CHAPTER TWENTY: CONFIDENTIAL
CHAPTER TWENTY (第20章) [名] the twentieth chapter
CONFIDENTIAL (内緒話) [形] intended to be kept secret
第20章: 内緒話

 I don’t think I have any words in which to tell the meeting of the mother and daughters.
母と娘たちの再会を語る言葉は私には見つからない。
Such hours are beautiful to live, but very hard to describe, so I will leave it to the imagination of my readers, merely saying that the house was full of genuine happiness, and that Meg’s tender hope was realized, for when Beth woke from that long, healing sleep, the first objects on which her eyes fell were the little rose and Mother’s face.
full (満ちる) [形] having a great deal or many
realize (実現する) [動] cause to happen
fall (映る) [動] be reflected in
そのような時間は生きるには美しいけれど、説明するのはとても難しいので、私は読者の想像力に任せ、ただ家が本物の幸せで満ちていたということと、メグの優しい希望が実現したことを言うだけにする。ベスが長い回復の眠りから目覚めたとき、彼女の目に最初に映ったのは小さなバラとママの顔だった。
Too weak to wonder at anything, she only smiled and nestled close in the loving arms about her, feeling that the hungry longing was satisfied at last.
too weak (弱りすぎて) [形] lacking the power to perform
close (近く) [副] to or at a short distance
何かを不思議に思うには弱りすぎていて、彼女はただ微笑み、愛情のこもった腕の中に寄り添い、飢えた憧れがついに満たされたと感じた。
Then she slept again, and the girls waited upon their mother, for she would not unclasp the thin hand which clung to hers even in sleep.
wait upon (世話をする) [動] attend to the needs of
unclasp (離す) [動] release the grip of
それから彼女はまた眠り、娘たちは母親の世話をした。母親は眠っている間も彼女の手を握りしめている細い手を離そうとしなかったからだ。

 Hannah had ‘dished up’ an astonishing breakfast for the traveler, finding it impossible to vent her excitement in any other way, and Meg and Jo fed their mother like dutiful young storks, while they listened to her whispered account of Father’s state,
dish up (用意する) [動] to serve food
traveler (旅人) [名] a person who is traveling
impossible (できない) [形] not possible
vent (抑えきれない) [動] to express or release
dutiful (孝行な) [形] doing what you are expected to do
stork (コウノトリ) [名] a large wading bird with long legs and a long neck
ハンナは旅人のために驚くべき朝食を「用意」し、他の方法では興奮を抑えきれないと思い、メグとジョーは孝行な若いコウノトリのように母親に食事を与えながら、父親の状態についてささやくように話すのを聞いた。
Mr. Brooke’s promise to stay and nurse him, the delays which the storm occasioned on the homeward journey, and the unspeakable comfort Laurie’s hopeful face had given her when she arrived, worn out with fatigue, anxiety, and cold.
occasion (引き起こす) [動] cause or give rise to
homeward (帰路) [形] going or leading toward home
fatigue (疲労) [名] extreme tiredness
cold (寒さ) [名] the state of having a low temperature
ブルック氏が残って看病してくれるという約束、帰路の嵐による遅れ、そして疲労、不安、寒さで疲れ果てて到着したときにローリーの希望に満ちた顔が彼女に与えた言葉では言い表せないほどの慰め。

 What a strange yet pleasant day that was.
なんと奇妙で楽しい日だったことか。
So brilliant and gay without, for all the world seemed abroad to welcome the first snow.
brilliant (まばゆいばかり) [形] very bright
gay (陽気) [形] happy and cheerful
without (外) [名] the space or area outside a place
all the world (世界中) [名] the whole world
abroad (外) [名] a foreign country
外はまばゆいばかりに明るく、陽気で、世界中が初雪を歓迎しているかのようだった。
So quiet and reposeful within, for everyone slept, spent with watching, and a Sabbath stillness reigned through the house, while nodding Hannah mounted guard at the door.
reposeful (落ち着いた) [形] calm and relaxed
Sabbath (安息日) [名] a day of religious observance and abstinence from work
stillness (静けさ) [名] the state of being quiet and calm
reign (広がる) [動] be widespread or current
家の中はとても静かで落ち着いており、みんな寝ていて、見守ることに疲れ、安息日の静けさが家中に広がり、ハンナはドアのところで警備をしていた。
With a blissful sense of burdens lifted off, Meg and Jo closed their weary eyes, and lay at rest, like storm-beaten boats safe at anchor in a quiet harbor.
blissful (至福の) [形] extremely happy
close (閉じる) [動] to move a door or window so as to cover an opening
lay (休む) [動] to be in or move into a resting position
anchor (停泊する) [動] to secure a ship or boat in a particular place with an anchor
harbor (港) [名] a sheltered place on the coast where ships and boats can dock
重荷が取り除かれた至福の感覚で、メグとジョーは疲れた目を閉じ、静かな港に安全に停泊している嵐に打たれた船のように休んだ。
Mrs. March would not leave Beth’s side, but rested in the big chair, waking often to look at, touch, and brood over her child, like a miser over some recovered treasure.
マーチ夫人はベスのそばを離れようとせず、大きな椅子で休み、取り戻した宝物を前にした守銭奴のように、よく目を覚まして子供を眺め、触れ、思い悩んだ。

