを見るために目を凝らした。

She could not tell whether the hair was standing up on his neck.

彼女は彼の首の毛が立っているかどうかは分からなかった。

Suddenly she was sitting straight up in bed.

突然、彼女はベッドにまっすぐ座った。

She had been asleep.

彼女は眠っていた。

The dark was gone.

暗闇は消えていた。

Moonlight streamed through the window hole and streaks of moonlight came through every crack in that wall.

stream (流れ込む) [動] flow or move steadily and continuously

月明かりが窓の穴から流れ込み、月明かりの筋がその壁のあらゆる割れ目から差し込んでいた。

Pa stood black in the moonlight at the window.

パパは月明かりの窓際に黒く立っていた。

He had his gun.

彼は銃を持っていた。

Right in Laura’s ear a wolf howled.

right in (すぐそばで) [副] very close to

ローラの耳のすぐそばで狼が遠吠えした。

She scringed away from the wall.

scringe (身をすくめる) [動] to move or contract one's body in a frightened or painful way

away (離れる) [副] from a place or position

彼女は壁から身をすくめた。

The wolf was on the other side of it.

other side (反対側) [名] the side that is not the one you are on

狼はその反対側にいた。

Laura was too scared to make a sound.

too scared (怖くて) [形] frightened; terrified

ローラは怖くて音を立てることができなかった。

The cold was not in her backbone only, it was all through her.

cold (寒さ) [名] the state of having a low temperature

all through (全身に) [副] throughout

寒さは背骨だけに感じられたのではなく、全身に感じられた。

Mary pulled the quilt over her head.

pull (かぶる) [動] move something into a specified position by exerting force on it

メアリーはキルトを頭からかぶった。

Jack growled and showed his teeth at the quilt in the doorway.

teeth (歯) [名] the hard white structures in the mouth used for biting and chewing

ジャックは唸り、出入り口のキルトに歯をむき出した。

“Be still, Jack,” Pa said.

be still (静かに) [動] to be quiet or silent

「ジャック、静かに」パパは言った。

Terrible howls curled all around inside the house, and Laura rose out of bed.

curl (ぐるぐる回る) [動] move or cause to move in a spiral or curved form

恐ろしい遠吠えが家の中をぐるぐる回り、ローラはベッドから起き上がった。

She wanted to go to Pa, but she knew better than to bother him now.

want to (したい) [動] wish or desire to do something

go to (行く) [動] move or travel toward

know better than to (分かっている) [動] be wise enough to avoid

bother (煩わせる) [動] give trouble to; disturb

彼女はパパのところに行きたいと思ったが、今は彼を煩わせるべきではないと分かっていた。

He turned his head and saw her standing in her nightgown.

turn one's head (頭を振る) [動] turn one's head to look in a different direction

彼は頭を振り、彼女が寝間着姿で立っているのを見た。

“Want to see them, Laura?” he asked, softly.

「見たいかい、ローラ?」彼は優しく尋ねた。

Laura couldn’t say anything, but she nodded, and padded across the ground to him.

couldn't say anything (何も言えなかった) [動] be unable to speak

nod (うなずく) [動] move your head to show that you agree or understand

pad (歩いて行く) [動] walk or run with a soft, muffled step

ローラは何も言えなかったが、うなずいて、彼のところまで歩いて行った。

He stood his gun against the wall and lifted her up to the window hole.

彼は銃を壁に立てかけ、彼女を窓の穴まで持ち上げた。

There in the moonlight sat half a circle of wolves.

月明かりの下で、狼が半円を描いて座っていた。

They sat on their haunches and looked at Laura in the window, and she looked at them.

haunch (後ろ足) [名] the hip and upper thigh of a person or animal

彼らは後ろ足で座り、窓のローラを見つめ、彼女も彼らを見つめた。

She had never seen such big wolves.

彼女はこんな大きな狼を見たことがなかった。

The biggest one was taller than Laura.

一番大きいのはローラより背が高かった。

He was taller even than Mary.

even (より) [副] to a greater extent or degree than is usual or expected

彼はメアリーより背が高かった。

He sat in the middle, exactly opposite Laura.

exactly (ちょうど) [副] precisely; accurately

opposite (向かいに) [前] facing or on the other side of

彼は真ん中に座り、ローラの真向かいにいた。

Everything about him was big—his pointed ears, and his pointed mouth with the tongue hanging out, and his strong shoulders and legs, and his two paws side by side, and his tail curled around the squatting haunch.

side by side (並んで) [副] next to each other

curl (巻き付く) [動] form or cause to form into a curved or spiral shape

squatting (しゃがむ) [動] sit on one's heels with the knees bent and the heels close to or touching the buttocks

彼の全てが大きかった—尖った耳、舌を垂らした尖った口、強い肩と脚、並んだ2つの前足、しゃがんだ腰に巻き付いた尻尾。

His coat was shaggy gray and his eyes were glittering green.

coat (毛) [名] the hair, fur, or wool covering the body of an animal

shaggy (もじゃもじゃの) [形] having long, rough, untidy hair

彼の毛はもじゃもじゃの灰色で、目は緑に輝いていた。

Laura clutched her toes into a crack of the wall and she folded her arms on the window slab, and she looked and looked at that wolf.

clutch (挟む) [動] hold tightly

toe (足の指) [名] one of the five digits at the end of the foot

look (見つめる) [動] direct one's gaze at

ローラは壁の割れ目に足の指を挟み、窓枠に腕を組んで、その狼をじっと見つめた。

But she did not put her head through the empty window space into the outdoors where all those wolves sat so near her, shifting their paws and licking their chops.

put one's head (頭を出す) [動] to stick one's head out of a window, door, etc.

shift (動かす) [動] to change position or direction

しかし、彼女は頭を空の窓から外に出すことはなかった。狼たちは彼女のすぐ近くに座り、前足を動かしたり、口をなめたりしていた。

Pa stood firm against her back and kept his arm tight around her middle.

stand firm (しっかりと立つ) [動] to be determined and not change your mind

against (後ろに) [前] in opposition to

パパは彼女の背中にしっかりと立ち、彼女の腰に腕を回した。

“He’s awful big,” Laura whispered.

awful (ひどく) [形] very bad or unpleasant

「彼はひどく大きい」とローラはささやいた。

“Yes, and see how his coat shines,” Pa whispered into her hair.

「そうだね、そして彼の毛皮がどれほど輝いているか見てごらん」とパパは彼女の髪にささやいた。

The moonlight made little glitters in the edges of the shaggy fur, all around the big wolf.

glitter (きらめき) [名] a bright light that shines or flashes

shaggy (毛むくじゃらの) [形] having or covered with long, rough hair

月明かりが大きな狼の周りの毛むくじゃらの毛皮の端に小さなきらめきを作り出した。

“They are in a ring clear around the house,” Pa whispered.

in a ring (ぐるりと囲んでいる) [副] in a circular formation

clear (はっきりと) [副] in a clear manner

「彼らは家の周りをぐるりと囲んでいる」とパパはささやいた。

Laura pattered beside him to the other window.

pitter-patter (パタパタ) [名] a light, quick tapping sound

ローラは彼の横をパタパタと歩いてもう一つの窓まで行った。

He leaned his gun against that wall and lifted her up again.

彼は銃をその壁に立てかけ、彼女を再び抱き上げた。

There, sure enough, was the other half of the circle of wolves.

sure enough (確かに) [副] as expected

other half (残りの半分) [名] the remaining half

そこには、確かに、狼の輪の残りの半分があった。

All their eyes glittered green in the shadow of the house.

彼らの目はすべて家の影の中で緑色に輝いていた。

Laura could hear their breathing.

breathing (息遣い) [名] the process of taking air into and expelling it from the lungs

ローラは彼らの息遣いを聞くことができた。

When they saw Pa and Laura looking out, the middle of the circle moved back a little way.

move back (後ろに下がる) [動] move away from the front

パパとローラが外を見ているのを見て、輪の真ん中が少し後ろに下がった。

Pet and Patty were squealing and running inside the barn.

run (走り回る) [動] to move at a speed faster than a walk

ペットとパティは悲鳴を上げながら納屋の中を走り回っていた。

Their hoofs pounded the ground and crashed against the walls.

pound (踏み鳴らす) [動] strike or hit heavily and repeatedly

crash (ぶつかる) [動] collide or smash violently

彼らのひづめは地面を踏み鳴らし、壁にぶつかった。

After a moment Pa went back to the other window, and Laura went, too.

after a moment (しばらくして) [副] after a short period of time

go back (戻る) [動] return to a previous place or state

しばらくしてパパは別の窓に戻り、ローラも行った。

They were just in time to see the big wolf lift his nose till it pointed straight at the sky.

just in time (ちょうど) [副] at the last moment

ちょうど大きな狼が鼻を空に向けて上げるのが見えた。

His mouth opened, and a long howl rose toward the moon.

口を開け、長い遠吠えが月に向かって上がった。

Then all around the house the circle of wolves pointed their noses toward the sky and answered him.

point (向ける) [動] direct or aim

すると家の周りの狼の輪は鼻を空に向けて答えた。

Their howls shuddered through the house and filled the moonlight and quavered away across the vast silence of the prairie.

shudder (震わせる) [動] tremble or shiver

quaver (震わせる) [動] tremble or shake

silence (静寂) [名] the complete absence of sound

遠吠えは家を震わせ、月明かりを満たし、大草原の広大な静寂を震わせた。

“Now go back to bed, little half-pint,” Pa said.

「さあ、ベッドに戻りなさい、小さな半パイント」とパパは言った。

“Go to sleep. Jack and I will take care of you all.”

take care of (面倒を見る) [動] be responsible for

「寝なさい。ジャックと私がみんなの面倒を見るよ」

So Laura went back to bed.

それでローラはベッドに戻った。

But for a long time she did not sleep.

not sleep (眠れない) [動] be unable to sleep

しかし、長い間眠れなかった。

She lay and listened to the breathing of the wolves on the other side of the log wall.

lie (横になる) [動] be in or assume a horizontal or resting position

彼女は横になって、丸太の壁の向こう側にいる狼の息遣いに耳を傾けた。

She heard the scratch of their claws on the ground, and the snuffling of a nose at a crack.

scratch (ひっかく) [動] make a long, narrow superficial wound or mark with a sharp or pointed object

snuffle (鼻を鳴らす) [動] breathe noisily through the nose

彼女は地面をひっかく狼の爪の音と、割れ目から鼻を鳴らす音を聞いた。

She heard the big gray leader howl again, and all the others answering him.

other (他の) [形] used to refer to a person or thing that is different or distinct from one already mentioned or known about

彼女は大きな灰色のリーダーが再び遠吠えし、他の狼がそれに答えるのを聞いた。

But Pa was walking quietly from one window hole to the other, and Jack did not stop pacing up and down before the quilt that hung in the doorway.

other (別の) [形] different from the one already mentioned or considered

pace (歩く) [動] walk with slow or regular steps

up and down (行ったり来たり) [副] to and fro

しかし、パパは静かに窓の穴から別の窓の穴まで歩き、ジャックは出入り口に掛けられたキルトの前を行ったり来たり歩くのを止めなかった。

The wolves might howl, but they could not get in while Pa and Jack were there.

get in (中に入る) [動] enter a place

狼は遠吠えするかもしれないが、パパとジャックがいる間は中に入ることはできない。

So at last Laura fell asleep.

こうしてローラはついに眠りに落ちた。

Chapter 8: TWO STOUT DOORS

第8章: 頑丈な2つのドア

Laura felt a soft warmth on her face and opened her eyes into morning sunshine.

morning (朝) [名] the period of time from sunrise to noon

ローラは顔に柔らかい暖かさを感じ、目を開けると朝の陽射しが差し込んでいた。

Mary was talking to Ma by the camp fire.

メアリーはキャンプファイヤーのそばでママと話していた。

Laura ran outdoors, all bare inside her nightgown.

ローラは寝巻きのまま裸足で外に飛び出した。

There were no wolves to be seen;

be seen (見える) [動] be visible

狼はどこにも見えなかった。

only their tracks were thick around the house and the stable.

track (足跡) [名] a mark left by a person, animal, or vehicle

家と馬小屋の周りに狼の足跡がびっしりと残っているだけだった。

Pa came whistling up the creek road.

パパが小川の道を口笛を吹きながらやってきた。

He put his gun on its pegs and led Pet and Patty to the creek to drink as usual.

put (掛ける) [動] place something in a specified place

lead (連れて行く) [動] cause to go with oneself

drink (水を飲ませる) [動] take liquid into the mouth and swallow it

パパは銃を掛け、いつものようにペットとパティを小川に連れて行き水を飲ませた。

He had followed the wolf tracks so far that he knew they were far away now, following a herd of deer.

herd (群れ) [名] a large group of animals

パパは狼の足跡をずっと追いかけて、狼が鹿の群れを追いかけて遠くに行ってしまったことを知った。

The mustangs shied at the wolves’ tracks and pricked their ears nervously, and Pet kept her colt close at her side.

shy (避ける) [動] move or turn aside suddenly in alarm

nervously (神経質に) [副] in a nervous manner

ムスタングは狼の足跡を避けて神経質に耳を立て、ペットは子馬を自分のそばに寄せていた。

But they went willingly with Pa, who knew there was nothing to fear.

willingly (喜んで) [副] of one's own free will; voluntarily

fear (恐れる) [動] be afraid of

しかし、馬たちは恐れるものが何もないことを知っているパパとなら喜んで行った。

Breakfast was ready.

朝食の準備が整った。

When Pa came back from the creek they all sat by the fire and ate fried mush and prairie-chicken hash.

fried mush (揚げマッシュ) [名] a dish made from cornmeal

prairie-chicken hash (プレーリーチキンのハッシュ) [名] a dish made from chopped prairie chicken

パパが小川から戻ってくると、みんなで火のそばに座って、揚げマッシュとプレーリーチキンのハッシュを食べた。

Pa said he would make a door that very day.

パパはその日のうちにドアを作ると言った。

He wanted more than a quilt between them and the wolves, next time.

パパは次回、自分たちと狼の間にキルト以上のものが欲しかった。

“I have no more nails, but I’ll not keep on waiting till I can make a trip to Independence,” he said.

nail (釘) [名] a small metal object with a pointed end and a flat head, used to join things together

trip (旅行) [名] a journey, especially for pleasure

Independence (インディペンデンス) [名] a city in the U.S. state of Missouri

「釘はもうないけど、インディペンデンスまで行けるまで待つつもりはない」とパパは言った。

“A man doesn’t need nails to build a house or make a door.”

「家を建てたり、ドアを作ったりするのに釘は必要ない」

After breakfast he hitched up Pet and Patty, and taking his ax he went to get timber for the door.

after breakfast (朝食後) [副] after the first meal of the day

hitch up (つなぐ) [動] fasten or harness

朝食後、パパはペットとパティに馬車をつなぎ、斧を持ってドア用の木材を取りに行った。

Laura helped wash the dishes and make the beds, but that day Mary minded the baby.

ローラは食器洗いやベッドメイキングを手伝ったが、その日はメアリーが赤ちゃんの世話をした。

Laura helped Pa make the door.

ローラはパパがドアを作るのを手伝った。

Mary watched, but Laura handed him his tools.

hand (渡す) [動] give or pass with the hand

tool (道具) [名] a device or implement, especially one held in the hand, used to carry out a particular function

メアリーは見ていたが、ローラはパパに道具を渡した。

With the saw he sawed logs the right length for a door.

saw (のこぎり) [名] a tool with a toothed blade used for cutting wood

saw (切る) [動] cut with a saw

right (適した) [形] correct or proper

length (長さ) [名] the measurement of something from end to end

パパはのこぎりで丸太をドアに適した長さに切った。

He sawed shorter lengths for cross-pieces.

shorter (短い) [形] having a small distance from one end to the other

cross-piece (横木) [名] a piece of wood that is placed across something else

パパは横木用に短い長さに切った。

Then with the ax he split the logs into slabs, and smoothed them nicely.

smooth (滑らかにする) [動] make smooth or smoother

それからパパは斧で丸太を厚板に割り、きれいに滑らかにした。

He laid the long slabs together on the ground and placed the shorter slabs across them.

place (置く) [動] put something in a particular position

パパは長い厚板を地面に並べ、その上に短い厚板を置いた。

Then with the auger he bored holes through the cross-pieces into the long slabs.

auger (穴あけ) [名] a tool for boring holes

bore (開ける) [動] make a hole in

それからパパは横木に穴を開けて長い厚板に穴を開けた。

Into every hole he drove a wooden peg that fitted tightly.

every (すべての) [形] each and all of a group

パパはすべての穴にぴったり合う木製の釘を打ち込んだ。

That made the door.

これでドアができた。

It was a good oak door, solid and strong.

oak (オーク) [名] a tree of the genus Quercus

それは頑丈で丈夫な良いオークのドアだった。

For the hinges he cut three long straps.

hinge (蝶番) [名] a jointed or flexible device that allows a door, gate, or lid to swing open and closed

strap (革紐) [名] a strip of leather or other flexible material used to fasten, secure, or carry something

パパは蝶番のために3本の長い革紐を切った。

One hinge was to be near the top of the door, one near the bottom, and one in the middle.

be to (付ける予定だった) [助] be going to; be about to; be on the point of

bottom (下部) [名] the lowest point, part, or level of something

1つの蝶番はドアの上部近くに、1つは下部近くに、1つは中央に付ける予定だった。

He fastened them first to the door, in this way: He laid a little piece of wood on the door, and bored a hole through it into the door.

パパはまずドアに蝶番を固定した。ドアの上に小さな木片を置き、それを貫通してドアに穴を開けた。

Then he doubled one end of a strap around the little piece of wood, and with his knife cut round holes through the strap.

double (巻き付ける) [動] fold or bend over on itself

それから、革紐の片端を小さな木片に巻き付け、ナイフで革紐に丸い穴を開けた。

He laid the little piece of wood on the door again, with the strap doubled around it, and all the holes making one hole.

piece of wood (木片) [名] a small piece of wood

パパは革紐を巻き付けた小さな木片を再びドアの上に置き、すべての穴を1つの穴にした。

Then Laura gave him a peg and the hammer, and he drove the peg into the hole.

hammer (ハンマー) [名] a tool with a heavy metal head and a handle, used for breaking things or driving nails

それからローラはパパに釘とハンマーを渡し、パパは釘を穴に打ち込んだ。

The peg went through the strap and the little piece of wood and through the strap again and into the door.

go through (貫通する) [動] pass through or across

釘は革紐と小さな木片を貫通し、再び革紐を貫通してドアに入った。

That held the strap so that it couldn’t get loose.

get loose (緩む) [動] become loose or looser

これで革紐が固定され、緩むことがなくなった。

“I told you a fellow doesn’t need nails!” Pa said.

「釘は必要ないと言っただろう!」とパパは言った。

When he had fastened the three hinges to the door, he set the door in the doorway.

パパは3つの蝶番をドアに固定すると、ドアを戸口にはめ込んだ。

It fitted.

ぴったりだった。

Then he pegged strips of wood to the old slabs on either side of the doorway, to keep the door from swinging outward.

peg (打ち付ける) [動] to fasten or hold in place with a peg

keep (しないように) [動] to cause to continue; maintain

swing (開く) [動] to move or cause to move back and forth or from side to side

outward (外側に) [副] toward the outside

それから、ドアが外側に開かないように、戸口の両側の古い板に木の板を打ち付けた。

He set the door in place again, and Laura stood against it to hold it there, while Pa fastened the hinges to the door-frame.

set in place (はめ込む) [動] put something in the correct or intended position

パパはドアを再びはめ込み、ローラはドアを支えるためにそれにもたれかかり、パパは蝶番をドア枠に固定した。

But before he did this he had made the latch on the door, because, of course, there must be some way to keep a door shut.

do (つくる) [動] make, produce, or create

latch (掛け金) [名] a fastening for a door or window

shut (閉める) [動] move a door or window so as to leave no space or gap

しかし、その前にドアの掛け金をつくった。もちろん、ドアを閉めておく方法が何か必要だったからだ。

This was the way he made the latch:

way (作り方) [名] how something is done or how it happens

掛け金の作り方はこうだった。

First he hewed a short, thick piece of oak.

まず、短くて厚いオークの木片を削った。

From one side of this, in the middle, he cut a wide, deep notch.

one side (片側) [名] one of the two parts of something that are on opposite sides of a line or space

その片側の真ん中に、広く深い切り込みを入れた。

He pegged this stick to the inside of the door, up and down and near the edge.

stick (棒) [名] a long thin piece of wood

パパはこの棒をドアの内側の端の近くに上下に打ち付けた。

He put the notched side against the door, so that the notch made a little slot.

make (なる) [動] become

slot (溝) [名] a long, narrow opening

切り込みを入れた側をドアに向けて、切り込みが小さな溝になるようにした。

Then he hewed and whittled a longer, smaller stick.

whittle (削る) [動] cut or shape (wood) with a knife

それから、もっと長くて細い棒を削った。

This stick was small enough to slip easily through the slot.

slip (通れる) [動] move or cause to move smoothly and quickly

この棒は溝を簡単に通れるほど細かった。

He slid one end of it through the slot, and he pegged the other end to the door.

パパはその棒の片方の端を溝に通して、もう片方の端をドアに打ち付けた。

But he did not peg it tightly.

でも、きつく打ち付けたわけではない。

The peg was solid and firm in the door, but the hole in the stick was larger than the peg.

firm (しっかり) [形] strong and in one piece

釘はドアにしっかり打ち込まれていたが、棒の穴は釘よりも大きかった。

The only thing that held the stick on the door was the slot.

棒をドアに固定しているのは溝だけだった。

This stick was the latch.

この棒が掛け金だった。

It turned easily on the peg, and its loose end moved up and down in the slot.

easily (簡単に) [副] without difficulty or effort

up and down (上下に) [副] in an alternating upward and downward direction

釘の上で簡単に回り、ゆるい端は溝の中で上下に動いた。

And the loose end of it was long enough to go through the slot and across the crack between the door and the wall, and to lie against the wall when the door was shut.

go through (通り抜ける) [動] pass through something

そして、そのゆるい端は、溝を通り抜けてドアと壁の間の隙間を横切って、ドアが閉じられたときに壁に寄りかかるのに十分な長さだった。

When Pa and Laura had hung the door in the doorway, Pa marked the spot on the wall where the end of the latch came.

mark (印を付ける) [動] make a visible sign on

spot (場所) [名] a particular place or location

パパとローラがドアを出入り口に掛けると、パパは掛け金の端が来る場所を壁に印を付けた。

Over that spot he pegged to the wall a stout piece of oak.

その場所に、彼は頑丈なオークの木片を壁に釘で打ち付けた。

This piece of oak was cut out at the top, so that the latch could drop between it and the wall.

cut out (切り取られる) [動] remove by cutting

drop (落ちる) [動] fall or cause to fall

このオークの木片は上部が切り取られていて、掛け金がそれと壁の間に落ちるようになっていました。

Now Laura pushed the door shut, and while she pushed she lifted the end of the latch as high as it would go in the slot.

push (閉める) [動] move or cause to move into a closed position

ローラはドアを閉め、閉めている間に掛け金の端を溝に入る限り高く持ち上げた。

Then she let it fall into its place behind the stout piece of oak.

let (落とす) [動] allow to fall

それから、彼女はそれを頑丈なオークの木片の後ろの所定の位置に落とした。

That held the latch against the wall, and the up-and-down strip held the latch in its slot against the door.

up-and-down (上下) [形] moving or extending from a higher to a lower position and back again

これで掛け金が壁に固定され、上下の板が掛け金をドアに対して溝に固定した。

Nobody could break in without breaking the strong latch in two.

break in (侵入する) [動] enter a building by force

誰もこの頑丈な掛け金を二つに折らずに侵入することはできない。

But there must be a way to lift the latch from the outside.

must (~に違いない) [助] be obliged to; be required to

しかし、外から掛け金を持ち上げる方法があるはずだ。

So Pa made the latch-string.

latch-string (掛け金の紐) [名] a string that is attached to a latch and is used to open the door from the outside

そこでパパは掛け金の紐を作った。

He cut it from a long strip of good leather.

cut (切り出す) [動] make an opening, incision, or wound in

leather (革) [名] a material made from the skin of an animal

彼はそれを良い革の長い帯から切り出した。

He tied one end to the latch, between the peg and the slot.

peg (留め具) [名] a small wooden or plastic pin

彼は片方の端を掛け金の留め具と溝の間に結びつけた。

Above the latch he bored a small hole through the door, and he pushed the end of the latch-string through the hole.

push (押し出す) [動] exert force on (someone or something) in order to move them away from oneself or from the origin of the force

彼は掛け金の上にドアに小さな穴を開け、掛け金の紐の端を穴から押し出した。

Laura stood outside, and when the end of the latch-string came through the hole she took hold of it and pulled.

take hold of (つかむ) [動] grip or grasp firmly

ローラは外に立ち、掛け金の紐の端が穴から出てきたらそれをつかんで引っ張った。

She could pull it hard enough to lift the latch and let herself in.

let (入れる) [動] allow to enter

彼女は掛け金を持ち上げて中に入るのに十分な強さで引っ張ることができた。

The door was finished.

ドアは完成した。

It was strong and solid, made of thick oak with oak slabs across it, all pegged together with good stout pegs.

それは丈夫で頑丈で、厚いオーク材で作られ、オークの厚板が横に渡され、すべてが頑丈なペグで固定されていた。

The latch-string was out;

掛け金の紐は外に出ていた。

if you wanted to come in, you pulled the latch-string.

come in (入る) [動] go or come inside

中に入りたい場合は、掛け金の紐を引っ張った。

But if you were inside and wanted to keep anyone out, then you pulled the latch-string in through its hole and nobody could get in.

keep out (入れたくない) [動] prevent from entering

get in (入る) [動] go or come in

しかし、中にいるときに誰も入れたくない場合は、掛け金の紐を穴から引っ張り、誰も入ることができないようにした。

There was no doorknob on that door, and there was no keyhole and no key.

doorknob (ドアノブ) [名] a handle that is turned to open a door

keyhole (鍵穴) [名] a hole in a door or lock into which a key is inserted

key (鍵) [名] a small piece of metal that is used to open a lock

そのドアにはドアノブがなく、鍵穴も鍵もなかった。

But it was a good door.

しかし、それは良いドアだった。

“I call that a good day’s work!” said Pa.

call (言う) [動] to say or state

good day's work (よく働いた) [名] a day on which a lot of work is done

「今日はよく働いたな!」とパパは言った。

“And I had a fine little helper!”

helper (助手) [名] someone who helps another person

「そして、私には素晴らしい小さな助手がいた!」

He hugged the top of Laura’s head with his hand.

彼はローラの頭のてっぺんを抱きしめた。

Then he gathered up his tools and put them away, whistling, and he went to take Pet and Patty from their picket-lines to water.

gather up (集める) [動] collect or bring together

put away (片付ける) [動] to store or put in a safe place

それから彼は道具を集めて片付け、口笛を吹きながら、ペットとパティをピケットラインから水に連れて行った。

The sun was setting, the breeze was cooler, and supper cooking on the fire made the best supper-smells that Laura had ever smelled.

set (沈む) [動] go below the horizon

breeze (そよ風) [名] a gentle wind

日が沈み、そよ風が涼しくなり、火で調理する夕食はローラが今まで嗅いだ中で最高の夕食の匂いをさせた。

There was salt pork for supper.

salt pork (塩豚) [名] pork cured in salt

夕食には塩豚があった。

It was the last of the salt pork, so next day Pa went hunting.

塩豚の最後だったので、翌日パパは狩りに行った。

But the day after that he and Laura made the barn door.

the day after (翌日) [名] the day following the one specified

しかし、その翌日、彼とローラは納屋の扉を作った。

It was exactly like the house door, except that it had no latch.

exactly (全く) [副] in every way; precisely

except (除いて) [前] not including; other than

掛け金がないことを除いて、それは家のドアと全く同じだった。

Pet and Patty did not understand door-latches and would not pull a latch-string in at night.

door-latch (ドアの掛け金) [名] a device for keeping a door closed

understand (理解する) [動] perceive the intended meaning of

ペットとパティはドアの掛け金を理解せず、夜に掛け金の紐を引っ張らなかった。

So instead of a latch Pa made a hole through the door, and he put a chain through the hole.

make a hole (穴を開ける) [動] create a hole

put a chain (鎖を通す) [動] pass a chain through

だから掛け金の代わりにパパはドアに穴を開け、その穴に鎖を通した。

At night he would pull an end of the chain through a crack between the logs in the stable wall, and he would padlock the two ends of the chain together.

pull (引っ張り出す) [動] move something toward oneself or the origin of the force

chain (鎖) [名] a series of connected metal links

padlock (南京錠) [名] a detachable lock with a U-shaped bar that is passed through a staple or link and then snapped shut

夜になると、彼は鎖の端を馬小屋の壁の丸太の間の割れ目から引っ張り出し、鎖の両端を南京錠でつなぐのだった。

Then nobody could get into that stable.

get into (入る) [動] go or come in

そうすれば誰も馬小屋に入ることができなかった。

“Now we’re all snug!” Pa said.

「これでみんな暖かくなったぞ!」とパパは言った。

When neighbors began to come into a country, it was best to lock up your horses at night, because, where there are deer there will be wolves, and where there are horses, there will be horse-thieves.

lock up (閉じ込める) [動] fasten or secure (something) with a lock

horse-thief (馬泥棒) [名] a person who steals horses

近所の人が田舎に来るようになったら、夜は馬を閉じ込めておいたほうがいい。鹿がいるところには狼がいて、馬がいるところには馬泥棒がいるからだ。

That night at supper Pa said to Ma, “Now, Caroline, as soon as we get Edwards’ house up, I’m going to build you a fireplace, so you can do your cooking in the house, out of the wind and the storms.

get up (建てる) [動] build

storm (嵐) [名] a violent disturbance of the atmosphere with strong winds and usually rain, snow, or hail

その夜の夕食の時、パパはママに言った、「キャロライン、エドワーズの家が建ったらすぐに、暖炉を作ってあげるから、風や嵐にさらされずに家の中で料理ができるようになる。

It seems like I never did see a place with so much sunshine, but I suppose it’s bound to rain sometime.”

so much (こんなに) [副] to such a great extent

bound to (きっと) [形] certain; sure

sometime (いつか) [副] at some unspecified or unknown time in the future

こんなに日差しが強い場所は見たことがない気がするが、いつかは雨が降るだろう。」

“Yes, Charles,” Ma said.

「そうね、チャールズ」とママは言った。

“Good weather never lasts forever on this earth.”

good weather (良い天気) [名] weather that is pleasant or favorable

last (続く) [動] continue or be able to continue for a specified period of time

forever (永遠に) [副] for all time; eternally

earth (この世) [名] the planet on which we live

「この世に良い天気が永遠に続くことはないよ。」

Chapter 9: A FIRE ON THE HEARTH

hearth (暖炉) [名] the floor of a fireplace

第9章: 暖炉の火

Outside the house, close to the log wall opposite the door, Pa cut away the grass and scraped the ground smooth.

cut away (刈り取る) [動] to remove by cutting

scrape (削る) [動] to remove the surface of something by rubbing it with a sharp or rough object

家の外で、ドアの反対側の丸太の壁の近くで、パパは草を刈り、地面を平らに削った。

He was getting ready to build the fireplace.

get ready (準備する) [動] prepare oneself for something

彼は暖炉を作る準備をしていた。

Then he and Ma put the wagon-box on the wheels again, and Pa hitched up Pet and Patty.

hitch up (つなぎ合わせる) [動] to fasten or harness together

それから彼とママは荷車の箱を再び車輪に乗せ、パパはペットとパティをつなぎ合わせた。

The rising sun was shortening all the shadows.

rising sun (昇る太陽) [名] the sun as it appears above the horizon

shorten (短くする) [動] make shorter

昇る太陽がすべての影を短くしていた。

Hundreds of meadow larks were rising from the prairie, singing higher and higher in the air.

何百羽ものヒバリが草原から舞い上がり、空高く歌っていた。

Their songs came down from the great, clear sky like a rain of music.

彼らの歌は、音楽の雨のように、大きく澄んだ空から降り注いでいた。

And all over the land, where the grasses waved and murmured under the wind, thousands of little dickie-birds clung with their tiny claws to the blossoming weeds and sang their thousands of little songs.

murmur (ざわめく) [動] say something in a low voice

blossom (花) [名] a flower or a mass of flowers on a tree

そして、草が風に揺れてざわめく大地のいたるところで、何千もの小さなディッキー鳥が小さな爪で花の咲く雑草にしがみつき、何千もの小さな歌を歌っていた。

Pet and Patty sniffed the wind and whinnied with joy.

sniff (嗅ぐ) [動] to draw air into the nose with a sharp audible inhalation

ペットとパティは風を嗅ぎ、喜びの声を上げた。

They arched their necks and pawed at the ground because they were eager to go.

arch (反らす) [動] to form or cause to form an arch

paw (足でかく) [動] to strike or scrape with a paw

eager (たまらない) [形] strongly wanting to do or have something

彼らは首を反らせ、地面を足でかき、出発したくてたまらなかった。

Pa was whistling while he climbed to the wagon-seat and took up the reins.

take up (握る) [動] to grasp or grip something

パパは口笛を吹きながら馬車の座席に登り、手綱を握った。

Then he looked down at Laura, who was looking up at him, and he stopped whistling and said: “Want to go along, Laura? You and Mary?”

go along (行く) [動] move or travel in a specified direction

それから彼は彼を見上げているローラを見下ろし、口笛を吹くのをやめて言った。「一緒に行きたいか、ローラ? 君とメアリー?」

Ma said they could.

ママはいいと言ってくれた。

They climbed up the wheels, clinging to the spokes with their bare toes, and they sat on the high wagon-seat beside Pa.

spoke (スポーク) [名] any of the rods or bars that connect the center of a wheel to its outer edge

彼女たちは車輪に登り、裸足のつま先でスポークにしがみつき、パパの横の高い馬車の座席に座った。

Pet and Patty started with a little jump, and the wagon went jolting down the road that Pa’s wagon wheels had made.

ペットとパティは少し跳ねてスタートし、馬車はパパの馬車の車輪が作った道をガタガタと下っていった。

They went down between the bare, reddish-yellow walls of earth, all ridged and wrinkled by forgotten rains.

reddish-yellow (赤みがかった黄色い) [形] of a color intermediate between red and yellow

ridge (畝り) [名] a long, narrow elevation of land

彼女たちは、忘れられた雨によってすべてが畝り、しわが寄った、むき出しの赤みがかった黄色い土の壁の間を下っていった。

Then they went on, across the rolling land of the creek bottoms.

rolling land (起伏のある土地) [名] land with many hills

creek bottom (小川の底) [名] the bottom of a creek

それから彼女たちは、小川の底の起伏のある土地を横切って進んだ。

Masses of trees covered some of the low, rounded hills, and some of them were grassy, open spaces.

mass (群れ) [名] a large number of people or things

低く丸みを帯びた丘のいくつかは木々が覆い、そのうちのいくつかは草が茂った広場だった。

Deer were lying in the shadows of the trees, and deer were grazing in the sunshine on the green grass.

green grass (緑の草) [名] grass that is green in color

鹿が木陰に横たわったり、緑の草の上で日光浴をしながら草を食んだりしていた。

They lifted their heads and pricked their ears, and stood chewing and watching the wagon with their soft, large eyes.

鹿たちは頭を上げ、耳を立て、柔らかく大きな目で荷馬車を見つめながら、草を噛み続けた。

All along the road the wild larkspur was blossoming pink and blue and white, birds balanced on yellow plumes of goldenrod, and butterflies were fluttering.

wild (野生の) [形] living in a natural state; not domesticated

larkspur (ヒエンソウ) [名] a plant with tall spikes of blue, pink, or white flowers

blossom (咲く) [動] produce flowers

white (白) [名] the color of milk or fresh snow

plume (羽毛) [名] a large feather or a bunch of feathers

goldenrod (セイタカアワダチソウ) [名] a North American plant with long stalks of yellow flowers

flutter (舞う) [動] fly unsteadily or with a quivering motion

道沿いには野生のヒエンソウがピンクや青や白に咲き、鳥は黄色いセイタカアワダチソウの羽毛にバランスをとり、蝶々が舞っていた。

Starry daisies lighted the shadows under trees, squirrels chattered on branches overhead, white-tailed rabbits hopped along the road, and snakes wriggled quickly across it when they heard the wagon coming.

starry (星のような) [形] resembling a star

daisy (ヒナギク) [名] a common European plant with white petals and a yellow center

light (照らす) [動] make or become bright

chatter (しゃべる) [動] talk rapidly or incessantly

branch (枝) [名] a woody stem growing from the trunk or main stem of a tree or shrub

white-tailed (オジロジカ) [形] having a white tail

hop (跳ぶ) [動] move by jumping on one foot

snake (蛇) [名] a long limbless reptile

星のようなヒナギクが木陰を照らし、頭上の枝ではリスがしゃべり、オジロジカが道を跳び、荷馬車が来ると蛇が道を素早く横切った。

Deep in the lowest valley the creek was running, in the shadow of dirt bluffs.

dirt (土) [名] soil or earth

一番低い谷の奥深く、土の断崖の影に小川が流れていた。

When Laura looked up those bluffs, she couldn’t see the prairie grass at all.

prairie grass (草原の草) [名] any of various grasses that grow on prairies

ローラが崖を見上げると、草原の草は全く見えなかった。

Trees grew up the bluffs where the earth had crumbled, and where the bare dirt was so steep that trees couldn’t grow on it bushes held on desperately with their roots.

crumble (崩れる) [動] break or fall apart

hold on (つかまる) [動] grasp or grip something firmly

土が崩れた崖には木が生え、むき出しの土が急すぎて木が生えないところでは、低木が根を張って必死につかまっていた。

Half-naked roots were high above Laura’s head.

half-naked (半分むき出しの) [形] partially exposed

半分むき出しの根がローラの頭上高くにあった。

“Where are the Indian camps?” Laura asked Pa.

camp (宿営地) [名] a place where people live temporarily in tents or other shelters

「インディアンの宿営地はどこ?」ローラはパパに尋ねた。

He had seen the Indians’ deserted camps, here among the bluffs.

deserted (捨てられた) [形] abandoned

彼はインディアンの捨てられた宿営地を、ここ崖の間に見ていた。

But he was too busy to show them to her now.

too busy (忙しすぎる) [形] having too much to do

しかし、彼は今忙しすぎて彼女にそれらを見せることができなかった。

He must get the rocks to build the fireplace.

get (運ぶ) [動] go and fetch

彼は暖炉を造るために石を運ばなければならなかった。

“You girls can play,” he said, “but don’t go out of my sight and don’t go into the water.

sight (視界) [名] the ability to see

「あなたたちは遊んでもいいが、私の視界から外れるな、水に入るな。

And don’t play with snakes.

それに蛇と遊ぶな。

Some of the snakes down here are poison.”

poison (毒) [名] a substance that causes death or harm if it is eaten or gets into the body

ここの蛇の中には毒のあるものもいる」

So Laura and Mary played by the creek, while Pa dug the rocks he wanted and loaded them into the wagon.

パパが欲しい石を掘って荷車に積み込む間、ローラとメアリーは小川のそばで遊んだ。

They watched long-legged water-bugs skate over the glassy-still pools.

water-bug (水生昆虫) [名] any of various insects that live on or near water

skate (滑る) [動] move on skates

glassy-still (ガラスのように静かな) [形] smooth and transparent like glass

pool (水たまり) [名] a small body of water

二人は長い足の水生昆虫がガラスのように静かな水たまりの上を滑るのを見た。

They ran along the bank to scare the frogs, and laughed when the green-coated frogs with their white vests plopped into the water.

run along (走る) [動] move at a speed faster than a walk

scare (驚かす) [動] cause to become suddenly afraid

frog (カエル) [名] a small tailless amphibian with a smooth moist skin and long strong legs with webbed feet

vest (ベスト) [名] a sleeveless garment worn on the upper body

plop (飛び込む) [動] move or cause to move with a sound like that of something soft and heavy falling into water

二人は岸に沿って走ってカエルを驚かせ、緑色の服を着て白いベストを着たカエルが水に飛び込むと笑った。

They listened to the wood-pigeons call among the trees, and the brown thrush singing.

listen to (聞く) [動] give one's attention to a sound

wood-pigeon (キジバト) [名] a large pigeon with a white patch on each side of the neck

brown thrush (ツグミ) [名] a small brown bird with a spotted breast

二人は木々の間で鳴くキジバトや歌うツグミの声を聞いた。

They saw the little minnows swimming all together in the shallow places where the creek ran sparkling.

minnow (ドジョウ) [名] a small freshwater fish

together (群れをなして) [副] with or in the company of another person or other people

sparkle (きらめく) [動] shine brightly with flashes of light

二人は小川がきらめく浅瀬で小さなドジョウが群れをなして泳ぐのを見た。

The minnows were thin gray shadows in the rippling water, only now and again one minnow flashed the sunshine from its silvery belly.

ripple (波打つ) [動] form or cause to form small waves

only now and again (時折) [副] occasionally

flash (反射させる) [動] emit or reflect light in sudden or intermittent gleams

ドジョウは波打つ水の中の薄い灰色の影で、時折一匹のドジョウが銀色の腹から日差しを反射させた。

There was no wind along the creek.

小川沿いには風がなかった。

The air was still and drowsy-warm.

drowsy (眠気を誘う) [形] feeling sleepy

空気は静かで眠気を誘うほど暖かかった。

It smelled of damp roots and mud, and it was full of the sound of rustling leaves and of the water running.

leaf (葉) [名] a flat green part of a plant that grows from a stem

湿った根や泥の匂いがして、葉がざわめく音や水が流れる音でいっぱいだった。

In the muddy places where deer’s tracks were thick and every hoof print held water, swarms of mosquitoes rose up with a keen, sharp buzzing.

muddy (泥だらけの) [形] covered or full of mud

print (跡) [名] a mark left by something

hold (たまっている) [動] contain or be able to contain

swarm (大群) [名] a large number of insects or birds flying together

keen (鋭い) [形] having a sharp edge or point

buzzing (ブンブン音を立てる) [名] a continuous low humming sound

鹿の足跡が密集し、ひづめの跡に水がたまっている泥だらけの場所では、蚊の大群が鋭くブンブン音を立てて舞い上がった。

Laura and Mary slapped at mosquitoes on their faces and necks and hands and legs, and wished they could go wading.

slap (叩く) [動] hit with the open hand

mosquito (蚊) [名] a small flying insect that feeds on blood

go wading (水の中を歩く) [動] walk through water

ローラとメアリーは顔や首、手足に止まる蚊を叩き、水の中を歩きたいと思った。

They were so hot and the water looked so cool.

so (とても) [副] to a great extent or degree

とても暑くて、水はとても冷たそうに見えた。

Laura was sure that it would do no harm just to dip one foot in, and when Pa’s back was turned she almost did it.

be sure (確信している) [動] be certain or confident about something

do no harm (害はない) [動] not cause any damage or injury

when (すると) [接] at the time that; on the occasion that

do (そうする) [動] perform an action or deed

ローラは片足を浸すだけでも害はないと確信していたので、パパが背を向けると、もう少しでそうするところだった。

“Laura,” said Pa, and she snatched the naughty foot back.

snatch (ひっこめる) [動] to take or grab suddenly or quickly

naughty (いたずらっ子のような) [形] behaving badly or mischievously

「ローラ」とパパが言うと、ローラはいたずらっ子のような足をひっこめた。

“If you girls want to go wading,” Pa said, “you can do it in that shallow place.

「もし水の中を歩きたいなら、あそこの浅いところでならいいよ」とパパは言った。

Don’t go in over your ankles.”

go in (入る) [動] move or travel inward

足首より深いところに入ってはいけないよ。」

Mary waded only a little while.

a little while (少しの間) [名] a short period of time

メアリーは少しだけ水の中を歩いた。

She said the gravel hurt her feet, and she sat on a log and patiently slapped at mosquitoes.

gravel (砂利) [名] small stones

メアリーは砂利が足に痛いと言って、丸太に座って辛抱強く蚊を叩いた。

But Laura slapped and kept on wading.

しかしローラは蚊を叩きながら水の中を歩き続けた。

When she stepped, the gravel hurt her feet.

step (歩く) [動] move at a regular and fairly slow pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn, never having both feet off the ground at once

歩くと砂利が足に痛かった。

When she stood still, the tiny minnows swarmed about her toes and nibbled them with their tiny mouths.

swarm (群がる) [動] to move or gather in a large group

nibble (つつく) [動] to bite or chew gently or bit by bit

じっと立っていると、小さなドジョウが足の指に群がり、小さな口で足の指をつついた。

It was a funny, squiggling feeling.

funny (くすぐったい) [形] causing laughter or amusement

squiggling (もぞもぞした) [形] wriggling or squirming

それはくすぐったい、もぞもぞした感じだった。

Laura tried and tried to catch a minnow, but she only got the hem of her dress wet.

hem (裾) [名] the edge or border of a piece of cloth or clothing

wet (濡らす) [動] make or become damp or moist

ローラはドジョウを捕まえようと何度も試みたが、ドレスの裾を濡らすだけだった。

Then the wagon was loaded.

それから荷車に荷物を積んだ。

Pa called, “Come along, girls!”

come along (おいで) [動] to accompany someone

パパが「おいで、娘たち!」と呼んだ。

and they climbed to the wagon-seat again and rode away from the creek.

そして、彼らは再び荷車の座席に登り、小川から離れていった。

Up through the woods and hills they rode again, to the High Prairie where the winds were always blowing and the grasses seemed to sing and whisper and laugh.

up (上へ) [副] to a higher place or position

through (通って) [前] from one end or side of (an opening, channel, or location) to the other

ride (行く) [動] travel or be carried in or on a vehicle, such as a bus, train, or horse

彼らは再び森や丘を登り、風がいつも吹いていて草が歌ったり、ささやいたり、笑ったりしているように見えるハイプレーリーへと向かった。

They had had a wonderful time in the creek bottoms.

have a wonderful time (素晴らしい時間を過ごす) [動] enjoy oneself

彼らは小川の底で素晴らしい時間を過ごした。

But Laura liked the High Prairie best.

しかし、ローラはハイプレーリーが一番好きだった。

The prairie was so wide and sweet and clean.

大草原はとても広く、甘く、きれいだった。

That afternoon Ma sat sewing in the shade of the house, and Baby Carrie played on the quilt beside her, while Laura and Mary watched Pa build the fireplace.

sew (縫う) [動] work with a needle and thread

その日の午後、ママは家の日陰で縫い物をして座り、赤ちゃんのキャリーは彼女の横のキルトで遊び、ローラとメアリーはパパが暖炉を作るのを見ていた。

First he mixed clay and water to a beautiful thick mud, in the mustangs’ water-bucket.

clay (粘土) [名] a fine-grained soil that becomes plastic when wet

最初に彼はムスタング用の水桶で粘土と水を混ぜて美しい濃い泥を作った。

He let Laura stir the mud while he laid a row of rocks around three sides of the space he had cleared by the house-wall.

lay (並べる) [動] put or place (something) in a flat position

row (列) [名] a series of people or things arranged in a straight line

rock (石) [名] a hard solid substance that occurs naturally in the ground

clear (空ける) [動] make (something) free of obstacles or unwanted items

彼はローラに泥をかき混ぜさせ、家の壁のそばに空けた空間の三方に石を並べた。

Then with a wooden paddle he spread the mud over the rocks.

paddle (パドル) [名] a short oar with a broad blade

それから木製のパドルで石の上に泥を広げた。

In the mud he laid another row of rocks, and plastered them over the top and down on the inside with more mud.

plaster (塗り固める) [動] cover with a sticky or gluey substance

彼は泥の中にもう一列の石を置き、その上と内側をさらに泥で塗り固めた。

He made a box on the ground;

彼は地面に箱を作った。

three sides of the box were made of rocks and mud, and the other side was the log wall of the house.

three (三方) [形] being one more than two

other (もう一方) [形] being the remaining one of two or more

箱の三方は石と泥でできており、もう一方は家の丸太の壁だった。

With rocks and mud and more rocks and more mud, he built the walls as high as Laura’s chin.

石と泥とさらに石とさらに泥で、彼はローラの顎の高さまで壁を作った。

Then on the walls, close against the house, he laid a log.

on (上に) [前] on top of

それから、家のすぐ近くの壁に丸太を置いた。

He plastered the log all over with mud.

plaster (塗る) [動] to cover with a sticky substance

彼は丸太全体に泥を塗った。

After that, he built up rocks and mud on top of that log.

after that (その後) [副] after that time; afterwards

build up (積み上げる) [動] to form or create something by putting parts or pieces together

その後、彼はその丸太の上に石と泥を積み上げた。

He was making the chimney now, and he made it smaller and smaller.

chimney (煙突) [名] a vertical pipe or shaft that allows smoke and gases to escape from a fireplace, stove, or furnace

彼は今煙突を作っているところで、それをだんだん小さくしていった。

He had to go to the creek for more rocks.

彼はもっと石を探しに小川に行かなければならなかった。

Laura and Mary could not go again, because Ma said the damp air might give them a fever.

fever (熱) [名] a body temperature that is higher than normal

ローラとメアリーは、湿った空気で熱が出るかもしれないとママが言ったので、二度と行けなかった。

Mary sat beside Ma and sewed another block of her nine-patch quilt, but Laura mixed another bucketful of mud.

block (ブロック) [名] a large piece of something

nine-patch quilt (9パッチキルト) [名] a quilt made up of nine patches

bucketful (バケツ一杯) [名] the amount that a bucket can hold

メアリーはママの横に座って、9パッチキルトの別のブロックを縫ったが、ローラは別のバケツ一杯の泥を混ぜた。

Next day Pa built the chimney as high as the house-wall.

house-wall (家の壁) [名] the wall of a house

翌日、パパは家の壁と同じ高さの煙突を作った。

Then he stood and looked at it.

それから彼は立ってそれを見た。

He ran his fingers through his hair.

彼は髪の毛に指を走らせた。

“You look like a wild man, Charles,” Ma said.

「あなたは野生の人みたいよ、チャールズ」とママは言った。

“You’re standing your hair all on end.”

「髪の毛が逆立ってるよ」

“It stands on end, anyway, Caroline,” Pa answered.

「とにかく逆立ってるんだ、キャロライン」とパパは答えた。

“When I was courting you, it never would lie down, no matter how much I slicked it with bear grease.”

court (求婚する) [動] try to win the love of

no matter how much (どれだけ~でも) [副] to whatever extent or degree

slick (なでつける) [動] to make smooth or glossy

bear grease (熊の油) [名] a type of animal fat

「私があなたに求婚していた時、どれだけ熊の油でなでつけても、髪の毛は決して寝なかった」

He threw himself down on the grass at her feet.

throw oneself down (身を投げ出す) [動] to fall or let oneself fall to the ground

彼は彼女の足元の草の上に身を投げ出した。

“I’m plumb tuckered out, lifting rocks up there.”

plumb (すっかり) [副] completely

tucker out (疲れ果てる) [動] to make or become exhausted

「あそこで岩を持ち上げるのに、すっかり疲れ果てたよ」

“You’ve done well to build that chimney up so high, all by yourself,” Ma said.

「あの煙突をあんなに高く、一人で作ったのはよくやったよ」とママは言った。

She ran her hand through his hair and stood it up more than ever.

run one's hand through (手を入れ) [動] to move one's hand through something

stand up (立たせる) [動] to make something stand up

彼女は彼の髪に手を入れ、これまで以上に髪を立たせた。

“Why don’t you make it stick-and-daub the rest of the way?” she asked him.

the rest of the way (残り) [名] the remaining part of something

stick-and-daub (木骨泥壁) [名] a type of wall construction in which a timber frame is covered with mud or clay

「残りは木骨泥壁にしたら?」と彼女は彼に尋ねた。

“Well, it would be easier,” he admitted.

well (そうね) [副] used to express agreement, acceptance, or resignation

be easier (簡単ね) [動] be more easy

admit (認める) [動] to recognize the existence or truth of

「そうね、その方が簡単ね」と彼は認めた。

“I’m blamed if I don’t believe I will!”

be blamed (非難される) [動] be held responsible for something

believe (そうするつもりである) [動] have faith in the truth or existence of

will (そうするつもりである) [動] be going to; intend to

「そうするつもりがなければ、私は非難される!」

He jumped up.

彼は飛び上がった。

Ma said, “Oh, stay here in the shade and rest awhile.”

rest (休む) [動] cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength

ママは「ああ、日陰でしばらく休んで」と言った。

But he shook his head.

しかし、彼は首を横に振った。

“No use lazing here while there’s work to be done, Caroline.

no use (無駄だ) [名] not worth doing

lazing (怠ける) [動] spend time doing nothing

「やるべき仕事があるうちにここで怠けてはいけない、キャロライン。

The sooner I get the fireplace done, the sooner you can do your cooking inside, out of the wind.”

the sooner (早く) [副] earlier

get done (完成させる) [動] finish

out of (当たらない) [前] not exposed to

私が暖炉を早く完成させればさせるほど、君は早く風の当たらない屋内で料理ができる」

He hauled saplings from the woods, and he cut and notched them and laid them up like the walls of the house, on top of the stone chimney.

彼は森から若木を運び、それを切って切り込みを入れ、家の壁のように石の煙突の上に積み上げた。

As he laid them, he plastered them well with mud.

彼はそれを積み上げながら、泥でよく塗り固めた。

And that finished the chimney.

そして煙突が完成した。

Then he went into the house, and with his ax and saw he cut a hole in the wall.

それから彼は家に入り、斧と鋸で壁に穴を開けた。

He cut away the logs that had made the fourth wall at the bottom of the chimney.

彼は煙突の底の四番目の壁を作っている丸太を切り取った。

And there was the fireplace.

そして暖炉ができた。

It was large enough for Laura and Mary and Baby Carrie to sit in.

それはローラとメアリーと赤ん坊のキャリーが座るのに十分な大きさだった。

Its bottom was the ground that Pa had cleared of grass, and its front was the space where Pa had cut away the logs.

clear (刈る) [動] remove all the plants from

その底はパパが草を刈った地面で、その前はパパが丸太を切り取った空間だった。

Across the top of that space was the log that Pa had plastered all over with mud.

その空間の上の横にはパパが泥で塗り固めた丸太があった。

On each side Pa pegged a thick slab of green oak against the cut ends of the logs.

on each side (両側に) [副] on both sides

パパは両側に丸太の切断端に緑のオーク材の厚い板を打ち付けた。

Then by the upper corners of the fireplace he pegged chunks of oak to the wall, and on these he laid an oak slab and pegged it firmly.

upper (上部の) [形] higher in position or status

chunk (塊) [名] a thick, solid piece of something

それから暖炉の上部の角のところで、彼はオークの塊を壁に打ち付け、その上にオークの厚板を置いて、それをしっかりと打ち付けた。

That was the mantel-shelf.

mantel-shelf (マントルピース) [名] a shelf above a fireplace

それがマントルピースだった。

As soon as it was done, Ma set in the middle of the mantel-shelf the little china woman she had brought from the Big Woods.

それが終わるとすぐに、ママはマントルピースの真ん中に大きな森から持ってきた小さな陶器の女性像を置いた。

The little china woman had come all the way and had not been broken.

china (陶器) [名] a hard, fine-grained, usually white, translucent or semitranslucent ceramic ware

小さな陶器の女性像はずっと運ばれてきて、壊れていなかった。

She stood on the mantel-shelf with her little china shoes and her wide china skirts and her tight china bodice, and her pink cheeks and blue eyes and golden hair all made of china.

bodice (ボディス) [名] the upper part of a woman's dress

cheek (頬) [名] either side of the face below the eye and between the ear and the nose

彼女は小さな陶器の靴と広い陶器のスカート、きつい陶器のボディス、そしてピンクの頬と青い目と金色の髪の毛をすべて陶器で作ったマントルピースの上に立っていた。

Then Pa and Ma and Mary and Laura stood and admired that fireplace.

それからパパとママとメアリーとローラは立ってその暖炉を賞賛した。

Only Carrie did not care about it.

キャリーだけは気にしなかった。

She pointed at the little china woman and yelled when Mary and Laura told her that no one but Ma could touch it.

point at (指さす) [動] direct one's finger at

yell (叫ぶ) [動] cry out or speak loudly, as in pain, surprise, or anger

彼女は小さな陶器の女性を指さし、メアリーとローラがママ以外は誰も触れてはいけないと言ったら叫んだ。

“You’ll have to be careful with your fire, Caroline,” Pa said.

be careful (気を付ける) [動] take care to avoid damage or risk

「火の扱いには気をつけないとな、キャロライン」とパパは言った。

“We don’t want sparks going up the chimney to set the roof on fire.

spark (火花) [名] a small fiery particle

「火花が煙突から上がって屋根に火がつくのは困る。

That cloth would burn, easy.

cloth (布) [名] a piece of fabric

burn (燃える) [動] be on fire

easy (簡単に) [副] without difficulty or effort

あの布は簡単に燃えるだろう。

I’ll split out some clapboards as soon as I can, and make a roof you won’t have to worry about.”

split out (割る) [動] break or cause to break apart

clapboard (下見板) [名] a long thin board with one edge thicker than the other, used as siding on a building

できるだけ早く下見板を割って、心配しなくていい屋根を作るよ」

So Ma carefully built a little fire in the new fireplace, and she roasted a prairie hen for supper.

それでママは新しい暖炉に注意深く小さな火を起こし、夕食に草原の雌鳥を焼いた。

And that evening they ate in the house.

that evening (その夜) [名] the evening of the day being discussed

eat (食事をする) [動] take in food

そしてその夜、彼らは家の中で食事をした。

They sat at table, by the western window.

彼らは西側の窓のそばのテーブルに座った。

Pa had quickly made the table of two slabs of oak.

パパはオークの厚板2枚でテーブルを素早く作った。

One end of the slabs stuck in a crack of the wall, and the other end rested on short, upright logs.

厚板の片方の端は壁の割れ目に突き刺さり、もう片方の端は短い直立した丸太の上に置かれていた。

Pa had smoothed the slabs with his ax, and the table was very nice when Ma spread a cloth over it.

パパは斧で厚板を滑らかにし、ママがその上に布を広げるとテーブルはとても素敵になった。

The chairs were chunks of big logs.

椅子は大きな丸太の塊だった。

The floor was the earth that Ma had swept clean with her willow-bough broom.

床はママが柳の枝の箒できれいに掃いた土だった。

On the floor, in the corners, the beds were neat under their patchwork quilts.

on the floor (床に) [副] on the ground

in the corner (隅に) [副] in the angle formed by two walls

under (下に) [前] below

patchwork quilt (パッチワークのキルト) [名] a quilt made from pieces of fabric sewn together

床の隅には、パッチワークのキルトの下でベッドがきちんと整えられていた。

The rays of the setting sun came through the window and filled the house with golden light.

setting sun (夕日) [名] the sun as it sets

夕日の光が窓から差し込み、家を金色の光で満たした。

Outside, and far, far away to the pink edge of the sky, the wind went blowing and the wild grasses waved.

外では、はるか遠く、空のピンクの端まで、風が吹き、野草が揺れていた。

Inside, the house was pleasant.

pleasant (快適) [形] giving a sense of happy satisfaction or enjoyment

家の中は快適だった。

The good roast chicken was juicy in Laura’s mouth.

roast (ロースト) [動] cook by dry heat in an oven

chicken (チキン) [名] a domestic fowl kept for its eggs or meat

juicy (ジューシー) [形] full of juice

おいしいローストチキンはローラの口の中でジューシーだった。

Her hands and face were washed, her hair was combed, her napkin was tied around her neck.

napkin (ナプキン) [名] a piece of cloth or paper used at a meal to wipe the fingers or lips and to protect the clothes

彼女の手と顔は洗われ、髪はとかされ、ナプキンは首に巻かれていた。

She sat up straight on the round end of log and used her knife and fork nicely, as Ma had taught her.

nicely (上手に) [副] in a pleasant manner

teach (教える) [動] to impart knowledge to

彼女は丸太の端にまっすぐ座り、ママに教わったようにナイフとフォークを上手に使った。

She did not say anything, because children must not speak at table until they are spoken to, but she looked at Pa and Ma and Mary and at Baby Carrie in Ma’s lap, and she felt contented.

contented (満足した) [形] in a state of peaceful happiness

彼女は何も言わなかった。子供は食卓で話しかけられない限り話してはいけないからだ。しかし、彼女はパパとママとメアリーとママの膝の上の赤ちゃんキャリーを見て、満足感を覚えた。

It was nice to be living in a house again.

be nice (よかった) [動] be pleasant or attractive

再び家で暮らすのはよかった。

Chapter 10: A ROOF AND A FLOOR

第10章: 屋根と床

All day long, every day, Laura and Mary were busy.

every day (毎日) [副] on each day

be busy (忙しい) [動] having a great deal to do

毎日、一日中、ローラとメアリーは忙しかった。

When the dishes were washed and the beds made, there was always plenty to do and to see and to listen to.

plenty (たくさん) [名] a lot

食器を洗い、ベッドを整えると、いつもやること、見ること、聞くことがたくさんあった。

They hunted for birds’ nests in the tall grass, and when they found them the mother birds squawked and scolded.

hunt for (探す) [動] search for something

mother (母鳥) [名] a female parent of a bird

squawk (ギャーギャーと鳴く) [動] utter a loud, harsh cry

scold (叱る) [動] rebuke or criticize angrily

二人は背の高い草むらで鳥の巣を探し、見つけると母鳥がギャーギャーと鳴いて叱った。

Sometimes they touched a nest gently, and all in an instant a nest full of downiness became a nest full of wide-gaping beaks, hungrily squawking.

all in an instant (一瞬のうちに) [副] in a very short time

downiness (ふわふわ) [名] the quality or state of being downy

wide-gaping (大きく口を開けた) [形] having a wide opening

hungrily (空腹そうに) [副] in a hungry manner

squawk (鳴く) [動] to utter a loud, harsh cry

時々、二人はそっと巣に触れると、一瞬のうちに、ふわふわした巣が、大きく口を開けて空腹そうに鳴くくちばしでいっぱいの巣になった。

Then the mother bird scolded like anything, and Mary and Laura quietly went away because they did not want to worry her too much.

mother bird (母鳥) [名] a female parent of a bird

like anything (ものすごく) [副] very much

worry (心配させる) [動] cause to feel anxious or troubled

すると母鳥はものすごく叱り、メアリーとローラは母鳥をあまり心配させたくなかったので、そっと立ち去った。

In the tall grass they lay still as mice and watched flocks of little prairie chickens running and pecking around their anxiously clucking, smooth brown mothers.

tall grass (背の高い草むら) [名] a field of grass that is tall

lie still (じっと横たわる) [動] to be in a resting position and not move

mouse (ネズミ) [名] a small rodent which typically has a pointed snout, large ears, and a long tail

flock (群れ) [名] a large group of birds

little prairie chicken (小さなプレーリーチキン) [名] a small bird that is found in the prairies of North America

peck (つつく) [動] strike or bite with the beak

anxiously (心配そうに) [副] in a worried or nervous way

cluck (鳴く) [動] make a clucking sound

smooth (つるつるした) [形] having a surface that is even and regular

二人は背の高い草むらにネズミのようにじっと横たわり、小さなプレーリーチキンの群れが心配そうに鳴きながら走り回り、つるつるした茶色の母親の周りをつつくのを眺めた。

They watched striped snakes rippling between the grass stems or lying so still that only their tiny flickering tongues and glittering eyes showed that they were alive.

snake (ヘビ) [名] a legless reptile with a long, thin body

stem (茎) [名] the main part of a plant that bears leaves and flowers

二人は、草の茎の間をうねうねと動く縞模様のヘビや、小さな舌をちらちらと動かし、目をきらきらと光らせているだけで生きているように見えるヘビを眺めた。

They were garter snakes and would not hurt anybody, but Laura and Mary did not touch them.

garter snake (ガータースネーク) [名] a common harmless North American snake with three yellow stripes

ガータースネークなので誰にも害を与えることはないが、ローラとメアリーは触らなかった。

Ma said snakes were best left alone, because some snakes would bite, and it was better to be safe than sorry.

be left alone (放っておく) [動] not be disturbed or interrupted

be better (良い) [動] be more desirable or preferable

sorry (後悔する) [形] feeling regret or guilt

ママは、ヘビの中には噛むものもいるので、ヘビは放っておくのが一番で、後悔するより安全な方が良いと言っていた。

And sometimes there’d be a great gray rabbit, so still in the lights and shadows of a grass clump that you were near enough to touch him before you saw him.

clump (むら) [名] a small group of trees or plants growing closely together

そして時々、大きな灰色のウサギがいて、草むらの明かりと影の中でじっとしているので、見つける前に触れられるほど近くにいることもあった。

Then, if you were very quiet, you might stand a long time looking at him.

そして、とても静かにしていれば、長い時間立って彼を見ているかもしれない。

His round eyes stared at yours without meaning anything.

彼の丸い目は何も意味せずにあなたを見つめていた。

His nose wiggled, and sunlight was rosy through his long ears, that had delicate veins in them and the softest short fur on their outsides.

wiggle (くねくねと動く) [動] move or cause to move up and down or from side to side with small rapid movements

sunlight (日光) [名] the direct light of the sun

rosy (バラ色) [形] of a color intermediate between red and pink

vein (静脈) [名] any of the tubes forming part of the circulation system that carry blood from all parts of the body toward the heart

fur (毛) [名] the short, fine, soft hair of certain animals

彼の鼻はくねくねと動き、繊細な静脈と外側に最も柔らかい短い毛がある長い耳を通して日光がバラ色に輝いていた。

The rest of his fur was so thick and soft that at last you couldn’t help trying, very carefully, to touch it.

rest (残りの部分) [名] the remaining part

couldn't help (~ずにはいられない) [動] be unable to refrain from doing something

彼の毛皮の残りの部分はとても厚くて柔らかいので、ついにあなたはそれを触ってみずにはいられない。

Then he was gone in a flash and the place where he had been sitting was hollowed and smooth and still warm from his warm behind.

in a flash (瞬く間に) [副] very quickly

hollow (くぼんだ) [形] having a hole or empty space inside

それから彼は瞬く間にいなくなり、彼が座っていた場所はくぼんでいて滑らかで、彼の暖かい後ろからまだ暖かかった。

All the time, of course, Laura or Mary was minding Baby Carrie, except when she had her afternoon nap.

all the time (いつも) [副] on every occasion; at all times

of course (もちろん) [副] certainly; as expected

mind (気にかける) [動] be concerned about

nap (昼寝) [名] a short sleep, especially during the day

もちろん、ローラやメアリーは、午後のお昼寝を除いて、いつも赤ちゃんのキャリーを気にかけていた。

Then they sat and soaked in the sunshine and the wind until Laura forgot that the baby was sleeping.

soak (浸る) [動] be immersed in a liquid

それから、ローラが赤ちゃんが寝ていることを忘れるまで、彼らは座って日差しと風に浸った。

She jumped up and ran and shouted till Ma came to the door and said, “Dear me, Laura, must you yell like an Indian?

Dear me (まあ) [間] an expression of surprise or disgust

彼女は飛び上がって走り、ママがドアのところまで来るまで叫び続けた。「ローラ、そんなにインディアンみたいに叫ばなくちゃいけないの?

I declare,” Ma said, “if you girls aren’t getting to look like Indians!

declare (言う) [動] say something firmly and strongly

look like (~みたいになる) [動] resemble

ママは「本当に、あなたたち、インディアンみたいになってきたよ!

Can I never teach you to keep your sunbonnets on?”

sunbonnet (日よけ帽) [名] a large bonnet with a wide brim to protect the face and neck from the sun

keep on (被り続ける) [動] continue to do something

日よけ帽を被り続けるように教えることはできないのかしら?」

Pa was up on the house wall, beginning the roof.

be up on (上にいる) [動] be on top of

house wall (家の壁) [名] the wall of a house

パパは家の壁の上にいて、屋根を作り始めていた。

He looked down at them and laughed.

彼は彼女たちを見下ろして笑った。

“One little Indian, two little Indians, three little Indians,” he sang, softly.

two (二人) [名] a number equal to one plus one

three (三人) [名] a number equal to one plus two

「一人の小さなインディアン、二人の小さなインディアン、三人の小さなインディアン」と彼はそっと歌った。

“No, only two.”

no (いいえ) [副] a negative answer

「いいえ、二人だけです」

“You make three,” Mary said to him.

「あなたは三人目ね」とメアリーは彼に言った。

“You’re brown, too.”

「あなたも褐色ね」

“But you aren’t little, Pa,” said Laura.

aren't (~ではない) [助] are not

「でもパパは小さくないよ」とローラは言った。

“Pa, when are we going to see a papoose?”

when (いつ) [副] at what time

「パパ、いつ赤ちゃんを見に行くの?」

“Goodness!” Ma exclaimed.

exclaim (叫ぶ) [動] cry out or say something loudly, as in surprise, anger, or pain

「まあ!」ママは叫んだ。

“What do you want to see an Indian baby for?

「インディアンの赤ちゃんを見たいなんて、何を考えているの?

Put on your sunbonnet, now, and forget such nonsense.”

put on (かぶる) [動] to place on one's head

日よけ帽子をかぶって、そんなナンセンスなことは忘れなさい。」

Laura’s sunbonnet hung down her back.

hang down (垂れ下がる) [動] be suspended from a higher position

ローラの日よけ帽子は背中に垂れ下がっていた。

She pulled it up by its strings, and its sides came past her cheeks.

pull up (引っ張る) [動] move something upwards

string (ひも) [名] a thin piece of twisted fiber

come past (覆う) [動] move or travel past

彼女は帽子のひもを引っ張り、帽子の両側が彼女の頬を覆った。

When her sunbonnet was on she could see only what was in front of her, and that was why she was always pushing it back and letting it hang by its strings tied around her throat.

be on (かぶる) [動] be wearing

in front of (目の前) [前] directly ahead of

push back (押しやる) [動] move something away from oneself

throat (首) [名] the front of the neck

日よけ帽子をかぶると、彼女は目の前にあるものしか見えなかったので、いつも帽子を後ろに押しやって、首に巻いたひもでぶら下げていた。

She put her sunbonnet on when Ma told her to, but she did not forget the papoose.