 Laurie meanwhile posted off to comfort Amy, and told his story so well that Aunt March actually ‘sniffed’ herself, and never once said “I told you so”.
post off (出かける) [動] go away
so well (上手に) [副] in a good manner
その間にローリーはエイミーを慰めるために出かけ、話を上手にしたので、マーチおばさんは実際に「鼻を鳴らし」、一度も「言った通りでしょう」とは言わなかった。
Amy came out so strong on this occasion that I think the good thoughts in the little chapel really began to bear fruit.
エイミーはこの機会にとても強くなったので、小さな礼拝堂での良い考えが本当に実を結び始めたと思う。
She dried her tears quickly, restrained her impatience to see her mother, and never even thought of the turquoise ring, when the old lady heartily agreed in Laurie’s opinion, that she behaved ‘like a capital little woman’.
impatience (焦り) [名] the quality of being impatient
彼女はすぐに涙をぬぐい、母に会いたいという焦りを抑え、ローリーが「立派な小さな女性のように」振る舞ったという意見に老婦人が心から同意したとき、トルコ石の指輪のことさえ考えなかった。
Even Polly seemed impressed, for he called her a good girl, blessed her buttons, and begged her to “come and take a walk, dear”, in his most affable tone.
impress (感心する) [動] to affect strongly or deeply
ポリーでさえ感心したようだった、というのも彼は彼女をいい子と呼び、彼女のボタンを祝福し、彼の最も愛想のいい口調で「おいで、散歩しよう」と頼んだのだから。
She would very gladly have gone out to enjoy the bright wintry weather, but discovering that Laurie was dropping with sleep in spite of manful efforts to conceal the fact, she persuaded him to rest on the sofa, while she wrote a note to her mother.
drop (眠り込む) [動] fall asleep
manful (男らしい) [形] having or showing qualities or attributes regarded as characteristic of a man
persuade (説得する) [動] cause (someone) to do something by reasoning with them or giving them advice
彼女は喜んで外に出て明るい冬の天気を楽しみたいと思ったが、ローリーが事実を隠そうと男らしい努力をしているにもかかわらず眠り込んでしまうのを発見し、母親にメモを書いている間、彼をソファで休むように説得した。
She was a long time about it, and when she returned, he was stretched out with both arms under his head, sound asleep, while Aunt March had pulled down the curtains and sat doing nothing in an unusual fit of benignity.
be a long time about (長い時間かける) [動] take a long time to do something
both arms (両腕) [名] the two upper limbs of the human body
sound asleep (ぐっすり眠る) [形] in a deep sleep
pull down (下ろす) [動] cause to fall
fit (態度) [名] a sudden attack of a disease or of some other disorder
benignity (慈悲深い) [名] kindness or goodness
彼女は長い時間かけてそれを書き、戻ってきたときには、彼は両腕を頭の下に伸ばしてぐっすり眠り、マーチおばさんはカーテンを下ろして、いつもとは違う慈悲深い態度で何もせずに座っていた。