彼女はママに言われた通り日よけ帽子をかぶったが、インディアンの赤ちゃんを忘れることはできなかった。

This was Indian country and she didn’t know why she didn’t see Indians.

didn't know (わからなかった) [動] be not aware of

ここはインディアンの国なのに、なぜインディアンが見えないのか彼女にはわからなかった。

She knew she would see them sometime, though.

でも、いつか彼らに会えるだろうと彼女は思っていた。

Pa said so, but she was getting tired of waiting.

say so (そう言う) [動] say that something is the case

get tired of (飽きる) [動] become bored with

パパはそう言っていたが、彼女は待ちくたびれていた。

Pa had taken the canvas wagon-top off the house, and now he was ready to put the roof on.

パパは幌馬車の屋根を家から取り外し、屋根をかける準備を整えた。

For days and days he had been hauling logs from the creek bottoms and splitting them into thin, long slabs.

for days and days (何日も何日も) [副] for a long time

何日も何日も、彼は小川の底から丸太を運び、それらを薄く長い板に割っていた。

Piles of slabs lay all around the house and slabs stood against it.

stand (もたれかかる) [動] be in or assume an upright position

板の山が家の周りに横たわり、板が家にもたれかかっていた。

“Come out of the house, Caroline,” he said.

「家から出てきて、キャロライン」と彼は言った。

“I don’t want to risk anything falling on you or Carrie.”

risk (危険を冒す) [動] expose oneself to the chance of injury or loss

anything (何か) [名] something; anything at all

「君やキャリーに何かが落ちる危険を冒したくない」

“Wait, Charles, till I put away the china shepherdess,” Ma answered.

china shepherdess (陶器の羊飼いの少女) [名] a figurine of a girl who tends sheep

「待って、チャールズ、私が陶器の羊飼いの少女を片付けるまで」とママは答えた。

In a minute she came out, with a quilt and her mending and Baby Carrie.

in a minute (すぐに) [副] very soon

mending (繕い物) [名] the action of repairing something

すぐに彼女はキルトと繕い物と赤ん坊のキャリーを抱えて出てきた。

She spread the quilt on the shady grass by the stable, and sat there to do her mending and watch Carrie play.

彼女はキルトを馬小屋のそばの日陰の草の上に広げ、そこに座って繕い物をしながらキャリーが遊ぶのを見ていた。

Pa reached down and pulled up a slab.

reach down (手を伸ばす) [動] stretch one's hand downward

パパは手を伸ばして板を持ち上げた。

He laid it across the ends of the sapling rafters.

rafter (垂木) [名] a beam that supports a roof

彼はそれを若木の垂木の端に渡した。

Its edge stuck out beyond the wall.

その端は壁から突き出ていた。

Then Pa put some nails in his mouth and took his hammer out of his belt, and he began to nail the slab to the rafters.

put (くわえる) [動] place or move into a specified position

それからパパは口に釘をくわえ、ベルトからハンマーを取り出し、垂木に板を打ち付け始めた。

Mr. Edwards had lent him the nails.

lend (貸す) [動] give someone something temporarily with the expectation that it will be returned

エドワーズさんが彼に釘を貸してくれた。

They had met in the woods, where they were both chopping down trees, and Mr. Edwards had insisted that Pa borrow nails for the roof.

meet (出会う) [動] come together with someone by chance or arrangement

chop down (切り倒す) [動] cut down with an axe or other sharp tool

insist (強く勧める) [動] demand something forcefully, urgently, or emphatically

borrow (借りる) [動] take and use something temporarily that belongs to someone else, with the intention of returning it

彼らは森で出会い、そこで二人とも木を切り倒していたが、エドワーズさんはパパに屋根用の釘を借りるように強く勧めた。

“That’s what I call a good neighbor!”

「これぞ良い隣人というものだ!」

Pa said when he told Ma about it.

パパはママにその話をしながら言った。

“Yes,” said Ma.

「そうね」とママは言った。

“But I don’t like to be beholden, not even to the best of neighbors.”

beholden (恩を着せられる) [形] under obligation; obliged

「でも、私は恩を着せられるのは好きではないよ、たとえ最高の隣人でもね」

“Nor I,” Pa replied.

nor (私も) [接] and not; also not

「私もだ」とパパは答えた。

“I’ve never been beholden to any man yet, and I never will be.

be beholden to (恩を着せられる) [動] be under an obligation to

will (これからも~ない) [助] (expressing the future tense)

「私は今まで誰にも恩を着せられたことがないし、これからもそうはならない。

But neighborliness is another matter, and I’ll pay him back every nail as soon as I can make the trip to Independence.”

neighborliness (隣人愛) [名] the quality of being friendly and helpful to the people who live near you

matter (問題) [名] a subject or situation that is being dealt with or considered

make the trip (行く) [動] travel to a place

しかし、隣人愛は別の問題だ、そして私はインデペンデンスへ行けるようになりしだい、彼に釘一本まで返すつもりだ」

Now Pa carefully took the nails one by one from his mouth, and with ringing blows of the hammer he drove them into the slab.

one by one (1本ずつ) [副] individually

パパは慎重に口から釘を1本ずつ取り出し、ハンマーを鳴らしながら板に打ち込んだ。

It was much quicker than drilling holes and whittling pegs and driving them into the holes.

drill (あける) [動] make a hole in

それは穴をあけて、釘を削って、穴に打ち込むよりもずっと早かった。

But every now and then a nail sprang away from the tough oak when the hammer hit it, and if Pa was not holding it firmly, it went sailing through the air.

every now and then (時々) [副] occasionally

spring away (飛び出す) [動] move or jump suddenly and quickly

tough (硬い) [形] strong and difficult to break or damage

しかし、時々、ハンマーが当たると釘が硬いオーク材から飛び出し、パパがしっかりと持っていないと、空を飛んでいった。

Then Mary and Laura watched it fall, and they searched in the grass till they found it.

メアリーとローラは釘が落ちるのを見届け、草の中を探して見つけた。

Sometimes it was bent.

bent (曲がる) [動] be curved or sharply angled

時々、釘は曲がっていた。

Then Pa carefully pounded it straight again.

pound (打ち直す) [動] hit or strike heavily and repeatedly

パパは注意深く釘を打ち直した。

It would never do to lose or waste a nail.

lose (無くす) [動] be deprived of or cease to have or retain

waste (無駄にする) [動] use or expend carelessly, extravagantly, or to no purpose

釘を無くしたり無駄にすることは絶対に許されなかった。

When Pa had nailed down two slabs, he got up on them.

nail down (打ち付ける) [動] to fasten with nails

get up (乗る) [動] to move to a higher position

パパは2枚の板を打ち付けると、その上に乗った。

He laid and nailed more slabs, all the way up to the top of the rafters.

パパはさらに板を置いて打ち付け、垂木のてっぺんまで登った。

The edge of each slab lapped over the edge of the slab below it.

lap (重なる) [動] to be partly over or on top of something else

板の端は下の板の端に重なっていた。

Then he began again on the other side of the house, and he laid the roof all the way up from that side.

それからパパは家の反対側からまた始め、その側から屋根をずっと上まで敷き詰めた。

A little crack was left between the highest slabs.

leave (残る) [動] be left over; remain

一番上の板の間には小さな隙間が残った。

So Pa made a little trough of two slabs, and he nailed this trough firmly, upside down over the crack.

trough (桶) [名] a long, narrow, open container used for holding water or food

upside down (ひっくり返して) [副] with the upper part underneath and the lower part uppermost

そこでパパは2枚の板で小さな桶を作り、この桶をひっくり返して隙間にしっかりと打ち付けた。

The roof was done.

屋根は完成した。

The house was darker than it had been, because no light came through the slabs.

板から光が入ってこないので、家は以前よりも暗くなった。

There was not one single crack that would let rain come in.

come in (入り込む) [動] enter; go or come inside

雨が入り込むような隙間は一つもなかった。

“You have done a splendid job, Charles,” Ma said, “and I’m thankful to have a good roof over my head.”

do a splendid job (素晴らしい仕事をする) [動] do something very well

thankful (感謝している) [形] grateful

have a good roof over one's head (頭上に良い屋根がある) [動] have a good place to live

「あなたは素晴らしい仕事をしたよ、チャールズ」とママは言った。「頭上に良い屋根があって感謝しているよ」

“You shall have furniture, too, as fine as I can make it,” Pa replied.

furniture (家具) [名] the movable, generally functional, articles that equip a room, house etc

「家具も作るよ、できるだけ立派なものを」とパパは答えた。

“I’ll make a bedstead as soon as the floor is laid.”

lay (作る) [動] put in a specified place or position

「床ができたらすぐにベッドを作るよ」

He began again to haul logs.

彼は再び丸太を運び始めた。

Day after day he hauled logs.

彼は毎日丸太を運んだ。

He did not even stop hauling logs to go hunting;

彼は狩りに行くために丸太を運ぶのを止めさえしなかった。

he took his gun on the wagon and brought back at night whatever meat he had shot from the wagon-seat.

bring back (持ち帰る) [動] return with something

shoot (撃つ) [動] hit or kill with a bullet or other projectile

彼は銃を荷車に積み、荷車の座席から撃った肉を夜に持ち帰った。

When he had hauled enough logs to make the floor, he began to split them.

床を作るのに十分な丸太を運び終えると、彼は丸太を割り始めた。

He split each log straight down the middle.

彼は丸太を真ん中から真っ直ぐに割った。

Laura liked to sit on the woodpile and watch him.

woodpile (薪の山) [名] a pile of wood

ローラは薪の山に座って彼を見るのが大好きだった。

First, with a mighty blow of his ax he split the butt of the log.

mighty (力強い) [形] having or showing great power or strength

blow (一撃) [名] a powerful stroke with a hand or weapon

butt (端) [名] the end of something, especially something thick or blunt

まず、彼は斧を力強く振り下ろして丸太の端を割った。

Into the crack he slipped the thin edge of an iron wedge.

wedge (くさび) [名] a piece of wood, metal, or other material having one thick end and tapering to a thin edge, that is driven between two objects or parts of an object to secure or separate them

彼は割れ目に鉄のくさびの薄い端を滑り込ませた。

Then he wrenched the ax out of the log, and he drove the wedge deeper into the crack.

wrench (引き抜く) [動] pull or twist suddenly and violently

それから彼は斧を丸太から引き抜き、くさびを割れ目の奥深くまで打ち込んだ。

The rough wood split a little farther.

rough (粗い) [形] having a texture that is not smooth or regular

粗い木は少し裂けた。

All the way up the log Pa fought that tough oak.

up (端まで) [前] to a higher place

tough (頑丈な) [形] strong and resilient

パパは丸太の端までずっとその頑丈なオークと戦った。

He struck with his ax into the crack.

strike (打つ) [動] hit or attack with a blow or stroke

彼は斧で割れ目を打った。

He drove blocks of wood into it, and moved the iron wedge higher.

彼は木のブロックをそれに打ち込み、鉄のくさびをより高く動かした。

Little by little he followed the crack up the log.

彼は少しずつ丸太の割れ目に沿って進んだ。

He swung the ax high, and brought it down with a great swing and a grunt from his chest.

bring down (振り下ろす) [動] cause to fall

grunt (うなり声) [名] a low, guttural sound made in the throat

彼は斧を高く振り上げ、大きな振り下ろしと胸からのうなり声とともにそれを振り下ろした。

“Ugh!”

ugh (うーん) [間] an expression of disgust or horror

「うーん!」

The ax whizzed and struck, plung!

whiz (ヒューッと音を立てる) [動] move quickly through the air, making a whistling sound

斧がヒューッと音を立てて打ち下ろされた。

It always struck exactly where Pa wanted it to.

exactly (正確に) [副] in an exact manner or to an exact degree

それはいつもパパが望むところに正確に当たった。

At last, with a tearing, cracking sound, the whole log split.

tear (引き裂く) [動] pull or rip apart

ついに、引き裂くような、ひび割れるような音とともに、丸太全体が割れた。

Its two halves lay on the ground, showing the tree’s pale insides and the darker streak up its middle.

two halves (二つに割れた) [名] two equal parts of a whole

二つに割れた丸太が地面に横たわり、木の薄い内側と真ん中の暗い筋が見えた。

Then Pa wiped the sweat from his forehead, he took a fresh grip on the ax, and he tackled another log.

wipe (拭く) [動] clean or dry by rubbing with a cloth or towel

forehead (額) [名] the part of the face above the eyes

take a fresh grip (握り直す) [動] to hold something tightly again

tackle (取り組む) [動] to deal with or try to solve a problem or difficulty

それからパパは額の汗を拭き、斧を握り直して、別の丸太に取り組んだ。

One day the last log was split, and next morning Pa began to lay the floor.

ある日、最後の丸太が割られ、翌朝パパは床を張り始めた。

He dragged the logs into the house and laid them one by one, flat side up.

drag (引きずり込む) [動] pull or move with difficulty or effort

side (面) [名] a surface of an object that is not the top, bottom, front, or back

パパは丸太を家の中に引きずり込み、平らな面を上にして一つ一つ並べた。

With his spade he scraped the ground underneath, and fitted the round side of the log firmly down into it.

underneath (下) [前] below

パパはシャベルで丸太の下の地面を削り、丸太の丸い側面をそこにしっかりとはめ込んだ。

With his ax he trimmed away the edge of bark and cut the wood straight, so that each log fitted against the next, with hardly a crack between them.

trim away (切り落とす) [動] cut off

bark (樹皮) [名] the outer layer of a tree

パパは斧で樹皮の端を切り落とし、木を真っ直ぐに切ったので、丸太と丸太の間にほとんど隙間がなく、丸太が隣の丸太にぴったりと合うようになった。

Then he took the head of the ax in his hand, and with little, careful blows he smoothed the wood.

careful (注意深い) [形] taking care to avoid harm or damage

blow (打撃) [名] a powerful or violent stroke with a hand or weapon

それからパパは斧の頭を手に持ち、小さく注意深い打撃で木を滑らかにした。

He squinted along the log to see that the surface was straight and true.

squint (目を細める) [動] look with the eyes partly closed

surface (表面) [名] the top or outside layer of something

true (真実) [形] being in accordance with fact or reality

パパは丸太に沿って目を細め、表面が真っ直ぐで真実であることを確認した。

He took off last little bits, here and there.

take off (取り除く) [動] remove something

here and there (あちこち) [副] in various places

パパはあちこちで最後の小さな部分を取り除いた。

Finally he ran his hand over the smoothness, and nodded.

finally (最後に) [副] after a long time, or after a lot of problems

run one's hand over (手をかざす) [動] to move one's hand over something

smoothness (滑らかな部分) [名] the quality of being smooth

最後にパパは滑らかな部分に手をかざして、うなずいた。

“Not a splinter!” he said.

splinter (とげ) [名] a small, thin, sharp piece of wood, glass, or metal that has broken off from something

「とげが一つもない!」とパパは言った。

“That’ll be all right for little bare feet to run over.”

run over (走り回る) [動] move at a speed faster than a walk

「これで小さな裸足が走り回っても大丈夫だ。」

He left that log fitted into its place, and dragged in another.

パパはその丸太をその場所に置き、別の丸太を引きずり入れた。

When he came to the fireplace, he used shorter logs.

暖炉の所に来ると、パパは短い丸太を使った。

He left a space of bare earth for a hearth, so that when sparks or coals popped out of the fire they would not burn the floor.

pop (飛び出す) [動] move or cause to move suddenly or unexpectedly

パパは火床のためにむき出しの土の空間を残したので、火花や石炭が火から飛び出しても床を焦がさないようにした。

One day the floor was done.

ある日、床が完成した。

It was smooth and firm and hard, a good floor of solid oak that would last, Pa said, forever.

firm (固い) [形] having a solid, almost hard, texture

hard (硬い) [形] not easily penetrated, cut, or broken

それは滑らかで、固く、硬く、永遠に続くであろう堅いオークの良い床だとパパは言った。

“You can’t beat a good puncheon floor,” he said, and Ma said she was glad to be up off the dirt.

beat (勝る) [動] be better than

「良い板張りの床に勝るものはない」とパパは言い、ママは土から離れることができて嬉しいと言った。

She put the little china woman on the mantel-shelf, and spread a red-checked cloth on the table.

checked (チェックの) [形] having a pattern of squares

ママは小さな陶器の女性をマントルピースの棚に置き、赤いチェックの布をテーブルに広げた。

“There,” she said.

「ほら」とママは言った。

“Now we’re living like civilized folks again.”

civilized (文明人) [形] having a high level of culture and development

「これでまた文明人のような生活ができるよ」

After that Pa filled the cracks in the walls.

その後、パパは壁のひびを埋めた。

He drove thin strips of wood into them, and plastered them well with mud, filling every chink.

パパは薄い木の板をそこに打ち込み、泥でよく塗り、すべての隙間を埋めた。

“That’s a good job,” Ma said.

good job (いい仕事) [名] a task that is well done

「いい仕事ね」とママは言った。

“That chinking will keep out the wind, no matter how hard it blows.”

「どんなに強く吹いても、この隙間埋めが風を防いでくれるよ」

Pa stopped whistling to smile at her.

smile (微笑む) [動] form one's features into a pleased, kind, or amused expression, typically with the corners of the mouth turned up and the front teeth exposed

パパは口笛を止めて彼女に微笑んだ。

He slapped the last bit of mud between the logs and smoothed it and set down the bucket.

slap (塗る) [動] hit with the palm of the hand

パパは丸太の間に最後の泥を塗り、それを平らにしてバケツを置いた。

At last the house was finished.

ついに家が完成した。

“I wish we had glass for the windows,” Pa said.

glass (ガラス) [名] a hard and brittle substance that is usually transparent or translucent and is used to make windows, bottles, and other articles

「窓にガラスがあったらいいのに」とパパは言った。

“We don’t need glass, Charles,” said Ma.

need (必要である) [動] require (something) because it is essential or very important

「ガラスは必要ないよ、チャールズ」とママは言った。

“Just the same, if I do well with my hunting and trapping this winter, I’m going to get some glass in Independence next spring,” said Pa.

just the same (それでも) [副] nevertheless

trapping (わな猟) [名] the activity of catching animals in traps

this winter (この冬) [名] the season of winter in the current year

going to (つもりだ) [助] have something already planned or arranged; have something that is bound to happen; will

get (買ってくる) [動] obtain by purchase

some glass (ガラス) [名] a hard and brittle substance consisting of a mixture of silicates

next spring (来年の春) [名] the season of spring in the year after the current year

said (言った) [動] express (something) in words

「それでも、この冬の狩猟やわな猟がうまくいったら、来年の春にインディペンデンスでガラスを買ってくるつもりだ」とパパは言った。

“And hang the expense!”

「そして出費を吊るすんだ!」

“Glass windows would be nice if we can afford them,” Ma said.

glass window (ガラス窓) [名] a window made of glass

afford (買える) [動] be able to pay for

「ガラス窓は、買えるならいいよね」とママは言った。

“But we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

「でも、その橋に着いたら渡ればいいよ」

They were all happy that night.

その夜、みんな幸せだった。

The fire on the hearth was pleasant, for on the High Prairie even the summer nights were cool.

summer (夏) [名] the season of the year between spring and autumn

ハイ・プレーリーでは夏の夜でさえ涼しかったので、炉の火は心地よかった。

The red-checked cloth was on the table, the little china woman glimmered on the mantel-shelf, and the new floor was golden in the flickering firelight.

red-checked (赤いチェックの) [形] having a pattern of red squares

glimmer (かすかに光る) [動] shine or be bright with a weak or unsteady light

flickering (ちらちらする) [形] unsteady; varying in brightness or intensity

赤いチェックの布がテーブルにかけられて、小さな陶器の女性がマントルピースの棚でかすかに光り、新しい床はちらちらする火の光で金色に輝いていた。

Outside, the night was large and full of stars.

large (広がる) [形] of great or more than average size, extent, or capacity

外は、夜空が広がり、星がいっぱいだった。

Pa sat for a long time in the doorway and played his fiddle and sang to Ma and Mary and Laura in the house and to the starry night outside.

starry (星空) [形] full of stars

パパは長い時間戸口に座って、フィドルを弾き、家の中でママとメアリーとローラに、そして外の星空に向かって歌った。

Chapter 11: INDIANS IN THE HOUSE

Chapter 11 (第11章) [名] the 11th chapter

第11章: 家にいるインディアン

Early one morning Pa took his gun and went hunting.

early one morning (ある朝早く) [名] a time in the morning that is early

ある朝早く、パパは銃を持って狩りに出かけた。

He had meant to make the bedstead that day.

that day (その日) [名] the day in question

パパはその日、ベッドの枠を作るつもりだった。

He had brought in the slabs, when Ma said she had no meat for dinner.

bring in (運び込む) [動] to take or carry something inside

パパが厚板を運び込んだ時、ママは夕食に肉がないと言った。

So he stood the slabs against the wall and took down his gun.

take down (取り出す) [動] remove from a high position

それでパパは厚板を壁に立てかけ、銃を取り出した。

Jack wanted to go hunting, too.

ジャックも狩りに行きたかった。

His eyes begged Pa to take him, and whines came up from his chest and quivered in his throat till Laura almost cried with him.

whine (悲鳴を上げる) [動] make a long, high-pitched complaining cry or sound

ジャックはパパに連れて行ってくれと目で訴え、胸から悲鳴を上げ、喉を震わせたので、ローラは彼と一緒に泣きそうになった。

But Pa chained him to the stable.

しかし、パパは彼を馬小屋に鎖でつないだ。

“No, Jack,” Pa said.

「だめだ、ジャック」とパパは言った。

“You must stay here and guard the place.”

「ここに残って、家を守らなければならない。」

Then he said to Mary and Laura, “Don’t let him loose, girls.”

let loose (放す) [動] release from confinement or restraint

それから、メアリーとローラに「彼を放さないように」と言った。

Poor Jack lay down.

かわいそうなジャックは横になった。

It was a disgrace to be chained, and he felt it deeply.

disgrace (恥) [名] a loss of reputation or respect

deeply (深く) [副] to a great extent or degree

鎖につながれるのは恥ずかしいことであり、彼はそれを深く感じていた。

He turned his head from Pa and would not watch him going away with the gun on his shoulder.

turn one's head (顔を背ける) [動] turn one's head to the side

彼はパパから顔を背け、パパが銃を肩にかけて出かけていくのを見ようとしなかった。

Pa went farther and farther away, till the prairies swallowed him and he was gone.

gone (見えなくなる) [形] no longer present; absent

パパはどんどん遠ざかり、ついに大草原に飲み込まれて見えなくなった。

Laura tried to comfort Jack, but he would not be comforted.

comfort (慰める) [動] make someone feel less unhappy, worried, or upset

would not (しなかった) [助] be unwilling to do something

ローラはジャックを慰めようとしたが、彼は慰めようとしなかった。

The more he thought about the chain, the worse he felt.

the more (より) [副] to a greater extent

the worse (より悪く) [副] to a greater extent

鎖のことを考えれば考えるほど、彼は気分が悪くなった。

Laura tried to cheer him up to frisk and play, but he only grew more sullen.

cheer up (元気づける) [動] make someone feel more cheerful

frisk (遊ぶ) [動] move or jump about playfully

grow sullen (不機嫌になる) [動] become bad-tempered and sulky

ローラは彼を元気づけて遊びに誘おうとしたが、彼はますます不機嫌になった。

Both Mary and Laura felt that they could not leave Jack while he was so unhappy.

so (そんなに) [副] to such a great extent

unhappy (不幸な) [形] sad or disappointed

メアリーとローラは、ジャックがそんなに不幸な時に彼を置いていけないと感じていた。

So all that morning they stayed by the stable.

all (ずっと) [副] the whole of

だから、その朝はずっと馬小屋のそばにいた。

They stroked Jack’s smooth, brindled head and scratched around his ears, and told him how sorry they were that he must be chained.

smooth (なめらかな) [形] having a surface or texture that is even and regular

brindle (虎毛) [名] a brindled coat

scratch (掻く) [動] rub or scrape with the nails or claws

彼女たちはジャックのなめらかな虎毛の頭を撫で、耳の周りを掻き、鎖につながれなくてはならないことをどれほど気の毒に思っているかを彼に話した。

He lapped their hands a little bit, but he was very sad and angry.

a little bit (少し) [副] to a small extent

sad (悲しい) [形] unhappy

angry (怒っている) [形] feeling or showing anger

彼は彼女たちの手を少しなめたが、とても悲しくて怒っていた。

His head was on Laura’s knee and she was talking to him, when suddenly he stood up and growled a fierce, deep growl.

knee (膝) [名] the joint between the thigh and the lower leg

fierce (激しい) [形] violent or intense

deep (低い) [形] extending far down from the top or surface

growl (唸り声) [名] a deep guttural sound made in the throat

彼の頭はローラの膝の上にあり、彼女が彼に話しかけていると、突然彼は立ち上がり、激しく低い唸り声を上げた。

The hair on his neck stood straight up and his eyes glared red.

glare (光る) [動] shine intensely or harshly

首の毛が逆立ち、目が赤く光った。

Laura was frightened.

ローラは怖かった。

Jack had never growled at her before.

ジャックはこれまで彼女に唸ったことがなかった。

Then she looked over her shoulder, where Jack was looking, and she saw two naked, wild men coming, one behind the other, on the Indian trail.

naked (裸の) [形] without clothes

それから彼女はジャックが見ている方へ肩越しに振り返り、インディアンの道を2人の裸の野生の男が前後に並んでやってくるのを見かけた。

“Mary! Look!” she cried.

「メアリー! 見て!」と彼女は叫んだ。

Mary looked and saw them, too.

メアリーも見て、彼らを見た。

They were tall, thin, fierce-looking men.

fierce (恐ろしい) [形] violent or intense in strength or degree

look (顔つき) [名] the way that someone or something appears

彼らは背が高く、痩せていて、恐ろしい顔つきの男たちだった。

Their skin was brownish-red.

brownish-red (赤褐色) [形] of a color intermediate between red and brown

彼らの肌は赤褐色だった。

Their heads seemed to go up to a peak, and the peak was a tuft of hair that stood straight up and ended in feathers.

peak (頂上) [名] the pointed top of a mountain

tuft (房) [名] a bunch of feathers, hair, or grass growing or tied together

feather (羽) [名] one of the light appendages growing from a bird's skin

彼らの頭は頂上まで上がっているように見え、頂上は真っ直ぐに立って羽で終わる髪の房だった。

Their eyes were black and still and glittering, like snake’s eyes.

glittering (輝く) [動] shine brightly; sparkle

彼らの目は黒く、蛇の目のようにじっと輝いていた。

They came closer and closer.

closer (もっと近く) [副] to or at a short distance

彼らはどんどん近づいてきた。

Then they went out of sight, on the other side of the house.

それから彼らは家の反対側に行き、見えなくなった。

Laura’s head turned and so did Mary’s, and they looked at the place where those terrible men would appear when they came past the house.

past (前) [前] beyond a point in time or space

ローラは振り返り、メアリーも振り返り、二人は恐ろしい男たちが家の前を通り過ぎたら現れる場所を見た。

“Indians!” Mary whispered.

「インディアンだ!」とメアリーはささやいた。

Laura was shivery; there was a queer feeling in her middle and the bones in her legs felt weak.

shivery (震え) [形] feeling cold and shaking slightly

ローラは震え、体の真ん中に奇妙な感覚があり、足の骨が弱く感じられた。

She wanted to sit down.

sit down (座る) [動] be in or assume a sitting position

彼女は座りたかった。

But she stood and looked and waited for those Indians to come out from beyond the house.

しかし、彼女は立って、インディアンが家の向こうから出てくるのを待ち続けた。

The Indians did not do that.

that (そう) [副] in that manner; like that

インディアンはそうしなかった。

All this time Jack had been growling.

all this time (この間ずっと) [副] throughout the period of time in question

この間ずっとジャックは唸っていた。

Now he stopped growling and was lunging against the chain.

lunge (飛びかかる) [動] make a sudden forward movement

彼は唸るのをやめて、鎖に飛びかかった。

His eyes were red and his lips curled back and all the hair on his back was bristling.

lip (唇) [名] either of the two fleshy parts that form the upper and lower edges of the opening of the mouth

bristle (逆立つ) [動] stand up stiffly like bristles

彼の目は赤く、唇は後ろにめくれ、背中の毛は逆立っていた。

He bounded and bounded, clear off the ground, trying to get loose from the chain.

clear (離れる) [動] move away from

彼は鎖から逃れようとして、地面から離れて跳びはねた。

Laura was glad that the chain kept him right there with her.

right there (すぐそば) [副] in that very place

ローラは鎖が彼を彼女のすぐそばに留めてくれたことを嬉しく思った。

“Jack’s here,” she whispered to Mary.

here (来た) [副] in this place

「ジャックが来た」と彼女はメアリーにささやいた。

“Jack won’t let them hurt us.

「ジャックは彼らに私たちを傷つけさせないよ。

We’ll be safe if we stay close to Jack.”

stay close to (近くにいる) [動] be near or next to

ジャックの近くにいれば安全よ。」

“They are in the house,” Mary whispered.

be in (いる) [動] be present in

「彼らは家の中にいる」とメアリーはささやいた。

“They are in the house with Ma and Carrie.”

with (と一緒に) [前] in the company of

「彼らはママとキャリーと一緒に家の中にいる」

Then Laura began to shake all over.

するとローラは全身を震わせ始めた。

She knew she must do something.

彼女は何かをしなければならないと分かっていた。

She did not know what those Indians were doing to Ma and Baby Carrie.

do not know (分からない) [動] be not aware of

彼女はインディアンがママと赤ん坊のキャリーに何をしているのか分からなかった。

There was no sound at all from the house.

no sound (音がしない) [名] no noise

家からは全く音がしなかった。

“Oh, what are they doing to Ma!” she screamed, in a whisper.

scream (叫ぶ) [動] cry out loudly, as in pain, fright, or anger

「ああ、彼らはママに何をしているの!」彼女はささやき声で叫んだ。

“Oh, I don’t know!” Mary whispered.

「ああ、分からないよ!」メアリーはささやいた。

“I’m going to let Jack loose,” Laura whispered, hoarsely.

hoarsely (かすれた声で) [副] in a hoarse voice

「ジャックを放すよ」ローラはかすれた声でささやいた。

“Jack will kill them.”

kill (殺す) [動] cause the death of

「ジャックが彼らを殺すよ」

“Pa said not to,” Mary answered.

not to (そうしちゃいけない) [動] not to do something

「パパはそうしちゃいけないって言ったよ」メアリーは答えた。

They were too scared to speak out loud.

speak out (話す) [動] say something loudly or strongly

loud (大声で) [形] having a high volume or intensity

彼らは怖くて大声で話せなかった。

They put their heads together and watched the house and whispered.

put one's heads together (頭を寄せ合う) [動] to discuss something with someone

彼らは頭を寄せ合って家を眺めながらささやき合った。

“He didn’t know Indians would come,” Laura said.

「パパはインディアンが来ることなんて知らなかったのよ」ローラは言った。

“He said not to let Jack loose.”

「パパはジャックを放さないように言ったよ」

Mary was almost crying.

メアリーは泣きそうだった。

Laura thought of little Baby Carrie and Ma, shut in the house with those Indians.

think of (思う) [動] have in mind; be thinking about

shut in (閉じ込める) [動] confine or enclose

those (その) [限] the; those

ローラは赤ん坊のキャリーとママがインディアンと一緒に家の中に閉じ込められていることを思った。

She said, “I’m going in to help Ma!”

go in (行く) [動] enter

彼女は「ママを助けに行くよ!」と言った。

She ran two steps, and walked a step, then she turned and flew back to Jack.

step (歩) [名] the distance covered by a step

彼女は2歩走り、1歩歩き、それから振り返ってジャックの元へ飛んで行った。

She clutched him wildly and hung on to his strong, panting neck.

hang on (つかまる) [動] hold on to something tightly

彼女は彼を激しくつかみ、彼の強く、息を切らした首につかまった。

Jack wouldn’t let anything hurt her.

let (許す) [動] allow to happen

ジャックは彼女を傷つけるものは何も許さないだろう。

“We mustn’t leave Ma in there alone,” Mary whispered.

「ママを一人にしてはいけないよ」とメアリーはささやいた。

She stood still and trembled.

彼女は立ち止まって震えた。

Mary never could move when she was frightened.

frightened (怖い) [形] afraid or anxious

メアリーは怖い時には動けなかった。

Laura hid her face against Jack and held on to him tightly.

against (〜に) [前] in contact with or supported by

hold on to (抱きしめる) [動] grasp or grip firmly

ローラはジャックに顔を隠して、彼をぎゅっと抱きしめた。

Then she made her arms let go.

それから彼女は腕を離した。

Her hands balled into fists and her eyes shut tight and she ran toward the house as fast as she could run.

ball (握りしめる) [動] make into a ball

彼女は手を握りしめ、目をぎゅっと閉じて、できるだけ速く家に向かって走った。

She stumbled and fell down and her eyes popped open.

stumble (つまずく) [動] trip or catch one's foot on something and almost fall

fall down (転ぶ) [動] move quickly and suddenly from a higher to a lower position

pop open (飛び出す) [動] move or cause to move suddenly and quickly

彼女はつまずいて転び、目が飛び出した。

She was up again and running before she could think.

be up (起き上がる) [動] get out of bed

彼女は考える前にまた起き上がって走っていた。

Mary was close behind her.

close (すぐ) [副] very near

メアリーは彼女のすぐ後ろにいた。

They came to the door.

彼らはドアまで来た。

It was open, and they slipped into the house without a sound.

ドアは開いており、彼らは音もなく家の中に滑り込んだ。

The naked wild men stood by the fireplace.

裸の野生の男たちが暖炉のそばに立っていた。

Ma was bending over the fire, cooking something.

bend over (身をかがめる) [動] lean forward

ママは火の上に身をかがめて何かを料理していた。

Carrie clung to Ma’s skirts with both hands and her head was hidden in the folds.

fold (ひだ) [名] a part of something that is folded over or back

キャリーは両手でママのスカーにしがみつき、頭をひだの中に隠していた。

Laura ran toward Ma, but just as she reached the hearth she smelled a horribly bad smell and she looked up at the Indians.

just as (ちょうどその時) [副] at the exact moment that

smell (臭いがする) [動] perceive or detect the odor of

ローラはママに向かって走ったが、暖炉にたどり着いたちょうどその時、ひどく嫌な臭いがして、インディアンを見た。

Quick as a flash, she ducked behind the long, narrow slab that leaned against the wall.

duck (隠れる) [動] move quickly and suddenly to avoid being seen

彼女は素早く、壁にもたれかかった長くて狭い板の陰に隠れた。

The slab was just wide enough to cover both her eyes.

その板は彼女の両目を隠すのに十分な幅だった。

If she held her head perfectly still and pressed her nose against the slab, she couldn’t see the Indians.

press (押し付ける) [動] push against something with steady force

彼女が頭を完全に動かさず、鼻を板に押し付ければ、インディアンは見えなかった。

And she felt safer.

そして彼女はより安全だと感じた。

But she couldn’t help moving her head just a little, so that one eye peeped out and she could see the wild men.

just a little (少しだけ) [副] to a small extent

peep (覗く) [動] look quickly and furtively

しかし、彼女は頭を少し動かすのを我慢できず、片方の目が覗き、野生の男たちを見ることができた。

First she saw their leather moccasins.

moccasin (モカシン) [名] a soft leather shoe with a sole made of leather or rubber

最初に彼女は彼らの革のモカシンを見た。

Then their stringy, bare, red-brown legs, all the way up.

stringy (筋張った) [形] consisting of or resembling strings

red-brown (赤茶色の) [形] of a color intermediate between red and brown

all the way up (ずっと上まで) [副] to the top

それから彼らの筋張った、むき出しの、赤茶色の脚をずっと上まで見た。

Around their waists each of the Indians wore a leather thong, and the furry skin of a small animal hung down in front.

thong (ひも) [名] a narrow strip of leather or other material, used especially as a fastening

furry (毛皮) [形] covered with fur

インディアンはそれぞれ腰の周りに革ひもを巻き、小さな動物の毛皮を前に垂らしていた。

The fur was striped black and white, and now Laura knew what made that smell.

毛皮は黒と白の縞模様で、ローラはその匂いの原因がわかった。

The skins were fresh skunk skins.

skin (毛皮) [名] the outer covering of a person or animal

skunk (スカンク) [名] a black and white mammal that has a very unpleasant smell

その毛皮は新鮮なスカンクの毛皮だった。

A knife like Pa’s hunting-knife, and a hatchet like Pa’s hatchet, were stuck into each skunk skin.

hunting-knife (狩猟用ナイフ) [名] a knife used for hunting

パパの狩猟用ナイフのようなナイフとパパの手斧のような手斧が、それぞれのスカンクの毛皮に刺さっていた。

The Indians’ ribs made little ridges up their bare sides.

インディアンの肋骨は、むき出しの脇腹に小さな隆起を作っている。

Their arms were folded on their chests.

彼らの腕は胸の上で組まれていた。

At last Laura looked again at their faces, and she dodged quickly behind the slab.

dodge (身を隠す) [動] move quickly to avoid something

ついにローラは彼らの顔をもう一度見て、石板の背後に素早く身を隠した。

Their faces were bold and fierce and terrible.

bold (大胆な) [形] not afraid to do or say things that other people might not approve of

fierce (荒々しい) [形] violent or aggressive; ferocious

彼らの顔は大胆で、荒々しく、恐ろしかった。

Their black eyes glittered.

彼らの黒い目はきらめいていた。

High on their foreheads and above their ears where hair grows, these wild men had no hair.

額の上の方や耳の上の髪の毛が生えるところに、この野生の男たちは髪の毛がなかった。

But on top of their heads a tuft of hair stood straight up.

on top of (てっぺん) [名] the highest point of something

しかし、頭のてっぺんには髪の毛の房がまっすぐ立っていた。

It was wound around with string, and feathers were stuck in it.

wind around (巻く) [動] wrap around

それは紐で巻かれ、羽が刺さっていた。

When Laura peeked out from behind the slab again, both Indians were looking straight at her.

slab (石板) [名] a large, flat, thick piece of stone

ローラが再び石板の後ろから覗くと、二人のインディアンは彼女をまっすぐ見ていた。

Her heart jumped into her throat and choked her with its pounding.

jump into (飛び込む) [動] move or jump into something

choke (息が詰まる) [動] have difficulty breathing

pound (ドキドキする) [動] beat or throb with a strong, regular rhythm

彼女の心臓は喉に飛び込み、ドキドキして息が詰まった。

Two black eyes glittered down into her eyes.

二つの黒い目が彼女の目を覗き込んだ。

The Indian did not move, not one muscle of his face moved.

muscle (筋肉) [名] a band or bundle of fibrous tissue in a human or animal body that has the ability to contract, producing movement in or maintaining the position of parts of the body

インディアンは動かず、顔の筋肉も動かなかった。

Only his eyes shone and sparkled at her.

彼の目だけが彼女を見つめて輝いていた。

Laura didn’t move, either.

either (も) [副] also; as well

ローラも動かなかった。

She didn’t even breathe.

彼女は息もしなかった。

The Indian made two short, harsh sounds in his throat.

harsh (耳障りな) [形] unpleasant to the ear

インディアンは喉で短く、耳障りな音を二回立てた。

The other Indian made one sound, like “Hah!”

other (もう一人の) [形] the remaining one of two or more people or things

like (のような) [前] similar to; having the same characteristics or qualities as

もう一人のインディアンは「ハッ!」のような音を一つ立てた。

Laura hid her eyes behind the slab again.

behind (陰に) [前] at the back of

ローラは再び板の陰に目を隠した。

She heard Ma take the cover off the bake-oven.

彼女はママがオーブンの蓋を外す音を聞いた。

She heard the Indians squat down on the hearth.

squat down (しゃがみ込む) [動] sit on one's heels with the knees bent and the heels close to or touching the buttocks

彼女はインディアンが炉辺にしゃがみ込む音を聞いた。

After a while she heard them eating.

しばらくすると、彼女は彼らが食べている音を聞いた。

Laura peeked, and hid, and peeked again, while the Indians ate the cornbread that Ma had baked.

インディアンがママが焼いたコーンブレッドを食べている間、ローラは覗き、隠れ、また覗いた。

They ate every morsel of it, and even picked up the crumbs from the hearth.

morsel (一口) [名] a small piece of food

crumb (パンくず) [名] a small fragment of bread

彼らはそれを残さず食べ、炉辺からパンくずを拾い集めた。

Ma stood and watched them and stroked Baby Carrie’s head.

ママは立って彼らを見守り、赤ん坊のキャリーの頭を撫でた。

Mary stood close behind Ma and held on to her sleeve.

hold on (つかむ) [動] grasp something firmly

メアリーはママのすぐ後ろに立って、彼女の袖をつかんだ。

Faintly Laura heard Jack’s chain rattling.

ローラはかすかにジャックの鎖がガチャガチャ鳴るのを聞いた。

Jack was still trying to get loose.

ジャックはまだ逃げようとしていた。

When every crumb of the cornbread was gone, the Indians rose up.

crumb (かけら) [名] a small piece of food

コーンブレッドのかけらがすべてなくなると、インディアンたちは立ち上がった。

The skunk smell was stronger when they moved.

smell (臭い) [名] the quality of something that is perceived by the olfactory system

彼らが動くとスカンクの臭いが強くなった。

One of them made harsh sounds in his throat again.

彼らの1人がまた喉で耳障りな音を出した。

Ma looked at him with big eyes;

ママは目を大きくして彼を見た。

she did not say anything.

彼女は何も言わなかった。

The Indian turned around, the other Indian turned, too, and they walked across the floor and out through the door.

turn around (振り返る) [動] change direction, position, or course

out (出て) [前] away from the inside of

インディアンは振り返り、もう1人のインディアンも振り返り、彼らは床を横切って歩き、ドアから出て行った。

Their feet made no sound at all.

彼らの足は全く音を立てなかった。

Ma sighed a long, long sigh.

ママは長い長いため息をついた。

She hugged Laura tight in one arm and Mary tight in the other arm, and through the window they watched those Indians going away, one behind the other, on the dim trail toward the west.

one behind the other (1列になって) [副] in a line, one after the other

dim (薄暗い) [形] not bright or well lit

彼女は片方の腕でローラをぎゅっと抱きしめ、もう片方の腕でメアリーをぎゅっと抱きしめて、窓からインディアンが西に向かう薄暗い道を1列になって去っていくのを見送った。

Then Ma sat down on the bed and hugged Laura and Mary tighter, and trembled.

sit down (腰を下ろす) [動] take a seat

それからママはベッドに腰を下ろし、ローラとメアリーをもっと強く抱きしめて震えた。

She looked sick.

彼女は病気のように見えた。

“Do you feel sick, Ma?” Mary asked her.

feel sick (気分が悪い) [動] to feel as if you are going to vomit

「気分が悪いの、ママ?」とメアリーは彼女に尋ねた。

“No,” said Ma.

「いいえ」とママは言った。

“I’m just thankful they’re gone.”

be thankful (感謝している) [動] feel or show gratitude

「彼らがいなくなってくれたことに感謝しているだけよ」

Laura wrinkled her nose and said, “They smell awful.”

ローラは鼻にしわを寄せて「ひどい臭いがする」と言った。

“That was the skunk skins they wore,” Ma said.

that (それは) [代] the thing that is mentioned

wear (着る) [動] have on one's body or oneself

「それは彼らが着ていたスカンクの皮よ」とママは言った。

Then they told her how they had left Jack and had come into the house because they were afraid the Indians would hurt her and Baby Carrie.

afraid (心配する) [形] feeling fear or worry

それから、インディアンがローラと赤ん坊のキャリーを傷つけるのではないかと心配して、ジャックを置いて家に入ってきた経緯を話した。

Ma said they were her brave little girls.

brave (勇敢な) [形] ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage

ママは、二人は勇敢な小さな女の子だと言った。

“Now we must get dinner,” she said.

「さあ、夕食の支度をしましょう」とママは言った。

“Pa will be here soon and we must have dinner ready for him.

be here (帰ってくる) [動] arrive at a place

have dinner (夕食を食べる) [動] eat dinner

「パパがすぐに帰ってくるから、夕食の支度をしておきましょう。

Mary, bring me some wood.

メアリー、薪を持ってきなさい。

Laura, you may set the table.”

set the table (テーブルをセットする) [動] put the dishes, cutlery, etc. on the table in preparation for a meal

ローラ、テーブルをセットしてちょうだい」

Ma rolled up her sleeves and washed her hands and mixed cornbread, while Mary brought the wood and Laura set the table.

bring (運ぶ) [動] to take or carry something to a place

set (セットする) [動] to put something in a particular place or position

ママは袖をまくり、手を洗ってコーンブレッドを混ぜ、メアリーは薪を運び、ローラはテーブルをセットした。

She set a tin plate and knife and fork and cup for Pa, and the same for Ma, with Carrie’s little tin cup beside Ma’s.

cup (カップ) [名] a small container with a handle, used for drinking from

彼女はパパのためにブリキの皿とナイフとフォークとカップをセットし、ママのためにも同じものをセットし、ママの横にキャリーの小さなブリキのカップも置いた。

And she set tin plates and knives and forks for her and Mary, but only their one cup between the plates.

そして彼女はメアリーと自分のためにブリキの皿とナイフとフォークをセットしたが、カップは2枚の皿の間に1つだけ置いた。

Ma made the cornmeal and water into two thin loaves, each shaped in a half circle.

loaf (パン) [名] a quantity of bread that is shaped and baked in one piece

ママはコーンミールと水を混ぜて、それぞれ半円形の薄いパンを2つ作った。

She laid the loaves with their straight sides together in the bake-oven, and she pressed her hand flat on top of each loaf.

straight (直線の) [形] not curved or bent

flat (平らに) [副] in a smooth, even, or level way

彼女はパンを直線の側面を合わせてオーブンに入れ、それぞれのパンの上に手を平らに押し付けた。

Pa always said he did not ask any other sweetening, when Ma put the prints of her hands on the loaves.

ask (求める) [動] request something

sweetening (甘味料) [名] a substance that sweetens

put (残す) [動] place or set down

パパはいつも、ママがパンに手の跡を残したときには、他の甘味料は求めないと言っていた。

Laura had hardly set the table when Pa was there.

when (ときに) [接] at the time that; at or during the time that

ローラはパパがそこにいるときにはほとんどテーブルをセットしなかった。

He left a big rabbit and two prairie hens outside the door, and stepped in and laid his gun on its pegs.

outside (外に) [副] on or to the outer side of

step in (中に入る) [動] enter

peg (掛ける) [名] a short cylindrical piece of wood, metal, or plastic used to hold or fasten something

彼は大きなウサギと2羽の草原の雌鳥をドアの外に置き、中に入って銃を掛けた。

Laura and Mary ran and clutched him, both talking at once.

at once (同時に) [副] immediately; without delay

ローラとメアリーは走って彼をつかみ、2人とも同時に話し始めた。

“What’s all this?

all this (これはいったい何だ) [名] the whole of this

「これはいったい何だ?

What’s all this?” he said, rumpling their hair.

これはいったい何だ?」と彼は言い、2人の髪をくしゃくしゃにした。

“Indians? So you’ve seen Indians at last, have you, Laura?

「インディアン? ついにインディアンを見たのか、ローラ?

I noticed they have a camp in a little valley west of here.

notice (気づく) [動] become aware of

west (西) [名] the direction toward the setting sun

彼らがここから西にある小さな谷にキャンプしているのに気づいたんだ。

Did Indians come to the house, Caroline?”

インディアンは家に来たのか、キャロライン?」

“Yes, Charles, two of them,” Ma said.

「ええ、チャールズ、2人来たよ」とママは言った。

“I’m sorry, but they took all your tobacco, and they ate a lot of cornbread.

I'm sorry (ごめんなさい) [句] I apologize

a lot of (たくさん) [限] a large amount or number of

「ごめんなさい、でも彼らはあなたのタバコを全部持っていって、コーンブレッドをたくさん食べたよ。

They pointed to the cornmeal and made signs for me to cook some.

point to (指さす) [動] direct someone's attention to something

make signs (合図する) [動] communicate with gestures

彼らはコーンミールを指さして、私に料理するように合図したのよ。

I was afraid not to.

be afraid (怖がる) [動] feel fear or worry

怖くてそうしなかった。

Oh Charles! I was afraid!”

ああ、チャールズ! 怖かったよ!」

“You did the right thing,” Pa told her.

do the right thing (正しいことをする) [動] act in a just or honorable way

「君は正しいことをした」とパパは彼女に言った。

“We don’t want to make enemies of any Indians.”

enemy (敵) [名] a person who is actively opposed or hostile to someone or something

「インディアンを敵に回したくない」

Then he said, “Whew! what a smell.”

what (なんて) [限] how great or intense

それから彼は「うよ! なんて臭い」と言った。

“They wore fresh skunk skins,” said Ma.

「彼らは新鮮なスカンクの皮を着ていた」とママは言った。

“And that was all they wore.”

be all (全てである) [動] be the only thing

「そしてそれが彼らが着ていた全てだった」

“Must have been thick while they were here,” Pa said.

must have been (に違いない) [助] used to express a strong belief that something is the case

while (間) [名] a period of time

「彼らがここにいた間は濃かったに違いない」とパパは言った。

“It was, Charles.

「そうだったよ、チャールズ。

We were short of cornmeal, too.”

be short of (不足している) [動] have an insufficient amount of

コーンミールも不足していたよ」

“Oh well. We have enough to hold out awhile yet.

hold out (持ちこたえる) [動] to continue to resist or refuse to give in

「ああ、そうか。まだしばらくは持ちこたえられるだけの量はある。

And our meat is running all over the country.

all over (国中に) [副] throughout

そして、私たちの肉は国中に運ばれている。

Don’t worry, Caroline.”

心配するな、キャロライン」

“But they took all your tobacco.”

「でも、彼らはあなたのタバコを全部持っていったよ」

“Never mind,” Pa said.

never mind (気にするな) [動] don't worry about it

「気にするな」とパパは言った。

“I’ll get along without tobacco till I can make that trip to Independence.

「インディペンデンスまで行けるまではタバコなしでやっていけるよ。

The main thing is to be on good terms with the Indians.

main thing (一番大事なこと) [名] the most important thing

be on good terms with (仲良くする) [動] have a good relationship with

一番大事なのはインディアンと仲良くすることだ。

We don’t want to wake up some night with a band of the screeching dev—”

screeching (叫び声) [名] a loud, high-pitched sound

devil (悪魔) [名] an evil spirit

夜中に悪魔の叫び声で目を覚ましたくないからね」

He stopped.

stop (口をつぐむ) [動] cease an action or activity

パパは口をつぐんだ。

Laura dreadfully wanted to know what he had been going to say.

dreadfully (とても) [副] to a very great degree

want to know (知りたい) [動] wish to know

ローラはパパが何を言おうとしたのかとても知りたかった。

But Ma’s lips were pressed together and she shook a little shake of her head at Pa.

press together (ぎゅっと閉じる) [動] to move two things together so that they are touching or joined

at (に向かって) [前] in the direction of; toward

でもママは唇をぎゅっと閉じて、パパに向かって少し首を横に振った。

“Come on, Mary and Laura!” Pa said.

come on (おいで) [動] move or travel toward or into a place thought of as near or familiar to the speaker

「メアリーとローラ、おいで!」とパパが言った。

“We’ll skin that rabbit and dress the prairie hens while that cornbread bakes.

skin (皮を剥ぐ) [動] remove the skin from

dress (下ごしらえをする) [動] prepare for cooking

「コーンブレッドが焼ける間に、ウサギの皮を剥いで、草原の雌鶏の下ごしらえをしよう。

Hurry! I’m hungry as a wolf!”

急げ! 狼のように腹が減った!」

They sat on the woodpile in the wind and sunshine and watched Pa work with his hunting-knife.

二人は風と日差しの中で薪の山に座って、パパが狩猟ナイフで作業するのを見た。

The big rabbit was shot through the eye, and the prairie hens’ heads were shot clean away.

shoot (撃たれる) [動] hit or wound with a missile or bullet

hen (雌鶏) [名] a female chicken

shoot away (撃ち落とす) [動] hit or wound with a missile or bullet

大きなウサギは目を撃たれ、草原の雌鶏の頭はきれいに撃ち落とされていた。

They never knew what hit them, Pa said.

hit (撃つ) [動] strike with a blow or missile

パパは、彼らは撃たれたことに気づかなかっただろうと言った。

Laura held the edge of the rabbit skin while Pa’s keen knife ripped it off the rabbit meat.

hold (持つ) [動] keep in one's hand

rip (剥ぎ取る) [動] tear or pull apart forcibly

ローラはウサギの皮の端を持ち、パパの鋭いナイフがウサギの肉から皮を剥ぎ取った。

“I’ll salt this skin and peg it out on the house wall to dry,” he said.

salt (塩をつける) [動] season or preserve with salt

peg (かける) [動] fasten or hold with a peg

「この皮に塩をつけて、家の壁にかけて乾かそう」と彼は言った。

“It will make a warm fur cap for some little girl to wear next winter.”

girl (少女) [名] a young female human being

next (来年) [形] immediately following the time of writing or speaking

「来年の冬には、どこかの少女がかぶる暖かい毛皮の帽子になるだろう。」

But Laura could not forget the Indians.

しかし、ローラはインディアンのことが忘れられなかった。

She said to Pa that if they had turned Jack loose, he would have eaten those Indians right up.

turn loose (放す) [動] to release from confinement or constraint

right up (すぐに) [副] immediately

彼女はパパに、もしジャックを放してやったら、あのインディアンをすぐに食べてしまっただろうと言った。

Pa laid down the knife.

lay down (置く) [動] put something down in a flat position

パパはナイフを置いた。

“Did you girls even think of turning Jack loose?” he asked, in a dreadful voice.

「あなたたち、ジャックを放してやろうと思ったのか?」と彼は恐ろしい声で尋ねた。

Laura’s head bowed down and she whispered, “Yes, Pa.”

bow down (頭を垂れる) [動] lower one's head

ローラは頭を垂れて、「はい、パパ」とささやいた。

“After I told you not to?” Pa said, in a more dreadful voice.

not to (しないように) [動] to refrain from doing something

「私がそうするなと言ったのに?」パパはもっと恐ろしい声で言った。

Laura couldn’t speak, but Mary choked, “Yes, Pa.”

ローラは話せなかったが、メアリーは「はい、パパ」と言葉を詰まらせた。

For a moment Pa was silent.

for a moment (しばらく) [副] for a short period of time

be silent (黙っている) [動] not making or accompanied by any sound

パパはしばらく黙っていた。

He sighed a long sigh like Ma’s sigh after the Indians went away.

彼はインディアンが去った後ママがしたように長いため息をついた。

“After this,” he said, in a terrible voice, “you girls remember always to do as you’re told.

after this (これからは) [副] from now on

remember (忘れるな) [動] have in or be able to bring to one's mind an awareness of something that has been forgotten

be told (言われる) [動] be informed of or about

「これからは」と彼は恐ろしい声で言った、「あなたたちは言われた通りにすることを忘れるな。

Don’t you even think of disobeying me.

disobey (背く) [動] fail to obey

私に背こうなんて考えもするな。

Do you hear?”

聞こえたか?」

“Yes, Pa,” Laura and Mary whispered.

yes (はい) [副] a word used to express agreement or acceptance

「はい、パパ」ローラとメアリーはささやいた。

“Do you know what would have happened if you had turned Jack loose?” Pa asked.

「ジャックを放したらどうなるか分かるか?」パパは尋ねた。

“No, Pa,” they whispered.

「いいえ、パパ」二人はささやいた。

“He would have bitten those Indians,” said Pa.

would have (だろう) [助] used to express a possibility or probability in the past

「ジャックはインディアンを噛みついていただろう」パパは言った。

“Then there would have been trouble. Bad trouble.

trouble (面倒) [名] difficulty or problems

「そうしたら面倒なことになっていただろう。ひどい面倒なことに。

Do you understand?”

わかるか?」

“Yes, Pa,” they said.

「はい、パパ」と二人は言った。

But they did not understand.

しかし、二人には理解できなかった。

“Would they have killed Jack?”

「ジャックを殺したでしょうか?」

Laura asked.

ローラは尋ねた。

“Yes. And that’s not all.

that's not all (それだけじゃない) [句] there is more to come

「そう。それだけじゃない。

You girls remember this: you do as you’re told, no matter what happens.”

remember (覚える) [動] be able to recall knowledge from memory

no matter what (何が起ころうとも) [副] regardless of the circumstances

娘たちよ、これを覚えておきなさい。何が起ころうとも、言われた通りに行動しなさい。」

“Yes, Pa,” Laura said, and Mary said, “Yes, Pa.”

「はい、パパ」とローラは言い、メアリーは「はい、パパ」と言った。

They were glad they had not turned Jack loose.

彼らはジャックを放さなかったことを喜んだ。

“Do as you’re told,” said Pa, “and no harm will come to you.”

do as you're told (言われた通りにする) [動] follow instructions

come to (加えられる) [動] be done to

「言われた通りにしていれば」とパパは言った。「危害は加えられないだろう。」

Chapter 12: FRESH WATER TO DRINK

fresh water (飲み水) [名] water that is not salty

第12章: 飲み水

Pa had made the bedstead.

bedstead (ベッドの枠) [名] the framework of a bed

パパがベッドの枠を作った。

He had smoothed the oak slabs till there was not a splinter on them.

彼はオークの厚板を、ささくれ一つなくなるまで磨いた。

Then he pegged them firmly together.

それから、それらをしっかりとつなぎ合わせた。

Four slabs made a box to hold the straw-tick.

four (4枚) [数] the number 4

hold (入れる) [動] keep or carry something in one's hand or arms

straw (麦わら) [名] dried stalks of grain

tick (敷布団) [名] a mattress filled with feathers or other soft material

4枚の厚板で、麦わらの敷布団を入れる箱を作った。

Across the bottom of it Pa stretched a rope, zigzagged from side to side and pulled tight.

zigzag (ジグザグ) [名] a line or course having abrupt alternate right and left turns

パパはその底にロープを張り、左右にジグザグに引っ張ってきつく締めた。

One end of the bedstead Pa pegged solidly to the wall, in a corner of the house.

bedstead (ベッド) [名] a bed frame

corner (隅) [名] the area or space where two or more sides or edges meet

パパはベッドの片方の端を家の隅の壁にしっかりと固定した。

Only one corner of the bed was not against a wall.

only (1つだけ) [副] solely or exclusively

ベッドの角の1つだけが壁に接していなかった。

At this corner, Pa set up a tall slab.

at this corner (この角に) [副] in this corner

この角にパパは背の高い厚板を立てた。

He pegged it to the bedstead.

peg (固定する) [動] to fix or hold in place with a peg

彼はそれをベッドに固定した。

As high up as he could reach, he pegged two strips of oak to the walls and to the tall slab.

as high up as (届く限り高く) [副] to the highest point that one can reach

彼は届く限り高く、2本のオークの板を壁と背の高い厚板に固定した。

Then he climbed up on them, and pegged the top of the tall slab solidly to a rafter.

それから彼はそれらの上に登り、背の高い厚板のてっぺんを垂木にしっかりと固定した。

And on the strips of oak he laid a shelf, above the bed.

shelf (棚) [名] a long, flat piece of wood or metal fixed to a wall or inside a cupboard, on which objects can be stored or displayed

そしてオークの板の上に彼はベッドの上に棚を置いた。

“There you are, Caroline!” he said.

there you are (ほら) [間] used to express satisfaction or relief when something is found or done

「ほら、キャロライン!」と彼は言った。

“I can’t wait to see it made up,” said Ma.

can't wait (待ちきれない) [動] be very eager for something to happen

make up (出来上がる) [動] be completed or finished

「出来上がるのが待ちきれないよ」とママは言った。

“Help me bring in the straw-tick.”

bring in (運ぶ) [動] take or carry something to a place

straw-tick (麦わらの布団) [名] a mattress filled with straw

「麦わらの布団を運ぶのを手伝って」

She had filled the straw-tick that morning.

彼女はその朝、麦わらの布団を詰めていた。

There was no straw on the High Prairie, so she had filled it with dry, clean, dead grass.

ハイ・プレーリーには麦わらがなかったので、彼女はそれを乾燥したきれいな枯れ草で詰めていた。

It was hot from the sunshine and it had a grassy, sweet smell.

日差しを受けて熱く、草の甘い香りがした。

Pa helped her bring it into the house and lay it in the bedstead.

パパは彼女がそれを家の中に運び、ベッドの上に置くのを手伝った。

She tucked the sheets in, and spread her prettiest patchwork quilt over them.

tuck (押し込む) [動] push or fold the edges of something into or under something else

pretty (きれいな) [形] pleasing to the eye or the ear

彼女はシーツを押し込み、その上に一番きれいなパッチワークキルトを広げた。

At the head of the bed she set up the goose-feather pillows, and spread the pillow-shams against them.

at the head of (の頭の部分に) [前] at the front of

set up (置く) [動] put in place or position

goose-feather (ガチョウの羽の) [形] made of the feathers of a goose

pillow (枕) [名] a cushion for the head

pillow-sham (枕カバー) [名] a decorative cover for a pillow

ベッドの頭の部分に彼女はガチョウの羽の枕を置き、枕カバーを広げた。

On each white pillow-sham two little birds were outlined with red thread.

be outlined (刺繍されていた) [動] be drawn in outline

白い枕カバーにはそれぞれ2羽の小鳥が赤い糸で刺繍されていた。

Then Pa and Ma and Laura and Mary stood and looked at the bed.

それからパパとママとローラとメアリーは立ってベッドを見た。

It was a very nice bed.

それはとても素敵なベッドだった。

The zigzag rope was softer than the floor to sleep on.

ジグザグのロープは床で寝るよりも柔らかかった。

The straw-tick was plump with the sweet-smelling grass, the quilt lay smooth, and the pretty pillow shams stood up crisply.

sweet-smelling (甘い香りのする) [形] having a pleasant odor

lay (敷く) [動] put or set down in a flat position

sham (カバー) [名] a decorative cover for a pillow

麦わらの敷布団は甘い香りのする草でふっくらとしており、キルトは滑らかに敷かれ、きれいな枕カバーはパリッと立っていた。

The shelf was a good place to store things.

store (保管する) [動] keep or put away for future use

棚は物を保管するのに良い場所だった。

The whole house had quite an air, with such a bed in it.

air (雰囲気) [名] the general mood or tone of a place or situation

家全体が、そんなベッドがあるだけで、かなり雰囲気があった。

That night when Ma went to bed, she settled into the crackling straw-tick and said to Pa, “I declare, I’m so comfortable it’s almost sinful.”

crackling (パチパチと音を立てる) [形] making a series of light cracking sounds

comfortable (気持ちいい) [形] providing physical ease and relaxation

sinful (罪深い) [形] wicked or immoral

その夜、ママは寝床に着くと、パチパチと音を立てる麦わらの敷布団に落ち着き、パパに言った、「本当に、とても気持ちよくて、ほとんど罪深いくらい。」

Mary and Laura still slept on the floor, but Pa would make a little bed for them as soon as he could.

メアリーとローラはまだ床で寝ていたが、パパはできる限り早く彼女たちのために小さなベッドを作るつもりだった。

He had made the big bed, and he had made a stout cupboard and padlocked it, so the Indians could not take all the cornmeal if they came again.

cupboard (食器棚) [名] a place where dishes, cups, and other tableware are stored

彼は大きなベッドを作り、頑丈な食器棚を作って南京錠をかけたので、インディアンが再び来たとしても、とうもろこし粉を全部持っていくことはできなかった。

Now he had only to dig a well, and then he would make that trip to town.

今や彼は井戸を掘るだけで、それから町へ行くつもりだった。

He must dig the well first, so that Ma could have water while he was gone.

so that (~するために) [接] with the intention that; in order that

彼はまず井戸を掘らなければならなかった、そうすれば彼がいない間にママは水を使える。

Next morning he marked a large circle in the grass near the corner of the house.

mark (描く) [動] make a visible impression on

large circle (大きな円) [名] a circle with a large diameter

翌朝、彼は家の角の近くの草に大きな円を描いた。

With his spade he cut the sod inside the circle, and lifted it up in large pieces.

sod (芝) [名] a piece of grass and soil

彼は円の内側の芝をシャベルで切り、大きな塊で持ち上げた。

Then he began to shovel out the earth, digging himself deeper and deeper down.

shovel (シャベルで掘る) [動] dig with a shovel

それから彼は土をシャベルで掘り始め、どんどん深く掘り下げていった。

Mary and Laura must not go near the well while Pa was digging.

go near (近づく) [動] approach

メアリーとローラはパパが掘っている間は井戸に近づいてはいけない。

Even when they couldn’t see his head any more, shovelfuls of earth came flying up.

even when (~でさえ) [接] although

shovelful (シャベルで掘った土) [名] the amount of something that a shovel can hold

彼の頭が見えなくなっても、シャベルで掘った土が飛び出してきた。

At last the spade flew up and fell in the grass.

ついにシャベルが飛び出してきて、草の中に落ちた。

Then Pa jumped.

jump (飛び降りる) [動] move or cause to move suddenly and quickly

それからパパは飛び降りた。

His hands caught hold of the sod, then one elbow gripped it, and then the other elbow, and with a heave Pa came rolling out.

grip (つかむ) [動] to hold something firmly

heave (転がる) [動] to move or lift something with great effort

roll out (転がる) [動] to move or cause to move by turning over and over

彼の手は芝をつかみ、それから片方の肘がそれをつかみ、それからもう片方の肘がそれをつかみ、そしてパパは転がり出てきた。

“I can’t throw the dirt out from any deeper,” he said.

「これ以上深く掘ると土を投げ出せない」と彼は言った。

He had to have help, now.

help (助け) [名] the action of helping someone by sharing work, providing money, or doing a task

彼は今、助けが必要だった。

So he took his gun and rode away on Patty.

それで彼は銃を持ってパティに乗って出かけた。

When he came back he brought a plump rabbit, and he had traded work with Mr. Scott.

彼が戻ってきたとき、彼はふっくらとしたウサギを連れてきて、スコットさんと仕事を交換した。

Mr. Scott would help him dig this well, and then he would help dig Mr. Scott’s well.

Mr. Scott (スコットさん) [名] a man named Scott

スコットさんは彼がこの井戸を掘るのを手伝い、それから彼はスコットさんの井戸を掘るのを手伝う。

Ma and Laura and Mary had not seen Mr. and Mrs. Scott.

Mr. (夫) [名] a man

Mrs. (妻) [名] a married woman

ママとローラとメアリーはスコット夫妻に会ったことがなかった。

Their house was hidden somewhere in a little valley on the prairie.

somewhere (どこか) [副] in or to some place

彼らの家は大草原の小さな谷のどこかに隠れていた。

Laura had seen the smoke rising up from it, and that was all.

ローラはそこから煙が上がっているのを見たが、それだけだった。

At sunup next morning Mr. Scott came.

sunup (日の出) [名] the time of sunrise

翌朝、日の出とともにスコットさんがやってきた。

He was short and stout.

short (背が低い) [形] having a small height

stout (ずんぐりしている) [形] rather fat

彼は背が低く、ずんぐりしていた。

His hair was bleached by the sun and his skin was bright red and scaly.

bleach (色あせる) [動] make white or much lighter

scaly (鱗状) [形] covered in scales

彼の髪は日焼けして色あせ、肌は真っ赤で鱗状になっていた。

He did not tan; he peeled.

tan (日焼けする) [動] become brown or browner by exposure to the sun

peel (皮がむける) [動] lose the outer layer of skin

彼は日焼けせず、皮がむけた。

“It’s this blasted sun and wind,” he said.

「このひどい日差しと風のせいだ」と彼は言った。

“Beg your pardon, ma’am, but it’s enough to make a saint use strong language.

beg your pardon (失礼ですが) [句] a polite way of apologizing

saint (聖人) [名] a person who is recognized as having lived a holy life

strong language (強い言葉) [名] words that are considered rude or offensive

「失礼ですが、奥様、聖人でも強い言葉を使うには十分なことです。

I might as well be a snake, the way I keep on shedding my skin in this country.”

as well (同様に) [副] to the same degree or extent

shed (むく) [動] lose or drop

この国では皮がむけ続けるので、私は蛇になった方がいいかもしれない。」

Laura liked him.

ローラは彼が好きだった。

Every morning, as soon as the dishes were washed and the beds made, she ran out to watch Mr. Scott and Pa working at the well.

run out (走って行く) [動] leave quickly

毎朝、食器を洗ってベッドを整えるとすぐに、彼女はスコットさんとパパが井戸で働いているのを見に走っていった。

The sunshine was blistering, even the winds were hot, and the prairie grasses were turning yellow.

blister (焼けるように熱い) [動] to form blisters

turn (変色する) [動] change in color

日差しは焼けるように熱く、風さえも熱く、草原の草は黄色く変色していた。

Mary preferred to stay in the house and sew on her patchwork quilt.

prefer (好む) [動] like (something) better than another

メアリーは家の中でパッチワークキルトを縫うことを好んだ。

But Laura liked the fierce light and the sun and the wind, and she couldn’t stay away from the well.

stay away from (近寄らない) [動] not go near or approach

しかし、ローラは強い光と太陽と風が好きで、井戸から離れることができなかった。

But she was not allowed to go near its edge.

しかし、彼女はその端に近づくことを許されなかった。

Pa and Mr. Scott had made a stout windlass.

windlass (巻き上げ機) [名] a machine for hoisting or hauling

パパとスコットさんは頑丈な巻き上げ機を作った。

It stood over the well, and two buckets hung from it on the ends of a rope.

stand over (立てる) [動] to be in a position of authority over

hang (吊り下げる) [動] to be suspended or supported from above

それは井戸の上に立てられ、2つのバケツがロープの端に吊り下げられていた。

When the windlass was turned, one bucket went down into the well and the other bucket came up.

巻き上げ機を回すと、1つのバケツが井戸の中に降りていき、もう1つのバケツが上がってきた。

In the morning Mr. Scott slid down the rope and dug.

slide down (滑り降りる) [動] move downward smoothly

朝、スコットさんはロープを滑り降りて掘った。

He filled the buckets with earth, almost as fast as Pa could haul them up and empty them.

empty (空にする) [動] make or become empty

彼はバケツに土を入れ、パパがバケツを引き上げて空にするのとほぼ同じ速さで作業を進めた。

After dinner, Pa slid down the rope into the well, and Mr. Scott hauled up the buckets.

haul up (引き上げる) [動] pull or drag something with great effort

夕食後、パパはロープを滑り降りて井戸に入り、スコットさんがバケツを引き上げた。

Every morning, before Pa would let Mr. Scott go down the rope, he set a candle in a bucket and lighted it and lowered it to the bottom.

set (立てる) [動] put in a specified place or position

light (火をともす) [動] cause to burn

毎朝、パパはスコットさんがロープを降りる前に、バケツにろうそくを立てて火をともし、底まで下ろした。

Once Laura peeped over the edge and she saw the candle brightly burning, far down in the dark hole in the ground.

peep (覗き込む) [動] look quickly or furtively

candle (ろうそく) [名] a solid mass of wax with a wick in the middle that is lit to produce light

一度ローラが端から覗き込むと、地面の暗い穴のずっと下でろうそくが明るく燃えているのが見えた。

Then Pa would say, “Seems to be all right,” and he would pull up the bucket and blow out the candle.

blow out (吹き消す) [動] extinguish by blowing

するとパパは「大丈夫そうだ」と言って、バケツを引き上げてろうそくを吹き消した。

“That’s all foolishness, Ingalls,” Mr. Scott said.

foolishness (馬鹿げたこと) [名] the quality or state of being foolish

「そんなの馬鹿げたことだよ、インガルス」とスコットさんは言った。

“The well was all right yesterday.”

「昨日は井戸は大丈夫だったよ」

“You can’t ever tell,” Pa replied.

can't ever tell (絶対とは言えない) [動] cannot say for sure

「絶対とは言えない」とパパは答えた。

“Better be safe than sorry.”

better (より良い) [形] more desirable, satisfactory, or effective

「後悔するより安全な方がいい」

Laura did not know what danger Pa was looking for by that candlelight.

danger (危険) [名] the possibility of suffering harm or injury

ローラはパパがろうそくの明かりでどんな危険を探しているのか分からなかった。

She did not ask, because Pa and Mr. Scott were busy.

busy (忙しい) [形] having a great deal to do

彼女はパパとスコットさんが忙しかったので尋ねなかった。

She meant to ask later, but she forgot.

mean to (するつもりである) [動] have as one's intention or objective

彼女は後で尋ねようと思ったが忘れてしまった。

One morning Mr. Scott came while Pa was eating breakfast.

one morning (ある朝) [名] a morning

ある朝、パパが朝食を食べている間にスコットさんが来た。

They heard him shout: “Hi, Ingalls! It’s sunup. Let’s go!”

let's go (行こう) [動] let us go

彼らは彼が叫ぶのを聞いた。「やあ、インガルス! 日の出だ。行こう!」

Pa drank his coffee and went out.

パパはコーヒーを飲んで出かけた。

The windlass began to creak and Pa began to whistle.

巻き上げ機がきしみ始め、パパは口笛を吹き始めた。

Laura and Mary were washing the dishes and Ma was making the big bed, when Pa’s whistling stopped.

ローラとメアリーは皿を洗っていて、ママは大きなベッドを整えていたが、パパの口笛が止まった。

They heard him say, “Scott!”

彼が「スコット!」と言うのが聞こえた。

He shouted, “Scott! Scott!”

彼は「スコット! スコット!」と叫んだ。

Then he called: “Caroline! Come quick!”

quick (早く) [副] at a fast speed; rapidly

それから彼は「キャロライン! 早く来てくれ!」と呼んだ。

Ma ran out of the house.

run out of (走り出す) [動] leave a place quickly

ママは家から走り出した。

Laura ran after her.

run after (追いかける) [動] chase after

ローラは彼女の後を追いかけた。

“Scott’s fainted, or something, down there,” Pa said.

faint (気絶する) [動] lose consciousness temporarily

something (何か) [名] an unspecified thing

down there (そこで) [副] in that place

「スコットがそこで気絶したのか何かした」とパパは言った。

“I’ve got to go down after him.”

him (彼) [代] the man or boy previously mentioned

「彼のあとを追って行かなければならない」

“Did you send down the candle?” Ma asked.

send down (下ろす) [動] cause to move from a higher to a lower level

「ろうそくを下ろしたの?」とママは尋ねた。

“No. I thought he had.

thought (思った) [動] have a particular opinion or belief about something

「いいえ、彼が持っていると思った。

I asked him if it was all right, and he said it was.”

大丈夫か尋ねたら、大丈夫だと言った」

Pa cut the empty bucket off the rope and tied the rope firmly to the windlass.

cut off (切り離す) [動] separate or disconnect

パパは空のバケツをロープから切り離し、ロープを巻き上げ機にしっかりと結びつけた。

“Charles, you can’t.

「チャールズ、できないよ。

You mustn’t,” Ma said.

mustn't (してはいけない) [助] must not

してはいけない」とママは言った。

“Caroline, I’ve got to.”

got to (やらなきゃいけない) [動] have to; must

「キャロライン、やらなきゃいけないんだ」

“You can’t. Oh, Charles, no!”

can't (できない) [助] be unable to

「できないよ。ああ、チャールズ、だめ!」

“I’ll make it all right.

make it (大丈夫にする) [動] succeed in doing something

「大丈夫にするよ。

I won’t breathe till I get out.

外に出るまで息をしないよ。

We can’t let him die down there.”

彼をそこで死なせるわけにはいかない」

Ma said, fiercely: “Laura, keep back!”

fiercely (激しく) [副] in a fierce manner

ママは激しく言った。「ローラ、下がって!」

So Laura kept back.

だからローラは下がった。

She stood against the house and shivered.

stand against (もたれて立つ) [動] to be in or move into a position in which one is supported by something

shiver (震える) [動] to tremble or shake slightly, especially from cold or fear

彼女は家にもたれて立って震えた。

“No, no, Charles! I can’t let you,” Ma said.

let (行かせるわけにはいかない) [動] allow to do something

「だめ、だめ、チャールズ! あなたを行かせるわけにはいかない」とママは言った。

“Get on Patty and go for help.”

get on (乗る) [動] mount or ascend

go for (呼びに行く) [動] try to obtain or achieve

「パティに乗って助けを呼びに行って」

“There isn’t time.”

「時間がない」

“Charles, if I can’t pull you up—if you keel over down there and I can’t pull you up——”

keel over (倒れる) [動] fall over

「チャールズ、もし私があなたを引き上げることができなかったら、もしあなたがそこで倒れて私があなたを引き上げることができなかったら」

“Caroline, I’ve got to,” Pa said.

「キャロライン、行かなければならない」とパパは言った。

He swung into the well.

彼は井戸に降りていった。

His head slid out of sight, down the rope.

slide (滑る) [動] move smoothly and quickly

彼の頭はロープを伝って見えなくなった。

Ma crouched and shaded her eyes, staring down into the well.

crouch (しゃがむ) [動] be in or assume a position in which the knees are bent and the upper body is brought forward and down

shade (覆う) [動] shield from direct light

ママはしゃがんで目を覆い、井戸の中を見つめた。

All over the prairie meadowlarks were rising, singing, flying straight up into the sky.

meadowlark (ヒバリ) [名] a North American songbird

大草原のいたるところで、ヒバリが起き上がり、歌い、空に向かって真っ直ぐに飛び立っていた。

The wind was blowing warmer, but Laura was cold.

風は暖かく吹いていたが、ローラは寒かった。

Suddenly Ma jumped up and seized the handle of the windlass.

seize (つかむ) [動] take hold of suddenly and forcibly

handle (ハンドル) [名] the part of a tool or object that is held in the hand when using it

突然ママは飛び上がって、巻き上げ機のハンドルをつかんだ。

She tugged at it with all her might.

tug (引っ張る) [動] pull hard or suddenly

彼女はそれを全力で引っ張った。

The rope strained and the windlass creaked.

strain (張る) [動] stretch or pull tight

ロープが張り、巻き上げ機がきしんだ。

Laura thought that Pa had keeled over, down in the dark bottom of the well, and Ma couldn’t pull him up.

ローラは、パパが井戸の暗い底でひっくり返り、ママが彼を引き上げることができないと思った。

But the windlass turned a little, and then a little more.

a little more (もう少し) [副] to a slightly greater extent

しかし、巻き上げ機は少し回り、それからもう少し回った。

Pa’s hand came up, holding to the rope.

パパの手がロープを握って上がってきた。

His other hand reached above it and took hold of the rope.

彼のもう一方の手がその上に届き、ロープをつかんだ。

Then Pa’s head came up.

それからパパの頭が上がってきた。

His arm held onto the windlass.

彼の腕は巻き上げ機をつかんだ。

Then somehow he got to the ground and sat there.

somehow (なんとか) [副] in some way; by some means

それから彼はなんとか地面に着き、そこに座った。

The windlass whirled around and there was a thud deep down in the well.

whirl (ぐるぐる回る) [動] move or cause to move rapidly around and around

巻き上げ機がぐるぐる回り、井戸の奥深くでドスンという音がした。

Pa struggled to get up and Ma said: “Sit still, Charles!

パパは起き上がろうともがき、ママは言った。「じっと座って、チャールズ!

Laura, get some water.

ローラ、水を汲んできなさい。

Quick!”

早く!」

Laura ran.

ローラは走った。

She came hurrying back, lugging the pail of water.

come hurrying back (急いで戻ってくる) [動] return quickly

lug (引きずる) [動] carry or drag with difficulty

pail (バケツ) [名] a cylindrical container with a handle

彼女は水の入ったバケツを引きずって急いで戻ってきた。

Pa and Ma were both turning the windlass.

パパとママは二人とも巻き上げ機を回していた。

The rope slowly wound itself up, and the bucket came up out of the well, and tied to the bucket and the rope was Mr. Scott.

wind (巻き上げる) [動] move in a twisting or spiral course

ロープはゆっくりと巻き上げられ、バケツが井戸から出てきて、バケツとロープにスコットさんが縛り付けられていた。

His arms and his legs and his head hung and wobbled, his mouth was partly open and his eyes half shut.

wobble (揺れる) [動] move or cause to move unsteadily from side to side

partly (半分) [副] to some extent; partially

彼の腕と脚と頭はぶら下がって揺れ、口は半分開き、目は半分閉じていた。

Pa tugged him onto the grass.

パパは彼を草の上に引っ張り出した。

Pa rolled him over and he flopped where he was rolled.

roll over (転がる) [動] move by turning over and over

flop (ぐったりしている) [動] fall or move in a heavy, clumsy way

パパは彼を転がしたが、彼は転がされたところでぐったりしていた。

Pa felt his wrist and listened at his chest, and then Pa lay down beside him.

wrist (手首) [名] the joint or part of the body between the hand and the arm

パパは彼の手首を触り、胸に耳を当ててから、彼の横に横になった。

“He’s breathing,” Pa said.

「彼は息をしている」とパパは言った。

“He’ll be all right, in the air.

be all right (大丈夫だ) [動] be satisfactory or acceptable

「彼は大丈夫だ、空気の中で。

I’m all right, Caroline.

私は大丈夫だ、キャロライン。

I’m plumb tuckered out, is all.”

私はすっかり疲れ果てただけだ。」

“Well!” Ma scolded.

「まあ!」とママは叱った。

“I should think you would be!

should (だろう) [助] used to express a duty or obligation

「そうだろうと思うよ!

Of all the senseless performances!

of all (あらゆる) [前] of the whole number or amount

senseless (無意味な) [形] lacking sense or meaning

performance (パフォーマンス) [名] an act of presenting a play, a piece of music, or some other entertainment

あらゆる無意味なパフォーマンスの中で!

My goodness gracious! scaring a body to death, all for want of a little reasonable care!

goodness gracious (なんてこと) [間] an expression of surprise

scare to death (死ぬほど怖がらせる) [動] frighten someone very much

for want of (怠ったために) [前] due to the lack of

a little (少しの) [限] a small amount of

reasonable (合理的な) [形] based on or acting on good judgment or reason

care (注意) [名] serious attention or consideration

なんてこと! 少しの合理的な注意を怠ったために、死ぬほど怖がらせるなんて!

My goodness! I—”

my goodness (なんてこと) [間] an expression of surprise or disgust

なんてこと! 私は・・・」

She covered her face with her apron and burst out crying.

apron (エプロン) [名] a garment worn over the front of one's clothes to protect them

burst out (泣き出す) [動] to suddenly start doing something

彼女はエプロンで顔を覆い、泣き出した。

That was a terrible day.

terrible (ひどい) [形] extremely bad or serious

それはひどい日だった。

“I don’t want a well,” Ma sobbed.

sob (すすり泣く) [動] cry with short convulsive gasps

「井戸なんていらないよ」とママはすすり泣いた。

“It isn’t worth it.

be worth (価値がある) [動] be worthy of; deserve

「そんな価値はないよ。

I won’t have you running such risks!”

run a risk (危険を冒す) [動] expose oneself to the chance of injury or loss

あなたにそんな危険を冒してほしくないの!」

Mr. Scott had breathed a kind of gas that stays deep in the ground.

breathe (吸い込む) [動] take air into the lungs by inhaling

kind of (一種の) [名] a type of

gas (ガス) [名] a substance that is not a solid or liquid and that does not have a definite volume

スコットさんは地中深くにあるガスを吸い込んでしまったのだ。

It stays at the bottom of wells because it is heavier than the air.

それは空気より重いので井戸の底にたまる。

It cannot be seen or smelled, but no one can breathe it very long and live.

cannot (できない) [助] be unable to

be smelled (匂いがする) [動] have a smell

very long (長く) [副] for a long time

それは見えないし匂いもしないが、誰もそれを長く吸い込んで生きることはできない。

Pa had gone down into that gas to tie Mr. Scott to the rope, so that he could be pulled up out of the gas.

パパはスコットさんをロープに縛り付けるためにそのガスの中へ降りて行き、そうして彼をガスの中から引き上げることができた。

When Mr. Scott was able, he went home.

be able (元気になる) [動] have the skill, means, or opportunity to do something

スコットさんは元気になって、家に帰った。

Before he went he said to Pa: “You were right about that candle business, Ingalls.

business (こと) [名] a matter or situation that is being dealt with or considered

彼は帰る前にパパに言った。「インガルス、君はあのろうそくのことについては正しかった。

I thought it was all foolishness and I would not bother with it, but I’ve found out my mistake.”

bother (気にする) [動] to be concerned or worried about

mistake (間違い) [名] an error in action, calculation, opinion, or judgment caused by poor reasoning, carelessness, insufficient knowledge, etc.

私はそれが全く馬鹿げたことだと思い、気にしなかったが、自分の間違いに気づいた。」

“Well,” said Pa, “where a light can’t live, I know I can’t.

「そう」とパパは言った。「火が生きられないところでは、私も生きられない。

And I like to be safe when I can be.

be safe (安全にいたい) [動] be protected from or not exposed to danger or risk

そして、できる限り安全にいたい。」

But all’s well that ends well.”

しかし、終わりよければ全てよしだ。」

Pa rested awhile.

パパはしばらく休んだ。

He had breathed a little of the gas and he felt like resting.

feel like (気分だ) [動] be in the mood for

彼はガスを少し吸い込んでいて、休みたい気分だった。

But that afternoon he raveled a thread from a tow sack, and he took a little powder from his powder-horn.

ravel (ほどく) [動] to separate the fibers or threads of

tow sack (麻袋) [名] a sack made of burlap

powder (火薬) [名] a dry substance consisting of very small particles

しかし、その午後、彼は麻袋から糸をほどき、火薬入れから火薬を少し取り出した。

He tied the powder in a piece of cloth with one end of the tow string in the powder.

tow string (麻紐) [名] a string made of hemp

彼は火薬を布切れに包み、麻紐の片端を火薬の中に入れた。

“Come along, Laura,” he said, “and I’ll show you something.”

「おいで、ローラ」と彼は言った。「何かを見せてあげよう」

They went to the well.

彼らは井戸に行った。

Pa lighted the end of the string and waited till the spark was crawling quickly along it.

パパは紐の端に火をつけ、火花が紐に沿って素早く這うまで待った。

Then he dropped the little bundle into the well.

drop (落とす) [動] let or make fall

それから彼は小さな包みを井戸に落とした。

In a minute they heard a muffled bang!

muffled (くぐもった) [形] (of a sound) not clear or loud

すぐに彼らはくぐもった音を聞いた。

and a puff of smoke came out of the well.

そして、一吹きの煙が井戸から出てきた。

“That will bring the gas,” Pa said.

「これでガスが出てくる」とパパは言った。

When the smoke was all gone, he let Laura light the candle and stand beside him while he let it down.

be all gone (すべて消える) [動] to have disappeared or vanished

light (火を灯す) [動] to set on fire

stand (立たせる) [動] to be in or assume an upright position

beside (そば) [前] at the side of

let down (下ろす) [動] to lower

煙がすべて消えたとき、彼はローラにろうそくに火を灯させ、彼がそれを下ろす間、彼のそばに立たせた。

All the way down in the dark hole the little candle kept on burning like a star.

暗い穴のずっと下まで、小さなろうそくは星のように燃え続けた。

So next day Pa and Mr. Scott went on digging the well.

それで、次の日、パパとスコットさんは井戸を掘り続けた。

But they always sent the candle down every morning.

しかし、彼らはいつも毎朝ろうそくを下ろした。

There began to be a little water in the well, but it was not enough.

井戸に少し水が出始めたが、十分ではなかった。

The buckets came up full of mud, and Pa and Mr. Scott worked every day in deeper mud.

バケツは泥だらけになって上がってきて、パパとスコットさんは毎日より深い泥の中で働いた。

In the mornings when the candle went down, it lighted oozing-wet walls, and candlelight sparkled in rings over the water when the bucket struck bottom.

ooze (にじみ出る) [動] flow or leak slowly

朝、ろうそくが下ろされると、それは水がにじみ出る壁を照らし、バケツが底にぶつかると、ろうそくの光が水の上に輪になってきらめいた。

Pa stood knee deep in water and bailed out bucketfuls before he could begin digging in the mud.

bail out (汲み出す) [動] remove water from a boat with a bailer

パパは膝まで水に浸かって、泥を掘り始める前にバケツ一杯の水を汲み出した。

One day when he was digging, a loud shout came echoing up.

shout (叫び声) [名] a loud cry or yell

echo (響き渡る) [動] be repeated or imitated

ある日、彼が掘っていると、大きな叫び声が響き渡った。

Ma ran out of the house and Laura ran to the well.

run out of (飛び出す) [動] leave quickly

run to (駆け寄る) [動] go quickly to

ママは家から飛び出し、ローラは井戸に駆け寄った。

“Pull, Scott! Pull!” Pa yelled.

「引っ張れ、スコット! 引っ張れ!」パパは叫んだ。

A swishing, gurgling sound echoed down there.

swish (シャーッ) [名] a sound of rustling or swishing

gurgle (ゴボゴボ) [名] a bubbling or splashing sound

echo (響く) [動] to be repeated or imitated

シャーッという音が下の方から響いてきた。

Mr. Scott turned the windlass as fast as he could, and Pa came up climbing hand over hand up the rope.

as fast as one can (できるだけ早く) [副] as quickly as possible

hand over hand (手で) [副] with one hand following the other in a continuous alternating series

スコットさんはできるだけ早く巻き上げ機を回し、パパはロープを手で登ってきた。

“I’m blamed if that’s not quicksand!” Pa gasped, as he stepped onto the ground, muddy and dripping.

quicksand (流砂) [名] a mixture of sand and water that looks solid but behaves as a liquid

muddy (泥だらけ) [形] covered or soiled with mud

drip (滴る) [動] fall or let fall in drops

「あれが流砂でなかったら私が悪い!」パパは泥だらけで水滴を滴らせながら地面に足を踏み出しながら息を切らした。

“I was pushing down hard on the spade, when all of a sudden it went down, the whole length of the handle.

push down (押し下げる) [動] exert force on something so that it moves downward

all of a sudden (突然) [副] quickly and without warning

「私がシャベルを強く押し下げていたら、突然柄の長さ全部が下がったんだ。

And water came pouring up all around me.”

pour (湧き出る) [動] flow or cause to flow in a stream

そして水が私の周りから湧き出てきたんだ。」

“A good six feet of this rope’s wet,” Mr. Scott said, winding it up.

six feet (6フィート) [名] a unit of length equal to 12 inches

wind up (巻き上げる) [動] to bring to an end; to finish

「このロープの6フィートは濡れている」とスコットさんは巻き上げながら言った。

The bucket was full of water.

バケツは水でいっぱいだった。

“You showed sense in getting out of that hand over hand, Ingalls.

show sense (賢い) [動] be wise or sensible

hand over hand (手で登る) [副] using one hand after the other

「インガルス、手で登って抜け出したのは賢かった。

That water came up faster than I could pull you out.”

あの水は私が君を引き上げられるよりも速く上がってきた。」

Then Mr. Scott slapped his thigh and shouted, “I’m blasted if you didn’t bring up the spade!”

thigh (太もも) [名] the part of the leg between the hip and the knee

それからスコットさんは太ももを叩いて叫んだ。「君がスペードを持ち上げなかったら私は爆発していたよ!」

Sure enough, Pa had saved his spade.

確かに、パパはスペードを救っていた。

In a little while the well was almost full of water.

in a little while (しばらくすると) [副] after a short time

しばらくすると井戸はほとんど水でいっぱいになった。

A circle of blue sky lay not far down in the ground, and when Laura looked at it, a little girl’s head looked up at her.

blue sky (青い空) [名] the sky as seen during the day

not far (あまり深くない) [副] a short distance

青い空の円が地面のあまり深くないところに横たわっていて、ローラがそれを見ると、小さな女の子の頭が彼女を見上げていた。

When she waved her hand, a hand on the water’s surface waved, too.

彼女が手を振ると、水面の手もまた振った。

The water was clear and cold and good.

水は澄んでいて冷たくておいしかった。

Laura thought she had never tasted anything so good as those long, cold drinks of water.

taste (味わう) [動] perceive or experience the flavor of

ローラは、あの長く冷たい水を飲んだときほどおいしいものを味わったことはないと思った。

Pa hauled no more stale, warm water from the creek.

stale (古い) [形] no longer fresh

パパは小川から古くてぬるい水を運んでくることはもうなかった。

He built a solid platform over the well, and a heavy cover for the hole that let the water-bucket through.

platform (台) [名] a raised level surface on which people or things can stand

let (通す) [動] allow to pass

water-bucket (水桶) [名] a bucket for carrying water

彼は井戸の上に頑丈な台を作り、水桶を通す穴に重い蓋をした。

Laura must never touch that cover.

ローラはその蓋に絶対に触れてはいけない。

But whenever she or Mary was thirsty, Ma lifted the cover and drew a dripping bucket of cold, fresh water from that well.

whenever (いつでも) [副] at any time in the past or future; on any occasion

thirsty (のどが渇いた) [形] feeling a need to drink

draw (汲み上げる) [動] pull or move something toward oneself

dripping (滴り落ちる) [形] wet with liquid that is falling in drops

bucket (桶) [名] a round, open container with a handle, used for carrying liquids

しかし、彼女やメアリーがのどが渇いたときはいつでも、ママは蓋を持ち上げて、その井戸から冷たい新鮮な水を滴り落ちる桶に汲み上げた。

Chapter 13: TEXAS LONGHORNS

Texas (テキサス) [名] a state in the south-central U.S.

Longhorns (ロングホーン) [名] a breed of cattle

第13章: テキサスのロングホーン

One evening Laura and Pa were sitting on the doorstep.

one evening (ある夕方) [名] the evening of a particular day

doorstep (玄関の階段) [名] a step leading up to the outer door of a house

ある夕方、ローラとパパは玄関の階段に座っていた。

The moon shone over the dark prairie, the winds were still, and softly Pa played his fiddle.

still (止まる) [形] not moving or making a sound

月が暗い大草原を照らし、風は止まり、パパはそっとバイオリンを弾いた。

He let a last note quiver far, far away, until it dissolved in the moonlight.

dissolve (溶け込む) [動] (of a solid) become incorporated into a liquid

彼は最後の音を遠く、遠くへと震わせ、月明かりの中に溶け込ませた。

Everything was so beautiful that Laura wanted it to stay so forever.

全てがとても美しく、ローラは永遠にこのままでいてほしいと思った。

But Pa said it was time for little girls to go to bed.

しかし、パパは小さな女の子が寝る時間だと言う。

Then Laura heard a strange, low, distant sound.

するとローラは奇妙な、低い、遠くの音を聞いた。

“What’s that!” she said.

that (何) [名] the thing that

「あれは何?」と彼女は言った。

Pa listened.

パパは耳を傾けた。

“Cattle, by George!” he said.

cattle (牛) [名] cows, bulls, or oxen

by George (なんてことだ) [間] an expression of surprise or anger

「牛だ、なんてことだ!」と彼は言った。

“Must be the cattle herds going north to Fort Dodge.”

must be (だろう) [助] expressing a strong belief that something is the case

Fort Dodge (フォート・ドッジ) [名] a city in the U.S. state of Iowa

「北のフォート・ドッジに向かう牛の群れだろう。」

After she was undressed, Laura stood in her nightgown at the window.

服を脱いだ後、ローラは寝巻き姿で窓際に立った。

The air was very still, not a grass blade rustled, and far away and faint she could hear that sound.

blade (葉) [名] the flat, thin, sharp part of a knife or other tool

faint (かすか) [形] not strong or bright

空気はとても静かで、草の葉もざわめかず、遠くでかすかにその音が聞こえた。

It was almost a rumble and almost a song.

rumble (轟音) [名] a continuous deep, resonant sound like distant thunder

それはほとんど轟音であり、ほとんど歌だった。

“Is that singing, Pa?” she asked.

singing (歌声) [名] the act of producing musical sounds with the voice

「あれは歌声ですか、パパ?」と彼女は尋ねた。

“Yes,” Pa said.

「そうだ」とパパは言った。

“The cowboys are singing the cattle to sleep.

cowboy (カウボーイ) [名] a person who herds and tends cattle on a ranch

「カウボーイが牛を寝かしつけるために歌っているんだ。

Now hop into bed, you little scalawag!”

hop (飛び込む) [動] jump on one foot

さあ、ベッドに飛び込め、この小さな悪党め!」

Laura thought of cattle lying on the dark ground in the moonlight, and of cowboys softly singing lullabies.

ローラは月明かりの下で暗い地面に横たわる牛と、子守唄をそっと歌うカウボーイのことを考えた。

Next morning when she ran out of the house two strange men were sitting on horses by the stable.

翌朝、彼女が家から飛び出すと、見知らぬ男が2人、馬小屋のそばで馬に乗っていた。

They were talking to Pa.

彼らはパパと話していた。

They were as red-brown as Indians, but their eyes were narrow slits between squinting eyelids.

slit (切れ目) [名] a long narrow cut or opening

彼らはインディアンのように赤褐色だったが、目は細めたまぶたの間の細い切れ目だった。

They wore flaps of leather over their legs, and spurs, and wide-brimmed hats.

flap (フラップ) [名] a piece of something that is attached to something else by one side only

spur (拍車) [名] a device with a sharp point or a spiked wheel that is worn on a rider's heel and used to urge a horse forward

hat (帽子) [名] a covering for the head typically with a shaped crown and brim

彼らは足に革のフラップと拍車、つばの広い帽子をかぶっていた。

Handkerchiefs were knotted around their necks, and pistols were on their hips.

handkerchief (ハンカチ) [名] a piece of cloth used for wiping the nose, mouth, or hands

knot (結ぶ) [動] tie in a knot

pistol (ピストル) [名] a small firearm that can be held in one hand

hip (腰) [名] the part of the body on both sides of the pelvis

首にハンカチを結び、腰にピストルを下げていた。

They said, “So long,” to Pa, and “Hi! Yip!” to their horses, and they galloped away.

so long (さよなら) [間] goodbye

gallop (疾走する) [動] run at a fast speed

彼らはパパに「さよなら」と言い、馬に「ハイ! イップ!」と言って、疾走して去っていった。

“Here’s a piece of luck!” Pa said to Ma.

piece of luck (幸運) [名] a lucky event

「これは幸運だ!」とパパはママに言った。

Those men were cowboys.

あの人たちはカウボーイだった。

They wanted Pa to help them keep the cattle out of the ravines among the bluffs of the creek bottoms.

want (頼む) [動] wish or demand that

ravine (峡谷) [名] a deep narrow valley

among (間の) [前] in or through the midst of

彼らはパパに、小川の底の断崖の間の峡谷から牛を遠ざけるのを手伝ってほしいと頼んだ。

Pa would not charge them any money, but he told them he would take a piece of beef.

charge (請求する) [動] ask for a specified amount of money

beef (牛肉) [名] the flesh of a cow, bull, or ox

パパは彼らにお金は請求しなかったが、牛肉をもらうと言った。

“How would you like a good piece of beef?” Pa asked.

how would you like (いかがですか) [句] used to ask someone if they would like something

「おいしい牛肉はいかがですか?」とパパは尋ねた。

“Oh, Charles!” said Ma, and her eyes shone.

「ああ、チャールズ!」とママは言い、彼女の目は輝いた。

Pa tied his biggest handkerchief around his neck.

パパは一番大きなハンカチを首に巻いた。

He showed Laura how he could pull it up over his mouth and nose to keep the dust out.

彼はローラに、ほこりを防ぐために口と鼻の上にそれを引っ張る方法を見せた。

Then he rode Patty west along the Indian trail, till Laura and Mary couldn’t see him any more.

それから彼はパティに乗ってインディアンの道を西に進み、ローラとメアリーは彼の姿が見えなくなるまで見送った。

All day the hot sun blazed and the hot winds blew, and the sound of the cattle herds came nearer.

all day (一日中) [副] for the entire day

hot sun (熱い太陽) [名] the sun when it is hot

blaze (照りつける) [動] burn brightly

hot wind (熱い風) [名] a wind that is hot

cattle herd (牛の群れ) [名] a group of cattle

一日中熱い太陽が照りつけ、熱い風が吹き、牛の群れの音が近づいてきた。

It was a faint, mournful sound of cattle lowing.

mournful (悲しげな) [形] feeling or showing sadness

それは牛の鳴き声のかすかな悲しげな音だった。

At noon dust was blowing along the horizon.

at noon (正午に) [副] at twelve o'clock in the daytime

dust (ほこり) [名] fine, dry powder consisting of tiny particles of earth or waste matter

horizon (地平線) [名] the line at which the earth's surface and the sky appear to meet

正午には地平線に沿ってほこりが吹いていた。

Ma said that so many cattle trampled the grasses flat and stirred up dust from the prairie.

so many (たくさんの) [形] a large number of

trample (踏みつける) [動] tread on and crush

stir up (巻き上げる) [動] cause to be active or excited

ママは、たくさんの牛が草を踏みつけ、草原からほこりを巻き上げているのだと言った。

Pa came riding home at sunset, covered with dust.

come riding (馬に乗って帰ってくる) [動] come on a horse

sunset (日没) [名] the time when the sun goes below the horizon

パパは日没時にほこりまみれで馬に乗って帰ってきた。

There was dust in his beard and in his hair and on the rims of his eyelids, and dust fell off his clothes.

eyelid (まぶた) [名] either of the two movable folds of skin and muscle that cover and protect the front of the eyeball

彼の髭や髪の毛、まぶたの縁にほこりがあり、服からほこりが落ちた。

He did not bring any beef, because the cattle were not across the creek yet.

牛はまだ小川を渡っていなかったため、彼は牛肉を持ってこなかった。

The cattle went very slowly, eating grass as they went.

go (歩いていく) [動] move at a regular and fairly rapid pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn, never having both feet off the ground at once

牛は草を食べながらゆっくりと歩いていった。

They had to eat enough grass to be fat when they came to the cities where people ate them.

city (都市) [名] a large human settlement

牛は人々が食べる都市に着くまでに太るために十分な草を食べなければならなかった。

Pa did not talk much that night, and he didn’t play the fiddle.

talk much (あまり話さない) [動] speak or converse at length

play the fiddle (バイオリンを弾く) [動] play the violin

その夜、パパはあまり話さず、バイオリンを弾かなかった。

He went to bed soon after supper.

彼は夕食後すぐに寝た。

The herds were so near now that Laura could hear them plainly.

plainly (はっきりと) [副] clearly; in a way that is easy to understand

牛の群れは今やとても近く、ローラにははっきりと聞こえた。

The mournful lowing sounded over the prairie till the night was dark.

lowing (鳴き声) [名] the sound made by a cow

sound (響き渡る) [動] be heard or be capable of being heard

悲しげな鳴き声は夜が暗くなるまで草原に響き渡った。

Then the cattle were quieter and the cowboys began to sing.

すると牛たちは静かになり、カウボーイたちが歌い始めた。

Their songs were not like lullabies.

lullaby (子守唄) [名] a soothing song or piece of music intended to lull a child to sleep

彼らの歌は子守唄のようではなかった。

They were high, lonely, wailing songs, almost like the howling of wolves.

wailing (悲しげな) [形] mournful

それは高く、孤独で、狼の遠吠えのような悲しげな歌だった。

Laura lay awake, listening to the lonely songs wandering in the night.

lie awake (目を覚ましたまま横たわる) [動] be in a state of wakefulness

ローラは夜にさまよう孤独な歌を聞きながら、目を覚ましたまま横たわっていた。

Farther away, real wolves howled.

遠くで本物の狼が遠吠えした。

Sometimes the cattle lowed.

low (鳴く) [動] make a deep sound

時々牛が鳴いた。

But the cowboys’ songs went on, rising and falling and wailing away under the moon.

fall (低まる) [動] go down

wail (悲しげに遠ざかる) [動] cry or complain in a sad way

しかし、カウボーイの歌は続き、月明かりの下で高まり、低まり、悲しげに遠ざかっていった。

When everyone else was asleep, Laura stole softly to the window, and she saw three fires gleaming like red eyes from the dark edge of the land.

everyone else (他のみんな) [名] all the other people

steal (忍び寄る) [動] move or go stealthily

gleam (輝く) [動] shine brightly

他のみんなが眠っている時、ローラはそっと窓に忍び寄り、暗い地の端から赤い目のように輝く3つの火を見た。

Overhead the sky was big and still and full of moonlight.

頭上の空は大きく、静かで、月明かりに満ちていた。

The lonely songs seemed to be crying for the moon.

孤独な歌は月に向かって泣いているようだった。

They made Laura’s throat ache.

ache (痛み) [名] a continuous dull pain

ローラの喉が痛くなった。

All next day Laura and Mary watched the west.

翌日、ローラとメアリーはずっと西を見ていた。

They could hear the far-away bawling of the cattle, they could see dust blowing.

far-away (遠く) [形] a long way off

遠くで牛が鳴いているのが聞こえ、ほこりが舞っているのが見えた。

Sometimes they thinly heard a shrill yell.

thinly (かすかに) [副] in a thin manner

shrill (甲高い) [形] high-pitched and piercing

yell (叫び声) [名] a loud, sharp cry

時々、かすかに甲高い叫び声が聞こえた。

Suddenly a dozen long-horned cattle burst out of the prairie, not far from the stable.

dozen (12頭) [名] a group of twelve

long-horned (長い角のある) [形] having long horns

burst out (飛び出す) [動] to come out suddenly and with force

not far from (そう遠くない) [副] a short distance from

突然、馬小屋からそう遠くないところで、長い角のある牛が12頭、草原から飛び出してきた。

They had come up out of a draw going down to the creek bottoms.

牛たちは小川の底に下りていくくぼみから上ってきたのだった。

Their tails stood up and their fierce horns tossed and their feet pounded the ground.

stand up (立てる) [動] to be in or assume an upright position

horn (角) [名] a hard, pointed projection on the head of an animal

toss (振り回す) [動] to throw or roll about

牛たちは尻尾を立て、恐ろしい角を振り回し、足で地面を踏み鳴らした。

A cowboy on a spotted mustang galloped madly to get in front of them.

spotted (斑点のある) [形] having spots

madly (狂ったように) [副] in a wild or uncontrolled manner

斑点のあるムスタングに乗ったカウボーイが、牛たちの前に出ようと狂ったように疾走していた。

He waved his big hat and yelled sharp, high yells.

カウボーイは大きな帽子を振り回し、鋭く高い声で叫んだ。

“Hi! Yi-yi-yi! Hi!”

Yi-yi-yi (イイイイ) [間] an expression of excitement

「ハイ! イイイイ! ハイ!」

The cattle wheeled, clashing their long horns together.

wheel (回転する) [動] turn on or as if on an axis

clash (ぶつかる) [動] come into violent or noisy contact with

牛たちは長い角をぶつけ合って回転した。

With lifted tails they galloped lumbering away, and behind them the mustang ran and whirled and ran, herding them together.

lumber (どたどたと走る) [動] move in a heavy, awkward way

herd (群れにする) [動] form or cause to form a herd

牛たちは尻尾を上げて、どたどたと疾走し、その後ろをムスタングが走り回り、牛たちを群れにした。

They all went over a rise of ground and down out of sight.

go over (越える) [動] move or travel across

rise (丘) [名] an upward slope

牛たちはみんな丘を越えて見えなくなった。

Laura ran back and forth, waving her sunbonnet and yelling, “Hi! Yi-yi-yi!” till Ma told her to stop.

run back and forth (走り回る) [動] run from one place to another and back again

ローラは日よけ帽を振りながら「ハイ! イイイイ! ハイ!」と叫びながら走り回り、ママに止められるまで続けた。

It was not ladylike to yell like that.

ladylike (淑女らしい) [形] appropriate for a well-bred, decorous woman or girl

あんな風に叫ぶのは淑女らしくない。

Laura wished she could be a cowboy.

ローラはカウボーイになりたいと思った。

Late that afternoon three riders came out of the west, driving one lone cow.

lone (一頭だけの) [形] having no companions; solitary

その日の午後遅く、3人のライダーが西からやってきて、1頭の牛を連れてきた。

One of the riders was Pa, on Patty.

ライダーの1人はパティに乗ったパパだった。

Slowly they came nearer, and Laura saw that with the cow was a little spotted calf.

nearer (近く) [形] a short distance away

彼らはゆっくりと近づいてきて、ローラは牛と一緒に小さな斑点のある子牛がいるのを見ました。

The cow came lunging and plunging.

plunge (突っ込む) [動] move or cause to move suddenly and quickly downward

牛は突進して突っ込んできた。

Two cowboys rode well apart in front of her.

well apart (かなり離れて) [副] at a considerable distance

2人のカウボーイが彼女の前でかなり離れて乗っていた。

Two ropes around her long horns were fastened to the cowboys’ saddles.

saddle (鞍) [名] a seat for a rider on a horse or other animal

彼女の長い角の周りの2本のロープはカウボーイの鞍に固定されていた。

When the cow lunged with her horns toward either cowboy the other cowboy’s pony braced its feet and held her.

hold (押さえる) [動] keep from moving or slipping

牛がどちらかのカウボーイに向かって角で突進すると、もう一方のカウボーイのポニーが足を踏ん張って彼女を押さえた。

The cow bawled and the little calf bleated thinner bawls.

bawl (鳴く) [動] to cry or shout loudly

bleat (鳴く) [動] to make the characteristic cry of a sheep or goat

thinner (もっと細い) [形] having a small distance from one surface to the opposite one

牛は鳴き、子牛はもっと細い声で鳴いた。

Ma watched from the window, while Mary and Laura stood against the house and stared.

メアリーとローラが家を背にして立って見つめている間、ママは窓から見ていた。

The cowboys held the cow with their ropes while Pa tied her to the stable.

カウボーイがロープで牛を押さえ、パパが牛を馬小屋に縛り付けた。

Then they said good-by to him and rode away.

say good-by (別れを告げる) [動] express a farewell

ride away (去っていく) [動] leave a place by riding

それから彼らは彼に別れを告げて去っていった。

Ma could not believe that Pa had actually brought home a cow.

could not believe (信じられなかった) [動] be unable to believe

actually (本当に) [副] in fact; really

bring home (連れ帰る) [動] take or carry home

ママはパパが本当に牛を連れ帰ったなんて信じられなかった。

But it really was their own cow.

really (本当に) [副] in fact; actually

しかし、それは本当に自分たちの牛だった。

The calf was too small to travel, Pa said, and the cow would be too thin to sell, so the cowboys had given them to Pa.

too small (小さすぎる) [形] not big enough

too thin (痩せすぎる) [形] not fat enough

子牛は小さすぎて旅ができないし、牛は痩せすぎて売れないだろうから、カウボーイがパパにくれたのだ。

They had given him the beef, too;

彼らは牛肉もくれた。

a big chunk was tied to his saddlehorn.

saddlehorn (鞍の角) [名] the horn-shaped part of a saddle

大きな塊が彼の鞍の角に結び付けられていた。

Pa and Ma and Mary and Laura and even Baby Carrie laughed for joy.

パパとママとメアリーとローラ、そして赤ん坊のキャリーでさえも喜びのあまり笑った。

Pa always laughed out loud and his laugh was like great bells ringing.

laugh out loud (大声で笑う) [動] laugh loudly

laugh (笑い声) [名] the action of laughing

bell (鐘) [名] a hollow metal object, typically in the shape of a cup with a flared opening, that sounds a clear ringing tone when struck

パパはいつも大声で笑い、その笑い声は大きな鐘が鳴っているようだった。

When Ma was pleased she smiled a gentle smile that made Laura feel warm all over.

be pleased (喜ぶ) [動] be glad about something

smile (笑顔) [名] a pleased, kind, or amused expression, typically with the corners of the mouth turned up and the front teeth exposed

feel warm (暖かく感じる) [動] have a feeling of warmth

ママが喜んでいる時は、ローラが全身暖かく感じる優しい笑顔を浮かべた。

But now she was laughing because they had a cow.

しかし、今は牛を飼ったので笑っていた。

“Give me a bucket, Caroline,” said Pa.

「バケツをくれ、キャロライン」とパパは言った。

He was going to milk the cow, right away.

milk (乳を搾る) [動] to draw milk from a cow or other animal

彼はすぐに牛の乳を搾りに行くつもりだった。

He took the bucket, he pushed back his hat, and he squatted by the cow to milk her.

squat (しゃがむ) [動] sit on one's heels

彼はバケツを取り、帽子を後ろに押し、牛の乳を搾るために牛のそばにしゃがんだ。

And that cow hunched herself and kicked Pa flat on his back.

hunch (かがむ) [動] bend or stand with the shoulders hunched

そして、その牛は身をかがめて、パパを背中から蹴った。

Pa jumped up.

パパは飛び上がった。

His face was blazing red and his eyes snapped blue sparks.

彼の顔は真っ赤に燃え、目は青い火花を散らした。

“Now, by the Great Horn Spoon, I’ll milk her!” he said.

by the Great Horn Spoon (大いなる角のスプーンにかけて) [間] an expression of surprise or excitement

「さあ、大いなる角のスプーンにかけて、私は彼女の乳を搾るぞ!」と彼は言った。

He got his ax and he sharpened two stout slabs of oak.

get (手に取る) [動] come into possession of

sharpen (削る) [動] make or become sharp

彼は斧を手に取り、2枚の頑丈なオークの板を削った。

He pushed the cow against the stable, and he drove those slabs deep into the ground beside her.

彼は牛を厩舎に押し付け、その板を牛の横の地面に深く打ち込んだ。

The cow bawled and the little calf squalled.

squall (鳴き声を上げる) [動] to cry or scream loudly

牛はわめき、子牛は鳴き声を上げた。

Pa tied poles firmly to the posts and stuck their ends into the cracks of the stable, to make a fence.

post (支柱) [名] a long, sturdy piece of wood or metal set upright in the ground and used to support something

stick (突き刺す) [動] push a sharp or pointed object into or through

パパは支柱に棒をしっかりと結び、その端を厩舎の割れ目に突き刺して柵を作った。

Now the cow could not move forward or backward or sidewise.

sidewise (横) [副] to or from one side

これで牛は前にも後ろにも横にも動けなくなった。

But the little calf could nudge its way between its mother and the stable.

nudge (突き進む) [動] push or touch gently

しかし、子牛は母牛と厩舎の間を突き進むことができていた。

So the baby calf felt safe and stopped bawling.

baby calf (子牛) [名] a young cow

feel safe (安心する) [動] feel free from danger or threat

子牛は安心して鳴き声を止めた。

It stood on that side of the cow and drank its supper, and Pa put his hand through the fence and milked from the other side.

fence (柵) [名] a barrier enclosing an area of ground to control access or escape

milk (搾る) [動] draw milk from a cow or other animal

子牛は牛のそばに立って夕食を飲み、パパは柵に手を入れて反対側から牛の乳を搾った。

He got a tin cup almost full of milk.

get (搾る) [動] obtain by milking

彼はブリキのカップに牛乳をほぼいっぱいに搾った。

“We’ll try again in the morning,” he said.

「朝にまたやってみよう」と彼は言った。

“The poor thing’s as wild as a deer.

thing (もの) [名] an object that one need not, cannot, or does not wish to give a specific name to

wild (野生) [形] living in a state of nature and not ordinarily tame or domesticated

「かわいそうに、鹿のように野生だ。

But we’ll gentle her, we’ll gentle her.”

gentle (優しくする) [動] make gentle or kind

でも、私たちが彼女を優しくしてあげよう」

The dark was coming on.

come on (近づく) [動] approach or arrive

暗くなってきた。

Nighthawks were chasing insects in the dark air.

nighthawk (ヨタカ) [名] a nocturnal bird of the family Caprimulgidae

chase (追いかける) [動] to follow quickly in order to catch or overtake

insect (虫) [名] a small animal with six legs and a hard outer covering

ヨタカが暗い空中で虫を追いかけていた。

Bullfrogs were croaking in the creek bottoms.

croak (鳴く) [動] make a deep hoarse sound

ウシガエルが小川の底で鳴いていた。

A bird called, “Whip!Whip!Whip-poor-Will!”

whip (ホイップ) [名] a dessert made of cream that is beaten until it becomes light and fluffy

poor (プア) [形] lacking in money or material possessions

will (ウィル) [名] the faculty by which a person decides on and initiates action

鳥が「ホイップ! ホイップ! ホイップ・プア・ウィル!」と鳴いた。

“Who?Who-oo?” said an owl.

「ホー? ホーホー?」とフクロウが鳴いた。

Far away the wolves howled, and Jack was growling.

遠くで狼が吠え、ジャックが唸った。

“The wolves are following the herds,” Pa said.

「狼は群れを追っている」とパパは言った。

“Tomorrow I’ll build a strong, high yard for the cow, that wolves can’t get into.”

yard (囲い) [名] an area of land around a house or other building

「明日、狼が入れない、牛のための頑丈で高い囲いを作る」

So they all went into the house with the beef.

だからみんな牛肉を持って家に入った。

Pa and Ma and Mary and Laura all agreed to give the milk to Baby Carrie.

パパとママとメアリーとローラはみんな、赤ちゃんのキャリーに牛乳を与えることに同意した。

They watched her drink it.

みんな彼女がそれを飲むのを見守った。

The tin cup hid her face, but Laura could see the gulps of milk going down her throat.

gulp (飲み込む) [動] swallow eagerly or in large amounts

milk (牛乳) [名] an opaque white fluid rich in fat and protein, secreted by female mammals for the nourishment of their young

ブリキのカップが彼女の顔を隠したが、ローラは牛乳が彼女の喉を下っていくのを見ることができた。

Gulp by gulp, she swallowed all that good milk.

gulp (ゴクゴク) [名] the act of swallowing a large amount of liquid at once

swallow (飲み干す) [動] take into the stomach through the throat

彼女はゴクゴクとそのおいしい牛乳を飲み干した。

Then she licked the foam from her lip with her red tongue, and laughed.

それから彼女は赤い舌で唇から泡をなめ、笑った。

It seemed a long time before the cornbread and the sizzling beef steaks were done.

sizzle (焼ける) [動] to make a hissing sound as of something frying

beef steak (ビーフステーキ) [名] a slice of beef, usually from the loin, cooked by broiling, frying, or grilling

long time (長い時間) [名] a period of time that seems to be longer than usual

コーンブレッドと焼けるビーフステーキができるまで長い時間がかかったように思えた。

But nothing had ever tasted so good as that tough, juicy beef.

taste (味がする) [動] have a particular flavor

しかし、その硬くてジューシーな牛肉ほどおいしいものはなかった。

And everyone was happy because now there would be milk to drink, and perhaps even butter for the cornbread.

butter (バター) [名] a pale yellow edible fatty substance made by churning the cream of milk

そして、みんなが幸せだったのは、これからは牛乳が飲めるし、コーンブレッドにバターもつけられるかもしれないからだった。

The lowing of the cattle herds was far away again, and the songs of the cowboys were almost too faint to be heard.

be heard (聞こえる) [動] be perceived by the ear

牛の群れの鳴き声は再び遠くになり、カウボーイの歌はほとんど聞こえないほどかすかになった。

All those cattle were on the other side of the creek bottoms now, in Kansas.

those (それらの) [限] the

the other side (向こう側) [名] the opposite side

the creek bottoms (小川の底) [名] the lowest part of a creek

牛たちはみんな、今は小川の底の向こう側、カンザスにいる。

Tomorrow they would slowly go farther on their long way northward to Fort Dodge, where the soldiers were.

go farther (進む) [動] move forward

northward (北に向かって) [副] toward the north

soldier (兵士) [名] a person who serves in an army

明日、彼らはゆっくりと北に向かって、兵士たちのいるフォート・ドッジまで長い道のりを進むだろう。

Chapter 14: INDIAN CAMP

第14章: インディアンのキャンプ

Day after day was hotter than the day before.

hotter (より暑い) [形] having a higher temperature

毎日が前日よりも暑かった。

The wind was hot.

風も熱かった。

“As if it came out of an oven,” Ma said.

come out of (出てくる) [動] move or travel from the inside of something to the outside

oven (オーブン) [名] a chamber or box that is used for cooking or baking food

「まるでオーブンから出てきたみたい」とママは言った。

The grass was turning yellow.

草は黄色く変色していた。

The whole world was rippling green and gold under the blazing sky.

whole world (世界全体) [名] the earth and all its inhabitants

世界全体が燃えるような空の下で緑と金色に波打っていた。

At noon the wind died.

die (止む) [動] stop or cease to exist

正午に風が止んだ。

No birds sang.

鳥は歌わなかった。

Everything was so still that Laura could hear the squirrels chattering in the trees down by the creek.

全てがとても静かだったので、ローラは小川のほとりの木々でリスがしゃべっているのを聞くことができた。

Suddenly black crows flew overhead, cawing their rough, sharp caws.

crow (カラス) [名] a large black bird

caw (鳴く) [動] make the harsh cry of a crow

rough (荒々しい) [形] having a coarse or uneven surface

突然、黒いカラスが頭上を飛び、荒々しく鋭い鳴き声を上げた。

Then everything was still again.

それから全てが再び静かになった。

Ma said that this was midsummer.

midsummer (真夏) [名] the middle of summer

ママはこれが真夏だと言った。

Pa wondered where the Indians had gone.

wonder (不思議に思う) [動] be curious or uncertain about something

パパはインディアンがどこに行ったのか不思議に思った。

He said they had left their little camp on the prairie.

彼は彼らが草原に小さなキャンプを残していったと言った。

And one day he asked Laura and Mary if they would like to see that camp.

そしてある日、彼はローラとメアリーにそのキャンプを見に行きたいかと尋ねた。

Laura jumped up and down and clapped her hands, but Ma objected.

object (反対する) [動] express an objection

ローラは飛び跳ねて手を叩いたが、ママは反対した。

“It is so far, Charles,” she said.

「遠すぎるよ、チャールズ」と彼女は言った。

“And in this heat.”

heat (暑さ) [名] the quality or state of being hot

「しかもこの暑さで」

Pa’s blue eyes twinkled.

パパの青い目がきらめいた。

“This heat doesn’t hurt the Indians and it won’t hurt us,” he said.

won't (ない) [助] will not

he (彼) [代] the man being discussed

「この暑さはインディアンを傷つけないし、私たちも傷つけない」と彼は言った。

“Come on, girls!”

come on (さあ) [間] an expression used to encourage or urge someone to do something

「さあ、娘たち!」

“Please, can’t Jack come, too?” Laura begged.

「お願い、ジャックも一緒に行けない?」ローラは懇願した。

Pa had taken his gun, but he looked at Laura and he looked at Jack, then he looked at Ma, and he put the gun up on its pegs again.

put up (掛ける) [動] place in a higher position

peg (掛け金) [名] a small wooden or metal pin or bolt used to fasten something or to mark a position

パパは銃を手に取ったが、ローラを見て、ジャックを見て、それからママを見て、銃をまた掛け金に掛けた。

“All right, Laura,” he said.

all right (分かった) [副] yes; okay

「分かった、ローラ」と彼は言った。

“I’ll take Jack, Caroline, and leave you the gun.”

「私はジャックを連れて行くよ、キャロライン、銃は君に預けておくよ」

Jack jumped around them, wagging his stump of a tail.

jump around (飛び回る) [動] move around quickly and excitedly

ジャックは彼らの周りを飛び回り、短い尻尾を振った。

As soon as he saw which way they were going, he set off, trotting ahead.

set off (出発する) [動] start a journey

彼らがどちらの道を行くのか分かるとすぐに、彼は出発し、先を小走りした。

Pa came next, and behind him came Mary, and then Laura.

next (次に) [副] immediately after the time being considered

パパが次に来て、彼の後ろにメアリーが来て、それからローラが来た。

Mary kept her sunbonnet on, but Laura let hers dangle down her back.

keep on (かぶり続ける) [動] continue to wear

dangle (ぶら下げる) [動] hang or swing loosely

メアリーは日よけ帽子をかぶり続けたが、ローラはそれを背中にぶら下げた。

The ground was hot under their bare feet.

地面は彼らの素足の下で熱かった。

The sunshine pierced through their faded dresses and tingled on their arms and backs.

pierce (突き抜ける) [動] go into or through something

faded (色あせた) [形] having lost freshness or brilliance

tingle (チクチクする) [動] feel a slight prickling or stinging sensation

日差しは色あせたドレスを突き抜け、腕や背中にチクチクした。

The air was really as hot as the air in an oven, and it smelled faintly like baking bread.

空気は本当にオーブンの中の空気と同じくらい熱く、かすかにパンを焼くような匂いがした。

Pa said the smell came from all the grass seeds parching in the heat.

come from (から来る) [動] have a specified origin

seed (種) [名] a small hard object produced by a plant that can develop into a new plant

parch (乾燥する) [動] make or become dry through intense heat

パパは、その匂いは草の種が熱で乾燥しているからだと言った。

They went farther and farther into the vast prairie.

go farther and farther (どんどん進む) [動] go a long way

彼らは広大な大草原をどんどん進んでいった。

Laura felt smaller and smaller.

and (そして) [接] used to connect words, phrases, clauses, or sentences, and to show that two things are happening at the same time

ローラは自分がどんどん小さくなっていくように感じた。

Even Pa did not seem as big as he really was.

パパでさえ、実際の彼ほど大きくは見えなかった。

At last they went down into the little hollow where the Indians had camped.

ついに彼らはインディアンがキャンプしていた小さなくぼみに降りていった。

Jack started up a big rabbit.

start up (驚かせる) [動] cause to move or jump suddenly

ジャックは大きなウサギを驚かせた。

When it bounded out of the grass Laura jumped.

それが草むらから飛び出した時、ローラは飛び上がった。

Pa said, quickly: “Let him go, Jack! We have meat enough.”

パパは素早く言った。「ジャック、逃がしてあげなさい! 肉は十分にある。」

So Jack sat down and watched the big rabbit go bounding away down the hollow.

go bounding (跳ねて逃げていく) [動] move quickly and with leaps and bounds

down (くぼみ) [名] a depression in a surface

それでジャックは座って、大きなウサギがくぼみを跳ねて逃げていくのを見守った。

Laura and Mary looked around them.

ローラとメアリーは周りを見回した。

They stayed close to Pa.

二人はパパの近くにいた。

Low bushes grew on the sides of the hollow—buck-brush with sprays of berries faintly pink, and sumac holding up green cones but showing here and there a bright red leaf.

bush (茂み) [名] a woody plant with many stems

buck-brush (バックブラシ) [名] a shrub

spray (房) [名] a small branch with leaves, flowers, or fruit

sumac (ウルシ) [名] a shrub or small tree

cone (円錐形) [名] a solid shape with a circular base and a point at the top

くぼみの側面には低い茂みが生えていた。かすかにピンク色のベリーの房をつけたバックブラシや、緑の円錐形の花を持ち上げながらも、あちこちに鮮やかな赤い葉を見せるウルシなどだ。

The goldenrod’s plumes were turning gray, and the ox-eyed daisies’ yellow petals hung down from the crown centers.

turn gray (灰色に変わる) [動] become gray

ox-eyed daisy (オキザリス) [名] a plant with yellow flowers

petal (花びら) [名] one of the parts of a flower

crown (冠) [名] a circular ornamental headdress worn by a monarch

セイタカアワダチソウの羽毛は灰色に変わり、オキザリスの黄色い花びらが冠の中心から垂れ下がっていた。

All this was hidden in the secret little hollow.

be hidden (隠されている) [動] be out of sight

secret (秘密の) [形] not known or seen or not meant to be known or seen by others

これらすべてが秘密の小さなくぼみに隠されていた。

From the house Laura had seen nothing but grasses, and now from this hollow she could not see the house.

家からは草しか見えなかったが、このくぼみからは家は見えなかった。

The prairie seemed to be level, but it was not level.

大草原は平らに見えたが、平らではなかった。

Laura asked Pa if there were lots of hollows on the prairie, like this one.

ローラはパパに、大草原にはこんなくぼみが沢山あるのかと尋ねた。

He said there were.

パパは沢山あると言った。

“Are Indians in them?” she almost whispered.

「そこにインディアンはいるの?」と彼女はほとんどささやくように言った。

He said he didn’t know.

パパは知らないと言った。

There might be.

might (かもしれない) [助] expressing possibility or probability

いるかもしれない。

She held tight to his hand and Mary held to his other hand, and they looked at the Indians’ camp.

彼女はパパの手をぎゅっと握り、メアリーはパパのもう一方の手を握り、彼らはインディアンのキャンプを見た。

There were ashes where Indian camp fires had been.

ash (灰) [名] the powdery residue left after a fire has burned something

インディアンのキャンプファイヤーがあった場所には灰があった。

There were holes in the ground where tent-poles had been driven.

tent-pole (テントの支柱) [名] a pole used to support a tent

テントの支柱が打ち込まれた場所には穴があった。

Bones were scattered where Indian dogs had gnawed them.

gnaw (かじる) [動] bite at or nibble something persistently

インディアンの犬がかじった骨が散らばっていた。

All along the sides of the hollow, Indian ponies had bitten the grasses short.

bite (かじる) [動] cut or tear with the teeth

くぼみの側面にはずっと、インディアンの小型馬が草を短くかじっていた。

Tracks of big moccasins and smaller moccasins were everywhere, and tracks of little bare toes.

大きなモカシンと小さなモカシンの跡が至る所にあり、小さな裸足の跡もあった。

And over these tracks were tracks of rabbits and tracks of birds, and wolves’ tracks.

そして、これらの跡の上にはウサギの跡や鳥の跡、狼の跡があった。

Pa read the tracks for Mary and Laura.

read (読む) [動] to be able to understand the written words of a language

パパはメアリーとローラに跡を読んで聞かせた。

He showed them tracks of two middle-sized moccasins by the edge of a camp fire’s ashes.

パパはキャンプファイヤーの灰の端にある2つの中型のモカシンの跡を2人に示した。

An Indian woman had squatted there.

インディアンの女性がそこにしゃがんでいた。

She wore a leather skirt with fringes;

fringe (フリンジ) [名] a decorative border of hanging threads, cords, or strips

彼女はフリンジのついた革のスカートをはいていた。

the tiny marks of the fringe were in the dust.

mark (跡) [名] a visible sign of something

フリンジの小さな跡がほこりの中にあった。

The track of her toes inside the moccasins was deeper than the track of her heels, because she had leaned forward to stir something cooking in a pot on the fire.

pot (鍋) [名] a round, deep container with a handle, used for cooking or storing things

モカシンの中の彼女のつま先の跡は、彼女がかかとをつけた跡よりも深かった。なぜなら、彼女は火の上の鍋で何かを調理するために前かがみになっていたからだ。

Then Pa picked up a smoke-blackened forked stick.

smoke-blackened (煙で黒くなった) [形] blackened by smoke

forked (二股の) [形] having a fork or forks

それからパパは煙で黒くなった二股の棒を拾った。

And he said that the pot had hung from a stick laid across the top of two upright, forked sticks.

そして彼は、鍋は2本の直立した二股の棒の上に横たえられた棒から吊り下げられていたと言った。

He showed Mary and Laura the holes where the forked sticks had been driven into the ground.

彼はメアリーとローラに二股の棒が地面に打ち込まれた穴を見せた。

Then he told them to look at the bones around that camp fire and tell him what had cooked in that pot.

それから彼は、キャンプファイヤーの周りの骨を見て、その鍋で何が調理されたのかを教えるように言った。

They looked, and they said, “Rabbit.”

彼女たちは見て、「ウサギ」と言った。

That was right; the bones were rabbits’ bones.

その通りだった。骨はウサギの骨だった。

Suddenly Laura shouted, “Look! Look!”

突然ローラが叫んだ。「見て! 見て!」

Something bright blue glittered in the dust.

何か明るい青色のものがほこりの中できらめいた。

She picked it up, and it was a beautiful blue bead.

bead (ビーズ) [名] a small piece of glass, wood, or other material with a hole through it, used in making necklaces, etc.

彼女はそれを拾い上げた。それは美しい青いビーズだった。

Laura shouted with joy.

shout (声を上げる) [動] speak or say something very loudly

ローラは喜びの声を上げた。

Then Mary saw a red bead, and Laura saw a green one, and they forgot everything but beads.

するとメアリーは赤いビーズを見つけ、ローラは緑のビーズを見つけ、二人はビーズ以外何もかも忘れてしまった。

Pa helped them look.

パパも探すのを手伝った。

They found white beads and brown beads, and more and more red and blue beads.

more and more (次々と) [副] to an increasing extent

白いビーズや茶色のビーズ、そして赤や青のビーズを次々と見つけた。

All that afternoon they hunted for beads in the dust of the Indian camp.

all that afternoon (その日の午後ずっと) [名] the entire afternoon of that day

Indian camp (インディアンの野営地) [名] a place where Indians live temporarily

その日の午後はずっと、インディアンの野営地の土埃の中でビーズを探した。

Now and then Pa walked up to the edge of the hollow and looked toward home, then he came back and helped to hunt for more beads.

walk up to (歩いて行く) [動] approach someone or something

パパは時々くぼみの端まで歩いて行き、家の方を見たが、また戻ってきてビーズ探しを手伝った。

They looked all the ground over carefully.

look over (探す) [動] examine or inspect

地面をくまなく注意深く探した。

When they couldn’t find any more, it was almost sunset.

couldn't find (見つからなくなった) [動] be unable to find

もうこれ以上見つからなくなった頃には、日が暮れそうになっていた。

Laura had a handful of beads, and so did Mary.

have (手にしていた) [動] hold or possess

ローラもメアリーも、一握りのビーズを手にしていた。

Pa tied them carefully in his handkerchief, Laura’s beads in one corner and Mary’s in another corner.

パパはそれをハンカチに注意深く包み、ローラのビーズを片方の角に、メアリーのビーズをもう片方の角に結んだ。

He put the handkerchief in his pocket, and they started home.

パパはハンカチをポケットに入れ、家路についた。

The sun was low behind their backs when they came out of the hollow.

back (背後) [名] the rear part of the human body

くぼみから出てきた時には、太陽は背後の低い位置にあった。

Home was small and very far away.

家は小さく、とても遠くにあった。

And Pa did not have his gun.

そしてパパは銃を持っていなかった。

Pa walked so swiftly that Laura could hardly keep up.

keep up (ついていく) [動] maintain a certain rate or standard

パパはローラがほとんどついていけなくなるほど速く歩いた。

She trotted as fast as she could, but the sun sank faster.

as fast as (できる限り速く) [副] to the highest degree or extent possible

彼女はできる限り速く走ったが、太陽はもっと速く沈んだ。

Home seemed farther and farther away.

家はますます遠くにあるように思えた。

The prairie seemed larger, and a wind ran over it, whispering something frightening.

run over (吹き抜ける) [動] move or flow over or across

大草原はより大きく見え、風が吹き抜け、何か恐ろしいことをささやいた。

All the grasses shook as if they were scared.

すべての草はまるで怖がっているかのように揺れた。

Then Pa turned around and his blue eyes twinkled at Laura.

それからパパは振り返り、青い目をローラに向けてきらめかせた。

He said: “Getting tired, little half-pint?

get tired (疲れる) [動] become weary

彼は言った。「疲れたか、小さな半パイント?

It’s a long way for little legs.”

little leg (小さな足) [名] a small leg

小さな足には長い道のりだ。」

He picked her up, big girl that she was, and he settled her safe against his shoulder.

big girl (大きな女の子) [名] a girl who is big

settle (落ち着かせる) [動] make or become calm or quiet

safe (安全に) [形] free from danger or risk

彼は彼女を抱き上げ、彼女は大きな女の子だったが、彼は彼女を肩に安全に落ち着かせた。

He took Mary by the hand, and so they all came home together.

take by the hand (手をとる) [動] to hold someone's hand

come home (帰る) [動] to return to one's home

彼はメアリーの手を取って、みんな一緒に家に帰った。

Supper was cooking on the fire,

夕食が火で調理されていた。

Ma was setting the table, and Baby Carrie played with little pieces of wood on the floor.

play with (で遊ぶ) [動] engage in an activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose

piece of wood (木の小片) [名] a small part of a tree

ママはテーブルをセットしていて、赤ちゃんのキャリーは床の上の木の小片で遊んでいた。

Pa tossed the handkerchief to Ma.

toss (投げる) [動] throw or roll something around

パパはハンカチをママに投げた。

“I’m later than I meant, Caroline,” he said.

later (遅くなった) [形] after the usual or expected time

mean (思った) [動] intend to convey, indicate, or refer to (something)

「思ったより遅くなったよ、キャロライン」と彼は言った。

“But look what the girls found.”

「でも、娘たちが見つけたものを見てみろ」

He took the milk-bucket and went quickly to bring Pet and Patty from their picket-lines and to milk the cow.

milk-bucket (牛乳バケツ) [名] a bucket used for milking cows

彼は牛乳バケツを取って、ペットとパティを杭から連れてきて牛の乳を搾るために急いで行った。

Ma untied the handkerchief and exclaimed at what she found.

untie (ほどく) [動] undo the ties of

ママはハンカチをほどいて、見つけたものに驚きの声を上げた。

The beads were even prettier than they had been in the Indian camp.

ビーズはインディアンのキャンプにあった時よりもさらにきれいだった。

Laura stirred her beads with her finger and watched them sparkle and shine.

ローラはビーズを指でかき混ぜて、キラキラと輝くのを眺めた。

“These are mine,” she said.

these (これ) [代] the ones near you

mine (私の) [代] belonging to me

「これは私の」と彼女は言った。

Then Mary said, “Carrie can have mine.”

するとメアリーは「キャリーは私のビーズをもらっていいよ」と言った。

Ma waited to hear what Laura would say.

ママはローラが何と言うか待った。

Laura didn’t want to say anything.

ローラは何も言いたくなかった。

She wanted to keep those pretty beads.

keep (持ち続ける) [動] continue to have or do something

彼女はそのきれいなビーズを持ち続けたかった。

Her chest felt all hot inside, and she wished with all her might that Mary wouldn’t always be such a good little girl.

such (そんなに) [副] to so great a degree; so much

彼女の胸の中は熱くなり、メアリーがいつもそんなに良い子でなければいいのにと全力で願った。

But she couldn’t let Mary be better than she was.

be better than (より優れている) [動] be superior to

しかし、彼女はメアリーが自分より優れていることを許せなかった。

So she said, slowly, “Carrie can have mine, too.”

だから彼女はゆっくりと言った、「キャリーは私のももらっていいよ」

“That’s my unselfish, good little girls,” said Ma.

unselfish (利己的でない) [形] not selfish

「それが私の利己的でない、良い子たちだ」とママは言った。

She poured Mary’s beads into Mary’s hands, and Laura’s into Laura’s hands, and she said she would give them a thread to string them on.

string (通す) [動] put on a string

彼女はメアリーのビーズをメアリーの手に、ローラのビーズをローラの手に注ぎ、ビーズを通す糸をあげると言った。

The beads would make a pretty necklace for Carrie to wear around her neck.

necklace (ネックレス) [名] an ornament consisting of a chain or string of beads, jewels, or links, worn around the neck

ビーズはキャリーが首にかけるのにきれいなネックレスになるだろう。

Mary and Laura sat side by side on their bed, and they strung those pretty beads on the thread that Ma gave them.

メアリーとローラはベッドに並んで座り、ママがくれた糸にきれいなビーズを通した。

Each wet her end of the thread in her mouth and twisted it tightly.

twist (ねじる) [動] turn or cause to turn around and around

それぞれが糸の端を口で濡らし、きつくねじった。

Then Mary put her end of the thread through the small hole in each of the beads, and Laura put her end through her beads, one by one.

one by one (一つずつ) [副] individually; separately

それからメアリーは糸の端をそれぞれのビーズの小さな穴に通して、ローラは自分の端を自分のビーズに一つずつ通した。

They didn’t say anything.

彼らは何も言わなかった。

Perhaps Mary felt sweet and good inside, but Laura didn’t.

メアリーは心の中で優しく良い気持ちになったかもしれないが、ローラはそうはならなかった。

When she looked at Mary she wanted to slap her.

メアリーを見たとき、彼女はメアリーを平手打ちしたいと思った。

So she dared not look at Mary again.

dare (あえて~しない) [動] have the courage to do something new or dangerous

だから彼女はメアリーを見ないようにした。

The beads made a beautiful string.

ビーズは美しい紐になった。

Carrie clapped her hands and laughed when she saw it.

キャリーはそれを見て手を叩いて笑った。

Then Ma tied it around Carrie’s little neck, and it glittered there.

それからママはそれをキャリーの小さな首に巻き付け、それはそこできらめいた。

Laura felt a little bit better.

ローラは少し気分が良くなった。

After all, her beads were not enough beads to make a whole string, and neither were Mary’s, but together they made a whole string of beads for Carrie.

after all (結局) [副] in spite of everything; nevertheless

whole (一本分) [形] complete; entire

neither (そうだった) [副] not either

結局、彼女のビーズは紐一本分には足りず、メアリーのもそうだったのだが、一緒にするとキャリーのためのビーズ一本分になった。

When Carrie felt the beads on her neck, she grabbed at them.

grab (つかむ) [動] grip suddenly and forcibly

キャリーは首のビーズを感じると、それをつかんだ。

She was so little that she did not know any better than to break the string.

so little (とても小さい) [形] very small

彼女はとても小さかったので、紐を切ることしか知らなかった。

So Ma untied it, and she put the beads away until Carrie should be old enough to wear them.

old enough (十分な年齢) [形] having lived or existed for a long time

それでママはそれをほどき、キャリーがそれを身に着けるのに十分な年齢になるまでビーズを片付けた。

And often after that Laura thought of those pretty beads and she was still naughty enough to want her beads for herself.

often (よく) [副] many times; frequently

naughty (わがまま) [形] disobedient; badly behaved

そしてその後もローラはよくあのきれいなビーズのことを考え、まだ自分のためにビーズが欲しいと思うほどわがままだった。

But it had been a wonderful day.

しかし、それは素晴らしい一日だった。

She could always think about that long walk across the prairie, and about all they had seen in the Indian camp.

think about (思い出す) [動] recall to the mind

long walk (長い散歩) [名] a long walk

Indian camp (インディアンのキャンプ) [名] a camp of Indians

彼女はいつも、大草原を横切った長い散歩や、インディアンのキャンプで見たすべてのことを思い出すことができた。

Chapter 15: FEVER’N'AGUE

ague (マラリア) [名] a fever that comes and goes

第15章: 熱とマラリア

Now blackberries were ripe, and in the hot afternoons Laura went with Ma to pick them.

blackberry (ブラックベリー) [名] a small round black or dark purple fruit

ripe (熟した) [形] ready to be eaten

ブラックベリーが熟し、暑い午後にはローラはママと一緒に摘みに行った。

The big, black, juicy berries hung thick in brier-patches in the creek bottoms.

hang (実る) [動] be attached to something from above

brier (茨) [名] a prickly plant

patch (茂み) [名] a small area of land

大きくて黒く、汁気のあるベリーが、小川の底の茨の茂みにびっしりと実っていた。

Some were in the shade of trees and some were in the sun, but the sun was so hot that Laura and Ma stayed in the shade.

木陰にあるものもあれば、日向にあるものもあったが、日差しがとても強かったので、ローラとママは日陰にいた。

There were plenty of berries.

ベリーはたくさんあった。

Deer lay in the shady groves and watched Ma and Laura.

grove (木立) [名] a small group of trees

鹿が日陰の木立に横たわり、ママとローラを見ていた。

Blue jays flew at their sunbonnets and scolded because they were taking the berries.

blue jay (ブルージェイズ) [名] a noisy and aggressive North American jay with a striking blue and white crest

fly at (飛びかかる) [動] attack suddenly

ブルージェイズは、ベリーをとっているので、サンボンネットに飛びかかり、叱った。

Snakes hurriedly crawled away from them, and in the trees the squirrels woke up and chattered at them.

hurriedly (急いで) [副] quickly

chatter (話しかける) [動] talk rapidly and incessantly

ヘビは急いで2人から這い去り、木の中でリスが目を覚まし、2人に話しかけてきた。

Wherever they went among the scratchy briers, mosquitoes rose up in buzzing swarms.

wherever (どこへ行っても) [副] in or to whatever place

scratchy (引っかき傷のある) [形] causing or likely to cause scratches

brier (イバラ) [名] any of various prickly shrubs

rise up (飛び回る) [動] move upwards

buzz (群れをなして) [動] make a continuous low humming sound

2人が引っかき傷のあるイバラの中を歩くと、どこへ行っても蚊が群れをなして飛び回った。

Mosquitoes were thick on the big, ripe berries, sucking the sweet juice.

be thick on (群がる) [動] be present in large numbers

suck (吸う) [動] draw into the mouth by creating a vacuum

juice (汁) [名] the liquid that can be extracted from a fruit or vegetable

蚊は大きく熟したベリーに群がり、甘い汁を吸っていた。

But they liked to bite Laura and Ma as much as they liked to eat blackberries.

bite (刺す) [動] cut into or through with the teeth

しかし、蚊はブラックベリーを食べるのと同じくらいローラとママを刺すのが好きだった。

Laura’s fingers and her mouth were purple-black with berry juice.

purple-black (紫黒色) [形] of a very dark purple color

ローラの指と口はベリー汁で紫黒色になっていた。

Her face and her hands and her bare feet were covered with brier scratches and mosquito bites.

bare (素足) [形] not clothed or covered

scratch (引っかき傷) [名] a mark or wound made by scratching

bite (刺し傷) [名] a wound made by biting

彼女の顔と手と素足はイバラの引っかき傷と蚊に刺された跡で覆われていた。

And they were spattered with purple stains, too, where she had slapped at the mosquitoes.

spatter (飛び散る) [動] splash with a liquid or other substance

stain (染み) [名] a spot or mark left by a dirty substance

そして、蚊を叩いたところは紫色の染みが飛び散っていた。

But every day they brought home pails full of berries, and Ma spread them in the sun to dry.

dry (干す) [動] make or become free of moisture

しかし、毎日、彼女たちはベリーでいっぱいのバケツを家に持ち帰り、ママはそれを天日干しにした。

Every day they ate all the blackberries they wanted, and next winter they would have dried blackberries to stew.

next winter (次の冬) [名] the winter after this one

stew (煮込み料理) [名] a dish cooked by stewing

毎日、彼女たちは食べたいだけブラックベリーを食べ、次の冬には煮込み料理に使う干しブラックベリーを用意するだろう。

Mary hardly ever went to pick blackberries.

hardly ever (ほとんど~ない) [副] almost never

メアリーはほとんどブラックベリーを摘みに行くことはなかった。

She stayed in the house to mind Baby Carrie, because she was older.

stay in (いる) [動] remain in a place

because (ので) [接] for the reason that

彼女は年上だったので、赤ん坊のキャリーを気にかけるために家にいた。

In the daytime there were only one or two mosquitoes in the house.

daytime (昼間) [名] the time of day when it is light

one or two (一匹か二匹) [名] a small number of

昼間は家の中に蚊が一匹か二匹しかいなかった。

But at night, if the wind wasn’t blowing hard, mosquitoes came in thick swarms.

しかし、夜になると、風が強く吹いていなければ、蚊が群れをなしてやってきた。

On still nights Pa kept piles of damp grass burning all around the house and the stable.

on still nights (静かな夜には) [副] on nights when there is no wind

keep (燃やし続けた) [動] cause to continue in a certain state

静かな夜には、パパは家と馬小屋の周りに湿った草の山を燃やし続けた。

The damp grass made a smudge of smoke, to keep the mosquitoes away.

keep away (寄せ付けない) [動] prevent from coming near

湿った草は蚊を寄せ付けないように煙を出した。

But a good many mosquitoes came, anyway.

a good many (たくさんの) [名] a large number of

しかし、とにかくたくさんの蚊がやってきた。

Pa could not play his fiddle in the evenings because so many mosquitoes bit him.

so many (とても多くの) [副] a lot of; lots of

bit (刺す) [動] pierce the skin of with a sharp or pointed part

パパは夕方になると蚊に刺されるのでバイオリンを弾くことができなかった。

Mr. Edwards did not come visiting after supper any more, because the mosquitoes were so thick in the bottoms.

not come (来ない) [動] not arrive

visiting (訪ねる) [動] go to see someone or something

any more (もう) [副] no longer

be thick (たくさんいる) [動] be numerous

エドワーズさんは、蚊が谷底にたくさんいるので、夕食後に訪ねてくることはなくなった。

All night Pet and Patty and the colt and the calf and the cow were stamping and swishing their tails in the stable.

all night (一晩中) [副] for the entire night

swish (振り回す) [動] move or cause to move with a hissing or brushing sound

一晩中、ペットとパティと子馬と子牛と牛が馬小屋で足を踏み鳴らし、尻尾を振り回していた。

And in the morning Laura’s forehead was speckled with mosquito bites.

in the morning (朝になると) [副] during the morning

speckle (まだらになる) [動] mark with small spots

そして朝になると、ローラの額は蚊に刺された跡でまだらになっていた。

“This won’t last long,” Pa said.

「これは長く続かないだろう」とパパは言った。

“Fall’s not far away, and the first cold wind will settle ’em!”

fall (秋) [名] the season after summer and before winter

not far away (すぐそこだ) [副] a short distance away

「秋はもうすぐそこだ、そして最初の冷たい風が蚊を落ち着かせるだろう!」

Laura did not feel very well.

ローラはあまり気分がよくなかった。

One day she felt cold even in the hot sunshine, and she could not get warm by the fire.

feel cold (寒さを感じる) [動] have a sensation of cold

hot sunshine (暑い日差し) [名] the direct light and heat of the sun

get warm (暖かくなる) [動] become warm

ある日、彼女は暑い日差しの中でさえ寒さを感じ、火のそばでも暖かくなれなかった。

Ma asked why she and Mary did not go out to play, and Laura said she didn’t feel like playing.

feel like (~したい) [動] be inclined to do something

ママはなぜ彼女とメアリが遊びに行かないのかと尋ね、ローラは遊びたくないと言った。

She was tired and she ached.

彼女は疲れていて、痛かった。

Ma stopped her work and asked, “Where do you ache?”

ママは仕事をやめて、「どこが痛いの?」と尋ねた。

Laura didn’t exactly know.

exactly (正確には) [副] in a precise manner

ローラは正確には知らなかった。

She said: “I just ache. My legs ache.”

彼女は言った。「ただ痛いだけ。足が痛い。」

“I ache, too,” Mary said.

ache (痛い) [動] suffer a dull, persistent pain

「私も痛い」とメアリーは言った。

Ma looked at them and said they looked healthy enough.

healthy (健康そう) [形] in a good physical or mental condition; well

ママは彼女たちを見て、十分健康そうに見えると言いました。

But she said something must be wrong or they wouldn’t be so quiet.

be wrong (おかしい) [動] be incorrect or inaccurate

しかし、彼女は何かがおかしいに違いない、そうでなければ彼女たちはそんなに静かではないだろうと言いました。

She pulled up Laura’s skirt and petticoats to see where her legs ached, and suddenly Laura shivered all over.

pull up (めくる) [動] move something to a higher position

彼女はローラのスカートとペチコートをめくり、足のどこが痛いのかを見ようとしたところ、ローラは突然全身を震わせました。

She shivered so that her teeth rattled in her mouth.

彼女は震え、歯が口の中でガタガタと音を立てました。

Ma put her hand against Laura’s cheek.

put (当てる) [動] move something into a specified place

ママはローラの頬に手を当てました。

“You can’t be cold,” she said.

can't (はずがない) [助] be unable to; be not able to

「寒いはずはないよ」と彼女は言いました。

“Your face is hot as fire.”

「顔が火のように熱いよ」

Laura felt like crying, but of course she didn’t. Only little babies cried.

feel like (~したい気持ちになる) [動] to be inclined to do something

ローラは泣きたい気持ちになりましたが、もちろん泣きませんでした。泣くのは小さな赤ちゃんだけです。

“I’m hot now,” she said.

「今は暑い」と彼女は言いました。

“And my back aches.”

「そして背中が痛い」

Ma called Pa, and he came in.

ママがパパを呼び、パパがやってきました。

“Charles, do look at the girls,” she said.

「チャールズ、娘たちを見て」と彼女は言いました。

“I do believe they are sick.”

believe (思う) [動] accept that (something) is true, especially without proof

「娘たちは病気だと思う」

“Well, I don’t feel any too well myself,” said Pa.

myself (私も) [代] I or me

「私もあまり気分がよくない」とパパは言いました。

“First I’m hot and then I’m cold, and I ache all over.

「最初は暑くて、次に寒くて、全身が痛い。

Is that the way you feel, girls?

娘たちもそう感じているの?

Do your very bones ache?”

骨まで痛い?」

Mary and Laura said that was the way they felt.

メアリーとローラはそう感じていると言った。

Then Ma and Pa looked a long time at each other and Ma said, “The place for you girls is bed.”

それからママとパパは長い間お互いを見て、ママは「娘たちの居場所はベッドだ」と言った。

It was so queer to be put to bed in the daytime, and Laura was so hot that everything seemed wavering.

be put to bed (ベッドに入れられる) [動] be put to bed

waver (揺れる) [動] move unsteadily

昼間にベッドに入れられるのはとても奇妙で、ローラは熱くて全てが揺れているように見えた。

She held on to Ma’s neck while Ma was undressing her, and she begged Ma to tell her what was wrong with her.

hold on to (つかまる) [動] grasp or grip something firmly

beg (頼む) [動] ask someone earnestly or humbly for something

ママが服を脱がせている間、彼女はママの首につかまり、ママに何が悪いのか教えてくれるように頼んだ。

“You will be all right.

「大丈夫よ。

Don’t worry,” Ma said, cheerfully.

心配しないで」とママは元気よく言った。

Laura crawled into bed and Ma tucked her in.

ローラはベッドに這い上がり、ママは彼女を寝かせた。

It felt good to be in bed.

feel good (気持ちがよかった) [動] to be in a good mood

ベッドにいるのは気持ちがよかった。

Ma smoothed her forehead with her cool, soft hand and said, “There, now. Go to sleep.”

smooth (なでる) [動] to make or become smooth

cool (冷たい) [形] of or at a fairly low temperature

go to sleep (寝る) [動] to rest with the eyes closed

ママは冷たく柔らかい手で彼女の額をなでて、「ほら、今。寝なさい」と言った。

Laura did not exactly go to sleep, but she didn’t really wake up again for a long, long time.

ローラは完全に眠ったわけではないが、長い長い時間、本当に目を覚ますことはなかった。

Strange things seemed to keep happening in a haze.

奇妙なことがもやの中で起こり続けているようだった。

She would see Pa crouching by the fire in the middle of the night, then suddenly sunshine hurt her eyes and Ma fed her broth from a spoon.

middle of the night (真夜中) [名] the middle of the night

broth (スープ) [名] a soup made from meat or vegetables

彼女は真夜中にパパが火のそばでうずくまっているのを見たり、突然日差しが目に痛かったり、ママがスプーンでスープを飲ませてくれたりした。

Something dwindled slowly, smaller and smaller, till it was tinier than the tiniest thing.

dwindle (小さくなる) [動] become smaller or fewer

tinier (小さく) [形] very small

tiniest (最も小さい) [形] very small

何かがゆっくりと小さくなり、小さくなり、最も小さいものよりも小さくなった。

Then slowly it swelled till it was larger than anything could be.

それからゆっくりと膨らみ、何よりも大きくなった。

Two voices jabbered faster and faster, then a slow voice drawled more slowly than Laura could bear.

jabber (しゃべる) [動] talk rapidly and unintelligibly

faster (速く) [副] at a high speed

slow (ゆっくりとした) [形] moving or operating or done at a low speed

drawl (ゆっくりとしゃべる) [動] speak slowly with prolonged vowel sounds

2つの声がどんどん速くしゃべり、それからゆっくりとした声がローラが耐えられないほどゆっくりとしゃべった。

There were no words, only voices.

word (言葉) [名] a unit of language

言葉はなく、声だけだった。

Mary was hot in the bed beside her.

メアリーは彼女の横のベッドで熱かった。

Mary threw off the covers, and Laura cried because she was so cold.

throw off (投げ捨てる) [動] to get rid of something

メアリーはカバーを投げ捨て、ローラはとても寒かったので泣いた。

Then she was burning up, and Pa’s hand shook the cup of water.

burn up (燃え上がる) [動] be destroyed or consumed by fire

それから彼女は燃え上がり、パパの手は水の入ったコップを揺らした。

Water spilled down her neck.

spill (流れ落ちる) [動] flow or cause to flow over the edge of a container

水が彼女の首に流れ落ちた。

The tin cup rattled against her teeth till she could hardly drink.

ブリキのコップが彼女の歯に当たってガタガタ鳴り、彼女はほとんど飲めなかった。

Then Ma tucked in the covers and Ma’s hand burned against Laura’s cheek.

tuck in (押し込む) [動] push or fold the edges of something firmly in or under something else

cover (カバー) [名] something that lies on or over something else

burn (熱い) [動] be or feel hot

それからママはカバーを押し込み、ママの手はローラの頬に当たって熱かった。

She heard Pa say, “Go to bed, Caroline.”

彼女はパパが「キャロライン、寝なさい」と言うのを聞いた。

Ma said, “You’re sicker than I am, Charles.”

ママは「あなたは私より具合が悪いよ、チャールズ」と言った。

Laura opened her eyes and saw bright sunshine.

ローラは目を開けて明るい日差しを見た。

Mary was sobbing, “I want a drink of water!

メアリーは「水が飲みたい!

I want a drink of water!

drink (飲み物) [名] a liquid that is drunk

水が飲みたい!

I want a drink of water!”

水が飲みたい!」と泣きじゃくっていた。

Jack went back and forth between the big bed and the little bed.

go back and forth (行ったり来たりする) [動] move from one place to another and back again

ジャックは大きなベッドと小さなベッドの間を行ったり来たりしていた。

Laura saw Pa lying on the floor by the big bed.

ローラはパパが大きなベッドのそばの床に横たわっているのを見た。

Jack pawed at Pa and whined.

paw (引っ掻く) [動] strike or scrape with a paw

whine (クンクン鳴く) [動] utter a high-pitched plaintive or distressed cry

ジャックはパパを前足で引っ掻き、クンクンと鳴いた。

He took hold of Pa’s sleeve with his teeth and shook it.

ジャックはパパの袖を歯でつかんで、それを揺すった。

Pa’s head lifted up a little, and he said, “I must get up, I must.

lift up (持ち上げる) [動] raise to a higher position

パパは頭を少し持ち上げて、「起きなきゃ、起きなきゃ」と言った。

Caroline and the girls.”

キャロラインと娘たちのために」

Then his head fell back and he lay still.

fall back (後ろに倒れる) [動] move backwards

lay still (動かなくなる) [動] stop moving

それからパパの頭は後ろに倒れ、パパは動かなくなった。

Jack lifted up his nose and howled.

ジャックは鼻を上げて、遠吠えした。

Laura tried to get up, but she was too tired.

ローラは起き上がろうとしたが、あまりに疲れていた。

Then she saw Ma’s red face looking over the edge of the big bed.

look over (覗く) [動] look at or examine quickly or casually

それからローラは、ママの赤い顔が大きなベッドの端から覗いているのを見た。

Mary was all the time crying for water.

メアリーはずっと水を欲しがって泣いていた。

Ma looked at Mary and then she looked at Laura, and she whispered, “Laura, can you?”

ママはメアリーを見て、それからローラを見て、「ローラ、できる?」とささやいた。

“Yes, Ma,” Laura said.

「はい、ママ」とローラは言った。

This time she got out of bed.

this time (今度は) [副] on this occasion

get out of (出る) [動] leave or depart from

今度はローラはベッドから出た。

But when she tried to stand up, the floor rocked and she fell down.

しかし、ローラが立とうとすると、床が揺れて倒れてしまった。

Jack’s tongue lapped and lapped at her face, and he quivered and whined.

lap (舐める) [動] take up (liquid) with the tongue

ジャックの舌が彼女の顔を何度も舐め、震えながら鳴いた。

But he stood still and firm when she took hold of him and sat up against him.

firm (しっかりと) [副] in a secure or stable manner

しかし、ローラがジャックをつかんで寄りかかったとき、ジャックは静かにしっかりと立っていた。

She knew she must get water to stop Mary’s crying, and she did.

get (汲む) [動] obtain by fetching

crying (泣き声) [名] the act of shedding tears

ローラはメアリの泣き声を止めるために水を汲まなければならないことを知っていたので、そうした。

She crawled all the way across the floor to the water-bucket.

ローラは床を這って水桶まで行った。

There was only a little water in it.

水桶には少ししか水がなかった。

She shook so with cold that she could hardly get hold of the dipper.

hardly (ほとんど~できない) [副] almost not; barely

get hold of (つかむ) [動] grasp or grip

ローラは寒さで震え、柄杓をほとんどつかむことができなかった。

But she did get hold of it.

しかし、ローラは柄杓をつかんだ。

She dipped up some water, and she set out to cross that enormous floor again.

dip up (汲む) [動] to take up by dipping

set out (横切る) [動] to start a journey

enormous (広い) [形] of very great size or extent

ローラは水を汲み、再び広い床を横切った。

Jack stayed beside her all the way.

ジャックはずっとローラのそばにいた。

Mary’s eyes didn’t open.

メアリーの目は開かなかった。

Her hands held onto the dipper and her mouth swallowed all the water out of it.

メアリーの手は柄杓をつかみ、口は柄杓の中の水をすべて飲み込んだ。

Then she stopped crying.

そして、メアリーは泣き止んだ。

The dipper fell on the floor, and Laura crawled under the covers.

dipper (柄杓) [名] a long-handled cup with a deep bowl

柄杓は床に落ち、ローラは布団にもぐった。

It was a long time before she began to get warm again.

a long time (長い時間) [名] a long period of time

ローラが再び暖かくなり始めるまでには長い時間がかかった。

Sometimes she heard Jack sobbing.

時々、ローラはジャックがすすり泣くのを聞いた。

Sometimes he howled and she thought he was a wolf, but she was not afraid.

時々、彼は遠吠えをしたので、ローラは彼が狼だと思った。しかし、ローラは怖くなかった。

She lay burning up and hearing him howl.

burn up (熱に浮かされる) [動] be consumed by fire

ローラは熱に浮かされながら横たわり、彼の遠吠えを聞いた。

She heard the voices jabbering again, and the slow voice drawling, and she opened her eyes and saw a big, black face close above her face.

ローラは再び早口の声とゆっくりとした声が聞こえたので、目を開けると、自分の顔のすぐ上に大きな黒い顔が見えた。

It was coal-black and shiny.

coal-black (石炭のように黒い) [形] very black

shiny (光沢がある) [形] bright; shining

それは石炭のように黒く、光沢があった。

Its eyes were black and soft.

その目は黒く、優しかった。

Its teeth shone white in a thick, big mouth.

その歯は厚く大きな口の中で白く輝いていた。

This face smiled, and a deep voice said, softly, “Drink this, little girl.”

その顔は微笑み、低い声が「これを飲みなさい、お嬢ちゃん」と優しく言った。

An arm lifted under her shoulders, and a black hand held a cup to her mouth.

腕が彼女の肩の下から持ち上げ、黒い手が彼女の口にカップを当てた。

Laura swallowed a bitter swallow and tried to turn her head away, but the cup followed her mouth.

bitter (苦い) [形] having a sharp, pungent taste or smell

turn away (そむける) [動] move or cause to move in a different direction

ローラは苦い飲み物を飲み込み、頭をそむけようとしたが、カップが彼女の口を追いかけてきた。

The mellow, deep voice said again, “Drink it. It will make you well.”

mellow (まろやか) [形] (of sound) soft and rich

まろやかで深い声が再び「飲みなさい。元気になるよ」と言った。

So Laura swallowed the whole bitter dose.

whole (全部) [形] all of; the entire amount of

dose (薬) [名] the amount of a medicine or drug that is taken at one time

ローラは苦い薬を全部飲み込んだ。

When she woke up, a fat woman was stirring the fire.

彼女が目を覚ますと、太った女性が火をかき混ぜていた。

Laura looked at her carefully and she was not black.

black (黒人) [名] a member of a dark-skinned race of people

ローラは彼女を注意深く見たが、彼女は黒人ではなかった。

She was tanned, like Ma.

be tanned (日焼けしている) [動] to have a tan

like (のように) [前] similar to; in the same way as

彼女はママのように日焼けしていた。

“I want a drink of water, please,” Laura said.

「水を飲みたい」とローラは言った。

The fat woman brought it at once.

at once (すぐに) [副] immediately

太った女性はすぐに水を持って来た。

The good, cold water made Laura feel better.

feel (気分) [名] the way that you feel at a particular time

おいしい冷たい水でローラは気分が良くなった。

She looked at Mary asleep beside her;

彼女は横で眠っているメアリーを見ました。

she looked at Pa and Ma asleep in the big bed.

彼女は大きなベッドで眠っているパパとママを見ました。

Jack lay half asleep on the floor.

ジャックは床で半分眠っていた。

Laura looked again at the fat woman and asked, “Who are you?”

ローラは再び太った女性を見て、「あなたは誰?」と尋ねた。

“I’m Mrs. Scott,” the woman said, smiling.

Mrs. (夫人) [名] a title used before the surname of a married woman

「私はスコット夫人です」と女性は笑顔で言った。

“There now, you feel better, don’t you?”

don't you (でしょう) [助] used in questions to express the speaker's belief that something is true or to ask for confirmation

「さあ、気分が良くなったでしょう?」

“Yes, thank you,” Laura said, politely.

「はい、ありがとう」とローラは丁寧に言った。

The fat woman brought her a cup of hot prairie-chicken broth.

prairie-chicken (草原の鶏) [名] a type of bird

太った女性は彼女に熱い草原の鶏のスープを一杯持ってきた。

“Drink it all up, like a good child,” she said.

up (全部) [副] completely

「いい子だから全部飲みなさい」と彼女は言った。

Laura drank every drop of the good broth.

every drop (残さず) [名] all of something

ローラはおいしいスープを残さず飲んだ。

“Now go to sleep,” said Mrs. Scott.

Mrs. Scott (スコット夫人) [名] the wife of Mr. Scott

「さあ、寝なさい」とスコット夫人は言った。

“I’m here to take care of everything till you’re all well.”

「みんなが元気になるまで、私が全部面倒を見るよ」

Next morning Laura felt so much better that she wanted to get up, but Mrs. Scott said she must stay in bed until the doctor came.

stay in bed (ベッドにいる) [動] remain in bed

doctor (医者) [名] a person qualified to practice medicine

翌朝、ローラはずっと気分が良くなったので起きたかったが、スコット夫人は医者が来るまでベッドにいなければならないと言った。

She lay and watched Mrs. Scott tidy the house and give medicine to Pa and Ma and Mary.

tidy (片付ける) [動] make neat, clean, or orderly

彼女は横になって、スコット夫人が家を片付け、パパとママとメアリーに薬を与えるのを見ていた。

Then it was Laura’s turn.

be turn (番である) [名] the time when someone is to do something

それからローラの番だった。

She opened her mouth, and Mrs. Scott poured a dreadful bitterness out of a small folded paper onto Laura’s tongue.

open one's mouth (口を開ける) [動] to speak

bitterness (苦味) [名] the quality of being bitter

彼女は口を開け、スコット夫人は小さく折りたたんだ紙からローラの舌に恐ろしい苦味を注いだ。

Laura drank water and swallowed and swallowed and drank again.

ローラは水を飲み、飲み込み、飲み込み、また飲んだ。

She could swallow the powder but she couldn’t swallow the bitterness.

powder (粉) [名] a dry mass of minute particles

彼女は粉を飲み込むことはできたが、苦味を飲み込むことはできなかった。

Then the doctor came.

それから医者が来た。

And he was the black man.

そして彼は黒人だった。

Laura had never seen a black man before and she could not take her eyes off Dr. Tan.

take (離す) [動] move something or someone away from a place

Dr. Tan (タン医師) [名] the name of a person

ローラはこれまで黒人を見たことがなく、タン医師から目を離すことができなかった。

He was so very black.

彼はとても黒かった。

She would have been afraid of him if she had not liked him so much.

be afraid of (恐れる) [動] be scared of

彼女は彼をそれほど好きでなければ彼を恐れていただろう。

He smiled at her with all his white teeth.

彼は白い歯を全部出して彼女に微笑んだ。

He talked with Pa and Ma, and laughed a rolling, jolly laugh.

彼はパパとママと話し、陽気な笑い声を立てた。

They all wanted him to stay longer, but he had to hurry away.

みんな彼にもっと長くいてほしいと思ったが、彼は急いで帰らなければならなかった。

Mrs. Scott said that all the settlers, up and down the creek, had fever’n’ague.

up and down (上流と下流) [副] in every direction

fever’n’ague (熱病) [名] a malarial fever characterized by chills and sweating

スコット夫人は、小川の上流と下流のすべての入植者が熱病にかかっていると言っていた。

There were not enough well people to take care of the sick, and she had been going from house to house, working night and day.

house to house (家から家へと) [副] from one house to another

night and day (昼夜を問わず) [副] all the time

病人の世話をする元気な人が足りず、彼女は家から家へと行き、昼夜を問わず働いていた。

“It’s a wonder you ever lived through,” she said.

wonder (奇跡) [名] a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable

live through (生き延びる) [動] to continue to live after experiencing something difficult or dangerous

「あなたが生き延びたのは奇跡だよ」と彼女は言った。

“All of you down at once.”

all of you (みんな) [代] every one of you

down (伏せろ) [動] move or cause to move to a lower position

「みんな一斉に伏せろ」

What might have happened if Dr. Tan hadn’t found them, she didn’t know.

Dr. Tan (タン先生) [名] a doctor named Tan

タン先生が見つけてくれなかったらどうなっていたか、彼女にはわからなかった。

Dr. Tan was a doctor with the Indians.

タン先生はインディアンの医者だった。

He was on his way north to Independence when he came to Pa’s house.

on one's way (途中) [名] in the process of going somewhere

彼はパパの家に来た時、北のインディペンデンスに向かう途中だった。

It was a strange thing that Jack, who hated strangers and never let one come near the house until Pa or Ma told him to, had gone to meet Dr. Tan and begged him to come in.

stranger (見知らぬ人) [名] a person whom one does not know

hate (嫌う) [動] dislike intensely

見知らぬ人を嫌い、パパやママに言われるまで誰も家の近くに来させないジャックが、タン先生に会いに行って中に入るように頼んだのは不思議なことだった。

“And here you all were, more dead than alive,” Mrs. Scott said.

「そして、あなたたちはみんな、生きているより死んでいるようでした」とスコット夫人は言った。

Dr. Tan had stayed with them a day and a night before Mrs. Scott came.

stay with (過ごす) [動] remain in the company of

a day and a night (一日一晩) [名] a period of 24 hours

タン先生はスコット夫人が来る前、一日一晩彼らと過ごした。

Now he was doctoring all the sick settlers.

doctor (診察する) [動] treat medically

今、彼は病気の入植者全員を診察していた。

Mrs. Scott said that all this sickness came from eating watermelons.

sickness (病気) [名] a disease or period of sickness affecting the body and mind

スコット夫人は、この病気はすべてスイカを食べたことから来たと言った。

She said, “I’ve said a hundred times, if I have once, that watermelons——”

time (回) [名] an instance or single occasion of something

watermelon (スイカ) [名] a large round fruit with a hard green skin and sweet red flesh

彼女は言った、「私は百回も言った、もし一度でも言ったことがあるなら、スイカは——」

“What’s that?” Pa exclaimed.

「それは何だ?」パパは叫んだ。

“Who’s got watermelons?”

「誰がスイカを持っているんだ?」

Mrs. Scott said that one of the settlers had planted watermelons in the creek bottoms.

plant (植える) [動] put (a seed, bulb, or plant) in the ground and cover it with earth for growth

スコット夫人は、入植者の一人が小川の底にスイカを植えたと言った。

And every soul who had eaten one of those melons was down sick that very minute.

every soul (皆) [名] every person

melon (メロン) [名] a large round fruit with sweet juicy flesh and a hard green or yellow rind

down sick (病気になった) [形] ill; unwell

そして、そのメロンを食べた人は皆、その瞬間に病気になった。

She said she had warned them.

warn (警告する) [動] inform someone in advance of something that is dangerous, unpleasant, or harmful

彼女は彼らに警告したと言った。

“But, no,” she said.

no (違う) [副] not so; not true

「でも、違うよ」と彼女は言った。

“There was no arguing with them.

argue (議論する) [動] exchange diverging or opposite views, typically in a heated or angry way

「彼らと議論することはできなかった。

They would eat those melons, and now they’re paying for it.”

pay (払う) [動] give money that is owed or due

彼らはメロンを食べたくて、今その代償を払っている」

“I haven’t tasted a good slice of watermelon since Hector was a pup,” said Pa.

haven't tasted (食べたことがない) [動] have not experienced the flavor of

good slice (おいしい一切れ) [名] a piece of something that is cut off from a larger piece

Hector (ヘクター) [名] a male given name

pup (子犬) [名] a young dog

「ヘクターが子犬だった頃から、おいしいスイカを食べたことがない」とパパは言った。

Next day he was out of bed.

be out of (出る) [動] leave or go out of

翌日、彼はベッドから出た。

The next day, Laura was up.

the next day (翌日) [名] the day after today

be up (起きる) [動] be awake

翌日、ローラは起きていた。

Then Ma got up, and then Mary.

それからママが起き、それからメアリーが起きた。

They were all thin and shaky, but they could take care of themselves.

shaky (ふらふらしている) [形] not firm or stable

take care of (自分でできる) [動] be responsible for; be in charge of

みんな痩せていてふらふらしていたが、自分のことは自分でできた。

So Mrs. Scott went home.

go home (帰宅する) [動] return to one's home

それでスコット夫人は帰宅した。

Ma said she didn’t know how they could ever thank her, and Mrs. Scott said, “Pshaw! What are neighbors for but to help each other out?”

ママは、どうやって彼女に感謝したらいいかわからないと言い、スコット夫人は「プシャー! 隣人って、助け合うためにあるんじゃないの?」

Pa’s cheeks were hollows and he walked slowly.

パパの頬はくぼんでいて、ゆっくりと歩いていた。

Ma often sat down to rest.

rest (休憩) [名] a state of relaxation and refreshment

ママはよく休憩のために座った。

Laura and Mary didn’t feel like playing.

playing (遊ぶ) [動] engage in an activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose

ローラとメアリーは遊びたい気分ではなかった。

Every morning they all took those bitter powders.

take (飲む) [動] swallow or consume

powder (粉薬) [名] a dry, loose substance consisting of tiny particles of a solid

毎朝、みんなでその苦い粉薬を飲んだ。

But Ma still smiled her lovely smile, and Pa whistled cheerfully.

whistle (口笛) [名] a clear, high-pitched sound made by forcing breath out through a small hole between pursed lips

しかし、ママは相変わらず愛らしい笑顔を浮かべ、パパは陽気に口笛を吹いていた。

“It’s an ill wind that doesn’t blow some good,” he said.

「悪い風は良い風を吹かない」と彼は言った。

He wasn’t able to work, so he could make a rocking-chair for Ma.

be able to (できる) [助] have the ability or power to do something

rocking-chair (ロッキングチェア) [名] a chair with a curved base that allows the user to rock back and forth

彼は働くことができなかったので、ママのためにロッキングチェアを作ることができた。

He brought some slender willows from the creek bottoms, and he made the chair in the house.

彼は小川の底から細い柳をいくつか持ってきて、家の中で椅子を作った。

He could stop any time to put wood on the fire or lift a kettle for Ma.

any time (いつでも) [副] at any time; whenever

kettle (やかん) [名] a metal pot with a spout and handle, used for boiling water

彼はいつでも作業を止めて、火に薪をくべたり、ママのためにやかんを持ち上げたりすることができた。

First he made four stout legs and braced them firmly with cross-pieces.

brace (支える) [動] support or strengthen with a brace

まず、彼は4本の頑丈な脚を作り、それらを横木でしっかりと支えた。

Then he cut thin strips of the tough willow-skin, just under the bark.

tough (丈夫な) [形] strong and durable

just (すぐ) [副] very recently; in the very recent past

それから彼は、樹皮のすぐ下にある丈夫な柳の皮を薄く切った。

He wove these strips back and forth, under and over, till they made a seat for the chair.

weave (編む) [動] form by interlacing strands

back and forth (前後に) [副] to and fro

seat (座面) [名] the part of a chair on which you sit

彼はこれらの細片を前後に、下と上に編んで、椅子の座面を作った。

He split a long, straight sapling down the middle.

彼は長く真っ直ぐな若木を真ん中で割った。

He pegged one end of half of it to the side of the seat, and curved it up and over and down, and pegged the other end to the other side of the seat.

curve (曲げる) [動] to bend or turn

彼はその半分の一端を座面の側面に固定し、それを上から下へと曲げて、もう一端を座面の反対側に固定した。

That made a high, curved back to the chair.

curved (曲線) [形] having or marked by a curve

back (背もたれ) [名] the part of a chair that supports a person's back

これで椅子の背もたれが高い曲線になった。

He braced it firmly, and then he wove the thin willow-strips across and up and down, under and over each other, till they filled in the chair-back.

under and over (上下に) [副] in an alternating upward and downward direction

fill in (埋める) [動] to put something into a space or container so that it is full or almost full

chair-back (椅子の背もたれ) [名] the back of a chair

彼はそれをしっかりと支え、それから細い柳の細片を椅子の背もたれが埋まるまで、上下に、互いに上下に編んだ。

With the other half of the split sapling Pa made arms for the chair.

arm (肘掛け) [名] the upper limb of the human body

パパは割った若木の残りの半分で椅子の肘掛けを作った。

He curved them from the front of the seat to the chair-back, and he filled them in with woven strips.

front (前部) [名] the part of something that faces forward or is most forward

woven (編んだ) [形] made by weaving

彼は座面の前部から椅子の背もたれまでそれらを曲げ、そしてそれらを編んだ細片で埋めた。

Last of all, he split a larger willow which had grown in a curve.

last of all (最後に) [副] after all others; finally

curve (曲線) [名] a line that gradually deviates from being straight

最後に、彼は曲線を描いて成長した大きな柳を割った。

He turned the chair upside down, and he pegged the curved pieces to its legs, to make the rockers.

turn upside down (ひっくり返す) [動] turn over so that the bottom is on top

rocker (ロッキングチェア) [名] a chair that rocks back and forth on curved pieces of wood attached to the legs

彼は椅子をひっくり返し、曲がった部分を脚に固定して、ロッキングチェアを作った。

And the chair was done.

そして椅子は完成した。

Then they made a celebration.

celebration (祝宴) [名] a social gathering to celebrate an event

それから彼らは祝宴を開いた。

Ma took off her apron and smoothed her smooth brown hair.

ママはエプロンを外し、なめらかな茶色の髪をなでつけた。

She pinned her gold pin in the front of her collar.

pin (留める) [動] fasten or attach with a pin

gold (金) [名] a yellow precious metal

collar (襟) [名] the part of a garment that fits around the neck

彼女は金のピンを襟の前に留めた。

Mary tied the string of beads around Carrie’s neck.

メアリーはビーズをキャリーの首に巻きつけた。

Pa and Laura put Mary’s pillow on the chair-seat, and set Laura’s pillow against its back.

set (立てかける) [動] put something in a specified place or position

パパとローラはメアリーの枕を椅子の座面に置き、ローラの枕を背もたれに立てかけた。

Over the pillows Pa spread the quilt from the little bed.

パパは枕の上に小さなベッドのキルトを広げた。

Then he took Ma’s hand and led her to the chair, and he put Baby Carrie in her arms.

put (抱かせた) [動] move something or someone into a specified place or position

それから彼はママの手を取って椅子に連れて行き、赤ちゃんキャリーを彼女の腕に抱かせた。

Ma leaned back in the softness.

lean back (寄りかかる) [動] to be in or move into a resting position in which the body is supported by a surface

softness (柔らかさ) [名] the quality or state of being soft

ママは柔らかい椅子に寄りかかった。

Her thin cheeks flushed and her eyes sparkled with tears, but her smile was beautiful.

flush (紅潮する) [動] to become red in the face

sparkle (光る) [動] to shine brightly

tear (涙) [名] a drop of the salty liquid that comes from a person's eye when they are crying or when the eye is irritated

彼女の薄い頬は紅潮し、目には涙が光っていたが、笑顔は美しかった。

The chair rocked her gently and she said, “Oh, Charles! I haven’t been so comfortable since I don’t know when.”

since (以来) [前] in the intervening period between (the time mentioned) and the time under consideration, typically the present

I don't know when (いつ以来かわからない) [慣] I don't remember the last time this happened

椅子が彼女を優しく揺らし、彼女は言った、「ああ、チャールズ! いつ以来かわからないくらい、こんなに気持ちのいいことはなかったよ」

Then Pa took his fiddle, and he played and sang to Ma in the firelight.

それからパパはバイオリンを手に取り、火の光の中でママのために演奏して歌った。

Ma rocked and Baby Carrie went to sleep, and Mary and Laura sat on their bench and were happy.

be happy (幸せである) [動] feel or show pleasure or contentment

ママが揺らすと赤ちゃんのキャリーは眠り、メアリーとローラはベンチに座って幸せだった。

The very next day, without saying where he was going, Pa rode away on Patty.

the very next day (翌日) [名] the day immediately following the present day

without saying (言わずに) [副] without speaking

翌日、パパはどこに行くとも言わずにパティに乗って出かけた。

Ma wondered and wondered where he had gone.

wonder (気になる) [動] be curious or in doubt about

ママはパパがどこに行ったのかとても気になった。

And when Pa came back he was balancing a watermelon in front of him on the saddle.

そしてパパが戻ってきたとき、彼はサドルの上で彼の前にスイカを乗せていた。

He could hardly carry it into the house.

hardly (やっと) [副] with difficulty; only just

彼はそれを家の中に運び込むのがやっとだった。

He let it fall on the floor, and dropped down beside it.

drop down (座り込む) [動] sit down suddenly or heavily

彼はそれを床に落とし、その横に座り込んだ。

“I thought I’d never get it here,” he said.

get (たどり着く) [動] reach a destination

「ここにたどり着けないかと思った」と彼は言った。

“It must weigh forty pounds, and I’m as weak as water.

weigh (重さ) [動] have a specified weight

forty pounds (40ポンド) [名] a unit of mass equal to 16 ounces or 7000 grains

weak (弱い) [形] lacking the power to perform; lacking in force or effectiveness

「重さは40ポンドはあるだろうし、私は水のように弱い。

Hand me the butcher knife.”

butcher knife (肉切り包丁) [名] a knife used for cutting meat

肉切り包丁を渡してくれ。」

“But, Charles!” Ma said.

「でも、チャールズ!」とママは言った。

“You mustn’t. Mrs. Scott said——”

「そんなことしてはいけないよ。スコット夫人が言っていたわ——」

Pa laughed his big, pealing laugh again.

pealing (響き渡る) [形] loud and clear

パパはまた大きな笑い声を立てた。

“But that’s not reasonable,” he said.

reasonable (理屈に合う) [形] being in accordance with reason or sound judgment

「でも、それは理屈に合わない」と彼は言った。

“This is a good melon.

「これはいいメロンだ。

Why should it have fever’n’ague?

どうして熱病になるんだ?

Everybody knows that fever’n’ague comes from breathing the night air.”

everybody (誰でも) [代] every person

fever (熱病) [名] a body temperature above the normal range

熱病は夜の空気を吸うことから来ることは誰でも知っている。」

“This watermelon grew in the night air,” said Ma.

「このスイカは夜の空気の中で育ったのよ」とママは言った。

“Nonsense!” Pa said.

nonsense (ナンセンス) [名] words or language having no meaning or conveying no intelligible ideas

「ナンセンス!」パパは言った。

“Give me the butcher knife.

「肉切り包丁をくれ。

I’d eat this melon if I knew it would give me chills and fever.”

chill (寒気) [名] a feeling of coldness

寒気と熱が出るとわかっていても、このメロンを食べるよ。」

“I do believe you would,” said Ma, handing him the knife.

「そうするだろうと思うよ」とママは言って、彼にナイフを渡した。

It went into the melon with a luscious sound.

luscious (甘美な) [形] very pleasant to taste or smell

それは甘美な音を立ててメロンの中に入った。

The green rind split open, and there was the bright red inside, flecked with black seeds.

rind (皮) [名] the outer layer of a fruit or vegetable

split open (割れる) [動] break or cause to break without a complete separation of the parts

緑の皮が割れて、黒い種が散らばった真っ赤な中身が見えた。

The red heart actually looked frosty.

heart (中心部) [名] the central or innermost part of something

actually (実際には) [副] as the truth or facts of a situation; really

look (見えた) [動] use one's eyes to see

赤い中心部は実際には霜が降りているように見えた。

Nothing had ever been so tempting as that watermelon, on that hot day.

tempting (魅力的な) [形] having a strong or irresistible appeal

hot day (暑い日) [名] a day with a high temperature

その暑い日に、そのスイカほど魅力的なものは何もなかった。

Ma would not taste it.

would not (しようとしなかった) [助] be unwilling to

taste (味見する) [動] to try the flavor of something

ママはそれを味見しようとしなかった。

She would not let Laura and Mary eat one bite.

would not let (させようとしなかった) [動] refuse to allow

彼女はローラとメアリーに一口も食べさせようとしなかった。

But Pa ate slice after slice after slice, until at last he sighed and said the cow could have the rest of it.

after (次から次へと) [前] following in time; later or afterwards

しかし、パパはスライスを次から次へと食べ、ついにため息をつき、残りは牛に食べさせてもいいと言った。

Next day he had a little chill and a little fever.

have a little chill (少し寒気がある) [動] feel a little cold

have a little fever (少し熱がある) [動] have a slightly higher than normal body temperature

翌日、彼は少し寒気と少し熱があった。

Ma blamed the watermelon.

ママはスイカのせいにした。

But next day she had a chill and a little fever.

しかし、翌日、彼女は寒気と少し熱があった。

So, they did not know what could have caused their fever’n’ague.

cause (原因) [名] something that produces an effect

ague (熱病) [名] a fever with chills

だから、彼らは熱病の原因が何なのか分からなかった。

No one knew, in those days, that fever’n’ague was malaria, and that some mosquitoes give it to people when they bite them.

those days (当時) [名] the time in the past

malaria (マラリア) [名] a disease caused by a parasite

当時は、熱病がマラリアであることや、蚊が人を刺すことでマラリアに感染することを誰も知らなかった。

Chapter 16: FIRE IN THE CHIMNEY

第16章: 煙突の火

The prairie had changed.

change (変わる) [動] become different

大草原は変わっていた。

Now it was a dark yellow, almost brown, and red streaks of sumac lay across it.

dark yellow (暗い黄色) [名] a color that is a mixture of yellow and black

今やそれは暗い黄色で、ほとんど茶色で、そこにはウルシの赤い筋が横たわっていた。

The wind wailed in the tall grass, and it whispered sadly across the curly, short buffalo grass.

curly (カールした) [形] having or arranged in curls

buffalo grass (バッファロー草) [名] a grass native to the Great Plains of North America

風は背の高い草の中で泣き叫び、カールした短いバッファロー草を横切って悲しそうにささやいた。

At night the wind sounded like someone crying.

someone (誰か) [名] some person

夜になると風は誰かが泣いているように聞こえた。

Pa said again that this was a great country.

パパはここは素晴らしい国だと再び言った。

In the Big Woods he had had to cut hay and cure it and stack it and put it in the barn for winter.

cut (刈る) [動] to cut or sever with a sharp instrument

hay (干し草) [名] grass that has been cut and dried for use as fodder

cure (乾燥させる) [動] to preserve by drying

stack (積み重ねる) [動] to arrange in a stack

大きな森では、彼は干し草を刈り、それを乾燥させ、積み重ね、冬のために納屋に入れなければならなかった。

Here on the High Prairie, the sun had cured the wild grass where it stood, and all winter the mustangs and the cow could mow their own hay.

mow (刈る) [動] cut down (grass or crops) with a scythe or a machine

ここハイプレーリーでは、太陽が野生の草を乾燥させ、冬の間ずっとムスタングと牛は自分で干し草を刈ることができた。

He needed only a small stack, for stormy days.

stack (山) [名] a pile of objects, typically one that is neatly arranged

彼は嵐の日のために、小さな山だけを必要とした。

Now the weather was cooler and he would go to town.

今は天候が涼しくなり、彼は町に行くだろう。

He had not gone while the summer was hot, because the heat would be too hard on Pet and Patty.

hard (厳しい) [形] difficult to do or accomplish

夏の暑い間は、ペットとパティにとって暑さが厳しいので、彼は行かなかった。

They must pull the wagon twenty miles a day, to get to town in two days.

twenty miles (20マイル) [名] a unit of length equal to 1.609344 kilometers

a day (1日) [名] a period of time equal to 24 hours

two days (2日) [名] a period of time equal to 48 hours

彼らは2日で町に着くために、1日20マイル荷車を引かなければならない。

And he did not want to be away from home any longer than he had to.

be away from (離れる) [動] be absent from

そして、彼は必要以上に家を離れたくなかった。

He stacked the small stack of hay by the barn.

彼は干し草の小さな山を納屋のそばに積み上げた。

He cut the winter’s wood and corded it in a long cord against the house.

cord (紐) [名] a long thin piece of rope

彼は冬の薪を切り、家のそばに長い紐で縛った。

Now he had only to get meat enough to last while he was gone, so he took his gun and went hunting.

今や彼は、彼がいない間に十分に続く肉を得るだけでよかったので、彼は銃を持って狩りに行った。

Laura and Mary played in the wind outdoors.

ローラとメアリーは屋外で風に吹かれながら遊んだ。

When they heard a shot echo in the woods along the creek, they knew that Pa had got some meat.

小川沿いの森に銃声が響くのを聞いた時、パパが肉を手に入れたことを知った。

The wind was cooler now, and all along the creek bottoms flocks of wild ducks were rising, flying, settling again.

wild duck (野生の鴨) [名] a duck that is not domesticated

風は今やより冷たく、小川の底に沿って野生の鴨の群れが舞い上がり、飛び、再び落ち着いた。

Up from the creek came long lines of wild geese, forming in V’s for their flight farther south.

line (列) [名] a row of people or things

goose (ガチョウ) [名] a large water bird with a long neck

form (形成する) [動] make or produce

V (V字) [名] the 22nd letter of the English alphabet

flight (飛行) [名] the action or manner of flying or moving through the air

小川から長い列の野生のガチョウがやってきて、V字を形成してさらに南へ飛んでいった。

The leader in front called to those behind him.

front (先頭) [名] the foremost part or place

先頭のリーダーが後ろにいる仲間に呼びかけた。

“Honk?” he called.

honk (ガーガー) [名] the cry of a goose

「ガーガー?」と彼は呼んだ。

All down the lines the wild geese answered, one after another.

all down (列の下にいる) [副] all the way down

wild goose (野生のガチョウ) [名] a goose that is not domesticated

列の下にいる野生のガチョウが次々と答えた。

“Honk.” “Honk.” “Honk.”

「ガーガー」「ガーガー」「ガーガー」

Then he cried, “Honk!”

それから彼は「ガーガー」と叫んだ。

And, “Honk-honk! Honk-honk!” the others answered him.

そして「ガーガーガーガー」「ガーガーガーガー」と他のガチョウが彼に答えた。

Straight away south he flew on his strong wings, and the long lines evenly followed him.

straight away (真っ直ぐ) [副] without delay or hesitation

wing (翼) [名] an organ of flight

evenly (均等に) [副] in a regular or consistent manner

彼は強い翼で真っ直ぐ南に飛び、長い列が彼に均等に続いた。

The tree-tops along the creek were colored now.

along (沿い) [前] on or beside the length of

color (色づく) [動] to change color

小川沿いの木々のてっぺんは色づいていた。

Oaks were reds and yellows and browns and greens.

red (赤) [名] a primary color

オークの木は赤や黄色や茶色や緑色だった。

Cottonwoods and sycamores and walnuts were sunshiny yellow.

cottonwood (ポプラ) [名] a poplar tree with cottony tufts on the seeds

sycamore (シカモア) [名] a large deciduous tree with a broad crown and smooth grey bark

walnut (クルミ) [名] a tree that produces edible nuts

sunshiny (太陽のような) [形] bright and cheerful

ポプラやシカモアやクルミの木は太陽のような黄色だった。

The sky was not so brightly blue, and the wind was rough.

brightly (明るい) [副] in a bright manner

rough (荒い) [形] having a texture or surface that is not smooth or level

空はそんなに明るい青ではなく、風は荒かった。

That afternoon the wind blew fiercely and it was cold.

その日の午後、風は激しく吹き、寒かった。

Ma called Mary and Laura into the house.

ママはメアリーとローラを家の中に呼んだ。

She built up the fire and drew her rocker near it, and she sat rocking Baby Carrie and singing softly to her,

draw (引き寄せる) [動] to move or cause to move toward or into a place

彼女は火を起こし、ロッキングチェアをその近くに引き寄せ、座って赤ん坊のキャリーを揺らしながら、彼女に優しく歌いかけた。

“By lo, baby bunting.

bunting (バンティング) [名] a small bird of the family Emberizidae

「バイロ、ベイビーバンティング。

Papa’s gone a-hunting,

go a-hunting (狩りに出かける) [動] go hunting

パパは狩りに出かけ、

To get a rabbit skin

ウサギの皮をとりに

To wrap the baby bunting in.”

wrap (包む) [動] cover or enclose with paper or other material

ベイビーバンティングを包むために」

Laura heard a little crackling in the chimney.

ローラは煙突でパチパチという音を聞いた。

Ma stopped singing.

ママは歌うのをやめた。

She bent forward and looked up the chimney.

bend forward (前かがみになる) [動] lean forward

彼女は前かがみになって煙突を見上げた。

Then she got up quietly, put Carrie in Mary’s arms, pushed Mary down into the rocking-chair, and hurried outdoors.

それから彼女は静かに立ち上がり、キャリーをメアリーの腕に抱かせ、メアリーを揺り椅子に押し込み、急いで外に出た。

Laura ran after her.

ローラは彼女の後を追いかけた。

The whole top of the chimney was on fire.

煙突のてっぺん全体が燃えていた。

The sticks that made it were burning up.

煙突を造った棒が燃え上がっていた。

The fire was roaring in the wind and licking toward the helpless roof.

roar (唸る) [動] make a loud, deep, prolonged sound

lick (舐め回す) [動] move or pass over something with a quick, light touch

helpless (無力な) [形] unable to defend oneself or to act without help

火は風の中で唸り、無力な屋根に向かって舐め回していた。

Ma seized a long pole and struck and struck at the roaring fire, and burning sticks fell all around her.

strike (叩く) [動] hit or attack

roaring (唸る) [形] making a loud, deep, continuous sound

ママは長い棒をつかみ、唸る火を何度も叩き、燃える棒が彼女の周りに落ちた。

Laura didn’t know what to do.

what to do (どうしたらいいか) [名] the appropriate course of action

ローラはどうしたらいいかわからなかった。

She grabbed a pole, too, but Ma told her to stay away.

pole (棒) [名] a long thin piece of wood or metal

stay away (近寄らない) [動] not go near or approach

彼女も棒をつかんだが、ママは彼女に近寄らないように言った。

The roaring fire was terrible.

唸る火は恐ろしかった。

It could burn the whole house and Laura couldn’t do anything.

家全体が燃えてしまうかもしれないのに、ローラは何もできなかった。

She ran into the house.

run into (走って入る) [動] meet or encounter by chance

彼女は家の中に走って入った。

Burning sticks and coals were falling down the chimney and rolling out on the hearth.

fall down (落ちる) [動] move from a higher to a lower position

燃える棒や石炭が煙突から落ちて、炉床に転がり出ていた。

The house was full of smoke.

家は煙でいっぱいだった。

One big, blazing stick rolled on the floor, under Mary’s skirts.

大きな燃える棒が床を転がり、メアリーのスカートの下に入った。

Mary couldn’t move, she was so scared.

メアリーは動けなかった、彼女はとても怖かった。

Laura was too scared to think.

ローラは怖くて考えられなかった。

She grabbed the back of the heavy rocking-chair and pulled with all her might.

彼女は重いロッキングチェアの後ろをつかみ、全力で引っ張った。

The chair with Mary and Carrie in it came sliding back across the floor.

メアリーとキャリーが乗った椅子は床を滑って戻ってきた。

Laura grabbed up the burning stick and flung it into the fireplace just as Ma came in.

fling (投げ込む) [動] throw or move with force or violence

ローラは燃えている棒をつかみ、ママが入ってきたちょうどその時に暖炉に投げ込んだ。

“That’s a good girl, Laura, to remember I told you never to leave fire on the floor,” Ma said.

good girl (いい子) [名] a girl who behaves well

「いい子だね、ローラ、床に火を残さないように言ったことを覚えていて」とママは言った。

She took the water-pail and quickly and quietly poured water on the fire in the fireplace.

water-pail (水桶) [名] a pail for carrying water

彼女は水桶を取り、素早く静かに暖炉の火に水をかけた。

Clouds of steam came out.

steam (蒸気) [名] the vapor into which water is converted when heated, forming a white mist of minute water droplets in the air

蒸気の雲が出てきた。

Then Ma said, “Did you burn your hands?”

burn (火傷する) [動] be injured by fire or heat

それからママは「手を火傷しなかった?」と言った。

She looked at Laura’s hands, but they were not burned, because she had thrown the burning stick so quickly.

burn (火傷) [名] an injury caused by heat or flame

彼女はローラの手を見たが、火傷はしていなかったので、彼女は燃えている棒をとても素早く投げた。

Laura was not really crying.

ローラは本当に泣いてはいなかった。

She was too big to cry.

too big (大きすぎる) [形] too large

彼女は泣くには大きすぎた。

Only one tear ran out of each eye and her throat choked up, but that was not crying.

only one (1滴ずつ) [形] not more than one

run out of (流れ出る) [動] to use up the supply of something

choke up (詰まる) [動] to become speechless with emotion

両目から涙が1滴ずつ流れ、喉が詰まったが、それは泣いていなかった。

She hid her face against Ma and hung on to her tight.

hang on (しがみつく) [動] hold on tightly

彼女はママに顔を隠し、彼女にぎゅっとしがみついた。

She was so glad the fire had not hurt Ma.

fire (火事) [名] the uncontrolled burning of a building, forest, etc.

彼女は火事がママを傷つけなかったことをとても嬉しく思った。

“Don’t cry, Laura,” Ma said, stroking her hair.

「泣かないで、ローラ」とママは彼女の髪を撫でながら言った。

“Were you afraid?”

「怖かった?」

“Yes,” Laura said.

「うん」とローラは言った。

“I was afraid Mary and Carrie would burn up.

「メアリーとキャリーが焼け死んでしまうかと思った。

I was afraid the house would burn up and we wouldn’t have any house.

be afraid (恐れる) [動] be scared or frightened

家が焼け落ちて、家がなくなってしまうかと思った。

I’m—I’m scared now!”

I'm (私は) [代] the speaker

私、今も怖い!」

Mary could talk now.

メアリーは話せるようになった。

She told Ma how Laura had pulled the chair away from the fire.

彼女はローラがどうやって椅子を火から引き離したかをママに話した。

Laura was so little, and the chair was so big and so heavy with Mary and Carrie in it, that Ma was surprised.

ローラはとても小さく、椅子はメアリーとキャリーが乗ってとても大きくて重かったので、ママは驚いた。

She said she didn’t know how Laura had done it.

彼女はローラがどうやってそれをしたのかわからないと言った。

“You were a brave girl, Laura,” she said.

「ローラ、あなたは勇敢な女の子だったよ」と彼女は言った。

But Laura had really been terribly scared.

terribly (ひどく) [副] to a very great degree

しかし、ローラは本当にひどく怖がっていた。

“And no harm’s done,” Ma said.

no harm (何も害) [名] no damage or injury

be done (起こる) [動] be finished or completed

「そして、何も害は起こらなかった」とママは言った。

“The house didn’t burn up, and Mary’s skirts didn’t catch fire and burn her and Carrie.

catch fire (燃え上がる) [動] start burning

burn (焼く) [動] be destroyed or consumed by fire

「家は燃えなかったし、メアリーのスカートは燃えなくて、彼女とキャリーを焼かなかった。

So everything is all right.”

だから、全ては大丈夫だ。」

When Pa came home he found the fire out.

come home (帰宅する) [動] return to one's home

パパが帰宅した時、火が消えているのを見つけた。

The wind was roaring over the low stone top of the chimney and the house was cold.

風が煙突の低い石のてっぺんを吹き抜け、家は寒かった。

But Pa said he would build up the chimney with green sticks and fresh clay, and plaster it so well that it wouldn’t catch fire again.

build up (作る) [動] to construct or create something

green stick (緑の棒) [名] a stick that is green

fresh clay (新鮮な粘土) [名] clay that is fresh

catch fire (火がつく) [動] to start burning

しかし、パパは緑の棒と新鮮な粘土で煙突を作り、再び火がつかないようにうまく塗り固めると言った。

He had brought four fat ducks, and he said he could have killed hundreds.

duck (アヒル) [名] a type of water bird

彼は4羽の太ったアヒルを持ってきており、何百羽も殺せたと言った。

But four were all they needed.

all (十分) [副] completely; totally; fully

しかし、4羽で十分だった。

He said to Ma, “You save the feathers from the ducks and geese we eat, and I’ll shoot you a feather bed.”

彼はママに「食べるアヒルやガチョウの羽を取っておいて、羽毛布団を撃ってあげるよ」と言った。

He could, of course, have got a deer, but the weather was not yet cold enough to freeze the meat and keep it from spoiling before they could eat it.

get (捕まえる) [動] capture or kill

freeze (凍らせる) [動] turn from a liquid into a solid

spoil (腐る) [動] (of food) become unfit for eating

もちろん、彼は鹿を捕まえることができたが、天気はまだ肉を凍らせて食べられるまで腐らないように保つのに十分なほど寒くはなかった。

And he had found the place where a flock of wild turkeys roosted.

wild turkey (野生の七面鳥) [名] a large American game bird

roost (ねぐら) [名] a place where birds or bats rest at night

そして彼は野生の七面鳥の群れがねぐらにしている場所を見つけていた。

“Our Thanksgiving and Christmas turkeys,” he said.

Thanksgiving (感謝祭) [名] a national holiday in the United States and Canada

Christmas (クリスマス) [名] an annual festival

turkey (七面鳥) [名] a large bird native to North America

「感謝祭とクリスマスの七面鳥だ」と彼は言った。

“Great, big, fat fellows.

fat (やつらだ) [形] having a large amount of excess flesh

「大きくて太ったやつらだ。

I’ll get them when the time comes.”

時が来たら捕まえよう」

Pa went whistling to mix mud and cut green sticks and build the chimney up again, while Ma cleaned the ducks.

clean (掃除する) [動] make free of dirt, marks, or mess

パパは口笛を吹きながら泥を混ぜ、緑の棒を切り、煙突を再び作り、ママはアヒルを掃除した。

Then the fire merrily crackled, a fat duck roasted, and the cornbread baked.

すると火が陽気にパチパチと音を立て、太ったアヒルが焼かれ、コーンブレッドが焼けた。

Everything was snug and cozy again.

すべてが再び心地よく居心地がよかった。

After supper Pa said he supposed he’d better start to town early next morning.

after supper (夕食後) [副] after the evening meal

early next morning (明日の朝早く) [副] early in the morning of the next day

夕食後、パパは明日の朝早く町に出発した方がいいだろうと言った。

“Might as well go and get it over with,” he said.

get over with (済ませる) [動] to finish something that is unpleasant or difficult

he said (彼は言った) [動] he said

「行って済ませてしまおう」と彼は言った。

“Yes, Charles, you’d better go,” Ma said.

had better (した方がいい) [助] would be wiser to

「そうね、チャールズ、行った方がいいよ」とママは言った。

“We could get along all right, if I didn’t,” said Pa.

all right (うまく) [副] in a satisfactory manner

「私が行かなくても、うまくやっていけるだろう」とパパは言った。

“There’s no need of running to town all the time, for every little thing.

little thing (小さなこと) [名] something that is not important or significant

「どんな小さなことでも、いつも町に走っていく必要はない。

I have smoked better tobacco than that stuff Scott raised back in Indiana, but it will do.

smoke (吸う) [動] inhale and exhale the smoke of a burning or smoldering substance, especially tobacco

Indiana (インディアナ) [名] a U.S. state in the midwestern United States

raise (育てる) [動] bring up (a child)

do (十分だ) [動] be enough or adequate

インディアナでスコットが育てたタバコよりも良いタバコを吸ったことがあるが、それで十分だ。

I’ll raise some next summer and pay him back.

next summer (来年の夏) [名] the summer after this one

pay back (返済する) [動] pay someone back for something

来年の夏に育てて返済しよう。

I wish I hadn’t borrowed those nails from Edwards.”

エドワーズから釘を借りなければよかった」

“You did borrow them, Charles,” Ma replied.

「でも借りたのよ、チャールズ」とママは答えた。

“And as for the tobacco, you don’t like borrowing any more than I do.

as for (については) [前] with regard to; concerning

「タバコについては、あなたも私と同じように借りるのは嫌いでしょう。

We need more quinine.

キニーネがもっと必要だ。

I’ve been sparing with the cornmeal, but it’s almost gone and so is the sugar.

spare (節約する) [動] use or give sparingly

sugar (砂糖) [名] a sweet crystalline substance obtained from various plants

コーンミールは節約してきたけど、もうほとんど残っていないし、砂糖もそうよ。

You could find a bee-tree, but there’s no cornmeal tree to be found, so far as I know, and we’ll raise no corn till next year.

bee-tree (蜂の巣のある木) [名] a tree with a beehive in it

so far as I know (私の知る限り) [副] to the extent of my knowledge

蜂の巣のある木は見つけられるかもしれないけど、私の知る限りコーンミールの木なんてないし、来年までトウモロコシは育たない。

A little salt pork would taste good, too, after all this wild game.

taste good (おいしく感じる) [動] be pleasant to the sense of taste

wild game (野生の獲物) [名] an animal that is hunted for food

塩漬け豚肉も、この野生の獲物の後ではおいしく感じるだろう。

And, Charles, I’d like to write to the folks in Wisconsin.

それに、チャールズ、ウィスコンシンの人たちに手紙を書きたいよ。

If you mail a letter now, they can write this winter, and then we can hear from them next spring.”

mail (出す) [動] send a letter or parcel by post

letter (手紙) [名] a written message addressed to a person or organization and delivered by post

spring (春) [名] the season of the year between winter and summer

今手紙を出せば、彼らはこの冬に返事を書いてくれるだろうし、そうすれば来春には返事が届くよ。」

“You’re right, Caroline. You always are,” Pa said.

right (正しい) [形] correct or true

「君は正しいよ、キャロライン。いつも正しい」とパパは言った。

Then he turned to Mary and Laura and said it was bedtime.

turn to (の方を見る) [動] turn in the direction of

それから、メアリーとローラの方を見て、もう寝る時間だと言った。

If he was going to start early in the morning, he’d better start sleeping early tonight.

early in the morning (朝早く) [副] early in the day

start sleeping (寝る) [動] go to sleep

early tonight (今夜は早く) [副] early in the evening

朝早く出発するつもりなら、今夜は早く寝た方がいい。

He pulled off his boots while Mary and Laura got into their nightgowns.

pull off (脱ぐ) [動] remove something by pulling

メアリーとローラが寝間着に着替える間に、パパはブーツを脱いだ。

But when they were in bed he took down his fiddle.

be in bed (ベッドに入る) [動] be in bed

しかし、二人がベッドに入ると、パパはバイオリンを取り出した。

Softly he played and softly sang,

パパは優しく弾き、優しく歌った。

“So green grows the laurel,

laurel (月桂樹) [名] an aromatic evergreen shrub or small tree of the laurel family, having dark green glossy leaves and small yellow flowers

「月桂樹は緑に育ち、

And so does the rue,

rue (ヘンルーダ) [名] a strongly scented evergreen shrub with bitter leaves

ヘンルーダも緑に育つ。

So woeful, my love,

woeful (悲しみに満ちた) [形] causing or likely to cause sorrow or distress

love (愛) [名] a strong feeling of affection

私の愛は悲しみに満ち、

At the parting with you.”

parting (別れ) [名] the separation of two or more people who have been together

あなたと別れる。」

Ma turned toward him and smiled.

turn toward (の方を向く) [動] change direction so as to face

ママは彼の方を向いて微笑んだ。

“Take care of yourself on the trip, Charles, and don’t worry about us,” she told him.

take care of (気をつける) [動] be careful or cautious about

trip (旅) [名] a journey for pleasure

「旅の間は気をつけてね、チャールズ、私たちのことは心配しないで」と彼女は彼に言った。

“We will be all right.”

「私たちは大丈夫だから。」

Chapter 17: PA GOES TO TOWN

第17章: パパは町へ行く

Before dawn, Pa went away.

dawn (夜明け) [名] the first appearance of light in the sky before sunrise

夜明け前にパパは出発した。

When Laura and Mary woke, he was gone and everything was empty and lonely.

wake (起きる) [動] stop sleeping

gone (出発している) [動] leave a place

ローラとメアリーが起きた時、彼はすでに出発していて、すべてが空っぽで寂しかった。

It was not as though Pa had only gone hunting.

as though (まるで) [接] as if

パパがただ狩りに行っただけとは違っていた。

He was going to town, and he would not be back for four long days.

be back (戻ってくる) [動] return to a place

彼は町へ行くのであり、長い4日間戻ってこないのだ。

Bunny had been shut in the stable, so she couldn’t follow her mother.

バニーは馬小屋に閉じ込められていたので、母親について行くことができなかった。

The trip was too long for a colt.

too long (長すぎる) [形] excessively long

子馬には長すぎる旅だった。

Bunny whinnied lonesomely.

lonesomely (寂しそうに) [副] in a lonely manner

バニーは寂しそうにいなないた。

Laura and Mary stayed in the house with Ma.

ローラとメアリーはママと一緒に家の中にいた。

Outdoors was too large and empty to play in when Pa was away.

too large (広すぎる) [形] having a size that is more than what is usual or needed

パパがいないときには、外は広すぎて空っぽで遊べなかった。

Jack was uneasy, too, and watchful.

uneasy (不安な) [形] worried or nervous

watchful (警戒している) [形] carefully observant or attentive

ジャックも不安で、警戒していた。

At noon Laura went with Ma to water Bunny and to move the cow’s picket-pin to fresh grass.

go with (一緒に行く) [動] accompany

water (水をやる) [動] pour water on

move (移動させる) [動] change the location of

正午にローラはママと一緒にバニーに水をやり、牛の杭を新鮮な草に移動させた。

The cow was quite gentle now.

quite (かなり) [副] to a certain extent; fairly

牛は今ではかなりおとなしかった。

She followed where Ma led, and she would even let Ma milk her.

lead (引っ張る) [動] show the way by going in front of

牛はママが引っ張るところについて行き、ママが牛乳を搾ることさえ許した。

At milking-time Ma was putting on her bonnet, when suddenly all Jack’s hair stood up stiff on his neck and back, and he rushed out of the house.

milking-time (搾乳の時間) [名] the time when cows are milked

bonnet (ボンネット) [名] a woman's or child's hat that is tied under the chin

stiff (硬く) [形] not easily bent or changed in shape

rush out (飛び出す) [動] to leave quickly and in a hurry

搾乳の時間にママがボンネットをかぶっていると、突然ジャックの首と背中の毛が全部逆立ち、家から飛び出した。

They heard a yell and a scramble and a shout: “Call off your dog!

scramble (争う音) [名] a hasty and confused struggle

shout (叫び) [名] a loud cry or call

叫び声と争う音と「犬を呼び戻せ!

Call off your dog!”

call off (呼び戻す) [動] to cancel or postpone

犬を呼び戻せ!」という叫び声が聞こえた。

Mr. Edwards was on top of the woodpile, and Jack was climbing up after him.

エドワーズさんは薪の山の上にいて、ジャックが後を追って登っていた。

“He’s got me treed,” Mr. Edwards said, backing along the top of the woodpile.

get (追い詰める) [動] cause to move or be moved into a specified position

back (後ずさりする) [動] move backwards

「犬に追い詰められた」とエドワーズさんは薪の山の上で後ずさりしながら言った。

Ma could hardly make Jack come away.

could hardly (苦労した) [助] had difficulty doing something

come away (戻る) [動] leave a place

ママはジャックを呼び戻すのに苦労した。

Jack grinned savagely and his eyes were red.

grin (ニヤリと笑う) [動] smile broadly

savagely (残忍に) [副] in a fierce, violent, or uncontrolled manner

ジャックは残忍にニヤリと笑い、目は赤かった。

He had to let Mr. Edwards come down from the woodpile, but he watched him every minute.

ジャックはエドワーズさんが薪の山から降りるのを許さなければならなかったが、彼は常に彼を監視していた。

Ma said, “I declare, he seems to know that Mr. Ingalls isn’t here.”

declare (本当に) [動] to make a statement about something

seem (ようね) [動] to appear to be

ママは「本当に、インガルスさんがここにいないことを知っているようね」と言った。

Mr. Edwards said that dogs knew more than most folks gave them credit for.

most (ほとんど) [限] the majority of

give credit (認める) [動] give someone credit for something

エドワーズさんは、犬はほとんどの人が思っているよりも多くのことを知っているものだ、と言った。

On his way to town that morning, Pa had stopped at Mr. Edwards’ house and asked him to come over every day to see that everything was all right.

that morning (その朝) [名] the morning of the day being discussed

stop (立ち寄る) [動] briefly visit a place

ask (頼む) [動] make a request for something

come over (来てくれる) [動] visit

その朝、町に行く途中で、パパはエドワーズさんの家に立ち寄り、毎日様子を見に来てくれるように頼んでいた。

And Mr. Edwards was such a good neighbor that he had come at chore-time, to do the chores for Ma.

good neighbor (良い隣人) [名] a person who lives near you and is helpful and kind

chore-time (家事の時間) [名] the time of day when chores are done

chore (家事) [名] a routine task, especially a household one

そしてエドワーズさんはとても良い隣人だったので、家事の時間にママのために家事をしに来たのだった。

But Jack had made up his mind not to let anyone but Ma go near the cow or Bunny while Pa was gone.

make up one's mind (決める) [動] reach, make, or come to a decision about something

しかし、ジャックはパパがいない間はママ以外は誰も牛やバニーに近づかせないと決めていた。

He had to be shut in the house while Mr. Edwards did the chores.

エドワーズさんが家事をしている間は、彼は家の中に閉じ込められなければならなかった。

When Mr. Edwards went away he said to Ma, “Keep that dog in the house tonight, and you’ll be safe enough.”

エドワーズさんは帰り際にママに「今夜は犬を家の中に入れておけば、十分安全だろう」と言った。

The dark crept slowly all around the house.

creep (忍び寄る) [動] move slowly and carefully, especially in order to avoid being seen or heard

暗闇がゆっくりと家の周りに忍び寄った。

The wind cried mournfully and owls said, “Who-oo? Oo-oo.”

mournfully (悲しげに) [副] in a sad manner

say (鳴く) [動] to utter words or sounds

風が悲しげに泣き、フクロウが「ホーホー、ホーホー」と鳴いた。

A wolf howled, and Jack growled low in his throat.

狼が遠吠えし、ジャックは喉の奥で低く唸った。

Mary and Laura sat close to Ma in the firelight.

メアリーとローラは暖炉の明かりの下でママの近くに座った。

They knew they were safe in the house, because Jack was there and Ma had pulled the latch-string in.

ジャックがいて、ママが掛け金を掛けたので、家の中では安全だと分かっていた。

Next day was empty like the first.

first (初日) [名] the first day of the month

次の日も初日と同じように何もなかった。

Jack paced around the stable and around the house, then around the stable and back to the house.

ジャックは馬小屋と家の周りを歩き回り、また馬小屋の周りを歩き回って家に戻った。

He would not pay any attention to Laura.

彼はローラに全く注意を払わなかった。

That afternoon Mrs. Scott came to visit with Ma.

come to visit (訪ねてくる) [動] come to see someone or something

その午後、スコット夫人がママを訪ねてきた。

While they visited, Laura and Mary sat politely, as still as mice.

visit (訪問する) [動] go to see someone or something

彼女たちが訪問している間、ローラとメアリーはネズミのようにじっと礼儀正しく座っていた。

Mrs. Scott admired the new rocking-chair.

スコット夫人は新しいロッキングチェアを賞賛した。

The more she rocked in it, the more she enjoyed it, and she said how neat and comfortable and pretty the house was.

neat (きれい) [形] tidy, organized, and clean

彼女はロッキングチェアで揺れれば揺れるほどそれを楽しみ、家がどれほどきれいで快適できれいかと言った。

She said she hoped to goodness they would have no trouble with Indians.

hope (願う) [動] want something to happen or be the case

彼女は、彼らがインディアンとトラブルを起こさないことを願っていると言った。

Mr. Scott had heard rumors of trouble.

rumor (噂) [名] a currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth

スコット氏はトラブルの噂を耳にしていた。

She said, “Land knows, they’d never do anything with this country themselves.

themselves (自分たち) [代] those identical ones that are they

彼女は言った、「土地は知っている、彼らはこの国で自分たちで何もしないだろう。

All they do is roam around over it like wild animals.

roam (歩き回る) [動] move about aimlessly or unsystematically

around (あたり) [副] in all directions

animal (動物) [名] a living organism of the kingdom Animalia

彼らがすることは、野生動物のようにその上を歩き回ることだけだ。

Treaties or no treaties, the land belongs to folks that’ll farm it.

treaty (条約) [名] a formal agreement between two or more states or international organizations

belong (属する) [動] be a member of or be connected with

farm (耕す) [動] cultivate (land)

条約があろうがなかろうが、土地はそれを耕す人々のものである。

That’s only common sense and justice.”

common sense (常識) [名] sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts

justice (正義) [名] the quality of being just; righteousness

それは常識であり正義だ。」

She did not know why the government made treaties with Indians.

government (政府) [名] the group of people with authority to govern it

彼女は政府がなぜインディアンと条約を結んだのか知らなかった。

The only good Indian was a dead Indian.

only (唯一の) [形] being the only one

唯一の良いインディアンは死んだインディアンだった。

The very thought of Indians made her blood run cold.

the very thought of (考えだけで) [名] the idea of something

make one's blood run cold (血が凍りつく) [動] make one feel very frightened

インディアンの考えだけで彼女の血は凍りついた。

She said, “I can’t forget the Minnesota massacre.

massacre (虐殺) [名] the killing of a large number of people

彼女は言った、「私はミネソタの虐殺を忘れることができない。

My Pa and my brothers went out with the rest of the settlers, and stopped them only fifteen miles west of us.

fifteen miles (15マイル) [名] a unit of length equal to 5280 feet

私のパパと兄たちは残りの入植者たちと一緒に出かけ、私たちの西わずか15マイルのところで彼らを止めた。

I’ve heard Pa tell often enough how they——”

パパが彼らがどんなに——」と話すのをよく聞いた。

Ma made a sharp sound in her throat, and Mrs. Scott stopped.

ママは喉で鋭い音を立て、スコット夫人は口をつぐんだ。

Whatever a massacre was, it was something that grown-ups would not talk about when little girls were listening.

grown-up (大人) [名] a fully developed person

虐殺が何であれ、それは大人たちが小さな女の子が聞いているときに話さないことだった。

After Mrs. Scott had gone, Laura asked Ma what a massacre was.

スコット夫人が帰った後、ローラはママに虐殺とは何かと尋ねた。

Ma said she could not explain that now;

explain (説明する) [動] make (something) clear or easy to understand

ママは今は説明できないと言った。

it was something that Laura would understand when she was older.

older (もっと大きくなったら) [形] having lived or existed for a long time

それはローラがもっと大きくなったら理解できるものだった。

Mr. Edwards came to do the chores again that evening, and again Jack treed him on the woodpile.

tree (追い込む) [動] force to take refuge in a tree

エドワーズさんはその夜もまた雑用をしに来た。そしてまたジャックは彼を薪の山に追い込んだ。

Ma had to drag him off.

drag off (引きずり出す) [動] pull or drag away from a place

ママは彼を引きずり出さなければならなかった。

She told Mr. Edwards she couldn’t think what had got into that dog.

couldn't think (わからない) [動] be unable to understand

get into (起こる) [動] happen to

ママはエドワーズさんに、あの犬に何が起こったのかわからないと言った。

Maybe it was the wind that upset him.

upset (動揺させる) [動] make someone unhappy, angry, or worried

たぶん風が彼を動揺させたのだろう。

The wind had a strange, wild howl in it, and it went through Laura’s clothes as if the clothes weren’t there.

howl (咆哮) [名] a loud, long, mournful cry

風は奇妙で荒々しい咆哮を上げ、ローラの服をまるで服がそこにないかのように通り抜けた。

Her teeth and Mary’s teeth chattered while they carried many armfuls of wood into the house.

彼女とメアリーは、何度も何度も薪を抱えて家の中に運び込んでいるうちに、歯がガタガタと鳴った。

That night they thought of Pa, in Independence.

その夜、彼女たちはインディペンデンスにいるパパのことを考えた。

If nothing had delayed him, he would be camping there now, near the houses and the people.

delay (遅らせる) [動] make (someone or something) late or slow

people (人々) [名] human beings in general or considered collectively

何も彼を遅らせることがなければ、彼は今、家や人々の近くでキャンプしているだろう。

Tomorrow he would be in the store, buying things.

buy (買う) [動] obtain in exchange for payment

明日は彼は店で物を買っているだろう。

Then, if he could get an early start, he could come part way home and camp on the prairie tomorrow night.

start (出発) [名] the beginning of a journey

part way (途中) [副] to some extent but not completely

それから、もし彼が早めに出発できれば、彼は途中まで帰ってきて、明日の夜に大草原でキャンプすることができる。

And the next night he might come home.

the next night (次の夜) [名] the night after the current night

そして、次の夜には彼は帰って来るかもしれない。

In the morning the wind was blowing fiercely and it was so cold that Ma kept the door shut.

keep (閉め切る) [動] continue to have, do, or be

朝、風が激しく吹いていて、とても寒かったので、ママはドアを閉め切っていた。

Laura and Mary stayed by the fire and listened to the wind, screaming around the house and howling in the chimney.

ローラとメアリーは火のそばにいて、家の周りで叫び、煙突の中で吠える風の音を聞いた。

That afternoon they wondered if Pa was leaving Independence and coming toward them, against that wind.

その日の午後、彼らはパパがインディペンデンスを離れて、あの風に逆らって自分たちの方に向かっているのではないかと考えた。

Then, when it was dark, they wondered where he was camping.

そして、暗くなった時、彼らは彼がどこでキャンプしているのか気になった。

The wind was bitterly cold.

bitterly (ひどく) [副] in a way that is very severe or intense

風はひどく冷たかった。

It came even into the snug house and made their backs shiver while their faces roasted in the heat of the fire.

それは居心地の良い家の中にまで入ってきて、顔が火の熱で焼かれている間に背中を震わせた。

Somewhere on the big, dark, lonesome prairie Pa was camping in that wind.

大きくて暗くて寂しい大草原のどこかで、パパはあの風の中でキャンプをしていた。

The next day was very long.

次の日はとても長かった。

They could not expect Pa in the morning, but they were waiting till they could expect him.

expect (期待する) [動] regard as likely to happen

朝にパパを期待することはできなかったが、彼を期待できるまで待っていた。

In the afternoon they began to watch the creek road.

in the afternoon (午後になると) [副] during the afternoon

午後になると、小川の道を見張り始めた。

Jack was watching it, too.

ジャックもそれを見ていた。

He whined to go out, and he went all around the stable and the house, stopping to look toward the creek bottoms and show his teeth.

whine (泣き言を言う) [動] complain in a feeble or petulant way

go around (回る) [動] move in a circular motion

彼は外に出たいと泣き言を言い、馬小屋と家の周りをぐるぐる回り、小川の底の方を見て歯を見せた。

The wind almost blew him off his feet.

風が彼を吹き飛ばしそうになった。

When he came in he would not lie down.

彼は中に入っても横になろうとしなかった。

He walked about, and worried.

彼は歩き回り、心配していた。

The hair rose on his neck, and flattened, and rose again.

flatten (平らになる) [動] make or become flat or flatter

彼の首の毛が逆立ち、平らになり、また逆立った。

He tried to look out of the window, and then whined at the door.

look out of (外を見る) [動] look through a window

彼は窓の外を見ようとし、それからドアに向かってクンクン鳴いた。

But when Ma opened it, he changed his mind and would not go out.

change one's mind (気が変わる) [動] decide to do something different from what you had previously decided to do

go out (外に出かける) [動] leave your house to go somewhere

しかし、ママがドアを開けると、彼は気が変わったようで、外に出ようとしなかった。

“Jack’s afraid of something,” Mary said.

be afraid of (恐れている) [動] be scared of; be frightened of

「ジャックは何かを恐れている」とメアリーは言った。

“Jack’s not afraid of anything, ever!”

「ジャックは何も恐れない、絶対に!」

Laura contradicted.

contradict (反論する) [動] deny the truth of

ローラは反論した。

“Laura, Laura,” Ma said.

「ローラ、ローラ」とママは言った。

“It isn’t nice to contradict.”

「反論するのはよくない」

In a minute Jack decided to go out.

すぐにジャックは外に出ることに決めた。

He went to see that the cow and calf and Bunny were safe in the stable.

go to see (見に行く) [動] go to a place to see something

safe (無事) [形] free from harm or danger

彼は牛と子牛とバニーが厩舎で無事か見に行った。

And Laura wanted to tell Mary, “I told you so!”

そしてローラはメアリーに「言ったでしょう!」と言いたかった。

She didn’t, but she wanted to.

wanted to (したかった) [助] wanted to do something

彼女はそうしなかったが、そうしたかった。

At chore-time Ma kept Jack in the house so he could not tree Mr. Edwards on the woodpile.

chore-time (雑用の時間) [名] a time for doing chores

keep (閉じ込める) [動] to cause to remain in a specified state, position, or place

tree (追い立てる) [動] to force to take refuge in a tree

雑用の時間にママはジャックを家の中に閉じ込めて、彼がエドワーズさんを薪の山に追い立てないようにした。

Pa had not come yet.

パパはまだ来ていなかった。

The wind blew Mr. Edwards in through the door.

風がエドワーズさんをドアから吹き入れた。

He was breathless, and stiff with cold.

breathless (息も絶え絶え) [形] out of breath

stiff (こわばる) [形] not flexible or moving easily

彼は息も絶え絶えで、寒さでこわばっていた。

He warmed himself by the fire before he did the chores, and when he had done them he sat down to warm himself again.

warm (温める) [動] make or become warm

彼は雑用をする前に火のそばで体を温め、雑用を終えるとまた体を温めるために座った。

He told Ma that Indians were camping in the shelter of the bluffs.

shelter (避難所) [名] a place that provides temporary protection from bad weather or danger

彼はママに、インディアンが崖の避難所にキャンプしていると言った。

He had seen the smoke from their fires when he crossed the bottoms.

cross (横切る) [動] go or extend across

彼は谷底を横切ったときに彼らの火から出る煙を見たという。

He asked Ma if she had a gun.

彼はママに銃を持っているか尋ねた。

Ma said she had Pa’s pistol, and Mr. Edwards said, “I reckon they’ll stay close in camp, a night like this.”

reckon (思う) [動] think or suppose

ママはパパのピストルを持っていると言い、エドワーズさんは「こんな夜はキャンプ場に近いところにいるだろう」と言った。

“Yes,” Ma said.

「そうね」とママは言った。

Mr. Edwards said he could make himself right comfortable with hay in the stable, and he would spend the night there if Ma said so.

make oneself comfortable (快適に過ごす) [動] make oneself feel at ease

spend the night (夜を過ごす) [動] stay somewhere overnight

エドワーズさんは、馬小屋の干し草で快適に過ごせるので、ママがそう言うならそこで夜を過ごすと言っていた。

Ma thanked him nicely, but said she would not put him to that trouble.

put (かける) [動] cause someone to be in a particular situation

ママは彼に丁寧に感謝したが、彼にそんな迷惑をかけることはできないと言った。

They would be safe enough with Jack.

ジャックがいれば十分安全だ。

“I am expecting Mr. Ingalls any minute now,” she told him.

any minute (今にも) [副] very soon; at any moment

「インガルスさんが今にも帰ってくると思うの」と彼女は彼に言った。

So Mr. Edwards put on his coat and cap and muffler and mittens and picked up his gun.

put on (着る) [動] to put clothes on oneself

pick up (手に取る) [動] to take something in one's hand

そこでエドワーズさんはコートと帽子とマフラーとミトンを着け、銃を手に取った。

He said he didn’t guess that anything would bother her, anyway.

bother (悩ます) [動] to cause to be anxious or concerned

anyway (とにかく) [副] in any case; regardless of the circumstances

彼は、とにかく彼女を悩ますものは何もないだろうと思ったと言った。

“No,” Ma said.

「いいえ」とママは言った。

When she shut the door behind him, she pulled the latch-string in, though darkness had not yet come.

彼の後ろでドアを閉めた時、まだ暗くはなかったが、彼女は掛け金の紐を引っ張った。

Laura and Mary could see the creek road plainly, and they watched it until the dark hid it.

ローラとメアリーは小川の道がはっきりと見え、暗闇がそれを隠すまでそれを見ていた。

Then Ma closed and barred the wooden window shutter.

close (閉める) [動] move a door or window so as to cover an opening

bar (かんぬきかける) [動] fasten or secure with a bar

それからママは木製の窓の鎧戸を閉めて、かんぬきをかけた。

Pa had not come.

パパは来なかった。

They ate supper.

彼らは夕食を食べた。

They washed the dishes and swept the hearth, and still he had not come.

彼らは皿を洗い、炉床を掃除したが、それでも彼は来なかった。

Out in the dark where he was, the wind shrieked and wailed and howled.

out in (中に) [副] in the open air

shriek (金切り声を上げる) [動] utter a high-pitched piercing cry

howl (咆哮する) [動] utter a loud, prolonged, mournful cry

彼がいる暗闇の中で、風が金切り声を上げ、泣き叫び、咆哮した。

It rattled the door-latch and shook the shutters.

風はドアの掛け金をガタガタ鳴らし、鎧戸を揺らした。

It screamed down the chimney and the fire roared and flared.

風は煙突を下って叫び、火は轟音を立てて燃え上がった。

All the time Laura and Mary strained their ears to hear the sound of wagon wheels.

strain (澄ます) [動] make an effort to do something

ローラとメアリーはずっと馬車の車輪の音を聞こうと耳を澄ましていた。

They knew Ma was listening, too, though she was rocking and singing Carrie to sleep.

ママもキャリーを揺すって歌って寝かしつけながらも、耳を澄ませているのが分かった。

Carrie fell asleep and Ma went on gently rocking.

キャリーは眠り、ママは優しく揺すり続けた。

At last she undressed Carrie and put her to bed.

put to bed (寝かせる) [動] put someone to sleep in a bed

やっとママはキャリーの服を脱がせてベッドに寝かせた。

Laura and Mary looked at each other;

ローラとメアリーは顔を見合わせた。

they didn’t want to go to bed.

二人は寝たくなかった。

“Bedtime, girls!” Ma said.

「寝る時間よ、娘たち!」とママは言った。

Then Laura begged to be allowed to sit up till Pa came, and Mary backed her up, till Ma said they might.

back up (加勢する) [動] support or assist

might (許可する) [助] be permitted to

それからローラはパパが来るまで起きていてもいいかと頼み、メアリーも彼女に加勢したので、ママは許可した。

For a long, long time they sat up.

二人は長い長い時間起きていた。

Mary yawned, then Laura yawned, then they both yawned.

メアリーは欠伸をし、それからローラが欠伸をし、それから二人とも欠伸をした。

But they kept their eyes wide open.

しかし、二人は目を大きく開けていた。

Laura’s eyes saw things grow very large and then very small, and sometimes she saw two Marys and sometimes she couldn’t see at all, but she was going to sit up till Pa came.

ローラの目には物がとても大きく見えたり、とても小さく見えたり、時々メアリーが二人に見えたり、全く見えなくなったりしたが、彼女はパパが来るまで起きていたかった。

Suddenly a fearful crash scared her and Ma picked her up.

fearful (恐ろしい) [形] causing or likely to cause fear

crash (衝突音) [名] a loud noise as of something breaking or exploding

scare (怖がらせる) [動] cause to become frightened

突然恐ろしい衝突音が彼女を怖がらせ、ママは彼女を抱き上げた。

She had fallen off the bench, smack on the floor.

fall off (落ちる) [動] move or come down freely and rapidly

bench (ベンチ) [名] a long seat for several people

smack (叩きつけられる) [動] hit or slap with a sharp sound

彼女はベンチから落ちて床に叩きつけられた。

She tried to tell Ma that she wasn’t sleepy enough to have to go to bed, but an enormous yawn almost split her head in two.

yawn (あくび) [名] an involuntary opening of the mouth and taking a deep breath

彼女はママに、寝るほど眠くないと言いたかったが、大きなあくびで頭が真っ二つに割れそうになった。

In the middle of the night she sat straight up.

in the middle of the night (真夜中に) [副] at midnight

sit straight up (起き上がる) [動] sit up straight

真夜中に彼女は起き上がった。

Ma was sitting still in the rocking-chair by the fire.

ママは火のそばのロッキングチェアにじっと座っていた。

The door-latch rattled, the shutters shook, the wind was howling.

shutter (雨戸) [名] a movable cover for a window

ドアの掛け金がガタガタ鳴り、雨戸が揺れ、風が唸っていた。

Mary’s eyes were open and Jack walked up and down.

メアリーの目は開いていて、ジャックは行ったり来たりしていた。

Then Laura heard again a wild howl that rose and fell and rose again.

するとローラは再び、高まり、低まり、また高まる野生の遠吠えを聞いた。

“Lie down, Laura, and go to sleep,” Ma said, gently.

「ローラ、横になって寝なさい」とママは優しく言った。

“What’s that howling?” Laura asked.

「あの遠吠えは何?」とローラは尋ねた。

“The wind is howling,” said Ma.

「風が唸っている」とママは言った。

“Now mind me, Laura.”

mind (言うことを聞く) [動] obey

「ローラ、私の言うことを聞きなさい」

Laura lay down, but her eyes would not shut.

ローラは横になったが、目は閉じなかった。

She knew that Pa was out in the dark, where that terrible howling was.

be out (外にいる) [動] be outside

howling (遠吠え) [名] the prolonged, mournful cry of a dog or wolf

彼女はパパがあの恐ろしい遠吠えがする暗闇の中にいることを知っていた。

The wild men were in the bluffs along the creek bottoms, and Pa would have to cross the creek bottoms in the dark.

野蛮な男たちは小川の底に沿った断崖にいて、パパは暗闇の中で小川の底を渡らなければならないだろう。

Jack growled.

ジャックが唸った。

Then Ma began to sway gently in the comfortable rocking-chair.

comfortable (心地よい) [形] providing comfort

それからママは心地よいロッキングチェアで優しく揺れ始めた。

Firelight ran up and down, up and down the barrel of Pa’s pistol in her lap.

run up and down (上下に走る) [動] move up and down repeatedly

barrel (銃身) [名] the tube through which a projectile is fired

火の光が彼女の膝の上のパパのピストルの銃身を上下に、上下に走った。

And Ma sang, softly and sweetly:

そしてママは優しく甘く歌った。

“There is a happy land,

land (国) [名] the territory occupied by a nation

「幸せな国がある。

Far, far away,

遠く、遠く。

Where saints in glory stand,

glory (栄光) [名] high renown or honor won by notable achievements

聖人が栄光の中に立つ場所。

Bright, bright as day.

day (昼) [名] the time from sunrise to sunset

明るく、昼のように明るい。

“Oh, to hear the angels sing,

angel (天使) [名] a spiritual being believed to act as an attendant, agent, or messenger of God, conventionally represented in human form with wings and a long robe

「ああ、天使の歌声を聞くために。

Glory to the Lord, our King——”

Lord (主) [名] God

栄光は主に、我らの王に」

Laura didn’t know that she had gone to sleep.

go to sleep (眠ってしまう) [動] fall asleep

ローラは自分が眠ってしまったことに気づかなかった。

She thought the shining angels began to sing with Ma, and she lay listening to their heavenly singing until suddenly her eyes opened and she saw Pa standing by the fire.

彼女は輝く天使たちがママと一緒に歌い始めたと思い、横になって天国の歌声を聴いていたが、突然目が覚めてパパが火のそばに立っているのを見た。

She jumped out of bed, shouting, “Oh Pa! Pa!”

jump out of (飛び起きる) [動] get out of something suddenly and quickly

彼女はベッドから飛び起きて、「パパ! パパ!」と叫んだ。

Pa’s boots were caked with frozen mud, his nose was red with cold, his hair wildly stood up on his head.

freeze (凍る) [動] become solid due to cold

パパのブーツは凍った泥で固まっており、鼻は寒さで赤く、髪の毛は頭の上で逆立っていた。

He was so cold that coldness came through Laura’s nightgown when she reached him.

so cold (とても寒い) [形] very cold

come through (伝わってくる) [動] be communicated or received

彼はとても寒かったので、ローラが彼に近づいたとき、寒さがローラのネグリジェを通して伝わってきた。

“Wait!” he said.

「待って!」と彼は言った。

He wrapped Laura in Ma’s big shawl, and then he hugged her.

shawl (ショール) [名] a piece of fabric worn over the shoulders or head

彼はローラをママの大きなショールで包み、それから彼女を抱きしめた。

Everything was all right.

全てが大丈夫だった。

The house was cozy with firelight, there was the warm, brown smell of coffee, Ma was smiling, and Pa was there.

家は暖炉の明かりで居心地がよく、コーヒーの温かみのある茶色の香りがし、ママは微笑んでいて、パパもそこにいた。

The shawl was so large that Mary wrapped the other end of it around her.

wrap (巻き付ける) [動] fold or wind around something

ショールはとても大きかったので、メアリーはショールのもう一方の端を自分の周りに巻き付けた。

Pa pulled off his stiff boots and warmed his stiff, cold hands.

パパは固いブーツを脱ぎ、固く冷たい手を温めた。

Then he sat on the bench and he took Mary on one knee and Laura on the other and he hugged them against him, all snuggled in the shawl.

snuggle (くるまる) [動] settle or move into a warm, comfortable position

それから彼はベンチに座り、片方の膝にメアリーを、もう片方の膝にローラを乗せ、ショールにくるまって二人を抱きしめた。

Their bare toes toasted in the heat from the fire.

toast (焼ける) [動] cook by exposure to radiant heat

裸の足の指は火の熱で焼けた。

“Ah!” Pa sighed.

「ああ!」パパはため息をついた。

“I thought I never would get here.”

「ここにたどり着けないかと思ったよ。」

Ma rummaged among the stores he had brought, and spooned brown sugar into a tin cup.

rummage (探し回る) [動] search something thoroughly

spoon (スプーン) [名] a utensil with a handle and a small, shallow bowl

brown sugar (ブラウンシュガー) [名] a type of sugar that is brown in color

ママは彼が持ってきた食料を探し回り、ブラウンシュガーをブリキのカップにスプーンで入れた。

Pa had brought sugar from Independence.

パパはインディペンデンスから砂糖を持ってきていた。

“Your coffee will be ready in a minute, Charles,” she said.

be ready (できる) [動] be prepared or available

minute (分) [名] a unit of time equal to 60 seconds

「コーヒーはすぐにできるよ、チャールズ」と彼女は言った。

“It rained between here and Independence, going,” Pa told them.

rain (雨が降る) [動] fall from the sky in drops of water

「こことインディペンデンスの間で雨が降ったんだ」とパパは言った。

“And coming back, the mud froze between the spokes till the wheels were nearly solid.

come back (帰る) [動] return to a place

「そして帰り道では、車輪がほとんど固まってしまうまでスポークの間に泥が凍りついた。

I had to get out and knock it loose, so the horses could pull the wagon.

knock (叩き落とす) [動] hit or strike with a sharp blow

馬が荷車を引っ張れるように、私は降りてそれを叩き落とさなければならなかった。

And seemed like we’d no more than started, when I had to get out and do it again.

no more than (ほとんどない) [副] only; just

do it again (同じことをする) [動] repeat an action

そして、また降りて同じことをしなければならなくなるまで、私たちはほとんど進まなかったように思えた。

It was all I could do to keep Pet and Patty coming against that wind.

ペットとパティを風に向かって進ませ続けるのが精一杯だった。

They’re so worn out they can hardly stagger.

be worn out (疲れ切っている) [動] be exhausted

can hardly (ほとんどできない) [副] can barely

stagger (よろめく) [動] walk or move unsteadily, as if about to fall

彼らは疲れ切って、よろめきながら歩くのがやっとだ。

I never saw such a wind; it cuts like a knife.”

cut (切れる) [動] penetrate or divide with a sharp-edged instrument

こんな風は見たことがない。ナイフのように切れる。」

The wind had begun while he was in town.

彼が町にいる間に風が吹き始めた。

People there told him he had better wait until it blew itself out, but he wanted to get home.

get home (家に帰る) [動] arrive at one's home

町の人々は、風が吹き止むまで待った方がいいと言ったが、彼は家に帰りたかった。

“It beats me,” he said, “why they call a south wind a norther, and how a wind from the south can be so tarnation cold.

beat (わからない) [動] be too difficult for someone to understand

south wind (南風) [名] a wind blowing from the south

norther (北風) [名] a strong cold north wind

「私にはわからない」と彼は言った。「なぜ南風を北風と呼ぶのか、そして南からの風がどうしてこんなにも寒いのか。

I never saw anything like it.

こんな風は見たことがない。

Down here in this country, the north end of a south wind is the coldest wind I ever heard of.”

north end (北端) [名] the northernmost part of something

coldest (一番寒い) [形] of or at a very low temperature

この国では、南風の北端が私が聞いた中で一番寒い風だ。」

He drank his coffee and wiped his mustache with his handkerchief, and said: “Ah! That hits the spot, Caroline!

mustache (口ひげ) [名] the hair growing on a man's upper lip

hit the spot (いいぞ) [動] be exactly what is needed or wanted

彼はコーヒーを飲み、ハンカチで口ひげを拭いて言った。「ああ! これはいいぞ、キャロライン!

Now I’m beginning to thaw out.”

thaw (解凍) [動] cause to become soft or liquid by warming

やっと解凍されてきたよ。」

Then his eyes twinkled at Ma and he told her to open the square package on the table.

それから彼はママに目を輝かせ、テーブルの上の四角い包みを開けるように言った。

“Be careful,” he said.

「気をつけて」と彼は言った。

“Don’t drop it.”

「落とさないでね。」

Ma stopped unwrapping it and said: “Oh, Charles! You didn’t!”

ママは包みを開けるのをやめて言った。「ああ、チャールズ! あなた、こんなことしちゃったの!」

“Open it,” Pa said.

「開けてごらん」とパパは言った。

In that square package there were eight small squares of window-glass.

package (包み) [名] a small parcel or bundle

window-glass (窓ガラス) [名] a sheet of glass in a window

その四角い包みの中には、八枚の小さな四角い窓ガラスが入っていた。

They would have glass windows in their house.

彼らの家にはガラス窓がつくのだ。

Not one of the squares was broken.

四角いガラスは一つも割れていなかった。

Pa had brought them safely all the way home.

bring (運んでくる) [動] take or carry someone or something to a place

パパは家まで無事に運んできてくれたのだ。

Ma shook her head and said he shouldn’t have spent so much, but her whole face was smiling and Pa laughed with joy.

shake one's head (頭を振る) [動] move one's head from side to side

shouldn't have (すべきではなかった) [助] should not have

spend (使う) [動] pay out (money) in buying or hiring goods or services

ママは頭を振って、そんなにお金を使うべきではなかったと言いながらも、顔全体が笑顔で、パパは嬉しそうに笑った。

They were all so pleased.

pleased (喜んでいる) [形] feeling or showing pleasure or satisfaction

みんなとても喜んでいた。

All winter long they could look out of the windows as much as they liked, and the sunshine could come in.

all winter long (冬の間ずっと) [副] throughout the winter

as much as (好きなだけ) [副] to the extent or degree that

冬の間ずっと、窓から好きなだけ外を眺めることができ、日差しも入ってくる。

Pa said he thought that Ma and Mary and Laura would like glass windows better than any other present, and he was right.

present (プレゼント) [名] a gift

パパは、ママとメアリーとローラは他のどんなプレゼントよりもガラス窓を喜ぶだろうと思ったと言っていた。

They did.

do (そうだった) [動] perform or carry out

確かにそうだった。

But the windows were not all he had brought them.

しかし、窓だけが彼が持ってきたものではなかった。

There was a little paper sack full of pure white sugar.

pure (真っ白な) [形] not mixed with anything else

真っ白な砂糖がいっぱい入った小さな紙袋があった。

Ma opened it and Mary and Laura looked at the sparkling whiteness of that beautiful sugar, and they each had a taste of it from a spoon.

sparkling (きらめく) [形] shining brightly

whiteness (白さ) [名] the property or quality of being white

taste (味見) [名] the sensation produced when a substance in the mouth reacts chemically with taste receptor cells located on taste buds in the oral cavity

ママがそれを開けると、メアリーとローラはその美しい砂糖のきらめく白さを見て、それぞれスプーンで味見をした。

Then Ma tied it carefully up.

それからママはそれを注意深く結んだ。

They would have white sugar when company came.

have (出す) [動] to cause to be or to occur

white sugar (白い砂糖) [名] a type of sugar that is refined and has a white color

来客があったときには白い砂糖を出すつもりだった。

Best of all, Pa was safely home again.

best of all (何よりも) [副] most importantly

何よりも、パパがまた無事に帰ってきた。

Laura and Mary went back to sleep, very comfortable all over.

go back to (戻る) [動] return to a previous state or condition

sleep (眠り) [名] the natural state of rest in which consciousness practically disappears

all over (すっかり) [副] completely

ローラとメアリーは、とても気持ちよく眠りについた。

Everything was all right when Pa was there.

パパがいれば何もかも大丈夫だった。

And now he had nails, and cornmeal, and fat pork, and salt, and everything.

everything (あらゆるもの) [名] all the things that exist or are possible

そして今、彼は釘、コーンミール、脂肪の多い豚肉、塩、そしてあらゆるものを手に入れた。

He would not have to go to town again for a long time.

彼は長い間、再び町に行く必要はないだろう。

Chapter 18: THE TALL INDIAN

第18章: 背の高いインディアン

In those three days the norther had howled and screeched across the prairie till it blew itself out.

three days (三日間) [名] a period of three days

screech (金切り声を上げる) [動] to utter a high-pitched, piercing cry

blow itself out (吹き荒れる) [動] to stop blowing

その三日間、北風は吹き荒れるまで大草原を横切って吠え、金切り声を上げていた。

Now the sun was warm and the wind was mild, but there was a feeling of autumn in the air.

mild (穏やかな) [形] not severe, serious, or harsh

feeling (気配) [名] a sensation or impression

autumn (秋) [名] the season between summer and winter

今は太陽が暖かく、風も穏やかだったが、空気中には秋の気配があった。

Indians came riding on the path that passed so close to the house.

インディアンは家のすぐ近くを通る小道を馬に乗ってやってきた。

They went by as though it were not there.

彼らはまるでそこに家がないかのように通り過ぎていった。

They were thin and brown and bare.

彼らは痩せていて、褐色で、裸だった。

They rode their little ponies without saddle or bridle.

彼らは小さなポニーに鞍も手綱もなしにまたがっていた。

They sat up straight on the naked ponies and did not look to right or left.

sit up (まっすぐ座る) [動] sit with a straight back

look to (見る) [動] direct one's gaze towards

right (右) [名] the direction that is on or towards the side of a human body or of a thing that is to the east when the person or thing is facing north

left (左) [名] the direction that is on or towards the side of a human body or of a thing that is to the west when the person or thing is facing north

彼らは裸のポニーにまっすぐ座り、右も左も見なかった。

But their black eyes glittered.

しかし、彼らの黒い目はきらめいていた。

Laura and Mary backed against the house and looked up at them.

ローラとメアリーは家を背にして彼らを見上げた。

And they saw red-brown skin bright against the blue sky, and scalplocks wound with colored string, and feathers quivering.

scalplock (頭皮の毛) [名] a lock of hair on the scalp

wound (巻く) [動] wrap around something

colored (色とりどりの) [形] having color

そして、青い空に映える赤茶色の肌、色とりどりの紐で巻かれた頭皮の毛、震える羽根を見た。

The Indians’ faces were like the red-brown wood that Pa had carved to make a bracket for Ma.

be like (のようだった) [動] to be similar to

carve (彫る) [動] cut (hard material) in order to produce an object, design, or inscription

インディアンの顔は、パパがママのために彫った赤茶色の木のようだった。

“I thought that trail was an old one they didn’t use any more,” Pa said.

「あの道はもう使われていない古い道だと思っていた」とパパは言った。

“I wouldn’t have built the house so close to it if I’d known it’s a highroad.”

highroad (幹線道路) [名] a main road

「あそこが幹線道路だと知っていたら、あんなに近くに家を建てなかっただろう」

Jack hated Indians, and Ma said she didn’t blame him.

ジャックはインディアンが嫌いだったし、ママはジャックを責めなかった。

She said, “I declare, Indians are getting so thick around here that I can’t look up without seeing one.”

around here (この辺り) [副] in this area

ママは「本当に、この辺りはインディアンでいっぱいになってきて、見上げればインディアンがいるよ」と言った。

As she spoke she looked up, and there stood an Indian.

ママはそう言いながら見上げると、そこにインディアンが立っていた。

He stood in the doorway, looking at them, and they had not heard a sound.

インディアンは戸口に立って、彼らを見ていたが、彼らは音を聞いていなかった。

“Goodness!” Ma gasped.

「まあ!」ママは息を呑んだ。

Silently Jack jumped at the Indian.

silently (音もなく) [副] without making any sound

jump (飛びかかる) [動] move suddenly and quickly

ジャックは音もなくインディアンに飛びかかった。

Pa caught him by the collar, just in time.

catch (つかむ) [動] to grab or seize

collar (首輪) [名] a band of leather or other material put around the neck of a person or animal

just in time (ちょうど間に合う) [副] at the last moment; not too late

パパはちょうど間に合うようにジャックの首輪をつかんだ。

The Indian hadn’t moved; he stood as still as if Jack hadn’t been there at all.

インディアンは動かなかった。まるでジャックがそこにいなかったかのようにじっと立っていた。

“How!” he said to Pa.

「ハウ!」と彼はパパに言った。

Pa held onto Jack and replied, “How!”

how (ハウ) [間] a greeting used by Native Americans

パパはジャックをつかんだまま「ハウ!」と答えた。

He dragged Jack to the bedpost and tied him there.

bedpost (ベッドの支柱) [名] a wooden or metal support at the corner of a bed

パパはジャックをベッドの支柱まで引きずり、そこに縛り付けた。

While he was doing it, the Indian came in and squatted down by the fire.

squat (しゃがみ込む) [動] sit on one's heels with the knees bent and the heels close to or touching the buttocks

パパがそうしている間に、インディアンは中に入ってきて、火のそばにしゃがみ込んだ。

Then Pa squatted down by the Indian, and they sat there, friendly but not saying a word, while Ma finished cooking dinner.

friendly (友好的に) [形] kind and pleasant

それからパパはインディアンのそばにしゃがみ込み、ママが夕食の支度を終えるまで、二人は友好的に、しかし一言も話さずにそこに座っていた。

Laura and Mary were close together and quiet on their bed in the corner.

close together (身を寄せ合って) [副] near each other

ローラとメアリーは隅のベッドで身を寄せ合って静かにしていた。

They couldn’t take their eyes from that Indian.

take one's eyes off (目を離す) [動] stop looking at something

二人はそのインディアンから目を離すことができなかった。

He was so still that the beautiful eagle-feathers in his scalplock didn’t stir.

eagle-feather (鷲の羽) [名] a feather from an eagle

彼は頭のてっぺんの美しい鷲の羽が揺れないほどじっとしていた。

Only his bare chest and the leanness under his ribs moved a little to his breathing.

leanness (痩せた部分) [名] the state of being thin

彼のむき出しの胸と肋骨の下の痩せた部分だけが呼吸に合わせて少し動いていた。

He wore fringed leather leggings, and his moccasins were covered with beads.

leather (革製) [形] made of leather

legging (レギンス) [名] a tight-fitting covering for the legs

彼はフリンジのついた革製のレギンスをはき、モカシンはビーズで覆われていた。

Ma gave Pa and the Indian their dinners on two tin plates, and they ate silently.

ママはパパとインディアンにブリキの皿に盛った夕食を渡し、二人は黙って食べた。

Then Pa gave the Indian some tobacco for his pipe.

それからパパはインディアンにパイプ用のタバコを渡した。

They filled their pipes, and they lighted the tobacco with coals from the fire, and they silently smoked until the pipes were empty.

tobacco (たばこ) [名] a plant grown for its leaves, which are dried and fermented before being smoked or chewed

empty (空になる) [形] containing nothing; not filled or occupied

二人はパイプにたばこを詰め、火から取り出した炭で火をつけ、パイプが空になるまで黙って吸った。

All this time nobody had said anything.

all this time (この間) [名] the entire time

この間、誰も何も言わなかった。

But now the Indian said something to Pa.

しかし、今度はインディアンがパパに何か言った。

Pa shook his head and said, “No speak.”

パパは首を横に振って、「話せない」と言った。

A while longer they all sat silent.

a while (しばらく) [名] a period of time

しばらくの間、みんな黙って座っていた。

Then the Indian rose up and went away without a sound.

rise up (立ち上がる) [動] get up from a sitting or lying position

without a sound (音もなく) [副] silently

それからインディアンは立ち上がり、音もなく去っていった。

“My goodness gracious!” Ma said.

「なんてことだ!」ママは言った。

Laura and Mary ran to the window.

ローラとメアリーは窓に駆け寄った。

They saw the Indian’s straight back, riding away on a pony.

二人はインディアンの真っ直ぐな背中がポニーに乗って去っていくのを見た。

He held a gun across his knees, its ends stuck out on either side of him.

彼は膝の上に銃を置き、銃口は両側に突き出ていた。

Pa said that Indian was no common trash.

trash (ゴミ) [名] waste material; refuse

パパは、あのインディアンは普通のゴミではないと言った。

He guessed by the scalplock that he was an Osage.

scalplock (頭の毛の束) [名] a tuft of hair left on the head of an otherwise shaven head

guess (推測する) [動] estimate or suppose (something) without sufficient information

パパは、頭の毛の束から、彼がオセージ族だと推測した。

“Unless I miss my guess,” Pa said, “that was French he spoke.

miss (間違える) [動] fail to hit, reach, or come into contact with

guess (推測) [名] an opinion or estimate formed without much thought or knowledge

French (フランス語) [名] the Romance language of France

「私の推測が間違っていない限り、彼が話していたのはフランス語だった。

I wish I had picked up some of that lingo.”

pick up (覚える) [動] learn or acquire

lingo (言葉) [名] a language or jargon that is unfamiliar or incomprehensible

あの言葉を少しでも覚えておけばよかった」

“Let Indians keep themselves to themselves,” said Ma, “and we will do the same.

keep (させておけばいい) [動] continue to have, hold, or maintain

themselves (自分たちの) [代] the people or things previously mentioned or easily identified

the same (同じ) [形] not different or other; identical

「インディアンはインディアンの生活をさせておけばいい」とママは言った。「私たちもそうする。

I don’t like Indians around underfoot.”

around (周辺) [副] in the area surrounding a place

underfoot (足元) [副] on the ground; under one's feet

インディアンが足元にいるのは好きではない」

Pa told her not to worry.

パパは心配しないように言った。

“That Indian was perfectly friendly,” he said.

「あのインディアンは全く友好的だった」と彼は言った。

“And their camps down among the bluffs are peaceable enough.

peaceable (平和な) [形] inclined or disposed to peace

「そして、彼らの崖の間の宿営地は十分に平和だ。

If we treat them well and watch Jack, we won’t have any trouble.”

treat (接する) [動] behave towards or deal with in a certain way

watch (注意する) [動] be careful or cautious about

彼らに親切に接して、ジャックに注意していれば、何の問題も起こらないだろう」

The very next morning, when Pa opened the door to go to the stable, Laura saw Jack standing in the Indian trail.

the very next morning (翌朝) [名] the morning of the day after the present day

open the door (ドアを開ける) [動] move a door so as to leave a space allowing access and vision

go to the stable (馬小屋に行く) [動] move to the stable

Indian trail (インディアンの道) [名] a trail made by American Indians

翌朝、パパが馬小屋に行くためにドアを開けた時、ローラはジャックがインディアンの道に立っているのを見た。

He stood stiff, his back bristled, and all his teeth showed.

stand stiff (固く立つ) [動] stand rigidly

bristle (逆立てる) [動] stand up stiffly

彼は固く立ち、背中を逆立て、歯をむき出しにしていた。

Before him in the path the tall Indian sat on his pony.

彼の前には、道に背の高いインディアンがポニーに乗って座っていた。

Indian and pony were still as still.

インディアンとポニーは静まり返っていた。

Jack was telling them plainly that he would spring if they moved.

ジャックは、彼らが動いたら飛びかかると、はっきりと伝えていた。

Only the eagle feathers that stood up from the Indian’s scalplock were waving and spinning in the wind.

eagle feather (鷲の羽) [名] a feather from an eagle

spin (回転する) [動] turn or cause to turn on an axis

インディアンの頭皮から立ち上がった鷲の羽だけが風に揺れ、回転していた。

When the Indian saw Pa, he lifted his gun and pointed it straight at Jack.

インディアンはパパを見ると、銃を持ち上げてジャックにまっすぐ向けた。

Laura ran to the door, but Pa was quicker.

quick (早い) [形] done or occurring with great speed

ローラはドアまで走ったが、パパの方が早かった。

He stepped between Jack and that gun, and he reached down and grabbed Jack by the collar.

step (割って入る) [動] move or walk with a regular and fairly quick rhythm

パパはジャックと銃の間に割って入り、手を伸ばしてジャックの首輪をつかんだ。

He dragged Jack out of the Indian’s way, and the Indian rode on, along the trail.

パパはジャックをインディアンの道から引きずり出し、インディアンは道に沿って馬を走らせた。

Pa stood with his feet wide apart, his hands in his pockets, and watched the Indian riding farther and farther away across the prairie.

apart (広げて) [副] separated by a distance

パパは足を大きく広げて立ち、両手をポケットに入れて、インディアンが大草原を横切って遠くへ去っていくのを見守った。

“That was a darned close call!” Pa said.

close call (危ない) [名] a narrow escape from danger or disaster

「危なかった!」とパパは言った。

“Well, it’s his path.

「まあ、ここは彼の道だ。

An Indian trail, long before we came.”

long before (ずっと前から) [副] a long time before

私たちが来るずっと前からあるインディアンの道だ。」

He drove an iron ring into a log of the house wall, and he chained Jack to it.

iron ring (鉄の輪) [名] a ring made of iron

パパは家の壁の丸太に鉄の輪を打ち込み、ジャックを鎖でつないだ。

After that, Jack was always chained.

after that (それ以来) [副] from that time on

それ以来、ジャックはいつも鎖でつながれた。

He was chained to the house in the daytime, and at night he was chained to the stable door, because horse-thieves were in the country now.

昼間は家に鎖でつながれ、夜は馬小屋の扉に鎖でつながれた。今は馬泥棒がこの地方にいるからだ。

They had stolen Mr. Edwards’ horses.

steal (盗む) [動] take (something) without permission or legal right and without intending to return it

彼らはエドワーズさんの馬を盗んだ。

Jack grew crosser and crosser because he was chained.

grow crosser (不機嫌になる) [動] become angry or annoyed

ジャックは鎖でつながれたので、ますます不機嫌になった。

But it could not be helped.

could not be helped (仕方がない) [動] be inevitable; be unavoidable

しかし、仕方がない。

He would not admit that the trail was the Indians’ trail, he thought it belonged to Pa.

彼はその道がインディアンの道であることを認めようとせず、パパのものだと思っていました。

And Laura knew that something terrible would happen if Jack hurt an Indian.

そして、ローラはジャックがインディアンを傷つけたら何かひどいことが起こるだろうと知っていた。

Winter was coming now.

冬がやってきた。

The grasses were a dull color under a dull sky.

草はくすんだ空の下でくすんだ色をしていた。

The winds wailed as if they were looking for something they could not find.

風はまるで見つけられない何かを探しているかのように泣き叫んだ。

Wild animals were wearing their thick winter fur, and Pa set his traps in the creek bottoms.

set (仕掛ける) [動] put in a certain place or position

trap (罠) [名] a device or enclosure designed to catch and retain animals, typically by allowing entry but not exit

野生動物は厚い冬毛を着ていて、パパは小川の底に罠を仕掛けた。

Every day he visited them, and every day he went hunting.

彼は毎日罠を訪れ、毎日狩りに行った。

Now that the nights were freezing cold, he shot deer for meat.

freeze (凍える) [動] be very cold

夜は凍えるほど寒くなったので、彼は肉のために鹿を撃った。

He shot wolves and foxes for their fur, and his traps caught beaver and muskrat and mink.

fox (狐) [名] a carnivorous mammal of the dog family with a bushy tail and a pointed muzzle

beaver (ビーバー) [名] a large semiaquatic rodent

muskrat (マスクラット) [名] a large aquatic rodent

mink (ミンク) [名] a semiaquatic carnivorous mammal

彼は毛皮のために狼や狐を撃ち、罠にはビーバーやマスクラットやミンクが捕まった。

He stretched the skins on the outside of the house and carefully tacked them there, to dry.

stretch (伸ばす) [動] to extend or be extended

outside (外側) [名] the external part of something

tack (留める) [動] to fasten or attach with a tack or tacks

彼は家の外側で皮を伸ばし、乾かすためにそこに注意深く留めた。

In the evenings he worked the dried skins between his hands to make them soft, and he added them to the bundle in the corner.

in the evening (夕方) [副] in the late part of the day

work (柔らかくする) [動] make or cause to be soft

add (加える) [動] join or combine two or more things together

夕方には彼は乾いた皮を両手で柔らかくして、それを隅の束に加えた。

Every day the bundle of furs grew bigger.

毛皮の束は毎日大きくなった。

Laura loved to stroke the thick fur of red foxes.

love (大好きである) [動] be extremely fond of

ローラは赤狐の厚い毛皮を撫でるのが大好きだった。

She liked the brown, soft fur of beaver, too, and the shaggy wolf’s fur.

彼女はビーバーの茶色の柔らかい毛皮も、毛むくじゃらの狼の毛皮も好きだった。

But best of all she loved the silky mink.

love (大好きだった) [動] feel a strong or constant affection for

しかし、何よりも彼女は絹のようなミンクが大好きだった。

Those were all furs that Pa saved to trade next spring in Independence.

those (それら) [代] the things mentioned before

save (保存する) [動] keep and store up for future use

trade (取引する) [動] buy and sell goods and services

next spring (来春) [名] the spring of next year

それらはすべて、パパが来春インディペンデンスで取引するために保存した毛皮だった。

Laura and Mary had rabbit-skin caps, and Pa’s cap was muskrat.

ローラとメアリーにはウサギの皮の帽子があり、パパの帽子はマスクラットだった。

One day when Pa was hunting, two Indians came.

ある日、パパが狩りをしているときに、2人のインディアンがやってきた。

They came into the house, because Jack was chained.

ジャックが鎖でつながれていたので、彼らは家に入ってきた。

Those Indians were dirty and scowling and mean.

dirty (汚い) [形] not clean

scowl (しかめ面) [名] a facial expression of disapproval or displeasure

mean (意地悪) [形] unkind or spiteful

そのインディアンたちは汚く、しかめ面で、意地悪だった。

They acted as if the house belonged to them.

act (振る舞う) [動] behave in a particular manner

彼らはその家が自分たちのものであるかのように振る舞った。

One of them looked through Ma’s cupboard and took all the cornbread.

look through (調べる) [動] examine or inspect

そのうちの1人はママの食器棚を調べて、コーンブレッドを全部取った。

The other took Pa’s tobacco-pouch.

他の1人はパパのタバコ入れを取った。

They looked at the pegs where Pa’s gun belonged.

belong (掛けてある) [動] be a member of a group or class

彼らはパパの銃が掛けてある釘を見た。

Then one of them picked up the bundle of furs.

それから、そのうちの1人が毛皮の束を拾い上げた。

Ma held Baby Carrie in her arms, and Mary and Laura stood close to her.

hold (抱く) [動] grasp or carry in one's arms

ママは赤ん坊のキャリーを腕に抱き、メアリーとローラはママの近くに立った。

They looked at that Indian taking Pa’s furs.

彼らはパパの毛皮を取るインディアンを見ていた。

They couldn’t do anything to stop him.

do anything (何もできない) [動] be unable to do anything

彼らは彼を止めるために何もできなかった。

He carried them as far as the door.

彼は毛皮をドアまで運んだ。

Then the other Indian said something to him.

それから、もう一人のインディアンが彼に何か言った。

They made harsh sounds at each other in their throats, and he dropped the furs.

彼らは喉で互いに耳障りな音を立て、彼は毛皮を落とした。

They went away.

彼らは去っていった。

Ma sat down.

ママは座った。

She hugged Mary and Laura close to her and Laura felt Ma’s heart beating.

beat (鼓動) [名] a regular rhythmic contraction of the heart

彼女はメアリーとローラを抱き寄せ、ローラはママの心臓の鼓動を感じた。

“Well,” Ma said, smiling, “I’m thankful they didn’t take the plow and seeds.”

well (まあ) [間] used to express surprise, hesitation, or disgust

take (奪う) [動] move or cause to move from one place to another

plow (鋤) [名] a large farming tool with sharp blades used for breaking up soil

「まあ」とママは微笑みながら言った。「彼らが鋤と種を奪わなかったことに感謝するよ。」

Laura was surprised.

ローラは驚いた。

She asked, “What plow?”

彼女は尋ねた。「どんな鋤?」

“The plow and all our seeds for next year are in that bundle of furs,” said Ma.

next year (来年) [名] the year after this one

「鋤と来年のための種は全部あの毛皮の束の中にあるの」とママは言った。

When Pa came home they told him about those Indians, and he looked sober.

look (顔をする) [動] have a certain appearance

パパが帰宅した時、彼らは彼にインディアンの話をした。彼は真面目な顔をした。

But he said that all was well that ended well.

しかし、彼は終わりよければ全てよしだと言った。

That evening when Mary and Laura were in bed, Pa played his fiddle.

be in bed (ベッドにいる) [動] be lying in bed

その夜、メアリーとローラがベッドにいる時、パパはバイオリンを弾いた。

Ma was rocking in the rocking-chair, holding Baby Carrie against her breast, and she began to sing softly with the fiddle:

breast (胸) [名] the front of the human body between the neck and the abdomen

ママは揺り椅子に揺られ、赤ん坊のキャリーを胸に抱き、バイオリンに合わせて優しく歌い始めた。

“Wild roved an Indian maid, Bright Alfarata,

maid (娘) [名] a young unmarried woman

Alfarata (アルファラタ) [名] a character in the poem

「インディアンの娘が野山を歩き回り、明るいアルファラタ、

Where flow the waters

flow (流れる) [動] move or cause to move easily and freely

水が流れる場所

Of the blue Juniata.

Juniata (ジュニアタ) [名] a river in Pennsylvania

青いジュニアタの。

Strong and true my arrows are

true (真っ直ぐ) [形] in accordance with fact or reality

私の矢は強く真っ直ぐ

In my painted quiver,

quiver (矢筒) [名] a container for holding arrows

私の塗られた矢筒の中で、

Swift goes my light canoe

swift (素早い) [形] moving or capable of moving with great speed

light (軽い) [形] of little weight

canoe (カヌー) [名] a light narrow boat that is propelled by paddling

私の軽いカヌーは素早く進む

Adown the rapid river.”

rapid (急流) [形] moving or acting with great speed or force

急流を下る。」

“Bold is my warrior good,

bold (勇敢な) [形] courageous and daring

warrior (戦士) [名] a person engaged or experienced in warfare

「私の戦士は勇敢で善良、

The love of Alfarata,

アルファラタの愛、

Proud wave his sunny plumes

proud (誇らしげに) [形] feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one's own achievements, qualities, or possessions or those of someone with whom one is closely associated

sunny (明るい) [形] bright with sunlight

誇らしげに彼の明るい羽をなびかせる

Along the Juniata.

ジュニアタに沿って。

Soft and low he speaks to me,

彼は私に優しく低い声で話しかける、

And then his war-cry sounding

war-cry (雄叫び) [名] a loud cry or shout uttered by warriors before or during battle

そして彼の雄叫びが響き渡り

Rings his voice in thunder loud

彼の声は雷のように大きく鳴り響く

From height to height resounding.”

height (高み) [名] the highest point of something

resound (響き渡る) [動] be filled with a sound

高みから高みへと響き渡る。」

“So sang the Indian maid, Bright Alfarata,

「そう歌ったインディアンの乙女、輝くアルファラタ、

Where sweep the waters Of the blue Juniata.

青いジュニアタの水が流れる場所で。

Fleeting years have borne away The voice of Alfarata,

fleeting (過ぎ去った) [形] passing quickly

year (年月) [名] the time it takes the earth to make one revolution around the sun

bear away (運び去る) [動] carry away

過ぎ去った年月はアルファラタの声を運び去り、

Still flow the waters Of the blue Juniata.”

青いジュニアタの水は今も流れる。」

Ma’s voice and the fiddle’s music softly died away.

ママの声とバイオリンの音が静かに消えていった。

And Laura asked, “Where did the voice of Alfarata go, Ma?”

そしてローラは尋ねた、「アルファラタの声はどこへ行ったの、ママ?」

“Goodness!” Ma said.

「まあ!」ママは言った。

“Aren’t you asleep yet?”

be asleep (寝ている) [動] be in a state of sleep

「まだ寝ていないの?」

“I’m going to sleep,” Laura said.

「寝るところよ」ローラは言った。

“But please tell me where the voice of Alfarata went?”

「でも、アルファラタの声はどこへ行ったか教えて?」

“Oh I suppose she went west,” Ma answered.

go west (西に行く) [動] die

「ああ、彼女は西に行ったと思うよ」ママは答えた。

“That’s what the Indians do.”

「インディアンはそうするのよ」

“Why do they do that, Ma?” Laura asked.

「どうしてそうするの、ママ?」ローラは尋ねた。

“Why do they go west?”

「どうして西に行くの?」

“They have to,” Ma said.

「そうせざるを得ないのよ」ママは言った。

“Why do they have to?”

「どうしてそうせざるを得ないの?」

“The government makes them, Laura,” said Pa.

「政府がそうさせるんだ、ローラ」パパは言った。

“Now go to sleep.”

「さあ、寝なさい」

He played the fiddle softly for a while.

彼はしばらくの間、静かにバイオリンを弾いた。

Then Laura asked, “Please, Pa, can I ask just one more question?”

question (質問) [名] a statement asking for something and expecting an answer

それからローラは尋ねた、「パパ、お願い、あと一つだけ質問してもいい?」

“May I,” said Ma.

may (いいよ) [助] expressing permission

「いいよ」ママは言った。

Laura began again.

ローラは再び始めた。

“Pa, please, may I—”

please (お願い) [動] make someone happy or satisfied

may (・・・) [助] be allowed to; be permitted to

「パパ、お願い、私・・・」

“What is it?” Pa asked.

「何だい?」パパは尋ねた。

It was not polite for little girls to interrupt, but of course Pa could do it.

polite (礼儀正しい) [形] showing good manners

小さな女の子が口を挟むのは礼儀正しくなかったが、もちろんパパはそうすることができた。

“Will the government make these Indians go west?”

「政府はこれらのインディアンを西に行かせるのか?」

“Yes,” Pa said.

「そうだ」パパは言った。

“When white settlers come into a country, the Indians have to move on.

white (白人) [形] of or belonging to a racial group having light skin color

come into (入る) [動] move or travel toward or into

move on (移動する) [動] go forward or onward

「白人入植者が国に入ると、インディアンは移動しなければならない。

The government is going to move these Indians farther west, any time now.

政府はこれらのインディアンを今すぐにでももっと西に移動させようとしている。

That’s why we’re here, Laura.

that's why (だから) [接] for that reason

we're here (私たちはここにいる) [動] we are in this place

だから私たちはここにいるんだよ、ローラ。

White people are going to settle all this country, and we get the best land because we get here first and take our pick.

white people (白人) [名] a person with light-colored skin

go to (するつもりである) [助] have something already planned or arranged; have something that is bound to happen; will

all this country (この国全体) [名] the entire country

get (手に入れた) [動] receive or be given

take (選んだ) [動] choose or select

白人はこの国全体に定住するつもりで、私たちは最初にここに来て選んだので、一番良い土地を手に入れたんだ。

Now do you understand?”

これで分かったかい?」

“Yes, Pa,” Laura said.

「はい、パパ」とローラは言った。

“But, Pa, I thought this was Indian Territory.

Indian Territory (インディアンの領土) [名] a region of the U.S. that was set aside for Native Americans

「でも、パパ、ここはインディアンの領土だと思ってた。

Won’t it make the Indians mad to have to—”

mad (怒る) [形] angry

インディアンは怒らないの?」

“No more questions, Laura,” Pa said, firmly.

no more (もうない) [形] not any more

firmly (きっぱり) [副] in a determined and resolute manner

「もう質問はなしだ、ローラ」とパパはきっぱり言った。

“Go to sleep.”

「寝なさい」

Chapter 19: MR. EDWARDS MEETS SANTA CLAUS

Santa Claus (サンタクロース) [名] a legendary figure who brings presents to children on Christmas Eve

第19章: エドワーズさんがサンタクロースに会う

The days were short and cold, the wind whistled sharply, but there was no snow.

whistle (吹きすさぶ) [動] make a whistling sound

日が短く寒く、風が鋭く吹きすさぶが、雪は降らなかった。

Cold rains were falling.

冷たい雨が降っていた。

Day after day the rain fell, pattering on the roof and pouring from the eaves.

patter (打つ) [動] make a light, quick tapping sound

雨は毎日降り、屋根を打って軒から流れ落ちた。

Mary and Laura stayed close by the fire, sewing their nine-patch quilt blocks, or cutting paper dolls from scraps of wrapping-paper, and hearing the wet sound of the rain.

nine-patch quilt block (9つのパッチキルトブロック) [名] a quilt block made up of nine squares

paper doll (紙人形) [名] a doll made of paper

メアリーとローラは火のそばにいて、9つのパッチキルトブロックを縫ったり、包装紙の切れ端から紙人形を切ったり、雨の湿った音を聞いたりした。

Every night was so cold that they expected to see snow next morning, but in the morning they saw only sad, wet grass.

every night (毎晩) [名] the night of each day

sad (悲しげな) [形] unhappy or mournful

毎晩とても寒かったので、翌朝には雪が降ると思っていたが、朝には悲しげに濡れた草しか見えなかった。

They pressed their noses against the squares of glass in the windows that Pa had made, and they were glad they could see out.

二人はパパが作った窓の四角いガラスに鼻を押し付け、外を見ることができて嬉しかった。

But they wished they could see snow.

しかし、二人は雪を見たいと思った。

Laura was anxious because Christmas was near, and Santa Claus and his reindeer could not travel without snow.

anxious (心配) [形] feeling or showing worry, nervousness, or unease

reindeer (トナカイ) [名] a large deer with large antlers

ローラはクリスマスが近づいていて、サンタクロースとトナカイは雪がなければ旅行できないので心配だった。

Mary was afraid that, even if it snowed, Santa Claus could not find them, so far away in Indian Territory.

even if (たとえ) [接] although; even though

so far (遠く) [副] a great distance

Indian Territory (インディアン準州) [名] a territory of the United States that was set aside for Native Americans

メアリーは、雪が降ったとしても、サンタクロースはインディアン準州の遠くにいる自分たちを見つけられないのではないかと心配していた。

When they asked Ma about this, she said she didn’t know.

about (について) [前] on the subject of; concerning

二人がママにこれについて尋ねると、ママはわからないと言った。

“What day is it?” they asked her, anxiously.

「今日は何日?」二人は心配そうに尋ねた。

“How many more days till Christmas?”

「クリスマスまであと何日?」

And they counted off the days on their fingers, till there was only one more day left.

count off (数える) [動] to count aloud in a series

そして、あと一日になるまで、二人は指で日数を数えた。

Rain was still falling that morning.

その朝も雨が降り続いていた。

There was not one crack in the gray sky.

灰色の空には一筋の切れ目もなかった。

They felt almost sure there would be no Christmas.

feel sure (確信する) [動] be certain about something

二人はクリスマスは来ないのではないかとほとんど確信していた。

Still, they kept hoping.

still (それでも) [副] nevertheless; yet; even so

それでも、二人は希望を持ち続けた。

Just before noon the light changed.

just before (少し前に) [副] a short time before

正午の少し前に光が変わった。

The clouds broke and drifted apart, shining white in a clear blue sky.

drift apart (散る) [動] move away from each other

雲が切れて散り、澄んだ青い空に白く輝いた。

The sun shone, birds sang, and thousands of drops of water sparkled on the grasses.

thousand (何千もの) [名] the number 1000

太陽が輝き、鳥が歌い、何千もの水滴が草の上で輝いた。

But when Ma opened the door to let in the fresh, cold air, they heard the creek roaring.

roar (轟く) [動] to make a loud, deep sound

しかし、ママが新鮮で冷たい空気を入れるためにドアを開けると、小川が轟いているのが聞こえた。

They had not thought about the creek.

彼らは小川のことを考えていなかった。

Now they knew they would have no Christmas, because Santa Claus could not cross that roaring creek.

サンタクロースはその轟く小川を渡ることができないので、今や彼らはクリスマスが来ないことを知った。

Pa came in, bringing a big fat turkey.

パパは大きくて太った七面鳥を連れて入ってきた。

If it weighed less than twenty pounds, he said, he’d eat it, feathers and all.

twenty pounds (20ポンド) [名] a unit of weight equal to 16 ounces

重さが20ポンド未満なら、羽根も含めて全部食べると彼は言った。

He asked Laura, “How’s that for a Christmas dinner?

彼はローラに尋ねた、「クリスマスの夕食にどうだ?

Think you can manage one of those drumsticks?”

drumstick (ドラムスティック) [名] a stick used to hit a drum

あのドラムスティックの1本をどうにかできると思うか?」

She said, yes, she could.

彼女は、はい、できると言いました。

But she was sober.

sober (冷静) [形] not drunk; not intoxicated

しかし、彼女は冷静だった。

Then Mary asked him if the creek was going down, and he said it was still rising.

それからメアリーは小川が下がっているかどうか彼に尋ね、彼はそれがまだ上昇していると言いました。

Ma said it was too bad.

too bad (ひどい) [形] very unfortunate

ママはそれはひどいことだと言いました。

She hated to think of Mr. Edwards eating his bachelor cooking all alone on Christmas day.

cooking (料理) [名] the practice or skill of preparing food

all alone (一人ぼっちで) [副] without any companions

Christmas day (クリスマスの日) [名] a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus

彼女はエドワーズさんがクリスマスの日に独身料理を一人ぼっちで食べていると考えるのが嫌だった。

Mr. Edwards had been asked to eat Christmas dinner with them, but Pa shook his head and said a man would risk his neck, trying to cross that creek now.

Christmas dinner (クリスマスの夕食) [名] a meal eaten on Christmas Day

risk one's neck (命がけだ) [動] put oneself in danger

try to cross (渡ろうとする) [動] attempt to go across

エドワーズさんは彼らと一緒にクリスマスの夕食を食べるように頼まれていたが、パパは首を横に振って、今あの小川を渡ろうとしたら命がけだと言う。

“No,” he said.

「いいえ」と彼は言った。

“That current’s too strong.

current (流れ) [名] the rate at which something happens or changes

「あの流れは強すぎる。

We’ll just have to make up our minds that Edwards won’t be here tomorrow.”

Edwards (エドワーズ) [名] a surname

エドワーズが明日ここに来ないと覚悟を決めるしかない。」

Of course that meant that Santa Claus could not come, either.

もちろん、それはサンタクロースも来られないことを意味していた。

Laura and Mary tried not to mind too much.

mind (気にする) [動] be concerned about or worried by

too much (気にしすぎ) [副] more than is usual or desirable

ローラとメアリーは気にしすぎないようにした。

They watched Ma dress the wild turkey, and it was a very fat turkey.

二人はママが野生の七面鳥を調理するのを見たが、それはとても太った七面鳥だった。

They were lucky little girls, to have a good house to live in, and a warm fire to sit by, and such a turkey for their Christmas dinner.

lucky (幸運な) [形] having good luck

live in (住む) [動] reside in

二人は住むのに良い家があり、暖かい火のそばに座ることができ、クリスマスの夕食にこんな七面鳥を食べられる幸運な少女だった。

Ma said so, and it was true.

ママはそう言ったし、それは本当だった。

Ma said it was too bad that Santa Claus couldn’t come this year, but they were such good girls that he hadn’t forgotten them;

too bad (残念) [形] unfortunate

ママは今年はサンタクロースが来られなくて残念だったけど、二人はとても良い子だからサンタクロースは二人のことを忘れていなかったと言った。

he would surely come next year.

surely (きっと) [副] certainly; definitely

来年はきっと来てくれるだろう。

Still, they were not happy.

それでも二人は幸せではなかった。

After supper that night they washed their hands and faces, buttoned their red-flannel nightgowns, tied their nightcap strings, and soberly said their prayers.

red-flannel nightgown (赤いフランネルの寝巻き) [名] a nightgown made of red flannel

soberly (真面目に) [副] in a serious manner

その夜の夕食後、二人は手と顔を洗い、赤いフランネルの寝巻きのボタンを留め、ナイトキャップの紐を結び、真面目にお祈りをした。

They lay down in bed and pulled the covers up.

pull up (被る) [動] to move something into a higher position

二人はベッドに横になり、布団を被った。

It did not seem at all like Christmas time.

time (時期) [名] a period of time

クリスマスの時期には全く思えなかった。

Pa and Ma sat silent by the fire.

パパとママは火のそばに黙って座っていた。

After a while Ma asked why Pa didn’t play the fiddle, and he said, “I don’t seem to have the heart to, Caroline.”

heart (気分) [名] the seat of one's inmost thoughts and feelings

しばらくして、ママはパパになぜバイオリンを弾かないのかと尋ねると、「キャロライン、その気分になれないんだ」と答えた。

After a longer while, Ma suddenly stood up.

しばらくして、ママは突然立ち上がった。

“I’m going to hang up your stockings, girls,” she said.

hang up (吊るす) [動] to suspend or be suspended

「娘たち、靴下を吊るすよ」と彼女は言った。

“Maybe something will happen.”

「何かが起こるかもしれないよ」

Laura’s heart jumped.

ローラの心臓は飛び上がった。

But then she thought again of the creek and she knew nothing could happen.

しかし、彼女は再び小川のことを考え、何も起こり得ないことを知った。

Ma took one of Mary’s clean stockings and one of Laura’s, and she hung them from the mantel-shelf, on either side of the fireplace.

either side (両側) [名] each of two sides

ママはメアリーのきれいな靴下を1つとローラの靴下を1つ取り、暖炉の両側にあるマントルピースに吊るした。

Laura and Mary watched her over the edge of their bedcovers.

ローラとメアリーはベッドカバーの端から彼女を見た。

“Now go to sleep,” Ma said, kissing them good night.

「さあ、寝なさい」とママは言い、おやすみのキスをした。

“Morning will come quicker if you’re asleep.”

「寝れば朝は早く来るよ」

She sat down again by the fire and Laura almost went to sleep.

彼女は再び火のそばに座り、ローラはほとんど眠りについた。

She woke up a little when she heard Pa say, “You’ve only made it worse, Caroline.”

make worse (悪化させる) [動] make (something) worse

彼女はパパが「君はそれを悪化させただけだ、キャロライン」と言うのを聞いて少し目が覚めた。

And she thought she heard Ma say: “No, Charles. There’s the white sugar.”

そして彼女はママが「いいえ、チャールズ。白い砂糖があるよ」と言うのを聞いたと思った。

But perhaps she was dreaming.

dream (夢を見る) [動] have a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep

しかし、おそらく彼女は夢を見ていた。

Then she heard Jack growl savagely.

それから彼女はジャックが荒々しく唸るのを聞いた。

The door-latch rattled and some one said, “Ingalls! Ingalls!”

some one (誰か) [名] an unspecified person

ドアの掛け金がガタガタ鳴り、誰かが「インガルス! インガルス!」と言った。

Pa was stirring up the fire, and when he opened the door Laura saw that it was morning.

stir up (掻き立てる) [動] to cause to be active or excited

パパは火を掻き立てていたが、彼がドアを開けた時、ローラは朝だと分かった。

The outdoors was gray.

外は灰色だった。

“Great fishhooks, Edwards! Come in, man!

fishhook (釣り針) [名] a hook used for catching fish

「すごい釣り針だ、エドワーズ! 入って来いよ!

What’s happened?” Pa exclaimed.

何があったんだ?」とパパは叫んだ。

Laura saw the stockings limply dangling, and she scrooged her shut eyes into the pillow.

limply (ぐったりと) [副] in a limp manner

scrooge (押し付ける) [動] be stingy with

ローラは靴下がぐったりとぶら下がっているのを見て、閉じた目を枕に押し付けた。

She heard Pa piling wood on the fire, and she heard Mr. Edwards say he had carried his clothes on his head when he swam the creek.

pile (くべる) [動] heap up or lay in a pile

ローラはパパが火に薪をくべる音や、エドワーズさんが小川を泳ぐときに服を頭に乗せて運んだと言うのを聞いた。

His teeth rattled and his voice shivered.

彼の歯はガタガタと鳴り、声は震えていた。

He would be all right, he said, as soon as he got warm.

彼は暖かくなればすぐに大丈夫だと言った。

“It was too big a risk, Edwards,” Pa said.

too big a risk (あまりにも危険) [名] a risk that is too great

「それはあまりにも危険だったよ、エドワーズ」とパパは言った。

“We’re glad you’re here, but that was too big a risk for a Christmas dinner.”

be glad (嬉しい) [動] pleased; happy

dinner (食事) [名] the main meal of the day, taken in the evening

「君が来てくれて嬉しいよ、でもクリスマスの食事のためにはあまりにも危険だった」

“Your little ones had to have a Christmas,” Mr. Edwards replied.

「君の子供達はクリスマスを過ごさなければならなかった」とエドワーズさんは答えた。

“No creek could stop me, after I fetched them their gifts from Independence.”

fetch (取りに行く) [動] go and get something

gift (贈り物) [名] something that is given

「インディペンデンスから彼らへの贈り物を取りに行った後、どんな小川も私を止めることはできなかった」

Laura sat straight up in bed.

ローラはベッドにまっすぐ座った。

“Did you see Santa Claus?” she shouted.

「サンタクロースを見ましたか?」と彼女は叫んだ。

“I sure did,” Mr. Edwards said.

sure (確かに) [副] certainly; definitely

「確かに見たよ」とエドワーズさんは言った。

“Where? When? What did he look like? What did he say?

what (どんな) [形] of what kind or quality

「どこで? いつ? どんな見た目でしたか? 何と言いましたか?

Did he really give you something for us?” Mary and Laura cried.

本当に私たちに何かくれましたか?」とメアリーとローラは叫んだ。

“Wait, wait a minute!” Mr. Edwards laughed.

laugh (笑った) [動] make the sounds and movements of laughter

「待って、ちょっと待って!」とエドワーズさんは笑った。

And Ma said she would put the presents in the stockings, as Santa Claus intended.

intend (意図する) [動] have as one's purpose or intention

そしてママはサンタクロースの意図通りにプレゼントを靴下に入れると言った。

She said they mustn’t look.

ママは見てはいけないと言った。

Mr. Edwards came and sat on the floor by their bed, and he answered every question they asked him.

エドワーズさんはやってきて、ベッドのそばの床に座り、二人の質問にすべて答えた。

They honestly tried not to look at Ma, and they didn’t quite see what she was doing.

honestly (正直に) [副] in a truthful manner

二人は正直にママを見ないように努力し、ママが何をしているのかよくわからなかった。

When he saw the creek rising, Mr. Edwards said, he had known that Santa Claus could not get across it.

エドワーズさんは小川が増水しているのを見たとき、サンタクロースは渡れないだろうと思ったと言った。

(“But you crossed it,” Laura said.

でも、あなたは渡ったよ」とローラは言った。

“Yes,” Mr. Edwards replied, “but Santa Claus is too old and fat.

too old (年を取りすぎて) [形] having lived for a long time

fat (太りすぎ) [形] having too much flesh

「そう」とエドワーズさんは答えた。「でも、サンタクロースは年を取りすぎていて太りすぎている。

He couldn’t make it, where a long, lean razor-back like me could do so.”)

razor-back (カミソリのような背中) [名] a wild pig with a narrow back and long legs

私のような長くて痩せたカミソリのような背中ならできるが、彼にはできない」)

And Mr. Edwards reasoned that if Santa Claus couldn’t cross the creek, likely he would come no farther south than Independence.

no farther (それ以上) [副] to a greater distance

そしてエドワーズさんは、サンタクロースが小川を渡れないなら、インデペンデンスより南には来ないだろうと考えた。

Why should he come forty miles across the prairie, only to be turned back?

turn back (引き返す) [動] go back in the direction from which you came

なぜ彼は草原を40マイルも横断して、引き返すだけなのだろう?

Of course he wouldn’t do that!

もちろん彼はそんなことはしない!

So Mr. Edwards had walked to Independence.

それでエドワーズさんはインデペンデンスまで歩いて行った。

(“In the rain?” Mary asked. Mr. Edwards said he wore his rubber coat.)

(「雨の中?」とメアリーは尋ねた。エドワーズさんはゴム製のコートを着ていたと言った。)

And there, coming down the street in Independence, he had met Santa Claus.

street (通り) [名] a road in a city, town, or village, typically with houses and buildings on one or both sides

そしてそこで、インデペンデンスの通りを歩いて来ると、サンタクロースに会った。

(“In the daytime?” Laura asked. She hadn’t thought that anyone could see Santa Claus in the daytime.

(「昼間に?」とローラは尋ねた。彼女は誰も昼間にサンタクロースを見ることができるとは思っていなかった。

No, Mr. Edwards said; it was night, but light shone out across the street from the saloons.)

いいえ、エドワーズさんは言った。夜だったが、酒場から通りを横切って光が輝いていた。)

Well, the first thing Santa Claus said was, “Hello, Edwards!”

Hello (こんにちは) [間] an expression of greeting

さて、サンタクロースが最初に言ったのは、「こんにちは、エドワーズ!」だった。

(“Did he know you?” Mary asked, and Laura asked, “How did you know he was really Santa Claus?”

(「彼はあなたを知っていたの?」とメアリーは尋ね、ローラは「彼が本当にサンタクロースだとどうやって知ったの?」と尋ねた。

Mr. Edwards said that Santa Claus knew everybody.

エドワーズさんはサンタクロースはみんなを知っているよと言った。

And he had recognized Santa at once by his whiskers.

whisker (ひげ) [名] a long, stiff hair growing from the face or snout of an animal

そして彼はサンタのひげですぐにサンタだとわかった。

Santa Claus had the longest, thickest, whitest set of whiskers west of the Mississippi.)

サンタクロースはミシシッピ川の西で一番長く、太く、白いひげを生やしていた。)

So Santa Claus said, “Hello, Edwards! Last time I saw you you were sleeping on a corn-shuck bed in Tennessee.”

last time (前回) [名] the previous occasion

それでサンタクロースは「こんにちは、エドワーズ! 前回会ったときはテネシーでトウモロコシの皮のベッドで寝ていたね。」

And Mr. Edwards well remembered the little pair of red-yarn mittens that Santa Claus had left for him that time.

pair (一組) [名] two things of the same type that are used together or are connected

red-yarn mittens (赤い毛糸の手袋) [名] a pair of gloves made of red yarn

that time (その時) [名] the time in the past when something happened

そしてエドワーズさんはサンタクロースがその時彼に残していった赤い毛糸の手袋をよく覚えていた。

Then Santa Claus said: “I understand you’re living now down along the Verdigris River.

それからサンタクロースは言った。「君は今ヴェルディグリス川沿いに住んでいると聞いている。

Have you ever met up, down yonder, with two little young girls named Mary and Laura?”

meet up (会う) [動] come together by chance or arrangement

down yonder (そこで) [副] in that place

young (若い) [形] having lived or existed for only a short time

君はそこでメアリーとローラという二人の少女に会ったことがあるかい?」

“I surely am acquainted with them,” Mr. Edwards replied.

be acquainted with (知っている) [動] know someone or something

「もちろん彼女たちを知っています」とエドワーズさんは答えた。

“It rests heavy on my mind,” said Santa Claus.

rest heavy on one's mind (心配事である) [動] be a source of worry or anxiety

「それが私の心配事なんだ」とサンタクロースは言った。

“They are both of them sweet, pretty, good little young things, and I know they are expecting me.

both of them (二人とも) [代] the two of them

「二人とも可愛くて、美しくて、良い子で、私を待っているんだ。

I surely do hate to disappoint two good little girls like them.

disappoint (がっかりさせる) [動] fail to meet the hopes or expectations of

二人のような良い子をがっかりさせるのは本当に嫌なんだ。

Yet with the water up the way it is, I can’t ever make it across that creek.

with the water up (水がこんなふうに上がっている状態では) [名] with the water level being high

make it across (渡る) [動] go across

でも、水がこんなふうに上がっている状態では、あの小川を渡ることはできない。

I can figure no way whatsoever to get to their cabin this year.

figure (思いつく) [動] to understand or think of

whatsoever (全く) [副] at all; in any way

cabin (小屋) [名] a small, often rustic, house, especially one made of wood

今年はあの二人の小屋に行く方法が全く思いつかない。

Edwards,” Santa Claus said.

エドワーズ」とサンタクロースは言った。

“Would you do me the favor to fetch them their gifts this one time?”

do me the favor (頼む) [動] do something for me

this one time (今回だけ) [名] this time only

「今回だけ、二人にプレゼントを届けてくれないか?」

“I’ll do that, and with pleasure,” Mr. Edwards told him.

do that (そうします) [動] do that

with pleasure (喜んで) [副] with pleasure

「喜んでそうします」とエドワーズさんは言った。

Then Santa Claus and Mr. Edwards stepped across the street to the hitching-posts where the pack-mule was tied.

hitching-post (杭) [名] a post to which horses or other animals can be tied

pack-mule (荷物を積んだラバ) [名] a mule used for carrying loads

それからサンタクロースとエドワーズさんは通りを渡って、荷物を積んだラバがつながれている杭のところまで歩いて行った。

(“Didn’t he have his reindeer?” Laura asked.

(「トナカイはいなかったのか?」とローラは尋ねた。

“You know he couldn’t,” Mary said.

「そうはいかなかったんだよ」とメアリーは言った。

“There isn’t any snow.”

「雪が降っていないもの」

Exactly, said Mr. Edwards.

exactly (まさにその通りだ) [副] in exact terms; precisely

まさにその通りだ、とエドワーズさんは言った。

Santa Claus traveled with a pack-mule in the southwest.)

southwest (南西部) [名] the direction midway between south and west

サンタクロースは南西部では荷馬車で旅をした。)

And Santa Claus uncinched the pack and looked through it, and he took out the presents for Mary and Laura.

uncinch (解く) [動] to loosen the cinch of

look through (探す) [動] to search or examine

そしてサンタクロースは荷物を解いて中を探し、メアリーとローラへのプレゼントを取り出した。

“Oh, what are they?” Laura cried;

「ああ、何だろう?」ローラは叫んだ。

but Mary asked, “Then what did he do?”

しかしメアリーは尋ねた、「それから彼は何をしたの?」

Then he shook hands with Mr. Edwards, and he swung up on his fine bay horse.

shake hands (握手する) [動] clasp someone's right hand in one's own at meeting or parting, in reconciliation, or as a sign of agreement

swing up (またがる) [動] get on a horse

bay (栗毛) [名] a reddish-brown color

それから彼はエドワーズさんと握手し、彼の立派な栗毛の馬にまたがった。

Santa Claus rode well, for a man of his weight and build.

ride (乗馬する) [動] sit on and control a horse or other animal

サンタクロースは、彼の体重と体格の割には上手に乗馬した。

And he tucked his long, white whiskers under his bandana.

bandana (バンダナ) [名] a large, brightly colored handkerchief

そして彼は長い白いひげをバンダナの下に押し込んだ。

“So long, Edwards,” he said, and he rode away on the Fort Dodge trail, leading his pack-mule and whistling.

lead (先導する) [動] be in charge or command of

「じゃあな、エドワーズ」と彼は言い、荷物を積んだラバを先導して口笛を吹きながら、フォート・ドッジの道を馬で去っていった。

Laura and Mary were silent an instant, thinking of that.

instant (しばらく) [名] a very short period of time

ローラとメアリーはそれを思って、しばらく黙っていた。

Then Ma said, “You may look now, girls.”

それからママは「もう見ていいよ、娘たち」と言った。

Something was shining bright in the top of Laura’s stocking.

ローラの靴下の一番上に何かが明るく輝いていた。

She squealed and jumped out of bed.

jump out of (飛び出す) [動] leave suddenly or quickly

彼女は悲鳴を上げてベッドから飛び出した。

So did Mary, but Laura beat her to the fireplace.

so (そう) [副] in the same way

メアリーもそうしたが、ローラは彼女より先に暖炉に着いた。

And the shining thing was a glittering new tin cup.

shining (輝く) [形] giving out or reflecting much light; bright

cup (コップ) [名] a small bowl-shaped container with a handle, used for drinking from

そしてその輝くものは、きらめく新しいブリキのコップだった。

Mary had one exactly like it.

like (同じ) [形] having the same characteristics or qualities as some other person or thing

メアリーも全く同じものを持っていた。

These new tin cups were their very own.

very own (自分自身の) [形] belonging to oneself and no one else

この新しいブリキのコップは、彼女たち自身のものだった。

Now they each had a cup to drink out of.

今や彼女たちはそれぞれ飲み物を飲むためのコップを持っていた。

Laura jumped up and down and shouted and laughed, but Mary stood still and looked with shining eyes at her own tin cup.

ローラは飛び跳ねて叫び、笑ったが、メアリーは静かに立って、自分のブリキのコップを輝く目で見つめていた。

Then they plunged their hands into the stockings again.

plunge (入れる) [動] thrust or throw oneself or something into

それから、彼女たちは再び靴下の中に手を入れた。

And they pulled out two long, long sticks of candy.

pull out (取り出す) [動] take out

そして、彼女たちは2本の長い長いキャンディーの棒を取り出した。

It was peppermint candy, striped red and white.

peppermint candy (ペパーミントキャンディー) [名] a type of candy that is flavored with peppermint

それは赤と白の縞模様のペパーミントキャンディーだった。

They looked and looked at that beautiful candy, and Laura licked her stick, just one lick.

candy (キャンディー) [名] a sweet food made from sugar or chocolate

彼女たちはその美しいキャンディーをじっと見つめ、ローラは自分の棒をなめた、ただ一回なめただけだった。

But Mary was not so greedy.

greedy (貪欲な) [形] having or showing a strong desire for more of something than is needed

しかし、メアリーはそれほど貪欲ではなかった。

She didn’t take even one lick of her stick.

take (なめる) [動] move into one's mouth and swallow

彼女は自分の棒を一度もなめなかった。

Those stockings weren’t empty yet.

靴下はまだ空っぽではなかった。

Mary and Laura pulled out two small packages.

メアリーとローラは2つの小さな包みを取り出した。

They unwrapped them, and each found a little heart-shaped cake.

heart-shaped (ハート型の) [形] having the shape of a heart

包みを開けると、それぞれにハート型の小さなケーキが入っていた。

Over their delicate brown tops was sprinkled white sugar.

delicate (繊細な) [形] very fine in texture or structure; fragile

繊細な茶色の表面に白い砂糖が振りかけてあった。

The sparkling grains lay like tiny drifts of snow.

grain (粒) [名] a small, hard, dry seed, with or without an attached husk, of a cereal plant

drift (吹きだまり) [名] a bank of snow heaped up by the wind

きらめく粒は小さな雪の吹きだまりのようだった。

The cakes were too pretty to eat.

ケーキは食べるのがもったいないほどきれいだった。

Mary and Laura just looked at them.

メアリーとローラはただそれを眺めていた。

But at last Laura turned hers over, and she nibbled a tiny nibble from underneath, where it wouldn’t show.

turn over (ひっくり返す) [動] change from one side to the other

nibble (かじる) [動] bite off small pieces

underneath (底) [名] the bottom surface of something

show (目立つ) [動] be noticeable

しかし、ついにローラは自分のケーキをひっくり返し、目立たない底の部分を少しかじった。

And the inside of that little cake was white!

そして、その小さなケーキの中は白かった!

It had been made of pure white flour, and sweetened with white sugar.

be made of (作られる) [動] be composed of

flour (小麦粉) [名] a powder obtained by grinding grain

それは真っ白な小麦粉で作られ、白砂糖で甘くされていた。

Laura and Mary, never would have looked in their stockings again.

ローラとメアリーは、二度と靴下の中を見ることはなかっただろう。

The cups and the cakes and the candy were almost too much.

too much (食べきれないほど) [形] more than is wanted or needed

カップやケーキやキャンディーはほとんど食べきれないほどだった。

They were too happy to speak.

彼らは幸せすぎて話せなかった。

But Ma asked if they were sure the stockings were empty.

sure (確信している) [形] having or showing no doubt or uncertainty

しかし、ママは靴下が空っぽだと確信しているのかと尋ねた。

Then they put their arms down inside them, to make sure.

make sure (確認する) [動] find out or check that something is correct or in the right condition

それから、彼らは確認するために、靴下の中に腕を入れた。

And in the very toe of each stocking was a shining bright, new penny!

penny (1セント硬貨) [名] a small copper or bronze coin of the United States, equal to one cent

そして、それぞれの靴下のつま先には、ピカピカの新しい1セント硬貨が入っていた!

They had never even thought of such a thing as having a penny.

彼らは1セント硬貨を持つなんて考えたこともなかった。

Think of having a whole penny for your very own.

自分だけの1セント硬貨を持つことを考えてみろ。

Think of having a cup and a cake and a stick of candy and a penny.

カップとケーキとキャンディーの棒と1セント硬貨を持つことを考えてみろ。

There never had been such a Christmas.

こんなクリスマスは今までなかった。

Now of course, right away, Laura and Mary should have thanked Mr. Edwards for bringing those lovely presents all the way from Independence.

of course (当然) [副] as expected

all the way (わざわざ) [副] from one end to the other

当然、ローラとメアリーは、インディペンデンスからわざわざ素敵なプレゼントを持ってきてくれたエドワーズさんにすぐにお礼を言うべきだった。

But they had forgotten all about Mr. Edwards.

all about (すっかり) [副] completely

しかし、二人はエドワーズさんのことをすっかり忘れていた。

They had even forgotten Santa Claus.

二人はサンタクロースのことさえ忘れていた。

In a minute they would have remembered, but before they did, Ma said, gently, “Aren’t you going to thank Mr. Edwards?”

すぐに思い出しただろうが、その前にママが優しく「エドワーズさんにお礼を言わない?」と言った。

“Oh, thank you, Mr. Edwards! Thank you!” they said, and they meant it with all their hearts.

「ああ、エドワーズさん、ありがとう! ありがとう!」と二人は心から言った。

Pa shook Mr. Edwards’ hand, too, and shook it again.

shake (握る) [動] to move or cause to move up and down or from side to side with small rapid movements

パパもエドワーズさんの手を握り、もう一度握った。

Pa and Ma and Mr. Edwards acted as if they were almost crying, Laura didn’t know why.

act (する) [動] behave in a specified way

パパとママとエドワーズさんは泣きそうにしていたが、ローラには理由がわからなかった。

So she gazed again at her beautiful presents.

だから彼女は再び美しいプレゼントを見つめた。

She looked up again when Ma gasped.

ママが息を呑んだので、彼女は再び見上げた。

And Mr. Edwards was taking sweet potatoes out of his pockets.

sweet potato (サツマイモ) [名] a tropical vine widely grown for its large sweet tuberous root

そしてエドワーズさんはポケットからサツマイモを取り出していた。

He said they had helped to balance the package on his head when he swam across the creek.

彼は小川を泳いで渡ったときに、それらが頭の上の荷物のバランスをとるのに役立ったと言った。

He thought Pa and Ma might like them, with the Christmas turkey.

彼はパパとママがクリスマスの七面鳥と一緒にそれらを好きかもしれないと思った。

There were nine sweet potatoes.

nine (9) [数] the number 9

サツマイモは9個あった。

Mr. Edwards had brought them all the way from town, too.

エドワーズさんはそれらも町からずっと運んできた。

It was just too much.

それはあまりにも多すぎた。

Pa said so.

パパはそう言った。

“It’s too much, Edwards,” he said.

「これは多すぎるよ、エドワーズ」と彼は言った。

They never could thank him enough.

enough (十分に) [副] to the required degree or extent

彼らは彼に十分に感謝することができなかった。

Mary and Laura were too much excited to eat breakfast.

too much (あまりに) [副] to a greater extent than is usual or desirable

メアリーとローラは興奮しすぎて朝食を食べることができなかった。

They drank the milk from their shining new cups, but they could not swallow the rabbit stew and the cornmeal mush.

mush (マッシュ) [名] a soft, wet, sticky mass

彼女たちはピカピカの新しいカップで牛乳を飲んだが、ウサギのシチューとコーンミールのマッシュは飲み込むことができなかった。

“Don’t make them, Charles,” Ma said.

「そうさせないで、チャールズ」とママは言った。

“It will soon be dinner-time.”

soon (もうすぐ) [副] in a short time; before long

dinner-time (夕食の時間) [名] the time of day when dinner is usually eaten

「もうすぐ夕食の時間よ。」

For Christmas dinner there was the tender, juicy, roasted turkey.

roasted (丸焼き) [形] cooked by roasting

クリスマスの夕食には柔らかくジューシーな七面鳥の丸焼きがあった。

There were the sweet potatoes, baked in the ashes and carefully wiped so that you could eat the good skins, too.

灰の中で焼いて、皮も食べられるように丁寧に拭いたサツマイモもあった。

There was a loaf of salt-rising bread made from the last of the white flour.

salt-rising bread (塩発酵パン) [名] a type of bread that is made with a starter that contains salt

white flour (白い小麦粉) [名] flour that has been milled to remove the bran and germ

最後の白い小麦粉で作った塩発酵パンもあった。

And after all that there were stewed dried blackberries and little cakes.

stew (コンポート) [名] a dish of fruit or vegetables cooked slowly in a closed dish with liquid

dry (干し) [動] remove moisture from

そして、そのあとに干しブラックベリーのコンポートと小さなケーキがあった。

But these little cakes were made with brown sugar and they did not have white sugar sprinkled over their tops.

しかし、この小さなケーキは黒砂糖で作られていて、上には白い砂糖が振りかけられていなかった。

Then Pa and Ma and Mr. Edwards sat by the fire and talked about Christmas times back in Tennessee and up north in the Big Woods.

talk about (語り合う) [動] discuss

up north (北の) [副] in the north

それからパパとママとエドワーズさんは火のそばに座って、テネシーや北のビッグウッズでのクリスマスの思い出を語り合った。

But Mary and Laura looked at their beautiful cakes and played with their pennies and drank water out of their new cups.

penny (ペニー) [名] a small British bronze coin worth one hundredth of a pound

しかし、メアリーとローラは美しいケーキを眺め、ペニーで遊び、新しいカップで水を飲んだ。

And little by little they licked and sucked their sticks of candy, till each stick was sharp-pointed on one end.

そして、少しずつキャンディーの棒をなめたり吸ったりして、棒の片方が尖ってくるまで続けた。

That was a happy Christmas.

幸せなクリスマスだった。

Chapter 20: A SCREAM IN THE NIGHT

第20章: 夜の叫び

The days were short and grey now, the nights were very dark and cold.

grey (灰色) [形] of a color intermediate between black and white

日が短く、灰色で、夜はとても暗く寒かった。

Clouds hung low above the little house and spread low and far over the bleak prairie.

bleak (荒涼とした) [形] lacking in warmth or brightness

雲が低く小さな家の上に垂れこめ、荒涼とした大草原の上に低く広がっていた。

Rain fell, and sometimes snow was driven on the wind.

雨が降り、時々雪が風に吹き付けられた。

Hard little bits of snow whirled in the air and scurried over the humped backs of miserable grasses.

scurry (走り回る) [動] run or move hurriedly

miserable (みすぼらしい) [形] wretchedly unhappy or uncomfortable

硬い小さな雪のかけらが空中で渦巻き、みすぼらしい草の背中を走り回った。

And next day the snow was gone.

そして次の日には雪は消えていた。

Every day Pa went hunting and trapping.

go hunting (狩猟に出かける) [動] go out to hunt

go trapping (わな猟に出かける) [動] go out to trap

パパは毎日狩猟やわな猟に出かけた。

In the cozy, firelit house Mary and Laura helped Ma with the work.

firelit (火の灯った) [形] lit by a fire

居心地の良い、火の灯った家の中で、メアリーとローラはママの手伝いをした。

Then they sewed quilt-patches.

quilt-patch (キルトのつぎはぎ) [名] a piece of fabric used in making a quilt

それからキルトのつぎはぎを縫った。

They played Patty Cake with Carrie, and they played Hide the Thimble.

Patty Cake (パティケーキ) [名] a clapping game played by two people

Hide the Thimble (指ぬき隠し) [名] a game in which one person hides a thimble and the others try to find it

キャリーとパティケーキをしたり、指ぬき隠しをしたりした。

With a piece of string and their fingers, they played Cat’s Cradle.

piece of string (ひも) [名] a length of thin cord

ひもと指を使って、あやとりをした。

And they played Bean Porridge Hot.

Bean Porridge Hot (豆粥の歌) [名] a nursery rhyme

そして、豆粥の歌を歌った。

Facing each other, they clapped their hands together and against each other’s hands, keeping time while they said,

face (向かい合う) [動] be opposite to

keep time (歌う) [動] sing

向かい合って、手を叩きながら、歌った。

“Bean porridge hot, Bean porridge cold, Bean porridge in the pot, Nine days old.”

bean (豆) [名] a small, round seed of various plants of the legume family

porridge (粥) [名] a dish made by boiling oatmeal or another meal in water or milk

「豆粥熱い、豆粥冷たい、鍋の中の豆粥、九日経った」

“Some like it hot, Some like it cold, Some like it in the pot, Nine days old.”

「熱いのが好き、冷たいのが好き、鍋の中が好き、九日経った」

“I like it hot, I like it cold, I like it in the pot, Nine days old.”

「私は熱いのが好き、冷たいのが好き、鍋の中が好き、九日経った」

That was true.

be true (本当である) [動] be in accordance with fact or reality

それは本当だった。

No supper was so good as the thick bean porridge, flavored with a small bit of salt pork, that Ma dipped onto the tin plates when Pa had come home cold and tired from his hunting.

thick (濃厚な) [形] having a high density or viscosity

dip (盛る) [動] to put or pour something into a liquid

パパが狩りから寒くて疲れて帰ってきたときに、ママがブリキの皿に盛った、塩豚を少し加えた濃厚な豆粥ほどおいしい夕食はなかった。

Laura liked it hot, and she liked it cold, and it was always good as long as it lasted.

as long as (続く限り) [接] on condition that; provided that

ローラは熱いのも冷たいのも好きで、それが続く限りいつもおいしかった。

But it never really lasted nine days.

nine days (9日間) [名] a period of nine days

しかし、実際には9日間続くことはなかった。

They ate it up before that.

eat up (食べきる) [動] eat all of something

その前に食べきってしまった。

All the time the wind blew, shrieking, howling, wailing, screaming, and mournfully sobbing.

風はずっと吹き続け、金切り声を上げ、咆哮し、泣き叫び、悲しげにむせび泣いた。

They were used to hearing the wind.

be used to (聞き慣れる) [動] be familiar with something through repeated exposure

彼らは風の音を聞き慣れていた。

All day they heard it, and at night in their sleep they knew it was blowing.

一日中風の音が聞こえ、夜は眠っている間も風が吹いているのがわかった。

But one night they heard such a terrible scream that they all woke up.

one night (ある夜) [名] a night in the past

scream (叫び声) [名] a loud, piercing cry expressing extreme emotion or pain

しかし、ある夜、彼らは恐ろしい叫び声を聞いて、みんな目を覚ました。

Pa jumped out of bed, and Ma said: “Charles! What was it?”

パパはベッドから飛び起き、ママは「チャールズ! 何だったの?」と言った。

“It’s a woman screaming,” Pa said.

「女性の叫び声だ」とパパは言った。

He was dressing as fast as he could.

as fast as (できるだけ早く) [副] as quickly as possible

彼はできるだけ早く服を着ていた。

“Sounded like it came from Scott’s.”

come from (~から聞こえる) [動] originate in or be produced by

「スコットのところから聞こえたようだ」

“Oh, what can be wrong!” Ma exclaimed.

「ああ、何が起こったのでしょう!」とママは叫んだ。

Pa was putting on his boots.

put on (履く) [動] to put something on one's body

パパはブーツを履いていた。

He put his foot in, and he put his fingers through the strap-ears at the top of the long boot leg.

put in (入れる) [動] place something inside something else

put through (通す) [動] cause to go through

彼は足を入れ、長いブーツの脚の上のストラップ耳に指を入れた。

Then he gave a mighty pull, and he stamped hard on the floor, and that boot was on.

give (引っ張る) [動] cause to move or be moved in a specified way

それから彼は強く引っ張り、床を強く踏みつけ、そのブーツを履いた。

“Maybe Scott is sick,” he said, pulling on the other boot.

pull on (履く) [動] put on by pulling

「スコットが病気なのかもしれない」と彼は言い、もう片方のブーツを履いた。

“You don’t suppose—?” Ma asked, low.

「あなたはそうは思わない?」ママは低く尋ねた。

“No,” said Pa.

「いいえ」パパは言った。

“I keep telling you they won’t make any trouble.

keep telling (何度も言う) [動] say something repeatedly

make trouble (問題を起こす) [動] cause difficulty or problems

「彼らは何も問題を起こさないと何度も言っている。

They’re perfectly quiet and peaceable down in those camps among the bluffs.”

彼らは崖の間のキャンプでとても静かで平和だ。」

Laura began to climb out of bed, but Ma said, “Lie down and be still, Laura.”

ローラはベッドから出ようとしたが、ママは「横になってじっとしていなさい、ローラ」と言った。

So she lay down.

だから彼女は横になった。

Pa put on his warm, bright plaid coat, and his fur cap, and his muffler.

muffler (マフラー) [名] a scarf worn around the neck for warmth

パパは暖かくて明るい格子柄のコートを着て、毛皮の帽子とマフラーを身につけた。

He lighted the candle in the lantern, took his gun, and hurried outdoors.

彼はランタンのろうそくに火をつけ、銃を持って急いで外に出た。

Before he shut the door behind him, Laura saw the night outside.

彼が後ろのドアを閉める前に、ローラは外の夜を見た。

It was black dark.

black (真っ暗) [形] of the darkest color

真っ暗だった。

Not one star was shining.

星は一つも輝いていなかった。

Laura had never seen such solid darkness.

solid (真っ暗) [形] of a single color throughout

ローラはこんな真っ暗闇を見たことがなかった。

“Ma?” she said.

「ママ?」と彼女は言った。

“What, Laura?”

「何、ローラ?」

“What makes it so dark?”

「どうしてこんなに暗いの?」

“It’s going to storm,” Ma answered.

「嵐になるんだ」とママは答えた。

She pulled the latch-string in and put a stick of wood on the fire.

latch-string (掛け金) [名] a string passed through a hole in a door and fastened to a latch inside

stick (薪) [名] a piece of wood that is long and thin

彼女は掛け金を掛け、火に薪をくべた。

Then she went back to bed.

それから彼女はベッドに戻った。

“Go to sleep, Mary and Laura,” she said.

「メアリーとローラ、寝なさい」と彼女は言った。

But Ma did not go to sleep, and neither did Mary and Laura.

neither (~も) [接] not either; also not

しかし、ママは眠らず、メアリーとローラも眠らなかった。

They lay wide awake and listened.

彼女たちは目を覚まして横になり、耳を傾けた。

They could not hear anything but the wind.

彼女たちは風以外何も聞こえなかった。

Mary put her head under the quilt and whispered to Laura, “I wish Pa’d come back.”

メアリーは頭をキルトの下に入れて、「パパが帰って来ればいいのに」とローラにささやいた。

Laura nodded her head on the pillow, but she couldn’t say anything.

nod (縦に振る) [動] move your head up and down

ローラは枕の上で頭を縦に振ったが、何も言うことができなかった。

She seemed to see Pa striding along the top of the bluff, on the path that went toward Mr. Scott’s house.

彼女にはパパが崖の頂上をスコットさんの家に向かう小道を大股で歩いているのが見えたようだった。

Tiny bright spots of candlelight darted here and there from the holes cut in the tin lantern.

spot (点) [名] a small round area of a different color from the area around it

dart (飛び散る) [動] move suddenly and quickly

ブリキのランタンにあけられた穴から、ろうそくの明かりの小さく明るい点があちこちに飛び散った。

The little flickering lights seemed to be lost in the black dark.

flicker (ちらちらする) [動] shine or burn unsteadily

lose (消える) [動] cease to have or be in possession of

小さくちらちらする明かりは真っ暗闇の中に消えてしまったようだった。

After a long time Laura whispered, “It must be ’most morning.”

長い時間がたった後、ローラは「もうすぐ朝だよ」とささやいた。

And Mary nodded.

そしてメアリーはうなずいた。

All that time they had been lying and listening to the wind, and Pa had not come back.

all that time (その間ずっと) [名] the entire time

その間ずっと、二人は横になって風の音を聞いていたが、パパは帰って来なかった。

Then, high above the shrieking of the wind they heard again that terrible scream.

shrieking (叫び声) [名] a high-pitched piercing cry

すると、風の叫び声よりも高く、あの恐ろしい叫び声がまた聞こえた。

It seemed quite close to the house.

家からかなり近いようだった。

Laura screamed, too, and leaped out of bed.

leap (飛び出す) [動] to jump or spring a long way

ローラも叫び、ベッドから飛び出した。

Mary ducked under the covers.

メアリーは布団の中に潜り込んだ。

Ma got up and began to dress in a hurry.

ママは起きて、急いで服を着始めた。

She put another stick of wood on the fire and told Laura to go back to bed.

ママは火に薪をくべ、ローラにベッドに戻るように言った。

But Laura begged so hard that Ma said she could stay up.

hard (あまりに) [副] to a great extent or degree

stay up (起きていてもいい) [動] not go to bed

しかし、ローラがあまりに懇願するので、ママは起きていてもいいと言った。

“Wrap yourself in the shawl,” Ma said.

wrap (羽織る) [動] put on a piece of clothing

「ショールを羽織りなさい」とママは言った。

They stood by the fire and listened.

stand by (そばに立つ) [動] be near or next to

彼らは火のそばに立って耳を傾けた。

They couldn’t hear anything but the wind.

couldn't (聞こえなかった) [助] could not

風の音以外は何も聞こえなかった。

And they could not do anything.

そして、彼らは何もできなかった。

But at least they were not lying down in bed.

at least (少なくとも) [副] not less than; as much as

lie down (横たわる) [動] be in or move into a horizontal position

しかし、少なくとも彼らはベッドに横たわってはいなかった。

Suddenly fists pounded on the door and Pa shouted: “Let me in! Quick, Caroline!”

突然、ドアを拳で叩く音がして、パパが叫んだ。「入れてくれ! 早く、キャロライン!」

Ma opened the door and Pa slammed it quickly behind him.

slam (閉める) [動] shut or close with force and noise

ママがドアを開けると、パパは素早く後ろでドアを閉めた。

He was out of breath.

be out of breath (息を切らす) [動] to be breathing heavily or with difficulty

彼は息を切らしていた。

He pushed back his cap and said: “Whew! I’m scared yet.”

whew (ふう) [間] an expression of relief or surprise

彼は帽子を後ろに押しやって言った。「ふう! まだ怖い。」

“What was it, Charles?” said Ma.

「何だったの、チャールズ?」とママが言った。

“A panther,” Pa said.

panther (豹) [名] a large wild cat with a black coat

「豹だ」とパパが言った。

He had hurried as fast as he could go to Mr. Scott’s.

as fast as (できるだけ) [副] to the greatest extent or degree possible

彼はスコットさんのところまでできるだけ急いで行った。

When he got there, the house was dark and everything was quiet.

get (着く) [動] arrive at a place

彼がそこに着いた時、家は暗く、全てが静かだった。

Pa went all around the house, listening, and looking with the lantern.

go around (歩き回る) [動] move from place to place

look (照らす) [動] direct one's gaze in a specified direction

パパは家の周りを歩き回り、耳を澄まし、ランタンで照らして見た。

He could not find a sign of anything wrong.

wrong (異常な) [形] not correct or right; mistaken

彼は何も異常な兆候を見つけることができなかった。

So he felt like a fool, to think he had got up and dressed in the middle of the night and walked two miles, all because he heard the wind howl.

feel like (~のような気分になる) [動] to have a feeling similar to

fool (馬鹿) [名] a person who lacks judgment or sense

all because (全て~だからだ) [接] for the sole or primary reason that

だから彼は、真夜中に起きて服を着て、2マイルも歩いてきたことを考えると、馬鹿げた気分になった。全ては風の遠吠えを聞いたからだ。

He did not want Mr. and Mrs. Scott to know about it.

Mr. and Mrs. (夫妻) [名] a married couple

彼はスコット夫妻にそれを知られたくなかった。

So he did not wake them up.

wake up (起こす) [動] cause to stop sleeping

だから彼は彼らを起こさなかった。

He came home as fast as he could because the wind was bitter cold.

bitter (とても) [形] having a sharp, strong, or harsh taste

風がとても冷たかったので、彼はできるだけ早く帰宅した。

And he was hurrying along the path, where it went on the edge of the bluff, when all of a sudden he heard that scream right under his feet.

right (真下) [副] directly below

そして彼は、道が崖の端に沿って続く道を急いでいたが、突然彼の足元でその悲鳴を聞いた。

“I tell you my hair stood up till it lifted my cap,” he told Laura.

「帽子が持ち上がるまで髪の毛が逆立ったよ」と彼はローラに言った。

“I lit out for home like a scared rabbit.”

light out (走り出す) [動] to leave quickly

「私は怖がったウサギのように家に向かって走り出した。」

“Where was that panther, Pa?” she asked him.

「パパ、あの豹はどこにいたの?」と彼女は彼に尋ねた。

“In a tree-top,” said Pa.

「木のてっぺんにいた」とパパは言った。

“In the top of that big cotton wood that grows against the bluff there.”

「あそこの崖に生えている大きなポプラの木のてっぺんにいた」

“Pa, did it come after you?” Laura asked, and he said, “I don’t know, Laura.”

come after (追いかける) [動] follow someone or something

「パパ、豹はパパを追いかけてきたの?」とローラが尋ねると、「わからないよ、ローラ」と彼は言った。

“Well, you’re safe now, Charles,” said Ma.

「まあ、チャールズ、もう大丈夫よ」とママは言った。

“Yes, and I’m glad of it.

「ああ、よかったよ。

This is too dark a night to be out with panthers,” Pa said.

too dark (暗すぎる) [形] very dark

豹と外にいるには暗すぎる夜だ」とパパは言った。

“Now, Laura, where’s my bootjack?”

bootjack (ブーツジャック) [名] a device for removing boots

「さて、ローラ、私のブーツジャックはどこだ?」

Laura brought it to him.

ローラはそれを彼に持ってきた。

The bootjack was a thin oak slab with a notch in one end and a cleat across the middle of it.

cleat (滑り止め) [名] a piece of wood or metal with a projecting edge or point

ブーツジャックは薄いオークの板で、片方の端に切り込みがあり、真ん中に滑り止めが付いていた。

Laura laid it on the floor with the cleat down, and the cleat lifted up the notched end.

ローラは滑り止めを下にして床に置き、滑り止めが切り込みのある端を持ち上げた。

Then Pa stood on it with one foot;

それからパパは片足でその上に立った。

he put the other foot into the notch, and the notch held the boot by the heel while Pa pulled his foot out.

彼はもう片方の足を切り込みに入れ、切り込みがブーツのかかとを支え、パパは足を抜いた。

Then he pulled off his other boot, the same way.

それから彼は同じ方法でもう片方のブーツを脱いだ。

The boots clung tightly, but they had to come off.

come off (脱ぐ) [動] be removed

ブーツはきつくくっついていたが、脱がなければならなかった。

Laura watched him do this, and then she asked, “Would a panther carry off a little girl, Pa?”

carry off (連れ去る) [動] take away by force

ローラは彼がそうするのを見て、それから尋ねた、「パパ、ヒョウは小さな女の子を連れ去るでしょうか?」

“Yes,” said Pa.

「そうだ」とパパは言った。

“And kill her and eat her, too.

「そして彼女を殺して食べてしまう。

You and Mary must stay in the house till I shoot that panther.

私がヒョウを撃つまで、あなたとメアリーは家の中にいなければならない。

As soon as daylight comes I will take my gun and go after him.”

daylight (夜明け) [名] the time of day when the sun rises

go after (追いかける) [動] follow in order to catch or attack

夜が明けたらすぐに銃を持って追いかける。」

All the next day Pa hunted that panther.

all the next day (翌日一日中) [名] the day after today

hunt (探す) [動] search for and find

翌日、パパは一日中ヒョウを探した。

And he hunted the next day and the next day.

the next day (そのまた次の日) [名] the day after the day after today

そして、その次の日も、そのまた次の日も探した。

He found the panther’s tracks, and he found the hide and bones of an antelope that the panther had eaten, but he did not find the panther anywhere.

hide (皮) [名] the skin of an animal

antelope (カモシカ) [名] a type of deer with long legs that lives in Africa and Asia

パパはヒョウの足跡を見つけ、ヒョウが食べたカモシカの皮と骨を見つけたが、ヒョウはどこにも見つからなかった。

The panther went swiftly through tree-tops, where it left no tracks.

go swiftly (素早く移動する) [動] move quickly

leave no tracks (足跡を残さない) [動] not leave any marks or traces

ヒョウは木のてっぺんを素早く移動し、足跡を残さなかった。

Pa said he would not stop till he killed that panther.

パパはヒョウを殺すまでやめないと言った。

He said, “We can’t have panthers running around in a country where there are little girls.”

can't have (わけにはいかない) [動] be not able to allow or accept

小さな女の子がいる国でヒョウが走り回っているわけにはいかない」とパパは言った。

But he did not kill that panther, and he did stop hunting it.

hunt (狩り) [名] the sport or activity of hunting animals or birds

しかし、パパはヒョウを殺さず、狩りをやめた。

One day in the woods he met an Indian.

ある日、パパは森の中でインディアンに会った。

They stood in the wet, cold woods and looked at each other, and they could not talk because they did not know each other’s words.

彼らは湿った冷たい森の中で立って、お互いを見たが、お互いの言葉を知らなかったため、話すことができなかった。

But the Indian pointed to the panther’s tracks, and he made motions with his gun to show Pa that he had killed that panther.

make a motion (身振りをする) [動] move one's body or part of it

show (示す) [動] make visible or noticeable

しかし、インディアンはヒョウの足跡を指さし、銃で身振りをして、パパにヒョウを殺したことを示した。

He pointed to the tree-tops and to the ground, to show that he had shot it out of a tree.

彼は木のてっぺんと地面を指さし、木から撃ったことを示した。

And he motioned to the sky, and west and east, to say that he had killed it the day before.

motion (身振り) [名] a movement of part of the body

そして、彼は空と西と東に身振りで示し、前日に殺したことを伝えた。

So that was all right.

だから、それは大丈夫だった。

The panther was dead.

ヒョウは死んでいた。

Laura asked if a panther would carry off a little papoose and kill and eat her, too, and Pa said yes.

ローラは、ヒョウが小さな赤ん坊を連れ去って殺して食べてしまうかどうか尋ねると、パパはそうだと言った。

Probably that was why the Indian had killed that panther.

probably (おそらく) [副] almost certainly; very likely

that (その) [限] the one mentioned before

why (なぜ) [副] for what reason or purpose

彼らは足をぶらぶらさせないようにした。

Chapter 21: INDIAN JAMBOREE

jamboree (大集会) [名] a large and lively gathering

第21章: インディアンの大集会

Winter ended at last.

ついに冬が終わった。

There was a softer note in the sound of the wind, and the bitter cold was gone.

note (音色) [名] a musical sound of a definite pitch

gone (去る) [動] move or travel away from a place

風の音に柔らかい音色が混じり、厳しい寒さは去っていた。

One day Pa said he had seen a flock of wild geese flying north.

ある日、パパは野生のガチョウの群れが北へ飛んでいくのを見たと言った。

It was time to take his furs to Independence.

毛皮をインディペンデンスに運ぶ時が来た。

Ma said, “The Indians are so near!”

ママは「インディアンがとても近くにいるよ!」と言った。

“They are perfectly friendly,” said Pa.

「彼らは全く友好的だ」とパパは言った。

He often met Indians in the woods where he was hunting.

彼は狩りをしていた森でよくインディアンに会った。

There was nothing to fear from Indians.

インディアンを恐れる必要はなかった。

“No,” Ma said.

「いいえ」とママは言った。

But Laura knew that Ma was afraid of Indians.

しかし、ローラはママがインディアンを恐れていることを知っていた。

“You must go, Charles,” she said.

「行かなくてはいけないよ、チャールズ」と彼女は言った。

“We must have a plow and seeds.

「鋤と種が必要だ。

And you will soon be back again.”

そして、すぐに戻ってくるでしょう。」

Before dawn next morning Pa hitched Pet and Patty to the wagon, loaded his furs into it, and drove away.

before dawn (夜明け前) [名] the time just before the sun rises

drive away (出発する) [動] leave a place in a vehicle

翌朝夜明け前にパパはペットとパティを荷車につなぎ、毛皮を積み込んで出発した。

Laura and Mary counted the long, empty days.

count (数える) [動] determine the total number of

empty (退屈な) [形] having nothing in it

ローラとメアリーは長く退屈な日々を数えた。

One, two, three, four, and still Pa had not come home.

1日、2日、3日、4日、それでもパパは帰って来なかった。

In the morning of the fifth day they began earnestly to watch for him.

fifth (5日目) [形] coming after four others in a series

earnestly (真剣に) [副] in a serious manner

watch for (待ち始める) [動] be on the lookout for; be on the alert for

5日目の朝、2人は真剣にパパを待ち始めた。

It was a sunny day.

sunny (天気の良い) [形] having a lot of sunshine

天気の良い日だった。

There was still a little chill in the wind, but it smelled of spring.

chill (冷たさ) [名] a cold sensation

風にはまだ少し冷たさがあったが、春の匂いがした。

The vast blue sky resounded to the quacks of wild ducks and the honk-honk-honking of wild geese.

duck (鴨) [名] a kind of wild or domesticated water bird with a flat beak, short legs, webbed feet, and a waddling gait

quack (ガーガー) [名] the characteristic sound of a duck

広大な青い空に野生の鴨のガーガーという鳴き声と野生のガチョウのガーガーという鳴き声が響き渡った。

The long, black-dotted lines of them were all flying north.

dotted (点線の) [形] having dots

長い黒い点線の列はすべて北に向かって飛んでいた。

Laura and Mary played outdoors in the wild, sweet weather.

ローラとメアリーは野生の甘い天候の中で屋外で遊んだ。

And poor Jack watched them and sighed.

そしてかわいそうなジャックは彼らを見てため息をついた。

He couldn’t run and play any more, because he was chained.

chained (つながれていた) [動] fasten or secure with a chain

彼は鎖でつながれていたので、もう走ったり遊んだりすることはできなかった。

Laura and Mary tried to comfort him, but he didn’t want petting.

ローラとメアリーは彼を慰めようとしたが、彼は撫でられたくなかった。

He wanted to be free again, as he used to be.

free (自由) [形] not under the control or in the power of another; able to act or be done as one wishes

彼は以前のように再び自由になりたかった。

Pa didn’t come that morning;

その朝パパは来なかった。

he didn’t come that afternoon.

その午後も彼は来なかった。

Ma said it must have taken him a long time to trade his furs.

take (かかる) [動] require or need

ママは毛皮を売るのに長い時間がかかったに違いないと言った。

That afternoon Laura and Mary were playing hop-scotch.

その午後ローラとメアリーは石けり遊びをしていた。

They marked the lines with a stick in the muddy yard.

mark (引く) [動] make a line or lines on

彼女たちは泥だらけの庭に棒で線を引いた。

Mary really didn’t want to hop;

メアリーは本当は跳びたくなかった。

she was almost eight years old and she didn’t think that hop-scotch was a ladylike play.

year (歳) [名] a period of 365 or 366 days

hop-scotch (石けり遊び) [名] a game in which players hop on a pattern of squares marked on the ground

彼女はもうすぐ8歳で、石けり遊びは上品な遊びではないと思っていた。

But Laura teased and coaxed, and said that if they stayed outdoors they would be sure to see Pa the minute he came from the creek bottoms.

tease (からかう) [動] make fun of or attempt to provoke

coax (なだめる) [動] persuade someone to do something by talking to them in a gentle and friendly way

しかしローラはからかい、なだめ、そしてもし外にいるなら、パパが小川の底から来た瞬間に必ず会えるだろうと言った。

So Mary was hopping.

be hopping (跳ぶ) [動] move by jumping on one foot

だからメアリーは跳んでいた。

Suddenly she stopped on one foot and said, “What’s that?”

突然彼女は片足で止まり、「あれは何?」と言った。

Laura had already heard the queer sound and she was listening to it.

ローラはすでに奇妙な音を聞き、それに耳を傾けていた。

She said, “It’s the Indians.”

彼女は「インディアンだ」と言った。

Mary’s other foot dropped and she stood frozen still.

freeze (凍りつく) [動] become solid as a result of being cooled

メアリーはもう一方の足を下ろし、凍りついたように立った。

She was scared.

彼女は怖かった。

Laura was not exactly scared, but that sound made her feel funny.

not exactly (怖くはなかった) [副] not completely or not entirely

ローラは怖くはなかったが、その音に奇妙な感じがした。

It was the sound of quite a lot of Indians, chopping with their voices.

quite a lot of (かなり多くの) [副] a large number of

chop (混ざり合う) [動] cut or sever with a sharp blow

それはかなり多くのインディアンの声が混ざり合った音だった。

It was something like the sound of an ax chopping, and something like a dog barking, and it was something like a song, but not like any song that Laura had ever heard.

chopping (切る) [動] cut with a sharp blow

barking (吠える) [動] make the characteristic loud, sharp cry of a dog

それは斧で木を切るような音であり、犬が吠えるような音であり、歌のような音でもあったが、ローラが聞いたことのあるどんな歌とも似ていなかった。

It was a wild, fierce sound, but it didn’t seem angry.

wild (野性的) [形] living or growing in the natural environment; not domesticated or cultivated

それは野性的で激しい音だったが、怒っているようには聞こえなかった。

Laura tried to hear it more clearly.

ローラはもっとはっきり聞こうとした。

She couldn’t hear it very well, because hills and trees and the wind were in the way, and Jack was savagely growling.

very well (あまりよく) [副] to a high standard or degree

丘や木々や風が邪魔をしたり、ジャックが激しく唸ったりしていたので、彼女はそれをあまりよく聞くことができなかった。

Ma came outdoors and listened a minute.

come outdoors (外に出る) [動] go outside

ママは外に出て、しばらく耳を傾けた。

Then she told Mary and Laura to come into the house.

それから彼女はメアリーとローラに家に入るように言った。

Ma took Jack inside, too, and pulled in the latch-string.

take (入れる) [動] cause to be in a certain state

ママはジャックも中に入れ、掛け金を掛けた。

They didn’t play any more.

彼女たちはもう遊ばなかった。

They watched at the window, and listened to that sound.

彼女たちは窓から見ながら、その音に耳を傾けた。

It was harder to hear, in the house.

家の中では聞こえにくかった。

Sometimes they couldn’t hear it;

時々聞こえなかった。

then they heard it again.

そしてまた聞こえた。

It hadn’t stopped.

止まらなかった。

Ma and Laura did the chores earlier than usual.

do (済ませる) [動] complete or finish

earlier (早く) [副] before the usual or expected time

ママとローラはいつもより早く家事を済ませた。

They locked Bunny and the cow and calf in the stable, and took the milk to the house.

lock (閉じ込める) [動] fasten or secure (something) with a lock

彼らはバニーと牛と子牛を馬小屋に閉じ込め、牛乳を家へ運んだ。

Ma strained it and set it away.

strain (こす) [動] to pass through a strainer

set away (片付ける) [動] to put something in its proper place

ママは牛乳をこして、片付けた。

She drew a bucket of fresh water from the well, while Laura and Mary carried in wood.

ローラとメアリーが薪を運び込んでいる間に、ママは井戸から新鮮な水を汲み上げた。

All the time that sound went on;

その音はずっと続いていた。

it was louder, now, and faster.

fast (速い) [形] moving or capable of moving at high speed

今はもっと大きく、もっと速かった。

It made Laura’s heart beat fast.

beat (打つ) [動] strike or hit repeatedly

ローラの心臓はドキドキした。

They all went into the house and Ma barred the door.

みんな家に入り、ママはドアにかんぬきをかけた。

The latch-string was already in.

in (中) [前] to or toward the inside of

掛け金の紐はすでに中にあった。

They wouldn’t go out of the house till morning.

彼らは朝まで家から出ないだろう。

The sun slowly sank.

太陽はゆっくりと沈んだ。

All around the edge of the prairie the edge of the sky flushed pink.

大草原の端の周り全体で空の端がピンク色に染まった。

Firelight flickered in the dusky house and Ma was getting supper, but Laura and Mary silently watched from the window.

flicker (ちらつく) [動] shine unsteadily

dusky (薄暗い) [形] darkish

薄暗い家の中で火の光がちらつき、ママは夕食の準備をしていたが、ローラとメアリーは窓から黙って見ていた。

They saw the colors fade from everything.

彼女たちはすべての色が薄れていくのを見た。

The land was shadowy and the sky was clear, pale gray.

大地は影に覆われ、空は澄んだ淡い灰色だった。

All the time that sound came from the creek bottoms, louder and louder, faster and faster.

louder (大きく) [形] of greater intensity

その音はずっと小川の底から聞こえ、どんどん大きく、どんどん速くなっていった。

And Laura’s heart beat faster and louder.

そしてローラの心臓はますます速く、大きくなった。

How she shouted when she heard the wagon!

彼女は荷馬車の音を聞いてどんなに叫んだことか!

She ran to the door and jumped up and down, but she couldn’t unbar it.

unbar (かんぬきを外す) [動] remove a bar from

彼女はドアまで走って行き、飛び跳ねたが、かんぬきを外すことができなかった。

Ma wouldn’t let her go out.

ママは彼女を外に出さなかった。

Ma went out, to help Pa bring in the bundles.

ママはパパが荷物を運び込むのを手伝うために外に出た。

He came in with his arms full, and Laura and Mary clung to his sleeves and jumped on his feet.

jump (飛びつく) [動] move quickly and suddenly from one place to another

彼は両腕に荷物を抱えて入ってきて、ローラとメアリーは彼の袖にしがみつき、彼の足に飛びついた。

Pa laughed his jolly big laugh.

jolly (陽気な) [形] full of fun and good humor

パパは陽気な大きな笑い声を笑った。

“Hey! hey! don’t upset me!” he laughed.

hey (おい) [間] used to attract attention

upset (困らせる) [動] make unhappy or disappointed

「おい! おい! 私を困らせるな!」と彼は笑った。

“What do you think I am?

I (私) [代] the speaker or writer of the sentence

「私は何だと思う?

A tree to climb?”

登る木か?」

He dropped the bundles on the table, he hugged Laura in a big bear hug, and tossed her and hugged her again.

toss (放り投げる) [動] throw or roll with a quick, light movement

彼は包みをテーブルに落とし、ローラを熊のように抱きしめて、放り投げて、また抱きしめた。

Then he hugged Mary snugly in his other arm.

それから彼はもう一方の腕でメアリーをぎゅっと抱きしめた。

“Listen, Pa,” Laura said.

「パパ、聞いて」ローラは言った。

“Listen to the Indians.

「インディアンの声を聞いて。

Why are they making that funny noise?”

どうしてあんな変な音を立てているの?」

“Oh, they’re having some kind of jamboree,” Pa said.

have (している) [動] to experience or undergo

kind (何か) [名] a type or category of something

「ああ、彼らは何かお祭り騒ぎをしているんだ」パパは言った。

“I heard them when I crossed the creek bottoms.”

「小川の底を渡ったときに彼らの声を聞いたんだ」

Then he went out to unhitch the horses and bring in the rest of the bundles.

それから彼は馬を外して残りの荷物を運び込むために外に出た。

He had got the plow; he left it in the stable, but he brought all the seeds into the house for safety.

safety (安全) [名] the condition of being protected from or unlikely to cause danger, risk, or injury

彼は鋤を手に入れていた。彼はそれを馬小屋に残したが、安全のためにすべての種を家の中に持ち込んだ。

He had sugar, not any white sugar this time, but brown.

彼は砂糖を持っていた、今回は白砂糖ではなく、黒砂糖だった。

White sugar cost too much.

cost (かかる) [動] require the payment of

白砂糖は高すぎた。

But he had brought a little white flour.

しかし彼は少し白い小麦粉を持ってきていた。

There were cornmeal and salt and coffee and all the seeds they needed.

コーンミール、塩、コーヒー、そして必要な種がすべてあった。

Pa had even got seed potatoes.

even (まで) [副] to the extent of; so much as

potato (芋) [名] a starchy, tuberous crop from the perennial nightshade Solanum tuberosum, native to the Andes but widely cultivated

パパは種芋まで手に入れていた。

Laura wished they might eat the potatoes but they must be saved to plant.

ローラは芋を食べられたらと思ったが、植えるために取っておかなければならなかった。

Then Pa’s face beamed and he opened a small paper sack.

beam (輝く) [動] smile radiantly

それからパパの顔は輝き、彼は小さな紙袋を開けた。

It was full of crackers.

cracker (クラッカー) [名] a thin, crisp biscuit

クラッカーがいっぱいだった。

He set it on the table, and he unwrapped and set beside it a glass jar full of little green cucumber pickles.

glass jar (ガラスの瓶) [名] a cylindrical container made of glass

cucumber (キュウリ) [名] a long green vegetable with a hard skin

pickle (ピクルス) [名] a cucumber that has been preserved in vinegar

彼はそれをテーブルに置き、包みを解いて、小さな緑のキュウリのピクルスがいっぱい入ったガラスの瓶をその横に置いた。

“I thought we’d all have a treat,” he said.

have a treat (御馳走を食べる) [動] eat something special

「みんなで御馳走を食べようと思ったんだ」と彼は言った。

Laura’s mouth watered, and Ma’s eyes shone softly at Pa.

water (よだれが出る) [動] produce saliva

shine (見つめる) [動] direct the light of or cause to reflect light

ローラの口にはよだれが出、ママの目はパパを優しく見つめていた。

He had remembered how she longed for pickles.

long for (欲しがる) [動] have a strong wish or desire for

彼は彼女がピクルスをどれほど欲しがっているかを覚えていた。

That wasn’t all.

be not all (だけではなかった) [動] not be the only thing

それだけではなかった。

He gave Ma a package and watched her unwrap it and in it was enough pretty calico to make her a dress.

彼はママに包みを渡し、彼女がそれを開けるのを見守った。その中には彼女のドレスを作るのに十分なきれいな更紗が入っていた。

“Oh, Charles, you shouldn’t! It’s too much!” she said.

shouldn't (いけない) [助] should not

「ああ、チャールズ、こんなことしちゃだめよ! これは高すぎるよ!」と彼女は言った。

But her face and Pa’s were two beams of joy.

beam (輝き) [名] a ray of light

しかし、彼女の顔とパパの顔は喜びに輝いていた。

Now he hung up his cap and his plaid coat on their pegs.

hang up (掛ける) [動] to put something on a hook or hanger

plaid (格子縞) [名] a pattern of crisscrossed lines of different colors

彼は帽子と格子縞のコートを掛け釘に掛けた。

His eyes looked sidewise at Laura and Mary, but that was all.

彼の目はローラとメアリーを横目で見ただけだった。

He sat down and stretched out his legs to the fire.

彼は腰を下ろし、足を火の方に伸ばした。

Mary sat down, too, and folded her hands in her lap.

メアリーも腰を下ろし、手を膝の上で組んだ。

But Laura climbed onto Pa’s knee and beat him with her fists.

beat (殴る) [動] hit repeatedly

しかし、ローラはパパの膝に登り、拳で彼を殴った。

“Where is it? Where is it? Where’s my present?” she said, beating him.

「どこにあるの? どこにあるの? 私のプレゼントはどこ?」と彼女は彼を殴りながら言った。

Pa laughed his big laugh, like great bells ringing, and he said, “Why, I do believe there is something in my blouse pocket.”

blouse (ブラウス) [名] a woman's shirt

パパは大きな鐘が鳴るような大きな笑い声を上げ、「そういえば、私のブラウスのポケットに何か入っていると思う」と言った。

He took out an oddly shaped package, and very, very slowly he opened it.

oddly (奇妙に) [副] in a strange or unusual way

shaped (形の) [形] having a particular shape

彼は奇妙な形の包みを取り出し、とてもゆっくりと開けた。

“You first, Mary,” he said, “because you are so patient.”

first (先) [副] before anyone or anything else

patient (忍耐強い) [形] able to accept or tolerate delay, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious

「メアリー、君が先だ」と彼は言った。「君はとても忍耐強いからだ」

And he gave Mary a comb for her hair.

そして彼はメアリーに髪の毛用の櫛を渡した。

“And here, flutterbudget! this is for you,” he said to Laura.

flutterbudget (お転婆さん) [名] a person who is flighty or frivolous

this (これ) [代] the thing that is being discussed or referred to

「そして、お転婆さん! これは君のものだ」と彼はローラに言った。

The combs were exactly alike.

comb (櫛) [名] a strip of plastic, metal, or wood with teeth, used for tidying or arranging the hair

alike (同じ) [形] similar or having a likeness to

櫛は全く同じだった。

They were made of black rubber and curved to fit over the top of a little girl’s head.

rubber (ゴム) [名] a material that is elastic and flexible

curve (カーブしている) [動] have a bent or rounded shape

それは黒いゴムでできていて、小さな女の子の頭のてっぺんにフィットするようにカーブしていた。

And over the top of the comb lay a flat piece of black rubber, with curving slits cut in it, and in the very middle of it a little five-pointed star was cut out.

over the top (てっぺん) [名] the highest point of something

lay (乗る) [動] be in or assume a resting position

curving (曲線の) [形] having a curved shape

very (真ん中) [副] in actual fact

five-pointed (五芒星) [形] having five points

そして櫛のてっぺんには、曲線の切れ込みが入った平らな黒いゴムが乗っていて、その真ん中には小さな五芒星が切り抜かれていた。

A bright-colored ribbon was drawn underneath, and the color showed through.

bright-colored (明るい色の) [形] having a strong or vivid color

ribbon (リボン) [名] a narrow strip of fabric, used for decoration

underneath (下に) [副] in or to a lower position

show through (透けて見える) [動] be visible through something

下には明るい色のリボンが引かれていて、色が透けて見えた。

The ribbon in Mary’s comb was blue, and the ribbon in Laura’s comb was red.

メアリーの櫛のリボンは青で、ローラの櫛のリボンは赤だった。

Ma smoothed back their hair and slid the combs into it, and there in the golden hair, exactly over the middle of Mary’s forehead, was a little blue star.

smooth back (撫でつける) [動] to make smooth by stroking

slide (差し込む) [動] to move or cause to move smoothly, easily, or gently

ママは二人の髪を後ろに撫でつけ、櫛を差し込んだ。すると、メアリーの額の真ん中にある金色の髪に小さな青い星が現れた。

And in Laura’s brown hair, over the middle of her forehead, was a little red star.

そしてローラの茶色い髪の毛には、額の真ん中に小さな赤い星があった。

Laura looked at Mary’s star, and Mary looked at Laura’s, and they laughed with joy.

ローラはメアリーの星を見て、メアリーはローラの星を見て、二人は喜んで笑った。

They had never had anything so pretty.

have (もらったことがなかった) [動] receive or be given, presented with, or paid

二人はこんなにきれいなものをもらったことがなかった。

Ma said, “But, Charles, you didn’t get yourself a thing!”

ママは「でも、チャールズ、あなたは自分のために何も買っていないよ!」と言った。

“Oh, I got myself a plow,” said Pa.

「ああ、自分のために鋤を買ったよ」とパパは言った。

“Warm weather’ll be here soon now, and I’ll be plowing.”

warm weather (暖かい天気) [名] weather that is not cold

be here (来る) [動] arrive

plow (耕す) [動] turn up the soil with a plow

「もうすぐ暖かくなるし、耕すことになるからね」

That was the happiest supper they had had for a long time.

それは長い間、一番幸せな夕食だった。

Pa was safely home again.

パパはまた無事に家に戻った。

The fried salt pork was very good, after so many months of eating ducks and geese and turkeys and venison.

fried (炒めた) [形] cooked in hot fat

very good (とてもおいしい) [形] of high quality

so many months (何ヶ月も) [名] a period of time

venison (鹿肉) [名] the flesh of a deer

何ヶ月もアヒルやガチョウや七面鳥や鹿肉を食べた後だったので、塩漬け豚肉の炒め物はとてもおいしかった。

And nothing had ever tasted so good as those crackers and the little green sour pickles.

sour (酸っぱい) [形] having an acid taste like that of vinegar or lemon juice

そして、あのクラッカーと小さな緑の酸っぱいピクルスほどおいしいものはなかった。

Pa told them about all the seeds.

パパは種についてみんなに話した。

He had got seeds of turnips and carrots and onions and cabbage.

turnip (カブ) [名] a round root vegetable with a white or yellow flesh and a purple or red skin

carrot (ニンジン) [名] a long orange-colored root vegetable

onion (玉ねぎ) [名] a round vegetable with a brown skin and a white or yellow flesh

cabbage (キャベツ) [名] a round vegetable with green or white leaves that are tightly packed together

パパはカブ、ニンジン、玉ねぎ、キャベツの種を買った。

He had got peas and beans.

pea (エンドウ豆) [名] a round green seed that is eaten as a vegetable

パパはエンドウ豆と豆を買った。

And corn and wheat and tobacco and the seed potatoes.

wheat (小麦) [名] a cereal plant that is grown for its grain

potato (ジャガイモ) [名] a round vegetable that grows under the ground

そして、トウモロコシ、小麦、タバコ、種芋を買った。

And watermelon seeds.

そして、スイカの種を買った。

He said to Ma, “I tell you, Caroline, when we begin getting crops off this rich land of ours, we’ll be living like kings!”

crop (作物) [名] a plant grown for food

パパはママに言った、「キャロライン、この豊かな土地から作物がとれるようになったら、王様のような生活ができるよ!」

They had almost forgotten the noise from the Indian camp.

彼らはインディアンの野営地からの騒音をほとんど忘れていた。

The window shutters were closed now, and the wind was moaning in the chimney and whining around the house.

window shutter (窓の鎧戸) [名] a movable cover for a window

moan (うなる) [動] make a low, continuous sound of pain or suffering

窓の鎧戸は閉じられ、風は煙突の中でうなり、家の周りで泣き叫んでいた。

They were so used to the wind that they did not hear it.

彼らは風に慣れすぎていて、それを聞かなかった。

But when the wind was silent an instant, Laura heard again that wild, shrill, fast-beating sound from the Indian camps.

instant (一瞬) [名] a very short space of time

wild (野蛮) [形] not civilized; savage

fast-beating (速いビート) [形] having a rapid rhythm

しかし、風が一瞬静かになったとき、ローラは再びインディアンの野営地から聞こえてくる野蛮で甲高く、速いビートの音を聞いた。

Then Pa said something to Ma that made Laura sit very still and listen carefully.

say something (何かを言う) [動] to express something in words

listen carefully (注意深く耳を傾ける) [動] to pay close attention to what is being said

それからパパはママに何かを言い、ローラは静かに座って注意深く耳を傾けた。

He said that folks in Independence said that the government was going to put the white settlers out of the Indian territory.

put (追い出す) [動] move or cause to move into a specified place or position

彼は、インディペンデンスの人々は、政府が白人入植者をインディアンの領土から追い出すつもりだと言っていたと言った。

He said the Indians had been complaining and they had got that answer from Washington.

complain (不満を言う) [動] express dissatisfaction or annoyance

彼は、インディアンは不満を言っていて、ワシントンからその返事を受け取ったと言った。

“Oh, Charles, no!” Ma said.

「ああ、チャールズ、違うよ!」ママは言った。

“Not when we have done so much.”

so much (こんなにも) [副] to a great extent or degree

「私たちがこんなにも頑張ったのに」

Pa said he didn’t believe it.

パパは信じないと言った。

He said, “They always have let settlers keep the land.

彼は言った、「彼らはいつも入植者に土地を保有させてきた。

They’ll make the Indians move on again.

彼らはインディアンをまた移動させるだろう。

Didn’t I get word straight from Washington that this country’s going to be opened for settlement any time now?”

get word (知らせを受ける) [動] receive information

straight (直接) [副] without deviation or interruption

be opened (開放される) [動] be made available for use

私はワシントンからこの国が今すぐにでも入植のために開放されるという知らせを直接受け取ったではないか?」

“I wish they’d settle it and stop talking about it,” Ma said.

settle (解決する) [動] reach a decision about

「彼らがそれを解決して、それについて話すのをやめてくれたらいいのに」とママは言った。

After Laura was in bed she lay awake a long time, and so did Mary.

lie awake (起きる) [動] be lying in bed without sleeping

a long time (長い間) [名] a lengthy period of time

ローラはベッドに入ってからも長い間起きていたし、メアリーもそうだった。

Pa and Ma sat in the firelight and candlelight, reading.

firelight (暖炉の火) [名] the light from a fire

パパとママは暖炉の火とろうそくの明かりの下で座って本を読んでいた。

Pa had brought a newspaper from Kansas, and he read it to Ma.

newspaper (新聞) [名] a printed publication consisting of folded unstapled sheets and containing news, articles, advertisements and correspondence

パパはカンザスから新聞を持ってきて、ママに読んで聞かせた。

It proved that he was right, the government would not do anything to the white settlers.

prove (証明する) [動] to show or make clear that something is true

それは彼が正しかったことを証明した、政府は白人入植者に何もしないだろう。

Whenever the sound of the wind died away, Laura could faintly hear the noise of that wild jamboree in the Indian camp.

風の音が消えるたびに、ローラはインディアンの野営地で開かれているあの野生のジャンボリーの音を微かに聞くことができた。

Sometimes even above the howling of the wind she thought she still heard those fierce yells of jubilation.

even above (よりも) [副] to a higher degree or extent than

howling (唸り声) [名] a loud, long, mournful cry

heard (聞こえる) [動] perceive with the ear

jubilation (歓喜) [名] a feeling or show of great happiness or triumph

時々、風の唸り声よりも、あの激しい歓喜の叫び声が聞こえてくるのではないかとさえ思った。

Faster, faster, faster they made her heart beat.

彼女の心臓はますます速く鼓動した。

“Hi! Hi! Hi-yi! Hah! Hi! Hah!”

Hi! (ヒ!) [間] an expression of greeting

Hi-yi! (ヒイ!) [間] an expression of greeting

Hah! (ハッ!) [間] an expression of surprise

「ヒ! ヒ! ヒイ! ハッ! ヒ! ハッ!」

Chapter 22: PRAIRIE FIRE

第22章: 大草原の火事

Spring had come.

春が来た。

The warm winds smelled exciting, and all outdoors was large and bright and sweet.

exciting (刺激的な) [形] causing great interest or excitement

暖かい風は刺激的な匂いがして、屋外はすべて大きくて明るく甘い香りがした。

Big white shining clouds floated high up in clear space.

float (浮かぶ) [動] be suspended or move slowly and smoothly through the air or on the surface of a liquid

space (空) [名] the expanse in which the solar system, stars, and galaxies exist

大きくて白い輝く雲が澄んだ空に高く浮かんでいた。

Their shadows floated over the prairie.

その影は大草原に浮かんでいた。

The shadows were thin and brown, and all the rest of the prairie was the pale, soft colors of dead grasses.

影は薄くて茶色で、大草原の残りの部分はすべて枯れた草の淡く柔らかい色だった。

Pa was breaking the prairie sod, with Pet and Patty hitched to the breaking-plow.

break (耕す) [動] cause to come apart by force

パパはペットとパティをプラウに繋いで大草原の芝を耕していた。

The sod was a tough, thick mass of grass-roots.

tough (固い) [形] strong and hard to break

mass (塊) [名] a large amount of something

芝は草の根の固くて厚い塊だった。

Pet and Patty slowly pulled with all their might and the sharp plow slowly turned over a long, unbroken strip of that sod.

unbroken (切れ目のない) [形] not broken

ペットとパティはゆっくりと全力で引っ張り、鋭いプラウはゆっくりとその芝の長く切れ目のない一片をひっくり返した。

The dead grass was so tall and thick that it held up the sod.

枯れた草はとても高く厚く、芝を支えていた。

Where Pa had plowed, he didn’t have a plowed field.

field (畑) [名] an area of open land, especially one planted with crops or pasture

パパが耕した場所は耕された畑にはならなかった。

The long strips of grass-roots lay on top of grass, and grass stuck out between them.

grass-roots (草の根) [名] the ordinary people in a society or organization

草の根の長い帯が草の上に横たわり、草がその間に突き出ていた。

But Pa and Pet and Patty kept on working.

working (働く) [動] be engaged in a job or other activity in return for payment

しかし、パパとペットとパティは働き続けた。

He said that sod potatoes and sod corn would grow this year, and next year the roots and the dead grasses would be rotted.

rot (腐る) [動] decompose or cause to decompose

パパは、今年は芝のジャガイモと芝のトウモロコシが育ち、来年は根と枯れた草が腐るだろうと言った。

In two or three years he would have nicely plowed fields.

two or three years (2、3年後) [名] a period of time lasting two or three years

2、3年後にはきれいに耕された畑になるだろう。

Pa liked the land because it was so rich, and there wasn’t a tree or a stump or a rock in it.

rich (豊か) [形] having a great deal of money or property

rock (岩) [名] a large mass of stone, especially one projecting out of the ground or water

パパはその土地がとても豊かで、木や切り株や岩がなかったので気に入っていた。

Now a great many Indians came riding along the Indian trail.

a great many (たくさんの) [名] a large number of

たくさんのインディアンがインディアンの道を馬に乗ってやってきた。

Indians were everywhere.

インディアンは至る所にいた。

Their guns echoed in the creek bottoms where they were hunting.

彼らの銃は、彼らが狩りをしていた小川の底に響き渡った。

No one knew how many Indians were hidden in the prairie which seemed so level but wasn’t.

how many (どれだけ) [限] the number of

be not (そうではない) [動] be not so

平坦に見えるがそうではない大草原にどれだけ多くのインディアンが隠れているのか誰も知らなかった。

Often Laura saw an Indian where no one had been an instant before.

ローラは、一瞬前には誰もいなかった場所にインディアンが立っているのをよく見た。

Indians often came to the house.

インディアンはよく家に来ていた。

Some were friendly, some were surly and cross.

surly (無愛想) [形] bad-tempered and unfriendly

cross (気難しい) [形] angry and annoyed

友好的な人もいれば、無愛想で気難しい人もいた。

All of them wanted food and tobacco, and Ma gave them what they wanted.

food (食べ物) [名] any substance that can be eaten

彼らは皆食べ物とタバコを欲しがり、ママは彼らが欲しがるものを渡した。

She was afraid not to.

not (そうしない) [副] a word that is used to say no or to express a negative

彼女はそうしないことを恐れていた。

When an Indian pointed at something and grunted, Ma gave him that thing.

grunt (うなり声を上げる) [動] make a low, guttural sound

インディアンが何かを指さしてうなり声を上げると、ママはそれを渡した。

But most of the food was kept hidden and locked up.

hidden (隠す) [動] put or keep out of sight; conceal

しかし、食べ物のほとんどは隠して鍵をかけておいた。

Jack was cross all the time, even with Laura.

cross (不機嫌) [形] angry or annoyed

ジャックはいつも不機嫌で、ローラに対してもそうだった。

He was never let off the chain, and all the time he lay and hated the Indians.

let off (放つ) [動] to allow to go free

hate (憎む) [動] to dislike intensely or passionately

彼は鎖から放たれることはなく、いつも横になってインディアンを憎んでいた。

Laura and Mary were quite used to seeing them now.

ローラとメアリーは、今では彼らを見慣れていた。

Indians didn’t surprise them at all.

surprise (驚かなかった) [動] cause to feel wonder or astonishment

インディアンは全く驚かなかった。

But they always felt safer near Pa or Jack.

しかし、彼女たちはいつもパパやジャックの近くにいる方が安全だと感じていた。

One day they were helping Ma get dinner.

get dinner (夕食の準備をする) [動] prepare dinner

ある日、彼女たちはママが夕食の準備をするのを手伝っていた。

Baby Carrie was playing on the floor in the sunshine, and suddenly the sunshine was gone.

赤ん坊のキャリーは日差しの中で床で遊んでいたが、突然日差しが消えた。

“I do believe it is going to storm,” Ma said, looking out of the window.

「嵐になると思うよ」とママは窓の外を見ながら言った。

Laura looked, too, and great black clouds were billowing up in the south, across the sun.

billow (渦巻く) [動] move or flow in a rolling or surging manner

ローラも見てみると、南の空に大きな黒い雲が太陽を横切って渦巻いていた。

Pet and Patty were coming running from the field, Pa holding to the heavy plow and bounding in long leaps behind it.

come running (走って来る) [動] move at a fast pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn, never having both feet off the ground at once

long (大きく) [形] of great or more than average length

leap (跳躍) [名] a large jump

ペットとパティが畑から走って来ていた。パパは重い鋤を持ち、その後ろで大きく跳ねていた。

“Prairie fire!” he shouted.

prairie fire (草原の火事) [名] a fire that burns through a large area of grassland

「草原の火事だ!」と彼は叫んだ。

“Get the tub full of water! Put sacks in it! Hurry!”

sack (袋) [名] a large bag made of a strong material

「桶に水をいっぱい入れろ! 袋を入れろ! 急げ!」

Ma ran to the well, Laura ran to tug the tub to it.

ママは井戸に走り、ローラは桶を井戸まで引っ張った。

Pa tied Pet to the house.

パパはペットを家に縛り付けた。

He brought the cow and calf from the picket-line and shut them in the stable.

パパは牛と子牛を杭から連れてきて、馬小屋に閉じ込めた。

He caught Bunny and tied her fast to the north corner of the house.

パパはバニーを捕まえて、家の北の角にしっかりと縛り付けた。

Ma was pulling up buckets of water as fast as she could.

pull up (汲み上げる) [動] to draw or lift up

she could (できる) [動] be able to do something

ママはできる限り早く水を汲み上げていた。

Laura ran to get the sacks that Pa had flung out of the stable.

fling (投げ出す) [動] throw or move with a violent motion

ローラはパパが馬小屋から投げ出した袋を取りに走った。

Pa was plowing, shouting at Pet and Patty to make them hurry.

パパは耕作をしていて、ペットとパティに急ぐように叫んでいた。

The sky was black now, the air was as dark as if the sun had set.

空は真っ黒で、まるで日が沈んだかのように暗かった。

Pa plowed a long furrow west of the house and south of the house, and back again east of the house.

furrow (畝) [名] a long, narrow trench made in the ground by a plow

パパは家の西と南に長い畝を耕し、また家の東に戻ってきた。

Rabbits came bounding past him as if he wasn’t there.

come bounding (飛び越えていった) [動] move quickly and with energy

ウサギは彼がそこにいないかのように彼を飛び越えていった。

Pet and Patty came galloping, the plow and Pa bounding behind them.

ペットとパティが疾走してきて、鋤とパパがその後ろで跳ねていた。

Pa tied them to the other north corner of the house.

パパは彼らを家の北の角に縛り付けた。

The tub was full of water.

桶は水でいっぱいだった。

Laura helped Ma push the sacks under the water to soak them.

ローラはママが袋を水に沈めて浸すのを手伝った。

“I couldn’t plow but one furrow;

「私は一畝しか耕せなかった。

there isn’t time,” Pa said.

there isn't (ない) [動] not exist

時間がない」とパパは言った。

“Hurry, Caroline. That fire’s coming faster than a horse can run.”

「急いで、キャロライン。あの火は馬が走るよりも速く来ている」

A big rabbit bounded right over the tub while Pa and Ma were lifting it.

パパとママが桶を持ち上げている間に大きなウサギが桶を飛び越えた。

Ma told Laura to stay at the house.

ママはローラに家に居るように言った。

Pa and Ma ran staggering to the furrow with the tub.

パパとママは桶を持って畝までよろめきながら走った。

Laura stayed close to the house.

ローラは家の近くにいた。

She could see the red fire coming under the billows of smoke.

彼女は煙の波の下から赤い火が来ているのを見ることができた。

More rabbits went leaping by.

more (もっと多くの) [形] a greater or additional amount or degree

もっと多くのウサギが跳びはねていった。

They paid no attention to Jack and he didn’t think about them;

彼らはジャックに注意を払わなかったし、彼も彼らのことを考えなかった。

he stared at the red under sides of the rolling smoke and shivered and whined while he crowded close to Laura.

彼はローラに寄り添いながら、渦巻く煙の下側の赤い部分を見つめ、震え、泣き言を言った。

The wind was rising and wildly screaming.

rise (強まる) [動] become stronger or more intense

scream (叫び声を上げる) [動] make a loud, high-pitched cry

風が強まり、激しく叫び声を上げていた。

Thousands of birds flew before the fire, thousands of rabbits were running.

何千という鳥が火の前を飛び、何千というウサギが走っていた。

Pa was going along the furrow, setting fire to the grass on the other side of it.

set fire to (火をつける) [動] cause to burn

パパは畝に沿って進み、その向こう側の草に火をつけた。

Ma followed with a wet sack, beating at the flames that tried to cross the furrow.

beat (叩く) [動] strike repeatedly and violently

flame (炎) [名] a hot glowing body of ignited gas that is generated by a chemical reaction between a fuel and oxygen

ママは濡れた袋を持って後を追い、畝を越えようとする炎を叩いた。

The whole prairie was hopping with rabbits.

大草原全体がウサギで跳ねていた。

Snakes rippled across the yard.

ripple (うねる) [動] move or cause to move in a smooth, wavelike motion

yard (庭) [名] a piece of land next to a house or other building

ヘビが庭を横切ってうねった。

Prairie hens ran silently, their necks outstretched and their wings spread.

outstretched (伸ばした) [形] stretched out

草原の雌鶏は首を伸ばし、翼を広げて静かに走った。

Birds screamed in the screaming wind.

鳥は叫ぶ風の中で叫んだ。

Pa’s little fire was all around the house now, and he helped Ma fight it with the wet sacks.

all around (全体に) [副] in all directions

パパの小さな火は今や家の周り全体に広がっていて、彼はママが濡れた袋で火と戦うのを手伝った。

The fire blew wildly, snatching at the dry grass inside the furrow.

snatch (奪う) [動] take or grab suddenly and forcibly

火は激しく吹き、畝の中の乾いた草を奪った。

Pa and Ma thrashed at it with the sacks, when it got across the furrow they stamped it with their feet.

thrash (打つ) [動] beat or hit repeatedly and violently

パパとママは袋でそれを打ち、畝を越えたときには足で踏みつけた。

They ran back and forth in the smoke, fighting that fire.

彼らは煙の中を行ったり来たりして、火と戦った。

The prairie fire was roaring now, roaring louder and louder in the screaming wind.

prairie fire (草原の火) [名] a fire that burns in a prairie

louder (ますます大きく) [形] of greater volume

草原の火は今や轟き、叫ぶ風の中でますます大きく轟いていた。

Great flames came roaring, flaring and twisting high.

大きな炎が轟き、燃え上がり、高くねじれた。

Twists of flame broke loose and came down on the wind to blaze up in the grasses far ahead of the roaring wall of fire.

twist (ねじれ) [名] a turn or bend

break loose (解き放たれる) [動] escape from a restraint or a confined area

blaze up (燃え上がる) [動] burn brightly or intensely

far ahead (はるか前方) [副] a long way in front

炎のねじれが解き放たれ、風に乗って降りてきて、轟く火の壁のはるか前方の草の中で燃え上がった。

A red light came from the rolling black clouds of smoke overhead.

頭上の渦巻く黒い煙の雲から赤い光が差し込んだ。

Mary and Laura stood against the house and held hands and trembled.

stand against (背にする) [動] be in opposition to

hold hands (手を握り合う) [動] clasp one's hands together

メアリーとローラは家を背にして立ち、手を握り合って震えた。

Baby Carrie was in the house.

赤ん坊のキャリーは家の中にいた。

Laura wanted to do something, but inside her head was a roaring and whirling like the fire.

want to do (したい) [動] wish to do

ローラは何かをしたいと思ったが、頭の中は火事のように轟き、渦巻いていた。

Her middle shook, and tears poured out of her stinging eyes.

彼女の身体の真ん中が震え、涙が痛む目から流れ出た。

Her eyes and her nose and her throat stung with smoke.

sting (痛む) [動] cause a sharp pain

彼女の目と鼻と喉は煙で痛んだ。

Jack howled.

ジャックは遠吠えした。

Bunny and Pet and Patty were jerking at the ropes and squealing horribly.

jerk (引っ張る) [動] pull or move something suddenly or sharply

horribly (恐ろしく) [副] in a shocking or horrifying way

バニーとペットとパティはロープを引っ張り、恐ろしく金切り声を上げていた。

The orange, yellow, terrible flames were coming faster than horses can run, and their quivering light danced over everything.

orange (オレンジ色) [名] a color intermediate between red and yellow in the visible spectrum

オレンジ色、黄色の恐ろしい炎が馬が走るよりも速く近づいてきて、その震える光があらゆるものの上を踊った。

Pa’s little fire had made a burned black strip.

パパの小さな火は黒く焼けた帯を作った。

The little fire went backing slowly away against the wind, it went slowly crawling to meet the racing furious big fire.

race (走る) [動] move at a fast pace

furious (猛烈な) [形] extremely angry

小さな火は風に逆らってゆっくりと後退し、猛烈な勢いで走る大きな火に会うためにゆっくりと這っていった。

And suddenly the big fire swallowed the little one.

そして突然、大きな火が小さな火を飲み込んだ。

The wind rose to a high, crackling, rushing shriek, flames climbed into the crackling air.

shriek (悲鳴) [名] a loud, high-pitched scream

風は高く、パチパチと音を立て、突進する悲鳴を上げ、炎はパチパチと音を立てる空気の中に登った。

Fire was all around the house.

火は家の周りを取り囲んでいた。

Then it was over.

そしてそれは終わった。

The fire went roaring past and away.

火は轟音を立てて通り過ぎ、遠ざかっていった。

Pa and Ma were beating out little fires here and there in the yard.

beat out (消す) [動] extinguish

パパとママは庭のあちこちで小さな火を消していた。

When they were all out, Ma came to the house to wash her hands and face.

be out (消える) [動] no longer burning

火がすべて消えると、ママは手と顔を洗うために家に戻ってきた。

She was all streaked with smoke and sweat, and she was trembling.

be streaked with (汚れる) [動] be marked with streaks

ママは煙と汗で全身が汚れ、震えていた。

She said there was nothing to worry about.

ママは心配することは何もないと言った。

“The back-fire saved us,” she said, “and all’s well that ends well.”

back-fire (迎え火) [名] a fire set to burn against an advancing fire

「迎え火が私たちを救ってくれたのよ」とママは言った。「終わりよければ全てよしよ」

The air smelled scorched.

scorch (焦げる) [動] to burn or be burned slightly or superficially

空気は焦げた匂いがした。

And to the very edge of the sky, the prairie was burned naked and black.

to the very edge (端まで) [副] to the extreme limit

burn (焼け焦げる) [動] be on fire; be consumed by fire

naked (むき出しの) [形] without clothes or covering

そして空の端まで、大草原は焼け焦げて黒くなっていた。

Threads of smoke rose from it.

thread (筋) [名] a thin line of smoke

rise (立ち上る) [動] go up; move upwards

そこから煙が立ち上っていた。

Ashes blew on the wind.

灰が風に吹かれていた。

Everything felt different and miserable.

different (違って) [形] not the same as another or each other

全てが違って悲惨に感じられた。

But Pa and Ma were cheerful because the fire was gone and it had not done any harm.

be gone (去る) [動] leave; depart

do harm (被害を与える) [動] cause damage or injury

しかし、パパとママは火事が去り、何の被害もなかったので陽気だった。

Pa said that the fire had not missed them far, but a miss is as good as a mile.

far (それほど) [副] to a great extent; a lot

パパは火事が彼らをそれほど逃さなかったが、逃したのは1マイルと同じくらい良いと言った。

He asked Ma, “If it had come while I was in Independence, what would you have done?”

彼はママに「私がインディペンデンスにいる間に火事が来たらどうするつもりだった?」と尋ねた。

“We would have gone to the creek with the birds and the rabbits, of course,” Ma said.

「もちろん、鳥やウサギと一緒に小川に行ったよ」とママは言った。

All the wild things on the prairie had known what to do.

thing (生物) [名] a living being

大草原のすべての野生生物は何をすべきかを知っていた。

They ran and flew and hopped and crawled as fast as they could go, to the water that would keep them safe from fire.

彼らは火から安全に守ってくれる水に向かって、できるだけ速く走り、飛び、跳び、這っていった。

Only the little soft striped gophers had gone down deep into their holes, and they were the first to come up and look around at the bare, smoking prairie.

smoking (煙がくすぶる) [形] emitting smoke

小さな柔らかい縞模様のホリネズミだけが穴の奥深くに潜り、彼らが最初に地上に出て、むき出しの煙がくすぶる大草原を見回した。

Then out of the creek bottoms the birds came flying over it, and a rabbit cautiously hopped and looked.

cautiously (用心深く) [副] in a careful way

それから小川の底から鳥が飛び出してきて、ウサギが用心深く跳びながら見回した。

It was a long, long time before the snakes crawled out of the bottoms and the prairie hens came walking.

ヘビが底から這い出し、草原の雌鶏が歩いて来るまでには長い長い時間がかかった。

The fire had gone out among the bluffs.

go out (消える) [動] stop burning or shining

火は断崖の間から消え去っていた。

It had never reached the creek bottoms or the Indian camps.

火は小川の底やインディアンの野営地には届かなかった。

That night Mr. Edwards and Mr. Scott came to see Pa.

come to see (会いに来る) [動] visit someone or something

その夜、エドワーズさんとスコットさんがパパに会いに来た。

They were worried because they thought that perhaps the Indians had started that fire on purpose to burn out the white settlers.

purpose (目的) [名] the intention to do something

彼らは、インディアンが白人入植者を焼き尽くすためにわざと火をつけたのではないかと心配していた。

Pa didn’t believe it.

パパはそれを信じなかった。

He said the Indians had always burned the prairie to make green grass grow more quickly, and traveling easier.

パパは、インディアンはいつも緑の草をより早く成長させ、移動を楽にするために大草原を燃やしていたと言った。

Their ponies couldn’t gallop through the thick, tall, dead grass.

彼らのポニーは、厚く、高く、枯れた草の中を疾走することができなかった。

Now the ground was clear.

clear (きれい) [形] free from obstruction or obstacles

今や地面はきれいになった。

And he was glad of it, because plowing would be easier.

be glad of (喜ぶ) [動] be happy about

plowing (耕す) [名] the act of turning over soil with a plow

be easier (楽になる) [動] become less difficult

パパはそれを喜んだ、なぜなら耕すのが楽になるからだ。

While they were talking, they could hear drums beating in the Indian camps, and shouts.

drum (太鼓) [名] a percussion instrument consisting of a hollow cylinder with a skin stretched over one or both ends

beat (鳴る) [動] strike repeatedly

彼らが話している間、インディアンのキャンプで太鼓が鳴り、叫び声が聞こえた。

Laura sat still as a mouse on the doorstep and listened to the talk and to the Indians.

doorstep (戸口) [名] the step leading up to the outer door of a house

talk (話) [名] an informal conversation

ローラは玄関の戸口にネズミのようにじっと座って、話とインディアンの声を聞いた。

The stars hung low and large and quivering over the burned prairie, and the wind blew gently in Laura’s hair.

large (大きく) [形] of great size or extent

星は低く大きく、焼けた大草原の上に揺れ、風がローラの髪を優しく吹いた。

Mr. Edwards said there were too many Indians in those camps;

エドワーズさんは、あのキャンプにはインディアンが多すぎると言った。

he didn’t like it.

彼はそれを好ましく思っていなかった。

Mr. Scott said he didn’t know why so many of those savages were coming together, if they didn’t mean devilment.

savage (野蛮人) [名] a member of a people who are not civilized

come together (集まる) [動] to meet or gather

devilment (悪事) [名] mischief or trouble

スコットさんは、もし悪事を企んでいないなら、なぜあんなに多くの野蛮人が集まるのかわからないと言った。

“The only good Indian is a dead Indian,” Mr. Scott said.

「良いインディアンは死んだインディアンだけだ」とスコットさんは言った。

Pa said he didn’t know about that.

パパは、それについてはわからないと言った。

He figured that Indians would be as peaceable as anybody else if they were let alone.

figure (考える) [動] to think or believe

anybody (誰か) [名] any person

let alone (放っておく) [動] to not interfere with or disturb

パパは、インディアンは放っておけば他の人と同じように平和な人たちだと考えていた。

On the other hand, they had been moved west so many times that naturally they hated white folks.

on the other hand (一方で) [副] from another point of view

so many times (何度も) [副] on many occasions

naturally (当然) [副] as might be expected

一方で、彼らは何度も西に追いやられてきたので、当然白人を憎んでいた。

But an Indian ought to have sense enough to know when he was licked.

ought to (するべきだ) [助] should

have sense (分別がある) [動] be wise or sensible

しかし、インディアンは負けたことを知る程度の分別は持っているはずだ。

With soldiers at Fort Gibson and Fort Dodge, Pa didn’t believe these Indians would make any trouble.

Fort Gibson (ギブソン砦) [名] a fort in Oklahoma

Fort Dodge (ドッジ砦) [名] a fort in Kansas

ギブソン砦とドッジ砦に兵士がいるため、パパはインディアンが問題を起こすとは思っていなかった。

“As to why they are congregating in these camps, Scott, I can tell you that,” he said.

as to (については) [前] with regard to; concerning

congregate (集まる) [動] come together in a group

「彼らがなぜこれらのキャンプに集まっているのかについては、スコット、私はあなたにそれを言うことができる」と彼は言った。

“They’re getting ready for their big spring buffalo hunt.”

buffalo (バッファロー) [名] a bison

「彼らは春の大バッファロー狩りの準備をしている」

He said there were half a dozen tribes down in those camps.

half a dozen (半ダース) [名] six

tribe (部族) [名] a social group or community, typically a group of people who share a common culture, language, religious beliefs, and history and who live as a social unit with a recognized leader

彼は、それらのキャンプには半ダースの部族がいると言った。

Usually the tribes were fighting each other, but every spring they made peace and all came together for the big hunt.

usually (通常) [副] under normal conditions

every spring (毎年春に) [名] the season of the year between winter and summer

make peace (和解する) [動] end a conflict or war

big hunt (大狩り) [名] a large-scale hunting expedition

通常、部族は互いに戦っていたが、毎年春に彼らは和解し、大狩りのために集まった。

“They’re sworn to peace among themselves,” he said, “and they’re thinking about hunting the buffalo.

swear (誓う) [動] make a solemn promise or statement of fact

peace (平和) [名] a state of tranquility or quiet

「彼らは互いに平和を誓い合っている」と彼は言った、「そして彼らはバッファローを狩ることを考えている。

So it’s not likely they’ll start on the warpath against us.

not likely (可能性が低い) [形] not probable; not expected

warpath (戦争) [名] a hostile course of action

だから、彼らが私たちに対して戦争を始める可能性は低い。

They’ll have their talks and their feasts, and then one day they’ll all hit the trail after the buffalo herds.

have (開く) [動] to hold or possess

talk (話し合い) [名] a speech or lecture

feast (宴会) [名] a large meal, typically a formal one, for many people

hit the trail (道を行く) [動] to leave; to depart

彼らは話し合いや宴会を開き、そしてある日、彼らは皆バッファローの群れを追いかけて道を行くだろう。

The buffalo will be working their way north pretty soon, following the green grass.

work one's way (向かう) [動] move gradually or steadily

pretty soon (まもなく) [副] in a short time; soon

バッファローは緑の草を追って、まもなく北に向かうだろう。

By George! I’d like to go on a hunt like that, myself.

go on a hunt (狩りに行く) [動] go hunting

なんてことだ! 私もそんな狩りに行きたいな。

It must be a sight to see.”

sight (光景) [名] something that is seen or can be seen

見るべき光景に違いない。」

“Well, maybe you’re right about it, Ingalls,” Mr. Scott said, slowly.

「まあ、インガルス、君の言う通りかもしれない」とスコットさんはゆっくりと言った。

“Anyway, I’ll be glad to tell Mrs. Scott what you say.

「とにかく、スコットさんに君の言うことを喜んで伝えるよ。

She can’t get the Minnesota massacres out of her head.”

彼女はミネソタの虐殺を頭から取り除くことができないんだ。」

Chapter 23: INDIAN WAR-CRY

第23章: インディアンの雄叫び

Next morning Pa went whistling to his plowing.

whistling (口笛を吹く) [動] make a whistling sound

翌朝、パパは口笛を吹きながら耕しに行った。

He came in at noon black with soot from the burned prairie, but he was pleased.

come in (帰ってくる) [動] return home

soot (煤) [名] a black powdery or flaky substance consisting chiefly of carbon

pleased (満足そう) [形] feeling or showing satisfaction or pleasure

彼は正午に焼けた草原の煤で真っ黒になって帰ってきたが、満足そうだった。

The tall grass didn’t bother him any more.

bother (悩ませる) [動] cause to be anxious or concerned

背の高い草はもう彼を悩ませなかった。

But there was an uneasiness about the Indians.

uneasiness (不安) [名] a feeling of worry or nervousness

しかし、インディアンについては不安があった。

More and more Indians were in the creek bottoms.

more and more (ますます多くの) [形] an increasing amount or number

小川の底にはますます多くのインディアンがいた。

Mary and Laura saw the smoke from their fires by day, and at night they heard the savage voices shouting.

day (昼間) [名] the time of light between one night and the next

メアリーとローラは昼間は彼らの火から出る煙を見、夜には野蛮な声が叫ぶのを聞いた。

Pa came early from the field.

パパは畑から早く帰ってきた。

He did the chores early, and shut Pet and Patty, Bunny and the cow and calf, into the stable.

do the chores (雑用を済ませる) [動] do routine or minor tasks

彼は早めに雑用を済ませ、ペットとパティ、バニー、牛と子牛を厩舎に閉じ込めた。

They could not stay out in the yard to graze in the cool moonlight.

stay out (留まる) [動] not go home

彼らは涼しい月明かりの下で草を食むために庭に留まることができなかった。

When shadows began to gather on the prairie and the wind was quiet, the noises from the Indian camps grew louder and wilder.

wild (荒々しい) [形] not controlled or restricted

影が草原に集まり始め、風が静かになると、インディアンの野営地からの音はより大きく、より荒々しくなった。

Pa brought Jack into the house.

パパはジャックを家の中に連れ込んだ。

The door was shut and the latch-string pulled in.

ドアは閉められ、掛け金の紐が引っ張られた。

No one could go outdoors till morning.

誰も朝まで外に出ることはできなかった。

Night crept toward the little house, and the darkness was frightening.

夜が小さな家に向かって忍び寄り、暗闇は恐ろしかった。

It yelped with Indian yells, and one night it began to throb with Indian drums.

yelp (わめく) [動] cry out or give a sharp cry, as in pain, alarm, or surprise

風はインディアンの叫び声でわめき、ある夜、インディアンの太鼓の音で鳴り始めた。

In her sleep Laura heard all the time that savage yipping and the wild, throbbing drums.

yipping (叫び声) [名] a short, sharp cry or yelp

throbbing (太鼓の音) [名] a strong, regular, repeated beat or sound

ローラは眠っている間ずっと、野蛮な叫び声と野生の太鼓の音を聞いた。

She heard Jack’s claws clicking, and his low growl.

click (カチカチ鳴る) [動] make a short, sharp sound

彼女はジャックの爪がカチカチと鳴り、低く唸るのを聞いた。

Sometimes Pa sat up in bed, listening.

時々、パパはベッドに起き上がって耳を傾けた。

One evening he took his bullet-mold from the box under the bed.

bullet-mold (弾丸の型) [名] a mold for making bullets

ある晩、彼はベッドの下の箱から弾丸の型を取り出した。

He sat for a long time on the hearth, melting lead and making bullets.

melt (溶かす) [動] change from a solid to a liquid

lead (鉛) [名] a soft, malleable, heavy, toxic, bluish-white metal, atomic number 82

bullet (弾丸) [名] a small metal projectile made to be fired from a gun

彼は長い間炉端に座り、鉛を溶かして弾丸を作った。

He did not stop till he had used the last bit of lead.

彼は最後の鉛を使うまでやめなかった。

Laura and Mary lay awake and watched him.

lay awake (起きる) [動] be awake while lying in bed

ローラとメアリーは起きて彼を見ていた。

He had never made so many bullets at one time before.

so many (そんなにたくさんの) [限] such a large number of

at one time (一度に) [副] simultaneously; all at once

彼はこれまで一度にそんなにたくさんの弾丸を作ったことはなかった。

Mary asked, “What makes you do that, Pa?”

メアリーは「パパ、どうしてそんなことをするの?」と尋ねた。

“Oh, I haven’t anything else to do,” Pa said, and he began to whistle cheerfully.

anything else (他に何も) [名] any other thing

「ああ、他に何もすることがないんだ」とパパは言って、陽気に口笛を吹き始めた。

But he had been plowing all day.

しかし、彼は一日中耕していた。

He was too tired to play the fiddle.

彼は疲れすぎてバイオリンを弾くことができませんでした。

He might have gone to bed, instead of sitting up so late, making bullets.

彼は遅くまで起きて弾丸を作る代わりに、寝ていたかもしれない。

No more Indians came to the house.

no more (来なくなった) [副] not any more; not any longer

インディアンは家に来なくなった。

For days, Mary and Laura had not seen a single Indian.

single (一人の) [形] only one

Indian (インド人) [名] a person from India

何日もの間、メアリーとローラは一人のインド人も見なかった。

Mary did not like to go out of the house any more.

メアリーは家から出かけたくなくなった。

Laura had to play outdoors by herself, and she had a queer feeling about the prairie.

have a feeling (~という気持ちを持つ) [動] have a hunch or suspicion

ローラは一人で外で遊ばなければならなかったし、大草原について奇妙な気持ちを持っていた。

It didn’t feel safe.

安全だとは感じなかった。

It seemed to be hiding something.

何かを隠しているようだった。

Sometimes Laura had a feeling that something was watching her, something was creeping up behind her.

creep up (忍び寄る) [動] move stealthily or slowly

時々ローラは何かが自分を見ている、何かが自分の後ろに忍び寄っているという感覚を持った。

She turned around quickly, and nothing was there.

彼女は素早く振り返ったが、何もそこにはいなかった。

Mr. Scott and Mr. Edwards, with their guns, came and talked to Pa in the field.

スコットさんとエドワーズさんが銃を持ってやってきて、畑でパパと話した。

They talked quite a while, then they went away together.

quite a while (かなり長い時間) [名] a long time

彼らはかなり長い時間話し、それから一緒に去っていった。

Laura was disappointed because Mr. Edwards did not come to the house.

be disappointed (がっかりする) [動] feel unhappy because someone or something has not done what you hoped or expected

ローラはエドワーズさんが家に来なかったのでがっかりした。

At dinner Pa said to Ma that some of the settlers were talking about a stockade.

at dinner (夕食の時) [名] the main meal of the day, typically eaten in the evening

some of (何人かの) [限] an unspecified number or amount of

stockade (柵) [名] a barrier or enclosure of upright wooden posts or stakes

夕食の時、パパはママに開拓者の何人かが柵について話していたと言った。

Laura didn’t know what a stockade was.

ローラは柵が何なのか知らなかった。

Pa had told Mr. Scott and Mr. Edwards that it was a foolish notion.

foolish (愚かな) [形] lacking good sense or judgment

notion (考え) [名] a general understanding

パパはスコットさんとエドワーズさんにそれは愚かな考えだと言った。

He told Ma, “If we need one, we’d need it before we could get it built.

built (建てる) [動] construct (something) by putting parts or material together over a period of time

彼はママに言った、「もし柵が必要なら、柵を建てる前に必要になるだろう。

And the last thing we want to do is to act like we’re afraid.”

act like (~のように振る舞う) [動] behave as if one is

afraid (恐れている) [形] filled with fear

そして、私たちがしたい最後のことは、私たちが恐れているように振る舞うことだ。」

Mary and Laura looked at each other.

メアリーとローラは顔を見合わせた。

They knew it was no use to ask questions.

彼女たちは質問しても無駄だと知っていた。

They would only be told again that children must not speak at table until they were spoken to.

子供は食卓で話しかけられない限り話してはいけないと再び言われるだけだろう。

Or that children should be seen and not heard.

be heard (声を出してはならない) [動] be able to be perceived by the ear

あるいは、子供は見かけだけで、声を出してはならないと。

That afternoon Laura asked Ma what a stockade was.

その午後、ローラはママに柵とは何かを尋ねた。

Ma said it was something to make little girls ask questions.

ママはそれは小さな女の子に質問させるものだと言った。

That meant that grown-ups would not tell you what it was.

それは大人達がそれが何であるかをあなたに話さないということを意味した。

And Mary looked a look at Laura that said, “I told you so.”

look a look (見る) [動] direct one's gaze at someone or something

そしてメアリーはローラを「言ったでしょう」というように見た。

Laura didn’t know why Pa said he must not act as if he were afraid.

ローラはパパがなぜ怖がっているように振る舞ってはいけないと言ったのか分からなかった。

Pa was never afraid.

be never afraid (決して怖がらない) [動] to not be afraid at any time

パパは決して怖がらなかった。

Laura didn’t want to act as if she were afraid, but she was.

ローラは怖がっているように振る舞いたくなかったが、怖かった。

She was afraid of the Indians.

be afraid of (怖がる) [動] be frightened of

彼女はインディアンが怖かった。

Jack never laid back his ears and smiled at Laura any more.

ジャックは二度と耳を後ろに倒してローラに微笑みかけなかった。

Even while she petted him, his ears were lifted, his neck bristled, and his lips twitched back from his teeth.

even while (間でさえ) [副] during the time that

pet (撫でる) [動] stroke or caress gently

lift (立っている) [動] raise to a higher position

彼女が彼を撫でている間でさえ、彼の耳は立っていて、首の毛は逆立ち、唇は歯から後ろに引きつっていた。

His eyes were angry.

be angry (怒っている) [動] feeling or showing anger

彼の目は怒っていた。

Every night he growled more fiercely, and every night the Indian drums beat faster, faster, and the wild yipping rose higher and higher, faster, wilder.

higher (より高く) [副] at a higher level

faster (より速く) [副] at a higher speed

wilder (より激しく) [副] in a wilder manner

毎晩彼はより激しく唸り、毎晩インディアンの太鼓はより速く、より速く打ち鳴らされ、野生の叫び声はより高く、より速く、より激しくなった。

In the middle of the night Laura sat straight up and screamed.

真夜中にローラは起き上がって叫んだ。

Some terrible sound had made cold sweat come out all over her.

some (何か) [限] an unspecified amount or number of

cold sweat (冷や汗) [名] perspiration that is often a sign of fear or nervousness

come out (出る) [動] move or travel outward

何か恐ろしい音が彼女の全身に冷や汗をかかせた。

Ma came to her quickly and said in her gentle way: “Be quiet, Laura.

quickly (すぐに) [副] at a fast speed; rapidly

ママはすぐに彼女のところに来て、優しく言った。「静かに、ローラ。

You mustn’t frighten Carrie.”

キャリーを怖がらせてはいけないよ。」

Laura clung to Ma, and Ma was wearing her dress.

ローラはママにしがみついた。ママはドレスを着ていた。

The fire was covered with ashes and the house was dark, but Ma had not gone to bed.

火は灰で覆われ、家は暗かったが、ママは寝ていなかった。

Moonlight came through the window.

月明かりが窓から差し込んでいた。

The shutter was open, and Pa stood in the dark by the window, looking out.

look out (外を眺める) [動] look through a window

鎧戸は開いていて、パパは暗闇の中で窓のそばに立って外を眺めていた。

He had his gun.

彼は銃を持っていた。

Out in the night the drums were beating and the Indians were wildly yelling.

out in the night (夜の外) [名] outside at night

夜の外では太鼓が鳴り、インディアンは激しく叫んでいた。

Then that terrible sound came again.

すると、あの恐ろしい音がまた聞こえてきた。

Laura felt as if she were falling;

ローラは落ちていくような気がした。

she couldn’t hold on to anything;

彼女は何もつかむことができなかった。

there was nothing solid anywhere.

solid (固い) [形] firm or hard; not liquid or gas

どこにも固いものはなかった。

It seemed a long time before she could see or think or speak.

彼女が物を見たり、考えたり、話せるようになるまで長い時間がかかったように思えた。

She screamed: “What is it? What is it?

彼女は叫んだ。「何? 何?

Oh, Pa, what is it?”

パパ、何?」

She was shaking all over and she felt sick in her middle.

feel sick (気持ちが悪い) [動] experience nausea

彼女は全身を震わせていて、腹のあたりが気持ち悪かった。

She heard the drums pounding and the wild yipping yells and she felt Ma holding her safe.

彼女は太鼓が鳴り響き、野生の叫び声が聞こえ、ママが彼女を安全に抱きしめているのを感じた。

Pa said, “It’s the Indian war-cry, Laura.”

war-cry (戦いの叫び) [名] a loud cry or yell uttered by a warrior before or during an attack

パパは「インディアンの戦いの叫びだ、ローラ」と言った。

Ma made a soft sound, and he said to her, “They might as well know, Caroline.”

make a sound (声を上げる) [動] to produce a sound

as well (~したほうがいい) [副] in addition; also

know (知っておく) [動] to be aware of

ママが小さな声を上げたので、パパは「知っておいたほうがいいよ、キャロライン」と言った。

He explained to Laura that that was the Indian way of talking about war.

war (戦争) [名] a state of armed conflict between different nations or states or different groups within a nation or state

パパはローラに、それがインディアンの戦争の話の仕方だと説明した。

The Indians were only talking about it, and dancing around their fires.

インディアンはただそれについて話していて、火の周りで踊っているだけだった。

Mary and Laura must not be afraid, because Pa was there, and Jack was there, and soldiers were at Fort Gibson and Fort Dodge.

was there (いた) [動] be present

メアリーとローラは怖がらなくていい、パパがいて、ジャックがいて、ギブソン砦とドッジ砦に兵士がいるからだ。

“So don’t be afraid, Mary and Laura,” he said again.

「だから、メアリーとローラ、怖がらなくていい」とパパは再び言った。

Laura gasped and said, “No, Pa.”

ローラは息を呑んで「いいえ、パパ」と言った。

But she was horribly afraid.

しかし、ローラは恐ろしく怖かった。

Mary couldn’t say anything;

メアリーは何も言えなかった。

she lay shivering under the covers.

メアリーは布団の中で震えながら横たわっていた。

Then Carrie began to cry, so Ma carried her to the rocking-chair and gently rocked her.

begin to cry (泣き始める) [動] start crying

carry (抱く) [動] hold in one's arms

するとキャリーが泣き始めたので、ママはキャリーを抱いてロッキングチェアに座り、優しく揺すった。

Laura crept out of bed and huddled against Ma’s knee.

ローラはベッドから這い出て、ママの膝に寄り添った。

And Mary, left all alone, crept after her and huddled close, too.

メアリーも一人ぼっちにされたので、ローラに続いて這い出て、ママの膝に寄り添った。

Pa stayed by the window, watching.

パパは窓のそばにいて、見ていた。

The drums seemed to beat in Laura’s head.

ローラの頭の中で太鼓が鳴っているようだった。

They seemed to beat deep inside her.

太鼓はローラの体の奥深くで鳴っているようだった。

The wild, fast yipping yells were worse than wolves.

野生の、速い叫び声は狼よりもひどかった。

Something worse was coming, Laura knew it.

worse (もっとひどい) [形] of poorer quality or lower standard

come (起こる) [動] take place; happen

もっとひどいことが起こりそうだった。ローラにはわかった。

Then it came—the Indian war-cry.

そして、インディアンの雄叫びが聞こえた。

A nightmare is not so terrible as that night was.

nightmare (悪夢) [名] a frightening or unpleasant dream

悪夢でもあの夜ほど恐ろしくはない。

A nightmare is only a dream, and when it is worst you wake up.

dream (夢) [名] a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep

悪夢はただの夢で、最悪の時には目が覚める。

But this was real and Laura could not wake up.

real (現実) [名] the state of things as they actually exist

しかし、これは現実で、ローラは目を覚ますことはできなかった。

She could not get away from it.

get away (逃げる) [動] leave a place or situation

彼女はそこから逃げることができなかった。

When the war-cry was over, Laura knew it had not got her yet.

雄叫びが終わった時、ローラはそれがまだ自分を捕まえていないことを知った。

She was still in the dark house and she was pressed close against Ma.

press (抱きしめる) [動] exert steady force on

close (ぎゅっと) [副] very near or very near in time

彼女はまだ暗い家の中にいて、ママにぎゅっと抱きしめられていた。

Ma was trembling all over.

ママは全身を震わせていた。

Jack’s howling ended in a sobbing growl.

sobbing (すすり泣く) [動] cry with short convulsive gasps

ジャックの遠吠えはすすり泣くような唸り声で終わった。

Carrie began to scream again, and Pa wiped his forehead and said, “Whew!”

キャリーはまた叫び始め、パパは額を拭いて「ふう!」と言った。

“I never heard anything like it,” Pa said.

anything (音) [名] a thing of any kind

「こんな音は聞いたことがない」とパパは言った。

He asked, “How do you suppose they learned to do it?”

learn (学ぶ) [動] gain knowledge or skills

彼らはどうやってそれを学んだと思う?」と彼は尋ねた。

but nobody answered that.

しかし誰もそれに答えなかった。

“They don’t need guns.

「彼らは銃を必要としない。

That yell’s enough to scare anybody to death,” he said.

death (死) [名] the end of all life in an organism

あの叫び声は誰でも死ぬほど怖がらせるのに十分だ」と彼は言った。

“My mouth’s so dry I couldn’t whistle a tune to save my life.

life (命) [名] the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death

「口がとても乾いていて、命を救うために口笛を吹くこともできなかった。

Bring me some water, Laura.”

ローラ、水を持ってきてくれ」

That made Laura feel better.

ローラは気分が良くなった。

She carried a dipper full of water to Pa at the window.

彼女は水をいっぱい入れたひしゃくを窓際のパパのところに運んだ。

He took it and smiled at her, and that made her feel very much better.

パパはそれを受け取ると彼女に微笑みかけ、彼女はとても気分が良くなった。

He drank a little and smiled again and said, “There! now I can whistle!”

パパは少し飲んで、また微笑んで、「ほら! 今は口笛が吹けるよ!」と言った。

He whistled a few notes to show her that he could.

パパは口笛を吹いて、ローラにできることを示した。

Then he listened.

それからパパは耳を傾けた。

And Laura, too, heard far away the soft pitter-pat, pat-pat, pitter-pat pat, of a pony’s galloping.

pitter-pat (パタパタ) [名] a light, quick tapping sound

そしてローラも遠くでポニーがギャロップする柔らかいパタパタ、パタパタ、パタパタという音を聞いた。

It came nearer.

音は近づいてきた。

From one side of the house came the drum-throbbing and the fast, shrill, yapping yells, and from the other side came the lonely sound of the rider’s galloping.

drum-throbbing (ドラムの音) [名] the sound of a drum

yapping (叫び声) [名] a short, sharp cry or bark

other side (もう片方) [名] the remaining one of two or more parts or things

家の片側からはドラムの音と速く甲高い叫び声が聞こえ、もう片方からは乗り手のギャロップの孤独な音が聞こえた。

Nearer and nearer it came.

nearer (近づいてきた) [形] closer

音はますます近づいてきた。

Now the hoofs clattered loudly and suddenly they were going by.

clatter (響く) [動] make a loud rattling noise

loudly (大きく) [副] at a high volume

ひづめの音が大きく響き、突然通り過ぎていった。

The galloping went by and grew fainter, down the creek road.

grow fainter (次第に小さくなる) [動] become less intense or pronounced

ギャロップは通り過ぎ、小川の道を下って次第に小さくなっていった。

In the moonlight Laura saw the behind of a little black Indian pony, and an Indian on its back.

behind (後ろ姿) [名] the back part of something

月明かりの下でローラは小さな黒いインディアンの子馬の後ろ姿と、その背中に乗ったインディアンを見た。

She saw a huddle of blanket and a naked head and a flutter of feathers above it, and moonlight on a gun barrel and then it was all gone.

huddle (塊) [名] a group of people or things crowded together

gun barrel (銃身) [名] the metal tube of a gun through which the bullet is shot

gone (消えてしまった) [動] no longer present or in existence

彼女は毛布の塊と裸の頭とその上の羽のひらひら、そして銃身の月明かりを見て、それからすべてが消えてしまった。

Nothing was there but empty prairie.

そこには何もなかったが、空の大草原だけだった。

Pa said he was durned if he knew what to make of it.

durned (ひどい目に遭う) [形] damned

make of (どうしたらいいか) [動] understand or interpret

パパは、もし彼がそれをどうしたらいいか知っていたら、彼はひどい目に遭うだろうと言った。

He said that was the Osage who had tried to talk French to him.

Osage (オセージ) [名] a member of the Osage people

彼は、それが彼にフランス語で話そうとしたオセージだと言った。

He asked, “What’s he doing, out at this hour, riding hell bent for leather?”

hour (時間) [名] a period of time equal to 60 minutes

hell (地獄) [名] a place regarded in various religions as a spiritual realm of evil and suffering, often traditionally depicted as a place of perpetual fire beneath the earth where the wicked are punished after death

彼は尋ねた、「彼は何をしているんだ、こんな時間に、革のために地獄に曲がって乗って?」

Nobody answered because nobody knew.

誰も答えなかった、誰も知らなかったからだ。

The drums throbbed and the Indians went on yelling.

太鼓が鳴り響き、インディアンは叫び続けた。

The terrible war-cry came again and again.

恐ろしい戦いの叫びが何度も聞こえた。

Little by little, after a long time, the yells grew fainter and fewer.

fewer (回数も減っていった) [形] a smaller number of

長い時間が経って、少しずつ叫び声は小さくなり、回数も減っていった。

At last Carrie cried herself to sleep.

cry oneself to sleep (泣き疲れて眠る) [動] cry until one falls asleep

ついにキャリーは泣き疲れて眠ってしまった。

Ma sent Mary and Laura back to bed.

back (ベッドに) [副] to or toward the place or time from which one came

ママはメアリーとローラをベッドに返した。

Next day they could not go out of the house.

次の日、彼らは家から出ることができなかった。

Pa stayed close by.

close by (近くに) [副] near; not far away

パパは近くにいた。

There was not one sound from the Indian camps.

インディアンの野営地からは音一つしなかった。

The whole vast prairie was still.

広大な大草原全体が静かだった。

Only the wind blew over the blackened earth where there was no grass to rustle.

草がなくてざわめくこともない黒くなった大地を風だけが吹き抜けた。

The wind blew past the house with a rushing sound like running water.

running water (流水) [名] water that is moving

風が流水のような音を立てて家のそばを吹き抜けた。

That night the noise in the Indian camps was worse than the night before.

the night before (前夜) [名] the night of the day before the day just mentioned

その夜、インディアンの野営地の騒ぎは前夜よりもひどかった。

Again the war-cries were more terrible than the most dreadful nightmare.

再び、戦いの叫びは最も恐ろしい悪夢よりも恐ろしかった。

Laura and Mary huddled close against Ma, poor little Baby Carrie cried, Pa watched at the window with his gun.

ローラとメアリーはママにぴったりと寄り添い、かわいそうな赤ん坊のキャリーは泣き、パパは銃を持って窓を見張った。

And all night long Jack paced and growled, and screamed when the war-cries came.

all night long (一晩中) [副] for the entire night

そして、一晩中ジャックは歩き回り、唸り、戦いの叫びが聞こえると叫んだ。

The next night, and the next night, and the next night, were worse and worse.

次の夜、その次の夜、そのまた次の夜は、ますますひどくなった。

Mary and Laura were so tired that they fell asleep while the drums pounded and the Indians yelled.

メアリーとローラはとても疲れていたので、太鼓が鳴り響き、インディアンが叫んでいる間に眠り込んでしまった。

But a war-cry always jerked them wide awake in terror.

terror (恐怖) [名] a state of intense fear

しかし、戦いの叫びはいつも彼女たちを恐怖で目覚めさせた。

And the silent days were even worse than the nights.

そして、静かな日々は夜よりもさらにひどかった。

Pa watched and listened all the time.

パパはいつも見張り、耳を傾けていた。

The plow was in the field where he had left it;

鋤は彼が置いたままの畑にあった。

Pet and Patty and the colt and the cow and calf stayed in the barn.

ペットとパティと子馬と牛と子牛は納屋に残った。

Mary and Laura could not go out of the house.

メアリーとローラは家から出られなかった。

And Pa never stopped looking at the prairie all around, and turning his head quickly toward the smallest noise.

never stop (止めない) [動] not stop

そしてパパは周囲の草原を見回し、小さな物音にも素早く頭を向ける動作を止めなかった。

He ate hardly any dinner;

hardly (ほとんど) [副] almost not at all

any (少しも) [限] one, some, or all indiscriminately of whatever quantity

彼は夕食をほとんど食べなかった。

he kept getting up and going outdoors to look all around at the prairie.

彼は立ち上がって、草原を見回すために外に出続けた。

One day his head nodded down to the table and he slept there.

nod (うなだれる) [動] move one's head to show understanding, approval, or to indicate that one is listening

ある日、彼の頭はテーブルに落ち、そこで眠った。

Ma and Mary and Laura were still to let him sleep.

ママとメアリーとローラは彼を寝かせたままにした。

He was so tired.

彼はとても疲れていた。

But in a minute he woke up with a jump and said, sharply, to Ma, “Don’t let me do that again!”

don't let me (させないでくれ) [動] prevent someone from doing something

do that again (そんなことはさせないでくれ) [動] do something again

しかし、すぐに彼は飛び起きて、ママに「二度とそんなことはさせないでくれ!」と鋭く言った。

“Jack was on guard,” Ma said, gently.

on guard (番をする) [動] to be on the lookout for danger or trouble

「ジャックが番をしていたのよ」とママは優しく言った。

That night was worst of all.

worst (最悪) [形] of the poorest quality or the lowest standard; bad

その夜は最悪だった。

The drums were faster and the yells were louder and fiercer.

太鼓はより速く、叫び声はより大きく激しくなった。

All up and down the creek war-cries answered war-cries and the bluffs echoed.

小川の上下で戦いの叫びが戦いの叫びに答え、断崖が反響した。

There was no rest.

no (ない) [形] not any

休む暇はなかった。

Laura ached all over and there was a terrible ache in her very middle.

ローラは全身が痛み、真ん中がひどく痛んだ。

At the window Pa said, “Caroline, they are quarreling among themselves.

at the window (窓際で) [副] near the window

quarrel (喧嘩) [名] an angry argument or disagreement

窓際でパパは「キャロライン、彼らは仲間内で喧嘩している。

Maybe they will fight each other.”

もしかしたら彼らは戦うかもしれない。」

“Oh, Charles, if they only will!” Ma said.

will (そうしてくれれば) [動] express a strong intention or determination

「ああ、チャールズ、彼らがそうしてくれれば!」とママは言った。

All night there was not a minute’s rest.

not a minute's rest (一分も休む暇がない) [名] no rest at all

一晩中、一分も休む暇がなかった。

Just before dawn a last war-cry ended

just before (直前に) [副] immediately preceding

夜明け直前に最後の雄叫びが終わり

and Laura slept against Ma’s knee.

against (寄りかかって) [前] in contact with and supported by

ローラはママの膝に寄りかかって眠った。

She woke up in bed.

彼女はベッドで目を覚ました。

Mary was sleeping beside her.

メアリーは彼女の横で寝ていた。

The door was open, and by the sunshine on the floor Laura knew it was almost noon.

be open (開いている) [動] not closed

ドアは開いていて、床に差し込む日差しからローラはもうすぐ正午だとわかった。

Ma was cooking dinner.

ママは夕食を作っていた。

Pa sat on the doorstep.

パパは玄関の階段に座っていた。

He said to Ma, “There’s another big party, going off to the south.”

彼はママに「南に向かう別の大きな集団がいる」と言った。

Laura went to the door in her nightgown, and she saw a long line of Indians far away.

long line (長い列) [名] a queue of people or vehicles

ローラは寝間着のままドアまで行き、遠くに長い列をなすインディアンを見た。

The line came up out of the black prairie and it went farther away southward.

southward (南に向かって) [副] toward the south

その列は暗い大草原から出てきて、南に向かって遠ざかっていった。

The Indians on their ponies were so small in the distance that they looked not much bigger than ants.

so small (とても小さい) [形] very small

distance (遠く) [名] the space between two points

not much bigger (あまり大きくない) [形] not very big

ポニーに乗ったインディアンは遠くから見るととても小さく、アリよりあまり大きく見えなかった。

Pa said that two big parties of Indians had gone west that morning.

party (集団) [名] a group of people who are together or have the same interests

パパは、その朝、インディアンの2つの大きな集団が西に向かったと言った。

Now this one was going south.

this one (この集団) [名] the group of people or animals that is being talked about

今、この集団は南に向かっていた。

It meant that the Indians had quarreled among themselves.

それはインディアン同士が喧嘩したことを意味していた。

They were going away from their camps in the creek bottoms.

彼らは小川の底にあるキャンプから離れようとしていた。

They would not go all together to their big buffalo-hunt.

all together (皆で一緒に) [副] in a group

彼らは皆で一緒に大規模なバッファロー狩りに行くことはなかった。

That night the darkness came quietly.

その夜、暗闇が静かにやってきた。

There was no sound except the rushing of the wind.

rushing (音) [名] a noise

風の音以外には何も聞こえなかった。

“Tonight we’ll sleep!” Pa said, and they did.

「今夜は眠れるぞ!」とパパは言った。そして彼らは眠った。

All night long they did not even dream.

一晩中、彼らは夢を見ることさえなかった。

And in the morning Jack was still sleeping limp and flat on the same spot where he had been sleeping when Laura went to bed.

limp (ぐったり) [形] lacking energy or force

そして朝、ジャックはローラが寝たときと同じ場所でぐったりと平らに寝ていた。

The next night was still, too, and again they all slept soundly.

次の夜も静かで、またみんなぐっすり眠った。

That morning Pa said he felt as fresh as a daisy, and he was going to do a little scouting along the creek.

その朝、パパはヒナギクのように爽快な気分だと言い、小川沿いに少し偵察に出かけようとした。

He chained Jack to the ring in the house wall, and he took his gun and went out of sight down the creek road.

ring (輪) [名] a circular band of metal or other hard material

creek road (小川の道) [名] a road that runs along a creek

彼はジャックを家の壁の輪に鎖でつなぎ、銃を持って小川の道を下って見えなくなった。

Laura and Mary and Ma could not do anything but wait until he came back.

ローラとメアリーとママは彼が帰ってくるまで待つ以外何もできなかった。

They stayed in the house and wished he would come.

彼女たちは家の中にいて、彼が来てくれることを願った。

The sunshine had never moved so slowly on the floor as it did that day.

その日ほど日差しが床の上をゆっくりと動いたことはなかった。

But he did come back.

しかし、彼は帰ってきた。

Late in the afternoon he came.

午後遅くに彼は帰ってきた。

And everything was all right.

そして、すべてが大丈夫だった。

He had gone far up and down the creek and had seen many deserted Indian camps.

go up and down (上り下りする) [動] move up and down

彼は小川をずっと上り下りして、たくさんの捨てられたインディアンのキャンプを見てきた。

All the Indians had gone away, except a tribe called the Osages.

オセージ族と呼ばれる部族を除いて、すべてのインディアンは去っていた。

In the woods Pa had met an Osage who could talk to him.

in the woods (森の中で) [副] in a wooded area

森の中でパパは彼と話せるオセージ族に会った。

This Indian told him that all the tribes except the Osages had made up their minds to kill the white people who had come into the Indian country.

Osages (オセージ族) [名] a Native American people

Indian country (インディアンの国) [名] the land occupied by the Native Americans

このインディアンは、オセージ族を除くすべての部族が、インディアンの国に入ってきた白人を殺そうと決心していると彼に言った。

And they were getting ready to do it when the lone Indian came riding into their big pow-wow.

come riding (馬で乗り込んできた) [動] come on horseback

pow-wow (会議) [名] a social gathering or celebration of American Indians

そして、彼らがそれを実行しようと準備していた時に、一人のインディアンが彼らの大きな会議に馬で乗り込んできた。

That Indian had come riding so far and fast because he did not want them to kill the white people.

そのインディアンは、彼らが白人を殺すことを望まなかったので、遠くから速く馬で駆けつけてきた。

He was an Osage, and they called him a name that meant he was a great soldier.

彼はオセージ族で、彼らは彼を偉大な戦士を意味する名前で呼んだ。

“Soldat du Chêne,” Pa said his name was.

Soldat du Chêne (ソルダ・デュ・シェーヌ) [名] a name

「ソルダ・デュ・シェーヌ」とパパは彼の名前を言った。

“He kept arguing with them day and night,” Pa said, “till all the other Osages agreed with him.

day and night (昼も夜も) [名] all the time

「彼は昼も夜も彼らと議論を続けた」とパパは言った。「他のすべてのオセージ族が彼に同意するまで。

Then he stood up and told the other tribes that if they started to massacre us, the Osages would fight them.”

それから彼は立ち上がって、他の部族に、もし彼らが私たちを虐殺し始めたら、オセージ族は彼らと戦うだろうと言った。」

That was what had made so much noise, that last terrible night.

be what (~だった) [動] be the thing that

それが、あの最後の恐ろしい夜にあんなに大きな音を立てていたものだった。

The other tribes were howling at the Osages, and the Osages were howling back at them.

back (向かって) [副] in the opposite direction

他の部族はオセージ族に向かって吠え、オセージ族も彼らに向かって吠えていた。

The other tribes did not dare fight Soldat du Chêne and all his Osages, so next day they went away.

他の部族はソルダ・デュ・シェーヌと彼のすべてのオセージ族と戦う勇気がなかったので、翌日彼らは去っていった。

“That’s one good Indian!” Pa said.

「それはいいインディアンだ!」とパパは言った。

No matter what Mr. Scott said, Pa did not believe that the only good Indian was a dead Indian.

no matter what (何と言おうと) [副] regardless of what

スコットさんが何と言おうと、パパは唯一の良いインディアンは死んだインディアンだとは信じていなかった。

Chapter 24: INDIANS RIDE AWAY

Chapter 24 (第24章) [名] the 24th chapter

ride away (去る) [動] leave on horseback

第24章: インディアンの去り

There was another long night of sleep.

長い夜がまたやってきた。

It was so good to lie down and sleep soundly.

sleep soundly (ぐっすり眠る) [動] to sleep deeply and peacefully

横になってぐっすり眠るのはとても気持ちがよかった。

Everything was safe and quiet.

全てが安全で静かだった。

Only the owls called “Who-oo? Who-oo?” in the woods along the creek, while the great moon sailed slowly over the curve of the sky above the endless prairie.

小川沿いの森でフクロウだけが「ホーホー、ホーホー」と鳴き、大きな月が果てしない大草原の上の空の曲線をゆっくりと横切っていった。

In the morning the sun shone warmly.

朝、太陽が暖かく輝いていた。

Down by the creek the frogs were croaking.

down by (下で) [前] in a lower position than

小川の下ではカエルが鳴いていた。

“Garrump! Garrump!” they cried by the edge of the pools.

Garrump (ゲロゲロ) [名] the sound of a frog

「ゲロゲロ、ゲロゲロ」と水たまりの端で鳴いていた。

“Knee deep! Knee deep! Better go ’round.”

knee deep (膝まで深い) [形] as deep as one's knees

go ’round (回る) [動] move in a circular motion

「膝まで深いぞ! 膝まで深いぞ! 回った方がいいぞ」

Ever since Ma had told them what the frogs were saying, Mary and Laura could hear the words plainly.

ever since (それ以来) [副] from the time that

ママがカエルが何を言っているのかを教えてくれたので、メアリーとローラにははっきりと言葉が聞こえた。

The door was open to let in the warm spring air.

let in (入れる) [動] allow to enter

暖かい春の空気を入れるためにドアが開いていた。

After breakfast Pa went out, whistling merrily.

朝食後、パパは陽気に口笛を吹きながら出かけていった。

He was going to hitch Pet and Patty to the plow again.

パパはまたペットとパティを鋤につなぐつもりだった。

But his whistling suddenly stopped.

しかし、パパの口笛は突然止まった。

He stood on the doorstep, looking toward the east, and he said, “Come here, Caroline.

パパは玄関の段に立って東の方を眺め、「キャロライン、こっちへ来てくれ。

And you, Mary and Laura.”

メアリーとローラも」と言った。

Laura ran out first, and she was surprised.

run out (飛び出す) [動] leave a place quickly

ローラが最初に飛び出し、驚いた。

The Indians were coming.

インディアンがやってくるのだった。

They did not come on the creek road.

彼らは小川の道を来なかった。

They came riding up out of the creek bottoms far to the east.

彼らははるか東の小川の底から馬に乗ってやってきた。

First came the tall Indian who had gone riding by the house in the moonlight.

最初に、月明かりの下で家のそばを馬で走り去った背の高いインディアンがやってきた。

Jack was growling and Laura’s heart beat fast.

ジャックは唸り、ローラの心臓はドキドキした。

She was glad to be close to Pa.

be close to (近くにいる) [動] be near or next to

彼女はパパの近くにいられて嬉しかった。

But she knew this was the good Indian, the Osage chief who had stopped the terrible war-cries.

chief (酋長) [名] the head of a tribe or other group of people

しかし、彼女はこれが善良なインディアン、恐ろしい戦いの叫びを止めたオセージ族の酋長であることを知っていた。

His black pony came trotting willingly, sniffing the wind that blew its mane and tail like fluttering banners.

banner (旗) [名] a strip of cloth with a design or slogan

彼の黒いポニーは、たてがみと尻尾をはためく旗のように吹き飛ばす風を嗅ぎながら、喜んで小走りでやってきた。

The pony’s nose and head were free;

ポニーの鼻と頭は自由だった。

it wore no bridle.

手綱はつけていなかった。

Not even one strap was on it anywhere.

not even one (一本もない) [名] not even a single one

on (ついている) [前] attached to or connected to

どこにも一本の革ひもさえついていなかった。

There was nothing to make it do anything it didn’t want to do.

ポニーがやりたくないことをさせるものは何もなかった。

Willingly it came trotting along the old Indian trail as if it liked to carry the Indian on its back.

ポニーは、インディアンを背中に乗せるのが好きなように、古いインディアンの道を喜んで小走りしてきた。

Jack growled savagely, trying to get loose from his chain.

savagely (荒々しく) [副] in a fierce or violent manner

get loose (逃れる) [動] to become free or untied

ジャックは鎖から逃れようとして、荒々しく唸った。

He remembered this Indian who had pointed a gun at him.

ジャックは、自分に向けられた銃を覚えていた。

Pa said, “Be still, Jack.”

パパは「ジャック、静かに」と言った。

Jack growled again, and for the first time in their lives Pa struck him.

for the first time (初めて) [副] never before

strike (殴る) [動] hit forcibly

ジャックは再び唸り、パパは生まれて初めてジャックを殴った。

“Lie down! Be still!” Pa said.

lie down (伏せる) [動] get into or be in a lying position

be still (静かにする) [動] not move or make a sound

「伏せろ! 静かに!」とパパは言った。

Jack cowered down and was still.

cower (うずくまる) [動] crouch down in fear

ジャックはうずくまって静かになった。

The pony was very near now, and Laura’s heart beat faster and faster.

very near (すぐそこ) [副] very close

beat (高鳴る) [動] to make a sound by hitting something

faster and faster (ドキドキ) [副] more and more quickly

ポニーはもうすぐそこまで来ていて、ローラの心臓はドキドキと高鳴った。

She looked at the Indian’s beaded moccasin, she looked up along the fringed legging that clung to the pony’s bare side.

beaded (ビーズ飾りのついた) [形] decorated with beads

fringed (フリンジのついた) [形] having a fringe

legging (レギング) [名] a covering for the leg

ローラはインディアンのビーズ飾りのついたモカシンを見て、ポニーのむき出しの脇腹に張り付いたフリンジのついたレギングに沿って見上げた。

A bright-colored blanket was wrapped around the Indian.

インディアンは鮮やかな色の毛布を巻き付けていた。

One bare brown-red arm carried a rifle lightly across the pony’s naked shoulders.

brown-red (赤褐色の) [形] of a color intermediate between brown and red

carry (担ぐ) [動] take or support from one place to another

lightly (軽く) [副] to a small degree; slightly

片方のむき出しの赤褐色の腕は、ポニーのむき出しの肩に軽くライフルを担いでいた。

Then Laura looked up at the Indian’s fierce, still, brown face.

brown (褐色の) [形] of a color intermediate between red and yellow in the spectrum; of a color produced by combining red, yellow, and black

それからローラはインディアンの荒々しく、静かな、褐色の顔を見上げた。

It was a proud, still face.

それは誇り高く、静かな顔だった。

No matter what happened, it would always be like that.

何が起ころうとも、それはいつもそうだった。

Nothing would change it.

change (変える) [動] make or become different

何もそれを変えることはできない。

Only the eyes were alive in that face, and they gazed steadily far away to the west.

alive (生き生きとしている) [形] having life; living

steadily (じっと) [副] firmly or resolutely

その顔の中では目だけが生き生きとしていて、西の遠くをじっと見つめていた。

They did not move.

彼らは動かなかった。

Nothing moved or changed, except the eagle feathers standing straight up from the scalplock on the shaved head.

eagle (鷲) [名] a large bird of prey with a hooked bill and long broad wings

shave (剃る) [動] cut the hair off

剃った頭の頭皮から真っ直ぐに立っている鷲の羽を除いて、何も動かず、何も変わらなかった。

The long feathers swayed and dipped, waving and spinning in the wind as the tall Indian on the black pony passed on into the distance.

dip (傾く) [動] move or cause to move downward

pass on (去っていく) [動] move or cause to move onward

長い羽は揺れ、傾き、風に揺れ、回転し、黒いポニーに乗った背の高いインディアンは遠くへと去っていった。

“Du Chêne himself,” Pa said, under his breath, and he lifted his hand in salute.

Du Chêne (デュ・シェーヌ) [名] a French surname

himself (本人) [代] that male person

salute (敬礼) [名] a gesture of respect

「デュ・シェーヌ本人だ」とパパは小声で言い、敬礼のために手を上げた。

But the happy pony and the motionless Indian went by.

しかし、幸せそうなポニーと動かないインディアンは通り過ぎていった。

They went by as if the house and stable and Pa and Ma and Mary and Laura were not there at all.

彼らは、家や馬小屋、パパやママ、メアリーやローラがそこにいないかのように通り過ぎていった。

Pa and Ma and Mary and Laura slowly turned and looked at that Indian’s proud straight back.

パパとママとメアリーとローラはゆっくりと振り返り、インディアンの誇り高く真っ直ぐな背中を見た。

Then other ponies and other blankets and shaved heads and eagle feathers came between.

それから、他のポニーや他の毛布、剃った頭や鷲の羽が間に入ってきた。

One by one on the path, more and more savage warriors were riding behind Du Chêne.

one by one (次から次へと) [副] in succession

道を次から次へと、ますます多くの野蛮な戦士たちがデュ・シェーヌの後ろを馬で走っていた。

Brown face after brown face went by.

brown face (褐色の顔) [名] a face that is brown in color

褐色の顔が次から次へと通り過ぎていった。

Ponies’ manes and tails blew in the wind, beads glittered, fringe flapped, eagle feathers were waving on all the naked heads.

blow (なびく) [動] be moved by the wind

flap (はためく) [動] move or cause to move up and down or from side to side

ポニーのたてがみとしっぽが風になびき、ビーズがきらめき、フリンジがはためき、鷲の羽がすべての裸の頭の上で揺れていた。

Rifles lying on the ponies’ shoulders bristled all along the line.

bristle (ぎっしりと並ぶ) [動] be full of or covered with something

ポニーの肩に横たわるライフル銃が列に沿ってぎっしりと並んでいた。

Laura was excited about the ponies.

be excited about (興奮している) [動] be very enthusiastic about something

ローラはポニーに興奮していた。

There were black ponies, bay ponies, gray and brown and spotted ponies.

bay (栗毛の) [形] of a reddish-brown color

黒いポニー、栗毛のポニー、灰色と茶色とまだらのポニーがいた。

Their little feet went trippety-trip-trip, trippety-trip, pat-patter, pat-patter, trippety pat-patter, all along the Indian trail.

trippety-trip-trip (トリッピー・トリップ・トリップ) [名] the sound of small feet moving quickly

trippety-trip (トリッピー・トリップ) [名] the sound of small feet moving quickly

pat-patter (パタパタ) [名] the sound of small feet moving quickly

trippety pat-patter (トリッピー・パタパタ) [名] the sound of small feet moving quickly

彼らの小さな足は、インディアンの道をずっと、トリッピー・トリップ・トリップ、トリッピー・トリップ、パタパタ、パタパタ、トリッピー・パタパタと進んだ。

Their nostrils widened at Jack and their bodies shied away from him, but they came on bravely, looking with their bright eyes at Laura.

nostril (鼻孔) [名] either of the two openings of the nose

widen (広がる) [動] become or make wider

body (体) [名] the physical structure, including the bones, flesh and organs, of a person or an animal

shy away from (遠ざかる) [動] to avoid or keep away from

bravely (勇敢に) [副] in a courageous manner

彼らの鼻孔はジャックに向かって広がり、体は彼から遠ざかっていたが、彼らは勇敢に近づき、明るい目でローラを見た。

“Oh, the pretty ponies!

「ああ、きれいなポニー!

See the pretty ponies!” she cried, clapping her hands.

きれいなポニーを見て!」と彼女は手を叩いて叫んだ。

“Look at the spotted one.”

「斑点のあるのを見て。」

She thought she would never be tired of watching those ponies coming by, but after a while she began to look at the women and children on their backs.

come by (通り過ぎる) [動] pass by

彼女は、ポニーが通り過ぎるのを見るのに飽きることはないだろうと思ったが、しばらくすると、ポニーの背中に乗っている女性や子供たちを見始めた。

The women and children came riding behind the Indian men.

man (男性) [名] an adult human male

女性と子供たちはインディアンの男性の後ろに乗ってやってきた。

Little naked brown Indians, no bigger than Mary and Laura, were riding the pretty ponies.

メアリーとローラと同じくらいの大きさの、裸の小さな褐色のインディアンが、きれいなポニーに乗っていた。

The ponies did not have to wear bridles or saddles, and the little Indians did not have to wear clothes.

ポニーは手綱や鞍を着けなくてもよかったし、小さなインディアンは服を着なくてもよかった。

All their skin was out in the fresh air and the sunshine.

fresh air (新鮮な空気) [名] air that is clean and unpolluted

彼らの肌はすべて新鮮な空気と日差しの中にさらされていた。

Their straight black hair blew in the wind and their black eyes sparkled with joy.

彼らの真っ直ぐな黒髪は風になびき、黒い目は喜びに輝いていた。

They sat on their ponies stiff and still like grown-up Indians.

彼らは大人のインディアンのように、ポニーの上に硬直してじっと座っていた。

Laura looked and looked at the Indian children, and they looked at her.

ローラはインディアンの子供たちをじっと見つめ、彼らも彼女を見つめた。

She had a naughty wish to be a little Indian girl.

have a wish (願いを抱く) [動] to want something to happen

naughty (いたずらな) [形] behaving in a way that is not polite or acceptable

彼女は小さなインディアンの女の子になりたいといういたずらな願いを抱いていた。

Of course she did not really mean it.

mean (思っている) [動] intend to convey or indicate

もちろん、彼女は本当にそう思っているわけではない。

She only wanted to be bare naked in the wind and the sunshine, and riding one of those gay little ponies.

bare naked (裸) [形] not wearing any clothes

gay (陽気な) [形] lighthearted and carefree

彼女はただ、風と日差しの中で裸になって、あの陽気な小さなポニーに乗りたいだけだった。

The Indian children’s mothers were riding ponies, too.

インディアンの子供たちの母親もポニーに乗っていた。

Leather fringe dangled about their legs and blankets were wrapped around their bodies, but the only thing on their heads was their black, smooth hair.

革のフリンジが足にぶら下がり、毛布が体に巻き付けられていたが、頭には黒く滑らかな髪の毛しかなかった。

Their faces were brown and placid.

placid (穏やか) [形] free from disturbance or excitement

彼らの顔は褐色で穏やかだった。

Some had narrow bundles tied on their backs, and tiny babies’ heads stuck out of the top of the bundles.

何人かは背中に細い包みを結びつけ、包みの上から小さな赤ちゃんの頭が突き出ていた。

And some babies and some small children rode in baskets hanging at the ponies’ sides, beside their mothers.

basket (かご) [名] a container made from wood, straw, or other natural material

そして、何人かの赤ちゃんと小さな子供たちは、母親の横でポニーの横に吊るされたかごに乗っていた。

More and more and more ponies passed, and more children, and more babies on their mothers’ backs, and more babies in baskets on the ponies’ sides.

more and more (ますます) [副] to a greater and greater extent

pass (通り過ぎる) [動] go past or across

ますます多くのポニーが通り過ぎ、ますます多くの子供たち、ますます多くの赤ちゃんが母親の背中に、ますます多くの赤ちゃんがポニーの横のかごに乗っていた。

Then came a mother riding, with a baby in a basket on each side of her pony.

それから、ポニーの両側に赤ちゃんを乗せたかごをつけた母親がやってきた。

Laura looked straight into the bright eyes of the little baby nearer her.

look straight into (まっすぐ見つめる) [動] look directly at

ローラは、自分の近くにいる小さな赤ちゃんの明るい目をまっすぐ見つめた。

Only its small head showed above the basket’s rim.

小さな頭だけがかごの縁から出ていた。

Its hair was as black as a crow and its eyes were black as a night when no stars shine.

髪はカラスのように黒く、目は星が輝かない夜のように黒かった。

Those black eyes looked deep into Laura’s eyes and she looked deep down into the blackness of that little baby’s eyes, and she wanted that one little baby.

look deep into (深く見つめる) [動] look at something intently

look deep down into (深く見つめる) [動] look at something intently

その黒い目はローラの目を深く見つめ、ローラはその小さな赤ちゃんの目の黒さを深く見つめ、その小さな赤ちゃんが欲しくなった。

“Pa,” she said, “get me that little Indian baby!”

「パパ、あの小さなインディアンの赤ちゃんを私にちょうだい!」と彼女は言った。

“Hush, Laura!”

「静かに、ローラ!」

Pa told her sternly.

sternly (厳しく) [副] in a severe or strict manner

パパは厳しく言った。

The little baby was going by.

小さな赤ちゃんは通り過ぎていった。

Its head turned and its eyes kept looking into Laura’s eyes.

赤ちゃんは頭を回して、ローラの目をじっと見つめていた。

“Oh, I want it! I want it!” Laura begged.

「ああ、欲しい! 欲しい!」とローラは懇願した。

The baby was going farther and farther away, but it did not stop looking back at Laura.

farther and farther (どんどん) [副] to a greater and greater extent

赤ちゃんはどんどん遠ざかっていったが、ローラを振り返るのをやめなかった。

“It wants to stay with me,” Laura begged.

「この子は私と一緒にいたいのよ」とローラは懇願した。

“Please, Pa, please!”

「お願い、パパ、お願い!」

“Hush, Laura,” Pa said.

「静かに、ローラ」とパパは言った。

“The Indian woman wants to keep her baby.”

「インディアンの女性は赤ちゃんを連れて帰りたいんだ。」

“Oh, Pa!” Laura pleaded, and then she began to cry.

plead (懇願する) [動] make an urgent and emotional request

「ああ、パパ!」ローラは懇願し、そして泣き始めた。

It was shameful to cry, but she couldn’t help it.

泣くのは恥ずかしかったが、彼女は泣かずにはいられなかった。

The little Indian baby was gone.

小さなインディアンの赤ちゃんはいなくなっていた。

She knew she would never see it any more.

彼女は二度とその赤ちゃんに会えないことを知っていた。

Ma said she had never heard of such a thing.

such a thing (そんな話) [名] something of the type mentioned

ママはそんな話は聞いたことがないと言った。

“For shame, Laura,” she said, but Laura could not stop crying.

for shame (恥ずかしい) [間] an expression of disapproval

「恥ずかしいよ、ローラ」と彼女は言ったが、ローラは泣き止むことができなかった。

“Why on earth do you want an Indian baby, of all things!” Ma asked her.

on earth (いったい) [副] used to emphasize a question

「いったいどうしてインディアンの赤ちゃんが欲しいの!」とママは彼女に尋ねた。

“Its eyes are so black,” Laura sobbed.

「あの赤ちゃんの目は真っ黒なの」とローラはすすり泣いた。

She could not say what she meant.

彼女は自分の考えを言うことができなかった。

“Why, Laura,” Ma said, “you don’t want another baby.

「どうして、ローラ」とママは言った、「あなたはもう一人の赤ちゃんは欲しくないよ。

We have a baby, our own baby.”

私たちには赤ちゃんがいるのよ、私たち自身の赤ちゃんが。」

“I want the other one, too!”

「私、もう一人の赤ちゃんも欲しいの!」

Laura sobbed, loudly.

loudly (大声で) [副] with a lot of noise

ローラは大声で泣いた。

“Well, I declare!” Ma exclaimed.

「まあ、びっくり!」ママは叫んだ。

“Look at the Indians, Laura,” said Pa.

「インディアンを見てごらん、ローラ」パパは言った。

“Look west, and then look east, and see what you see.”

「西を見て、それから東を見て、何が見えるか見てごらん」

Laura could hardly see at first.

ローラは最初はほとんど何も見えなかった。

Her eyes were full of tears and sobs kept jerking out of her throat.

sob (すすり泣き) [名] a convulsive catching of the breath with a spasm in the throat

彼女の目は涙でいっぱいで、すすり泣きが喉から出続けた。

But she obeyed Pa as best she could, and in a moment she was still.

obey (従う) [動] follow the commands, instructions, or orders of

as best one can (できる限り) [副] to the best of one's ability

しかし、彼女はできる限りパパに従い、すぐに静かになった。

As far as she could see to the west and as far as she could see to the east there were Indians.

彼女が西に見える限り、そして彼女が東に見える限り、インディアンがいた。

There was no end to that long, long line.

その長い長い列に終わりはなかった。

“That’s an awful lot of Indians,” Pa said.

lot (たくさん) [名] a large number or amount

「それはひどくたくさんのインディアンだ」とパパは言った。

More and more and more Indians came riding by.

もっともっともっと多くのインディアンが馬に乗ってやってきた。

Baby Carrie grew tired of looking at Indians and played by herself on the floor.

grow tired of (飽きる) [動] become bored with

赤ん坊のキャリーはインディアンを見るのに飽きて、床で一人遊びをした。

But Laura sat on the doorstep, Pa stood close beside her, and Ma and Mary stood in the doorway.

close (すぐ横) [副] near or nearer in space or time

しかし、ローラは玄関の段に座り、パパは彼女のすぐ横に立ち、ママとメアリーは戸口に立った。

They looked and looked and looked at Indians riding by.

by (通り過ぎる) [前] past or along

彼らは馬に乗って通り過ぎるインディアンを見続けた。

It was dinner-time, and no one thought of dinner.

夕食の時間だったが、誰も夕食のことを考えなかった。

Indian ponies were still going by, carrying bundles of skins and tent-poles and dangling baskets and cooking pots.

cooking pot (調理鍋) [名] a pot used for cooking

インディアンの小型馬は、皮の束やテントの支柱、ぶら下がったかごや調理鍋を運びながら、まだ通り過ぎていた。

There were a few more women and a few more naked Indian children.

a few more (数人増えた) [名] a small number of additional people or things

女性が数人増え、裸のインディアンの子供も数人増えた。

Then the very last pony went by.

very last (最後の) [形] the last one in a series

そして、最後の小型馬が通り過ぎた。

But Pa and Ma and Laura and Mary still stayed in the doorway, looking, till that long line of Indians slowly pulled itself over the western edge of the world.

しかし、パパとママとローラとメアリーは、インディアンの長い列がゆっくりと世界の西の端にたどり着くまで、まだ戸口に立って見ていた。

And nothing was left but silence and emptiness.

be left (残る) [動] remain after the removal or departure of others

emptiness (空虚さ) [名] the state of containing nothing

そして、沈黙と空虚さ以外何も残らなかった。

All the world seemed very quiet and lonely.

all the world (世界中) [名] the whole world

世界中がとても静かで孤独に見えた。

Ma said she didn’t feel like doing anything, she was so let down.

let down (がっかりさせる) [動] disappoint

ママは、何もする気がしない、とてもがっかりした、と言った。

Pa told her not to do anything but rest.

パパはママに何もせずに休むように言った。

“You must eat something, Charles,” Ma said.

「何か食べないと、チャールズ」とママは言った。

“No,” said Pa.

「いいえ」とパパは言った。

“I don’t feel hungry.”

feel hungry (お腹が空く) [動] have a need for food

「お腹が空いていない」

He went soberly to hitch up Pet and Patty, and he began again to break the tough sod with the plow.

彼はペットとパティをつなぎに真面目に行って、彼は再びすきと堅い芝を壊し始めた。

Laura could not eat anything, either.

ローラも何も食べることができなかった。

She sat a long time on the doorstep, looking into the empty west where the Indians had gone.

look into (眺める) [動] examine or inspect

彼女は長い時間玄関に座って、インディアンが去った空っぽの西を眺めていた。

She seemed still to see waving feathers and black eyes and to hear the sound of ponies’ feet.

彼女は、まだ羽と黒い目を振っているのを見て、ポニーの足の音を聞いているようだった。

Chapter 25: SOLDIERS

第25章: 兵士

After the Indians had gone, a great peace settled on the prairie.

インディアンが去った後、大いなる平和が草原に訪れた。

And one morning the whole land was green.

そしてある朝、大地全体が緑色になった。

“When did that grass grow?” Ma asked, in amazement.

amazement (驚き) [名] a feeling of great surprise or wonder

「いつ草が生えたの?」ママは驚いて尋ねた。

“I thought the whole country was black, and now there’s nothing but green grass as far as the eye can see.”

nothing but (だけ) [副] only; exclusively

「国全体が黒いと思っていたのに、今は見渡す限り緑の草だけだよ」

The whole sky was filled with lines of wild ducks and wild geese flying north.

空全体が北へ飛ぶ野生の鴨や野生のガチョウの列でいっぱいだった。

Crows cawed above the trees along the creek.

小川沿いの木々の上でカラスが鳴いた。

The winds whispered in the new grass, bringing scents of earth and of growing things.

風が新しい草の中でささやき、土や成長する植物の香りを運んで来た。

In the mornings the meadow larks rose singing into the sky.

朝にはヒバリが空に向かって歌いながら舞い上がった。

All day the curlews and killdeers and sandpipers chirped and sang in the creek bottoms.

curlew (シギ) [名] a large wading bird with a long, slender, downward-curving bill

killdeer (キルディアー) [名] a large plover of North America

sandpiper (シギ) [名] a small wading bird with a long, thin bill

chirp (さえずる) [動] make a short, high-pitched sound

一日中、シギやキルディアーやシギが小川の底でさえずり歌った。

Often in the early evening the mockingbirds were singing.

early evening (夕方) [名] the early part of the evening

夕方になるとよくマネシツグミが歌っていた。

One night Pa and Mary and Laura sat still on the doorstep, watching little rabbits playing in the grass in the starlight.

ある夜、パパとメアリーとローラは玄関の段にじっと座って、星明かりの下で草の中で遊んでいる小さなウサギを見ていた。

Three rabbit mothers hopped about with lopping ears and watched their little rabbits playing, too.

3匹のウサギの母親が耳を垂らして跳び回り、小さなウサギが遊んでいるのを見ていた。

In the daytime everyone was busy.

日中はみんな忙しかった。

Pa hurried with his plowing, and Mary and Laura helped Ma plant the early garden seeds.

パパは急いで耕し、メアリーとローラはママが早めの庭の種を植えるのを手伝った。

With the hoe Ma dug small holes in the matted grass roots that the plow had turned up, and Laura and Mary carefully dropped the seeds.

hoe (鍬) [名] a long-handled gardening tool with a thin metal blade, used mainly for weeding and breaking up soil

matted (もつれた) [形] tangled together

turn up (掘り起こす) [動] dig up

ママは鍬で、鋤が掘り起こした草の根に小さな穴を掘り、ローラとメアリーは注意深く種を落とした。

Then Ma covered them snugly with earth.

それからママは土でそれらをぴったりと覆った。

They planted onions and carrots and peas and beans and turnips.

彼らは玉ねぎ、にんじん、えんどう豆、豆、かぶを植えた。

And they were all so happy because spring had come, and pretty soon they would have vegetables to eat.

vegetable (野菜) [名] a plant or part of a plant that is eaten as food

そして、春が来て、すぐに野菜を食べられるようになるので、みんなとても幸せだった。

They were growing very tired of just bread and meat.

just (だけ) [副] only; merely

彼らはパンと肉だけに飽き飽きしていた。

One evening Pa came from the field before sunset and he helped Ma set out the cabbage plants and the sweet-potato plants.

ある夕方、パパは日没前に畑から帰ってきて、ママがキャベツとサツマイモの苗を植えるのを手伝った。

Ma had sowed the cabbage seed in a flat box and kept it in the house.

sow (蒔く) [動] plant (seed) by scattering it on or in the earth

ママはキャベツの種を平らな箱に蒔いて、家の中で保管していた。

She watered it carefully, and carried it every day from the morning sunshine to the afternoon sunshine that came through the windows.

彼女は注意深く水をやり、毎日朝の日の光から午後の日の光まで窓から差し込む光の下へ運んだ。

And she had saved one of the Christmas sweet potatoes, and planted it in another box.

そして、彼女はクリスマスのサツマイモを1つ取っておいて、別の箱に植えた。

The cabbage seeds were now little gray-green plants, and the sweet potato had sent up a stem and green leaves from every one of its eyes.

gray-green (灰緑色の) [形] of a color intermediate between gray and green

plant (苗) [名] a young tree, vine, or other plant

send up (伸ばす) [動] cause to grow or extend upward

キャベツの種は今や小さな灰緑色の苗になっており、サツマイモは芽のすべてから茎と緑の葉を伸ばしていた。

Pa and Ma took each tiny plant very carefully and settled its roots comfortably in holes made for them.

comfortably (気持ちよく) [副] in a way that is physically or mentally comfortable

パパとママは小さな苗を1つ1つとても注意深く取り、苗のために作った穴に根を気持ちよく落ち着かせた。

They watered the roots and pressed earth upon them firmly.

彼らは根に水をやり、土をしっかりと押し付けた。

It was dark before the last plant was in its place, and Pa and Ma were tired.

be dark (暗くなる) [動] become dark

最後の苗が植えられる前に暗くなり、パパとママは疲れた。

But they were glad, too, because this year they’d have cabbages and sweet potatoes.

しかし、今年はキャベツとサツマイモが手に入るので、彼らも嬉しかった。

Every day they all looked at that garden.

garden (菜園) [名] a piece of land where plants (such as flowers or vegetables) are grown

彼らは毎日その菜園を見た。

It was rough and grassy because it was made in the prairie sod, but all the tiny plants were growing.

大草原の芝土で作られたので、それは荒く草が生い茂っていたが、小さな苗はすべて成長していた。

Little crumpled leaves of peas came up, and tiny spears of onions.

crumpled (しわくちゃの) [形] having creases or wrinkles

leave (葉) [名] a flattened structure of a higher plant that is typically green and blade-like

spear (芽) [名] a young plant shoot

onion (タマネギ) [名] a vegetable with a strong taste and smell that is used in cooking

しわくちゃのエンドウ豆の葉と小さなタマネギの芽が出てきた。

The beans themselves popped out of the ground.

豆は地面から飛び出してきた。

But it was a little yellow bean-stem, coiled like a spring, that pushed them up.

しかし、それらを押し上げたのは、バネのように巻かれた小さな黄色い豆の茎だった。

Then the bean was cracked open and dropped by two baby bean-leaves, and the leaves unfolded flat to the sunshine.

crack open (割れる) [動] break or cause to break without a complete separation of the parts

leaf (葉っぱ) [名] a flattened structure of a higher plant that is typically green and blade-like

unfold (広がる) [動] open or spread out from a folded state

それから豆は割れて、2枚の赤ちゃん豆の葉っぱに落とされ、葉っぱは日差しに向かって平らに広がった。

Pretty soon they would all begin to live like kings.

まもなく、彼らは皆王様のような生活を始めるだろう。

Every morning Pa went cheerfully whistling to the field.

毎朝、パパは陽気に口笛を吹きながら畑に出かけた。

He had planted some early sod potatoes, and some potatoes were saved to plant later.

彼は早生種のジャガイモを植え、後で植えるためにジャガイモを保存しておいた。

Now he carried a sack of corn fastened to his belt, and as he plowed he threw grains of corn into the furrow beside the plow’s point.

point (先端) [名] the sharp or tapered end of something

今、彼はベルトにトウモロコシの袋を結びつけ、耕しながら、鋤の先端の横の畝にトウモロコシの粒を投げ入れた。

The plow turned over a strip of sod on top of the seed corn.

seed corn (種まき用のトウモロコシ) [名] corn that is used for planting

鋤は種まき用のトウモロコシの上に芝の帯をひっくり返した。

But the corn would fight its way up through the matted roots, and there would be a corn-field.

fight (突き抜ける) [動] make one's way with difficulty

be (なる) [動] exist or occur

しかし、トウモロコシはもつれた根を突き抜けて成長し、トウモロコシ畑になるだろう。

There would be green corn for dinner some day.

green corn (青いトウモロコシ) [名] corn that is not yet ripe

いつか夕食に青いトウモロコシが出るだろう。

And next winter there would be ripe corn for Pet and Patty to eat.

next winter (来年の冬) [名] the winter of the year after this one

そして、来年の冬にはペットとパティが食べる熟したトウモロコシがあるだろう。

One morning Mary and Laura were washing the dishes and Ma was making the beds.

ある朝、メアリーとローラが皿を洗っていて、ママがベッドを整えていた。

She was humming softly to herself and Laura and Mary were talking about the garden.

softly (小さな声で) [副] quietly

ママは小さな声で鼻歌を歌い、ローラとメアリーは庭について話していた。

Laura liked peas best, and Mary liked beans.

ローラはエンドウ豆が一番好きで、メアリーは豆が好きだった。

Suddenly they heard Pa’s voice, loud and angry.

突然、パパの声が大きく怒って聞こえた。

Ma went quickly to the door, and Laura and Mary peeped out on either side of her.

out (外) [副] not in or within

ママは急いでドアまで行き、ローラとメアリーはママの両側から外を覗いた。

Pa was driving Pet and Patty from the field, dragging the plow behind them.

パパはペットとパティを畑から追い立て、後ろに鋤を引きずっていた。

Mr. Scott and Mr. Edwards were with Pa, and Mr. Scott was talking earnestly.

スコットさんとエドワーズさんがパパと一緒で、スコットさんが熱心に話していた。

“No, Scott!” Pa answered him.

「いや、スコット!」パパは彼に答えた。

“I’ll not stay here to be taken away by the soldiers like an outlaw!

be taken away (連れ去られる) [動] be removed from a place

outlaw (無法者) [名] a person who has broken the law

「私はここにいて、無法者のように兵士に連れ去られるようなことはしない!

If some blasted politicians in Washington hadn’t sent out word it would be all right to settle here, I’d never have been three miles over the line into Indian Territory.

politician (政治家) [名] a person who is involved in politics

ワシントンのろくでもない政治家がここに住み着いても大丈夫だと知らせなければ、私はインディアン居留地の境界線を3マイルも越えて来ることはなかっただろう。

But I’ll not wait for the soldiers to take us out.

take out (連れ出す) [動] remove or extract something from a place

しかし、私は兵士が私たちを連れ出すのを待つつもりはない。

We’re going now!”

私たちは今行く!」

“What is the matter, Charles?

「どうしたの、チャールズ?

Where are we going?” Ma asked.

どこに行くの?」とママは尋ねた。

“Durned if I know! But we’re going.

Durned (知るか) [動] a euphemism for "damned"

「私が知るか! でも行くんだ。

We’re leaving here!” Pa said.

ここを離れるんだ!」とパパは言った。

“Scott and Edwards say the government is sending soldiers to take all us settlers out of Indian Territory.”

take (連れ出す) [動] cause to go with oneself

「スコットとエドワーズが言うには、政府はインディアン準州から入植者を全員連れ出すために兵士を送っているらしい。」

His face was very red and his eyes were like blue fire.

彼の顔は真っ赤で、目は青い火のようだった。

Laura was frightened; she had never seen Pa look like that.

ローラは怖かった。パパがこんな顔をしているのを見たことがなかった。

She pressed close against Ma and was still, looking at Pa.

press (ぎゅっとくっつく) [動] move into a position of contact with

彼女はママにぎゅっとくっついて、パパを見ながらじっとしていた。

Mr. Scott started to speak, but Pa stopped him.

start to speak (話し始める) [動] begin to speak

スコットさんが話し始めようとしたが、パパが彼を止めた。

“Save your breath, Scott.

save (止めろ) [動] keep from being lost or destroyed

「息を止めろ、スコット。

It’s no use to say another word.

no use (必要はない) [名] no good purpose or result

もう一言も言う必要はない。

You can stay till the soldiers come if you want to.

君は望むなら兵隊が来るまでここにいてもいい。

I’m going out now.”

私は今出かける。」

Mr. Edwards said he was going, too.

エドワーズさんも行くと言った。

He would not stay to be driven across the line like an ornery yellow hound.

be driven (追い立てられる) [動] be forced to go somewhere

ornery (意地悪な) [形] unpleasant and angry

hound (猟犬) [名] a dog used for hunting

彼は意地悪な黄色い猟犬のように境界線を越えて追い立てられるためにとどまることはしなかった。

“Ride out to Independence with us, Edwards,” Pa said.

ride out (乗って行く) [動] go somewhere by riding

「エドワーズ、インディペンデンスまで一緒に乗って行こう」とパパは言った。

But Mr. Edwards answered that he didn’t care to go north.

しかし、エドワーズさんは北に行く気はないと答えた。

He would make a boat and go on down the river to some settlement farther south.

settlement (開拓地) [名] a place where people have come to live

彼はボートを作り、川を下ってもっと南の開拓地に行くつもりだった。

“Better come out with us,” Pa urged him, “and go down on foot through Missouri.

urge (説得する) [動] try to persuade someone to do something

「私たちと一緒に出てきて、ミズーリを歩いて下った方がいい」とパパは彼を説得した。

It’s a risky trip, one man alone in a boat, going down the Verdigris among the wild Indian tribes.”

risky (危険な) [形] involving the possibility of danger, harm, or loss

boat (ボート) [名] a small vessel for traveling on water

Verdigris (ヴェルディグリス川) [名] a river in the U.S.

一人でボートに乗って、野蛮なインディアンの部族の中をヴェルディグリス川を下るのは危険な旅だ」

But Mr. Edwards said he had already seen Missouri

しかし、エドワーズさんはミズーリはすでに見たことがあると言った。

and he had plenty of powder and lead.

彼は火薬と鉛をたくさん持っていた。

Then Pa told Mr. Scott to take the cow and calf.

それからパパはスコットさんに牛と子牛を連れて行くように言った。

“We can’t take them with us,” Pa said.

with (一緒に) [前] in or into the company of

us (私たち) [代] the speaker and at least one other person

「連れて行けない」とパパは言った。

“You’ve been a good neighbor, Scott, and I’m sorry to leave you.

「スコット、君は良い隣人だった。君と別れるのは残念だ。

But we’re going out in the morning.”

でも、朝には出発する」

Laura had heard all this, but she had not believed it until she saw Mr. Scott leading away the cow.

lead away (連れて行く) [動] take or carry away with one

ローラは全部聞いていたが、スコットさんが牛を連れて行くのを見るまでは信じていなかった。

The gentle cow went meekly away with the rope around her long horns, and the calf frisked and jumped behind.

meekly (おとなしく) [副] in a submissive manner

優しい牛は長い角にロープを巻かれておとなしく去っていき、子牛は後ろで跳ね回った。

There went all the milk and butter.

go (なくなってしまう) [動] be used up; be spent

牛乳とバターが全部なくなってしまった。

Mr. Edwards said he would be too busy to see them again.

エドワーズさんは忙しくてもう会えないだろうと言った。

He shook hands with Pa, saying, “Good-by, Ingalls, and good luck.”

good luck (幸運を祈る) [名] success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one's own actions

彼はパパと握手して、「さようなら、インガルス、幸運を祈る」と言った。

He shook hands with Ma and said, “Good-by, ma’am. I won’t be seeing you all again, but I sure will never forget your kindness.”

ma'am (奥さん) [名] a term of respectful or polite address used for a woman

彼はママと握手して、「さようなら、奥さん。皆さんにはもう会えませんが、皆さんの親切は絶対に忘れません」と言った。

Then he turned to Mary and Laura, and he shook their hands as if they were grown up.

turn to (向き直る) [動] change direction so as to face

grown up (大人) [名] a fully developed person

それから彼はメアリーとローラの方へ向き直り、まるで大人であるかのように二人と握手した。

“Good-by,” he said.

「さようなら」と彼は言った。

Mary said, politely, “Good-by, Mr. Edwards.”

メアリーは丁寧に「さようなら、エドワーズさん」と言った。

But Laura forgot to be polite.

be polite (礼儀正しくする) [動] show good manners

しかしローラは礼儀正しくするのを忘れた。

She said: “Oh, Mr. Edwards, I wish you wouldn’t go away!

彼女は言った。「ああ、エドワーズさん、行かないでほしいなあ!

Oh, Mr. Edwards, thank you, thank you for going all the way to Independence to find Santa Claus for us.”

thank you (ありがとう) [名] an expression of gratitude

ああ、エドワーズさん、ありがとう、私たちのためにサンタクロースを探しにインディペンデンスまで行ってくれてありがとう。」

Mr. Edwards’ eyes shone very bright, and he went away without saying another word.

エドワーズさんの目はとても明るく輝き、彼は何も言わずに去っていった。

Pa began to unhitch Pet and Patty in the middle of the morning, and Laura and Mary knew it was really true;

パパは午前中にペットとパティの馬具を外し始め、ローラとメアリーはそれが本当に本当だとわかった。

they really were going away from there.

彼らは本当にそこを去ろうとしていた。

Ma didn’t say anything.

ママは何も言わなかった。

She went into the house and looked around, at the dishes not washed and the bed only partly made, and she lifted up both hands and sat down.

彼女は家に入って、洗っていない食器や半分しか整えられていないベッドを見回し、両手を上げて座った。

Mary and Laura went on doing the dishes.

メアリーとローラは食器を洗い続けた。

They were careful not to let them make a sound.

彼らは音を立てないように注意していた。

They turned around quickly when Pa came in.

パパが入ってくると、彼らはすぐに振り返った。

He looked like himself again, and he was carrying the potato-sack.

himself (彼自身) [代] the male person being discussed

彼はまたいつもの自分に戻ったように見え、ジャガイモの袋を運んでいた。

“Here you are, Caroline!” he said, and his voice sounded natural.

here you are (これだ) [間] used to express that something is being given to someone

natural (自然に) [形] existing in or caused by nature; not made or caused by humankind

「キャロライン、これだ!」と彼は言った。そして彼の声は自然に聞こえた。

“Cook a plenty for dinner!

「夕食はたくさん作ってくれ!

We’ve been going without potatoes, saving them for seed.

go without (なしで過ごす) [動] not have or use something

save (残す) [動] keep or store for future use

私たちは種芋を残すためにジャガイモなしで過ごしてきた。

Now we’ll eat ’em up!”

今は全部食べてしまうぞ!」

So that day for dinner they ate the seed potatoes.

その日、彼らは夕食に種芋を食べた。

They were very good, and Laura knew that Pa was right when he said, “There’s no great loss without some small gain.”

loss (損失) [名] the fact or process of losing something or someone

gain (利益) [名] an increase in wealth or resources

とてもおいしかったし、ローラはパパが「大きな損失には小さな利益が伴う」と言ったのは正しかったとわかった。

After dinner he took the wagon bows from their pegs in the barn.

take (取り外す) [動] remove from a place or position

夕食後、彼は納屋の釘から荷馬車の弓を取り外した。

He put them on the wagon, one end of each bow in its iron strap on one side of the wagon box, and the other end in its iron strap on the other side.

iron strap (鉄のストラップ) [名] a piece of metal used to fasten or hold something together

彼はそれを荷馬車に載せ、それぞれの弓の片方の端を荷馬車の箱の片側にある鉄のストラップに、もう片方の端を反対側の鉄のストラップに掛けた。

When all the bows were standing up in their places, Pa and Ma spread the wagon cover over them and tied it down tightly.

すべての弓が所定の位置に立つと、パパとママは荷馬車のカバーを広げてしっかりと縛り付けた。

Then Pa pulled the rope in the end of the wagon cover till it puckered together and left only a tiny round hole in the middle of the back.

それからパパは荷馬車のカバーの端にあるロープを引っ張って、後ろの真ん中に小さな丸い穴だけを残して、一緒にしわが寄るまで引っ張った。

There stood the covered wagon, all ready to load in the morning.

幌馬車がそこに立っていて、朝には荷物を積み込む準備が整っていた。

Everyone was quiet that night.

その夜はみんな静かだった。

Even Jack felt that something was wrong, and he lay down close to Laura when she went to bed.

ジャックでさえ何かがおかしいと感じ、ローラが寝るときに彼女の近くに横になった。

It was now too warm for a fire, but Pa and Ma sat looking at the ashes in the fireplace.

too warm (暖かすぎる) [形] having a high temperature

火を焚くには暖かすぎたが、パパとママは暖炉の灰を眺めながら座っていた。

Ma sighed gently and said, “A whole year gone, Charles.”

year (年) [名] the period of time that the earth takes to make one complete orbit of the sun

gone (過ぎた) [動] past; over

ママはそっとため息をつき、「丸一年が過ぎたよね、チャールズ」と言った。

But Pa answered, cheerfully: “What’s a year amount to?

amount to (大したことじゃない) [動] be equivalent to

しかし、パパは元気よく答えた。「一年なんて大したことじゃない。

We have all the time there is.”

時間はいくらでもあるよ。」

Chapter 26: GOING OUT

第26章: 外出

After breakfast next morning, Pa and Ma packed the wagon.

pack (積み込む) [動] put things into a container

翌朝、朝食後、パパとママは荷馬車に荷物を積み込んだ。

First all the bedding was made into two beds, laid on top of each other across the back of the wagon, and carefully covered with a pretty plaid blanket.

bedding (寝具) [名] the bedclothes and other items used on a bed

make into (作る) [動] convert into

carefully (丁寧に) [副] in a careful manner

まず、すべての寝具を2つのベッドにし、荷馬車の後ろに重ねて置き、きれいな格子柄の毛布で丁寧に覆った。

Mary and Laura and Baby Carrie would ride there in the daytime.

メアリーとローラと赤ん坊のキャリーは日中そこに乗る。

At night the top bed would be put in the front of the wagon, for Pa and Ma to sleep in.

top bed (上のベッド) [名] the bed that is on top

sleep in (寝る) [動] be in a state of sleep

夜は上のベッドを荷馬車の前部に置き、パパとママが寝る。

And Mary and Laura would sleep in the bottom bed, where it was.

そして、メアリーとローラは下のベッドで寝る。

Next Pa took the small cupboard from the wall, and in it Ma packed the food and the dishes.

次にパパは壁から小さな食器棚を取り、ママはそこに食べ物や食器を詰め込んだ。

Pa put the cupboard under the wagon-seat, and in front of it he laid a sack of corn for the horses.

パパは食器棚を荷馬車の座席の下に置き、その前に馬用のとうもろこしの袋を置いた。

“It will make a good rest for our feet, Caroline,” he said to Ma.

make a good rest (ちょうどいい休息になる) [動] be a good place to rest

「足を休めるのにちょうどいいだろう、キャロライン」とパパはママに言った。

Ma packed all the clothing in two carpet-bags, and Pa hung them to the wagon bows inside the wagon.

clothing (衣類) [名] the things that people wear

carpet-bag (旅行かばん) [名] a traveling bag made of carpeting

ママは衣類をすべて2つの旅行かばんに詰め、パパはそれを荷馬車の中の荷馬車の弓に掛けた。

Opposite them he hung his rifle in its straps, and his bullet-pouch and powder-horn hung beneath it.

rifle (ライフル) [名] a gun with a long barrel that is fired from the shoulder

その反対側には、パパはライフルを吊り下げ、その下に弾薬ポーチと火薬入れを吊り下げた。

His fiddle in its box he laid on one end of the bed, where it would ride softly.

パパはバイオリンを箱に入れて、ベッドの端に置いた。

Ma wrapped the black iron spider, the bake-oven, and the coffee-pot in sacks, and put them in the wagon, while Pa tied the rocking-chair and the tub outside, and hung the water-bucket and the horse-bucket underneath.

spider (蜘蛛) [名] an eight-legged predatory arachnid with an unsegmented body consisting of a cephalothorax and an abdomen

tub (たらい) [名] a large, open, round container with a flat bottom

horse-bucket (馬桶) [名] a bucket for holding horse feed

ママは黒い鉄製の蜘蛛、オーブン、コーヒーポットを袋に包んで荷馬車に入れ、パパはロッキングチェアとたらいを外に縛り付け、水桶と馬桶を下に吊り下げた。

And he put the tin lantern carefully in the front corner of the wagon-box, where the sack of corn held it still.

そして、パパはブリキのランタンを荷馬車の箱の前隅に注意深く置き、トウモロコシの袋で固定した。

Now the wagon was loaded.

これで荷馬車に荷物が積み込まれた。

The only thing they could not take was the plow.

持っていけなかった唯一のものは鋤だった。

Well, that could not be helped.

まあ、それは仕方がない。

There was no room for it.

no room (場所がない) [名] not enough space

for (置く) [前] used to indicate the object or recipient of a particular action

それを置く場所がなかった。

When they came to wherever they were going, Pa could get more furs to trade for another plow.

目的地に着いたら、パパは毛皮をもっと手に入れて、別の鋤と交換できるだろう。

Laura and Mary climbed into the wagon and sat on the bed in the back.

ローラとメアリーは荷馬車に登り、後ろのベッドに座った。

Ma put Baby Carrie between them.

ママは赤ん坊のキャリーを二人の間に置いた。

They were all freshly washed and combed.

みんな洗って髪をとかしたばかりだった。

Pa said they were clean as a hound’s tooth, and Ma told them they were bright as new pins.

pin (ピン) [名] a thin, pointed piece of metal with a sharp point at one end and a round head at the other, used especially for fastening pieces of cloth together

パパはみんな猟犬の歯のようにきれいだと言い、ママは新しいピンのように輝いていると言った。

Then Pa hitched Pet and Patty to the wagon.

それからパパはペットとパティを荷馬車につなぎつけた。

Ma climbed to her place on the seat and held the lines.

ママは自分の席に登り、手綱を握った。

And suddenly Laura wanted to see the house again.

そして突然ローラは家をもう一度見たくなった。

She asked Pa please to let her look out.

look out (外を見る) [動] look outside

彼女はパパに外を見させてほしいと頼んだ。

So he loosened the rope in the back of the wagon-cover, and that made a large round hole.

loosen (緩める) [動] make or become less tight or firm

そこで彼は荷馬車の幌の後ろのロープを緩め、大きな丸い穴を開けた。

Laura and Mary could look out of it, but still the rope held up enough canvas to keep Carrie from tumbling into the feed-box.

keep from (落ちないように) [動] prevent from doing something

tumble (転げ落ちる) [動] fall suddenly and in an uncontrolled way

ローラとメアリーはそこから外を見ることができたが、ロープはキャリーが飼料箱に転げ落ちないように十分な帆布を支えていた。

The snug log house looked just as it always had.

居心地の良い丸太小屋はいつもと変わらない様子だった。

It did not seem to know they were going away.

彼らが去っていくことを知らないようだった。

Pa stood a moment in the doorway and looked all around inside;

moment (しばらく) [名] a very short period of time

パパはしばらく戸口に立って中を見回した。

he looked at the bedstead and the fireplace and the glass windows.

彼はベッドと暖炉とガラス窓を見た。

Then he closed the door carefully, leaving the latch-string out.

それから彼は掛け金を外したまま慎重にドアを閉めた。

“Someone might need shelter,” he said.

「誰かが避難所を必要とするかもしれない」と彼は言った。

He climbed to his place beside Ma, gathered the reins into his own hands, and chirruped to Pet and Patty.

gather (取る) [動] bring together or cause to come together

chirrup (声をかける) [動] make a short, high-pitched sound

彼はママの横の自分の席に登り、手綱を自分の手に取り、ペットとパティに声をかけた。

Jack went under the wagon.

go under (下に行く) [動] move or travel beneath something

ジャックは荷馬車の下に行った。

Pet whinnied to Bunny, who came to walk beside her.

ペットはバニーにいななき、バニーは彼女の横を歩くようになった。

And they were off.

be off (出発する) [動] leave a place

そして彼らは出発した。

Just before the creek road went down into the bottoms, Pa stopped the mustangs, and they all looked back.

小川の道が底に下る直前に、パパはムスタングを止め、みんな振り返った。

As far as they could see, to the east and to the south and to the west, nothing was moving on all the vastness of the High Prairie.

vastness (広大) [名] the quality or state of being extremely large or great

彼らが見渡す限り、東にも南にも西にも、広大なハイプレーリーには何も動いていなかった。

Only the green grass was rippling in the wind, and white clouds drifted in the high, clear sky.

緑の草だけが風に波打っており、白い雲が高く澄んだ空に漂っていた。

“It’s a great country, Caroline,” Pa said.

「素晴らしい国だ、キャロライン」とパパは言った。

“But there will be wild Indians and wolves here for many a long day.”

「しかし、ここには長い間野生のインディアンと狼がいるだろう。」

The little log house and the little stable sat lonely in the stillness.

小さな丸太小屋と小さな馬小屋が静寂の中に孤独に佇んでいた。

Then Pet and Patty briskly started onward.

onward (前進) [副] forward; ahead

それからペットとパティは元気よく前進し始めた。

The wagon went down from the bluffs into the wooded creek bottoms, and high in a tree-top a mockingbird began to sing.

wooded (森に覆われた) [形] covered with trees

荷馬車は断崖から森に覆われた小川の底へと下り、木のてっぺんでマネシツグミが歌い始めた。

“I never heard a mockingbird sing so early,” said Ma, and Pa answered, softly, “He is telling us good-by.”

「こんなに早くマネシツグミが歌うのを聞いたことがないよ」とママが言うと、パパは「あいつは私たちに別れを告げているんだ」と優しく答えた。

They rode down through the low hills to the creek.

ride down (馬で行く) [動] go somewhere on a horse

low hill (低い丘) [名] a hill that is not very high

彼らは低い丘を下って小川まで馬で行った。

The ford was low, an easy crossing.

easy (簡単な) [形] able to be achieved without great effort; presenting few difficulties

crossing (渡る) [名] the action of going across something

渡し場は低く、簡単に渡れた。

On they went, across the bottoms where antlered deer stood up to watch them passing, and mother deer with their fawns bounded into the shadows of the woods.

antler (角) [名] a branched horn on the head of a deer

mother (母) [名] a woman in relation to her child

bound (飛び込む) [動] leap or spring forward

彼らは進み続け、角のある鹿が立って彼らが通り過ぎるのを見ている谷底を横切り、子鹿を連れた母鹿が森の影に飛び込んだ。

And up between the steep red-earth cliffs the wagon climbed to prairie again.

red-earth (赤土の) [形] having a red color

そして、急な赤土の崖の間を馬車は再び大草原に登っていった。

Pet and Patty were eager to go.

ペットとパティは行きたくてうずうずしていた。

Their hoofs had made a muffled sound in the bottoms, but now they rang on the hard prairie.

muffled (こもった) [形] deadened or muted

谷底ではひづめの音がこもっていたが、今は硬い大草原に響き渡った。

And the wind sang shrill against the foremost wagon bows.

sing (立てる) [動] make a sound

foremost (一番前の) [形] most important or prominent

そして風が馬車の一番前の弓に当たって甲高い音を立てた。

Pa and Ma were still and silent on the wagon-seat, and Mary and Laura were quiet, too.

パパとママは馬車の座席でじっと黙っていたし、メアリーとローラも静かだった。

But Laura felt all excited inside.

しかしローラは内心とても興奮していた。

You never know what will happen next, nor where you’ll be tomorrow, when you are traveling in a covered wagon.

never know (わからない) [動] be uncertain about

what will happen (何が起こるか) [名] the thing that will occur

where you'll be (どこにいるか) [名] the place where you will be

幌馬車で旅をしていると、次に何が起こるか、明日どこにいるかわからない。

At noon Pa stopped beside a little spring to let the mustangs eat and drink and rest.

spring (泉) [名] a natural flow of water from the ground

正午にパパは小さな泉のそばで止まり、ムスタングに食べ物と水を与えて休ませた。

The spring would soon be dry in the summer’s heat, but there was plenty of water now.

dry (干上がる) [動] become dry

泉は夏の暑さですぐに干上がってしまうだろうが、今は水が豊富だった。

Ma took cold cornbread and meat from the food-box, and they all ate, sitting on the clean grass in the shade of the wagon.

food-box (食料箱) [名] a box in which food is stored

ママは食料箱から冷たいコーンブレッドと肉を取り出し、みんなで馬車の陰のきれいな草の上に座って食べた。

They drank from the spring, and Laura and Mary ran around in the grass, picking wild flowers, while Ma tidied the food-box and Pa hitched up Pet and Patty again.

wild flower (野生の花) [名] a flower that grows in the wild

hitch up (つなぎつける) [動] fasten or harness to a vehicle

みんなは泉の水を飲み、ローラとメアリーは草の中を走り回って野生の花を摘み、ママは食料箱を片付け、パパはペットとパティを再び馬車につなぎつけた。

Then for a long time they went on, across the prairie.

それから長い間、大草原を横切って進んだ。

There was nothing to be seen but the blowing grass, the sky, and the endless wagon track.

blowing (吹きさらしの) [形] moving or being moved by the wind

吹きさらしの草、空、そして果てしなく続く馬車の跡以外には何も見えなかった。

Now and then a rabbit bounded away.

時折、ウサギが跳びはねて逃げていった。

Sometimes a prairie hen with her brood of prairie chicks scuttled out of sight in the grass.

brood (群れ) [名] a family of young birds

prairie chick (草原のひよこ) [名] a young prairie chicken

scuttle (走り回る) [動] run quickly with short steps

時々、草原の雌鳥が草原のひよこの群れと一緒に草の中を走り回って見えなくなった。

Baby Carrie slept, and Mary and Laura were almost asleep when they heard Pa say, “Something’s wrong there.”

赤ん坊のキャリーは眠り、メアリーとローラもほとんど眠りかけていたが、パパが「何かおかしい」と言うのを聞いた。

Laura jumped up, and far ahead on the prairie she saw a small, light-colored bump.

jump up (飛び起きる) [動] get up quickly

light-colored (明るい色の) [形] having a light color

bump (隆起) [名] a raised area on a surface

ローラは飛び起き、草原のはるか先に小さな明るい色の隆起を見た。

She couldn’t see anything else unusual.

彼女は他に変わったものは何も見ることができなかった。

“Where?” she asked Pa.

「どこ?」と彼女はパパに尋ねた。

“There,” Pa said, nodding toward that bump.

「あそこだ」とパパはその隆起に向かってうなずきながら言った。

“It isn’t moving.”

「動いていない」

Laura didn’t say any more.

any more (それ以上) [副] to any further extent or degree

ローラはそれ以上何も言わなかった。

She kept on looking, and she saw that that bump was a covered wagon.

彼女は見続け、その隆起が幌馬車であることがわかった。

Slowly it grew bigger.

ゆっくりと大きくなった。

She saw that no horses were hitched to it.

彼女は馬がつながれていないことを見た。

Nothing moved, anywhere around it.

anywhere (周り) [副] in or to any place

周りには何も動いていなかった。

Then she saw something dark in front of it.

それから彼女はその前に何か暗いものを見た。

The dark thing was two people sitting on the wagon tongue.

暗いものは馬車の舌の上に座っている二人だった。

They were a man and a woman.

woman (女) [名] an adult female human being

彼らは男と女だった。

They sat looking down at their feet, and they moved only their heads to look up when Pet and Patty stopped in front of them.

彼らは足元を見下ろして座り、ペットとパティが目の前に止まると頭だけを動かして見上げた。

“What’s wrong? Where are your horses?” Pa asked.

what's wrong (どうしたの) [句] what is the problem

「どうしたの? 馬はどこにいるの?」とパパは尋ねた。

“I don’t know,” the man said.

「わからない」と男は言った。

“I tied them to the wagon last night, and this morning they were gone.

this morning (今朝) [名] the morning of the present day

「昨夜馬車に縛り付けたんだけど、今朝はいなくなっていたよ。

Somebody cut the ropes and took them away in the night.”

somebody (誰か) [名] some person

take away (連れ去る) [動] remove or carry away

誰かが夜の間にロープを切って連れ去ったんだ」

“What about your dog?” said Pa.

「犬はどうしたの?」とパパは尋ねた。

“Haven’t got a dog,” the man said.

「犬はいない」と男は言った。

Jack stayed under the wagon.

ジャックは馬車の下にいた。

He didn’t growl, but he didn’t come out.

彼は唸らなかったが、出てこなかった。

He was a sensible dog, and knew what to do when he met strangers.

sensible (賢い) [形] based on or acting on good judgment or reason

彼は賢い犬で、見知らぬ人に会ったときにどうすればいいかを知っていた。

“Well, your horses are gone,” Pa told the man.

「さて、あなたの馬は行ってしまった」とパパは男に言った。

“You’ll never see them again.

「もう二度と会うことはないだろう。

Hanging’s too good for horse-thieves.”

hanging (絞首刑) [名] the act of killing someone by hanging them

too good (もったいない) [形] more than is deserved or needed

絞首刑は馬泥棒にはもったいない。」

“Yes,” the man said.

「そうですね」と男は言った。

Pa looked at Ma, and Ma barely nodded.

barely (かろうじて) [副] only just; almost not

パパはママを見て、ママはかろうじてうなずいた。

Then Pa said, “Come ride with us to Independence.”

それからパパは「インディペンデンスまで一緒に乗って来なさい」と言った。

“No,” said the man.

「いいえ」と男は言った。

“All we’ve got is in this wagon.

「私たちの持っているものはすべてこの荷車の中にある。

We won’t leave it.”

私たちはそれを置いていかない。」

“Why, man! What will you do?” Pa exclaimed.

why (おい) [間] used to express surprise, anger, or other strong emotions

what (どうするつもりだ) [代] used to ask for information

「おい、どうするつもりだ?」パパは叫んだ。

“There may be nobody along here for days, weeks.

「ここを何日も、何週間も通る人はいないかもしれない。

You can’t stay here.”

ここに残ることはできない。」

“I don’t know,” the man said.

「わからない」男は言った。

“We’ll stay with our wagon,” the woman said.

「私たちは荷馬車に残るよ」女は言った。

She was looking down at her hands clasped in her lap, and Laura couldn’t see her face;

clasp (握りしめる) [動] hold tightly in one's hand

彼女は膝の上で握りしめた手を見つめていて、ローラは彼女の顔を見ることができなかった。

she could see only the side of the sunbonnet.

彼女は日よけ帽の横側しか見ることができなかった。

“Better come,” Pa told them.

better (来たほうがいい) [形] more desirable or preferable

「来たほうがいい」パパは彼らに言った。

“You can come back for your wagon.”

「荷馬車は後で取りに来ればいい」

“No,” the woman said.

「いいえ」女性は言った。

They wouldn’t leave the wagon;

彼らは荷馬車を離れようとしなかった。

everything they owned in the world was in it.

own (所有する) [動] have or possess as property

彼らがこの世で所有する全てがそこにあった。

So at last Pa drove on, leaving them sitting on the wagon tongue, all alone on the prairie.

drive on (走らせる) [動] continue driving

だからついにパパは荷馬車を走らせ、彼らを荷馬車の舌の上に座らせたまま、大草原に一人ぼっちにした。

Pa muttered to himself: “Tenderfeet! Everything they own, and no dog to watch it.

tenderfoot (初心者) [名] a person who is new to a particular activity or place

パパは独り言を言った。「初心者め! 彼らが所有する全てがそこにあって、それを見張る犬もいない。

Didn’t keep watch himself.

keep watch (見張りをする) [動] to be on the lookout for something

自分で見張りもしない。

And tied his horses with ropes!”

それに馬をロープで縛るなんて!」

Pa snorted.

snort (鼻を鳴らす) [動] to make a sound by forcing air through the nose

パパは鼻を鳴らした。

“Tenderfeet!” he said again.

「初心者め!」と彼は再び言った。

“Shouldn’t be allowed loose west of the Mississippi!”

「ミシシッピ川の西に放しちゃいけない!」

“But, Charles! Whatever will become of them?” Ma asked him.

become of (なる) [動] happen to

「でも、チャールズ! 彼らはどうなるの?」とママは彼に尋ねた。

“There are soldiers at Independence,” said Pa.

「インディペンデンスには兵隊がいる」とパパは言った。

“I’ll tell the captain, and he’ll send out men to bring them in.

captain (隊長) [名] the person in charge of a ship, aircraft, or other vessel

「私が隊長に伝えれば、隊長が彼らを連れ戻すために兵隊を送ってくれるだろう。

They can hold out that long.

彼らはそこまで持ちこたえられる。

But it’s durned lucky for them that we came by.

でも、私たちが通りかかったのが彼らにとっての幸運だった。

If we hadn’t, there’s no telling when they would have been found.”

hadn't (なければ) [助] had not

there's no telling (わからない) [動] it is impossible to know

would have been found (見つかる) [動] be discovered or noticed

もし私たちが通りかからなかったら、いつ彼らが見つかるかわからない。」

Laura watched that lonely wagon until it was only a small lump on the prairie.

ローラは、その孤独な幌馬車が草原の小さな塊になるまで見ていた。

Then it was a speck.

speck (点) [名] a small spot or mark

そして、それは点になった。

Then it was gone.

そして、それは消えた。

All the rest of that day Pa drove on and on.

all the rest of (残りの) [名] the remaining part of

on and on (ずっと) [副] continuously or without stopping

その日の残りの時間、パパはずっと馬車を走らせた。

They didn’t see anybody else.

else (他) [副] other than what has been mentioned

彼らは誰にも会わなかった。

When the sun was setting, Pa stopped by a well.

日が沈む頃、パパは井戸のそばに馬車を止めた。

A house had once been there, but it was burned.

once (かつて) [副] at some earlier time

be there (そこにある) [動] be present in a place

かつてそこには家があったが、焼け落ちていた。

The well held plenty of good water, and Laura and Mary gathered bits of half-burned wood to make the fire, while Pa unhitched and watered the horses and put them on picket-lines.

half-burned (半分焼けた) [形] partially burned

井戸にはたくさんの良い水があり、ローラとメアリーは火を起こすために半分焼けた木を集め、パパは馬を外して水をやり、ピケットラインにつけた。

Then Pa took the seat down from the wagon and lifted out the food-box.

take down (降ろす) [動] remove from a higher position

lift out (取り出す) [動] remove from a container or place

それからパパは馬車から座席を降ろし、食料箱を取り出した。

The fire burned beautifully, and Ma quickly got supper.

beautifully (きれいに) [副] in a pleasing manner

火はきれいに燃え、ママはすぐに夕食の支度をした。

Everything was just as it used to be before they built the house.

just (ちょうど) [副] exactly; precisely

used to (以前は) [助] did or was something in the past but no longer

すべてが家を建てる前と同じだった。

Pa and Ma and Carrie were on the wagon-seat, Laura and Mary sat on the wagon tongue.

パパとママとキャリーは馬車の座席に乗り、ローラとメアリーは馬車の舌に座った。

They ate the good supper, hot from the camp fire.

彼らはキャンプファイヤーで熱々のおいしい夕食を食べた。

Pet and Patty and Bunny munched the good grass, and Laura saved bits for Jack, who mustn’t beg but could eat his fill as soon as supper was over.

beg (物乞いをする) [動] ask for something, typically food or money, from strangers

ペットとパティとバニーはおいしい草をむしゃむしゃ食べ、ローラはジャックのために少し残しておいた。ジャックは物乞いをしてはいけないが、夕食が終わればすぐにお腹いっぱい食べることができた。

Then the sun went down, far away in the west, and it was time to make the camp ready for night.

make ready (準備する) [動] prepare for something

それから太陽が西の彼方に沈み、夜の準備をする時間になった。

Pa chained Pet and Patty to the feed-box at the end of the wagon.

パパはペットとパティを馬車の端にある餌箱に鎖でつないだ。

He chained Bunny to the side.

彼はバニーを横に鎖でつないだ。

And he fed them all their supper of corn.

そして、彼は彼らにトウモロコシの夕食を全部食べさせた。

Then he sat by the fire and smoked his pipe, while Ma tucked Mary and Laura into bed and laid Baby Carrie beside them.

それから彼は火のそばに座ってパイプを吸い、ママはメアリーとローラをベッドに押し込み、赤ん坊のキャリーを彼らの横に寝かせた。

She sat down beside Pa at the fire, and Pa took his fiddle out of its box and began to play.

彼女は火のそばのパパの横に座り、パパは箱からバイオリンを取り出して弾き始めた。

“Oh, Susanna, don’t you cry for me,” the fiddle wailed, and Pa began to sing.

Susanna (スザンナ) [名] a female given name

「おお、スザンナ、私のために泣かないで」とバイオリンが泣き叫び、パパは歌い始めた。

“I went to California

「私はカリフォルニアに行った

With my wash-pan on my knee,

wash-pan (洗面器) [名] a large pan used for washing

洗面器を膝に抱えて

And every time I thought of home,

every time (たびに) [副] on each occasion

家のことを思うたびに

I wished it wasn’t me.”

me (自分) [代] the person who is speaking or writing

自分ではないことを願った」

“Do you know, Caroline,” Pa stopped singing to say, “I’ve been thinking what fun the rabbits will have, eating that garden we planted.”

fun (楽しみ) [名] light-hearted pleasure; enjoyment

「キャロライン、知ってるかい?」パパは歌うのを止めて言った。「ウサギがどれだけ楽しんでるか考えてたんだ、私たちが植えた庭を食べてるんだよ」

“Don’t, Charles,” Ma said.

「やめて、チャールズ」ママは言った。

“Never mind, Caroline!” Pa told her.

「気にするな、キャロライン!」パパは彼女に言った。

“We’ll make a better garden.

「もっといい庭を作るよ。

Anyway, we’re taking more out of Indian Territory than we took in.”

take in (持ち込む) [動] bring something into a place

とにかく、私たちはインディアン準州から持ち込んだものよりもっと多くのものを持ち出してる」

“I don’t know what,” Ma said, and Pa answered, “Why, there’s the mule!”

「何がかわからないよ」ママは言った。そしてパパは答えた、「おい、ラバがいるぞ!」

Then Ma laughed, and Pa and the fiddle sang again.

するとママは笑い、パパとバイオリンはまた歌った。

“In Dixie land I’ll take my stand,

Dixie (ディキシー) [名] the Southern United States

take one's stand (立つ) [動] to take a position on an issue

「ディキシーランドで私は立つ、

And live and die in Dixie!

そしてディキシーで生き、死ぬ!

Away, away, away, away,

away (遠く) [副] at a distance; far off

遠く、遠く、遠く、遠く、

Away down south in Dixie!”

down (南) [副] in a southerly direction

遠く南のディキシーで!」

They sang with a lilt and a swing that almost lifted Laura right out of bed.

lilt (軽快に) [名] a light, cheerful, or lively manner

彼らは軽快に歌い、ローラはベッドから飛び起きそうになった。

She must lie still and not wake Carrie.

lie still (静かに横たわる) [動] to lie without moving

彼女は静かに横たわり、キャリーを起こさないようにしなければならなかった。

Mary was sleeping, too, but Laura had never been wider awake.

be sleeping (眠っている) [動] be in a state of sleep

be wide awake (目が覚めている) [動] be fully awake

メアリーも眠っていたが、ローラはこれまで以上に目が覚めていた。

She heard Jack making his bed under the wagon.

bed (寝床) [名] a place where one sleeps

彼女はジャックが荷馬車の下に寝床をつくっているのを聞いた。

He was turning round and round, trampling down the grass.

turn round and round (ぐるぐる回る) [動] rotate on one's axis

trample down (踏みつける) [動] tread on and crush

彼はぐるぐる回り、草を踏みつけている。

Then he curled into that round nest with a flop and a sigh of satisfaction.

curl (丸まる) [動] to form into a curved or circular shape

flop (ドサッと音を立てる) [動] to fall or move in a heavy, clumsy way

satisfaction (満足) [名] the feeling of fulfillment or happiness that comes from achieving something

それから彼は、ドサッと音を立てて満足のため息をつきながら、その丸い巣に丸まった。

Pet and Patty were munching the last of their corn, and their chains rattled.

ペットとパティは最後のとうもろこしをむしゃむしゃ食べ、鎖がガチャガチャ鳴った。

Bunny lay down beside the wagon.

lay down (横たわる) [動] be in or move into a horizontal position

バニーは荷馬車の横に横たわった。

They were all there together, safe and comfortable for the night, under the wide, starlit sky.

be all there (皆そこにいる) [動] be present

comfortable (快適な) [形] providing or capable of providing contentment and satisfaction

starlit (星空の) [形] lighted by the stars

彼らは皆そこにいて、広い星空の下で、夜を安全に快適に過ごした。

Once more the covered wagon was home.

幌馬車は再び家になった。

The fiddle began to play a marching tune, and Pa’s clear voice was singing like a deep-toned bell.

tune (曲) [名] a melody or air

バイオリンが行進曲を奏で始め、パパの澄んだ声が深い音色の鐘のように歌っていた。

“And we’ll rally round the flag, boys,

rally (集まる) [動] come together as a group

round (周りに) [前] on every side of

flag (旗) [名] a piece of fabric with a distinctive design that is used as a symbol or as a signaling device

boy (少年) [名] a male child or young man

「そして、旗の周りに集まろう、少年たちよ、

We’ll rally once again,

once again (もう一回) [副] another time; once more

もう一回集まろう、

Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom!”

battle-cry (戦いの叫び) [名] a shout or phrase used by soldiers in a battle

freedom (自由) [名] the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint

自由の戦いの叫びを叫びながら!」

Laura felt that she must shout, too.

ローラも叫ばなければならないと感じた。

But softly Ma looked in through the round hole in the wagon-cover.

look in (覗き込む) [動] look inside something

しかし、ママは幌の丸い穴からそっと中を覗き込んだ。

“Charles,” Ma said, “Laura is wide awake.

「チャールズ」ママは言った、「ローラはすっかり目が覚めているよ。

She can’t go to sleep on such music as that.”

あんな音楽では眠れないよ。」

Pa didn’t answer, but the voice of the fiddle changed.

パパは答えなかったが、バイオリンの音色が変わった。

Softly and slurringly it began a long, swinging rhythm that seemed to rock Laura gently.

softly (柔らかく) [副] in a gentle manner

slurringly (なめらかに) [副] in a smooth manner

swinging (揺れる) [形] moving or causing to move back and forth or from side to side

rhythm (リズム) [名] a regular, repeated pattern of movement or sound

柔らかく、なめらかに、長く揺れるリズムが始まり、ローラを優しく揺らすようだった。

She felt her eyelids closing.

彼女はまぶたが閉じていくのを感じた。

She began to drift over endless waves of prairie grasses, and Pa’s voice went with her, singing.

彼女は草原の草の果てしない波の上を漂い始め、パパの歌声が彼女に寄り添った。

“Row away, row o’er the waters so blue,

row (漕ぐ) [動] propel a boat with oars

o'er (越えて) [前] over

「漕ぎ出せ、青い水の上を漕ぎ出せ、

Like a feather we sail in our gum-tree canoe.

gum-tree (ユーカリの木) [名] a tree that produces a sticky substance

羽のように私たちはユーカリの木のカヌーで帆走する。

Row the boat lightly, love, over the sea;

lightly (軽やかに) [副] in a light manner

sea (海) [名] a large expanse of salt water covering most of the earth's surface and surrounding its land masses

愛する人よ、軽やかに船を漕ぎ出そう、海の向こうへ。

Daily and nightly I’ll wander with thee.”

daily (昼も) [副] every day

nightly (夜も) [副] every night

昼も夜も私はあなたとさまよう。」

THE END

the end (終わり) [名] the final part of something

終わり