 After a while, they began to think he was not going to wake up till night, and I’m not sure that he would, had he not been effectually roused by Amy’s cry of joy at sight of her mother.
had he not been (彼が起きていたかどうかは) [動] if he had not been
effectually (効果的に) [副] in an effective way
sight (見て) [名] the ability or an act of seeing
しばらくすると、彼らは彼が夜まで起きないのではないかと思い始め、母親を見て喜びの声を上げるエイミーの声で効果的に起こされなければ、彼が起きていたかどうかはわからない。
There probably were a good many happy little girls in and about the city that day, but it is my private opinion that Amy was the happiest of all, when she sat in her mother’s lap and told her trials, receiving consolation and compensation in the shape of approving smiles and fond caresses.
that day (その日) [名] the day being discussed
it is my private opinion that (私の個人的な意見では) [句] I think that
was the happiest of all (誰よりも幸せだった) [句] was happier than anyone else
sat (座った) [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
her mother's (母親の) [名] the female parent of a person
told (語った) [動] communicate information, facts, or news to someone in spoken or written words
her trials (試練) [名] a test of one's endurance of patience
receiving (受け取った) [動] be given, presented with, or paid something
compensation (報酬) [名] something, typically money, awarded to someone as a recompense for loss, injury, or suffering
in the shape of (という形で) [句] in the form of
approving (認める) [動] officially agree to or accept something
smiles (笑顔) [名] a pleased, kind, or amused expression, typically with the corners of the mouth turned up and the front teeth exposed
caresses (愛撫) [名] a gentle or loving touch
その日、街の中や周辺には幸せな少女たちがたくさんいただろうが、私の個人的な意見では、エイミーが母親の膝に座って試練を語り、慰めと報酬を受け取ったとき、彼女は誰よりも幸せだったと思う。
They were alone together in the chapel, to which her mother did not object when its purpose was explained to her.
be alone together (二人きりである) [動] be in a place with only one other person
purpose (目的) [名] the intention to do something
彼らは礼拝堂で二人きりだったが、その目的を説明されても母親は反対しなかった。

 “On the contrary, I like it very much, dear,” looking from the dusty rosary to the well-worn little book, and the lovely picture with its garland of evergreen.
on the contrary (それどころか) [副] to the opposite effect
well-worn (使い古した) [形] showing signs of much use
evergreen (常緑樹) [名] a plant that has green leaves throughout the year
「それどころか、とても気に入ったよ」と、埃まみれのロザリオから使い古した小さな本、そして常緑樹の花輪をつけた素敵な絵を眺めながら言った。
“It is an excellent plan to have some place where we can go to be quiet, when things vex or grieve us.
have some place (場所がある) [動] have a place
be quiet (静かに過ごす) [動] be silent or make little noise
vex (悩む) [動] make someone feel annoyed, frustrated, or worried
「何かに悩んだり悲しんだりしたときに、静かに過ごせる場所があるのは素晴らしいことだ。
There are a good many hard times in this life of ours, but we can always bear them if we ask help in the right way.
a good many (多くの) [名] a large number of
ask (求める) [動] to make a request for something
私たちの人生には多くの困難な時期があるが、正しい方法で助けを求めれば、いつでも耐えることができる。
I think my little girl is learning this.”
私の小さな娘はこれを学んでいると思う。」

 “Yes, Mother, and when I go home I mean to have a corner in the big closet to put my books and the copy of that picture which I’ve tried to make.
have a corner (隅を持つ) [動] have a place in a corner
big closet (大きなクローゼット) [名] a large closet
「そうよ、ママ、家に帰ったら、大きなクローゼットの隅に自分の本や、私が描こうとしているあの絵のコピーを置くつもりなの。
The woman’s face is not good, it’s too beautiful for me to draw, but the baby is done better, and I love it very much.
not good (よくない) [形] not satisfactory
too beautiful (美しすぎる) [形] very beautiful
done better (もっとうまく描けた) [動] do something in a more skillful way
love (気に入っている) [動] be fond of; like very much
女性の顔はよくないよ、私が描くには美しすぎるの、でも赤ちゃんはもっとうまく描けたし、とても気に入っているよ。
I like to think He was a little child once, for then I don’t seem so far away, and that helps me.”
like to (考えるのが好きだ) [動] be fond of or partial to
神様がかつて小さな子供だったと考えるのが好きだ、そうすると、それほど遠くにいるようには思えないし、それが私を助けてくれる。」

 As Amy pointed to the smiling Christ child on his Mother’s knee, Mrs. March saw something on the lifted hand that made her smile.
エイミーが母親の膝の上で微笑むキリストの子供を指さしたとき、マーチ夫人は彼女を笑顔にする何かを持ち上げた手に見ました。
She said nothing, but Amy understood the look, and after a minute’s pause, she added gravely, “I wanted to speak to you about this, but I forgot it.
after a minute (一分ほど) [名] a period of time equal to sixty seconds
彼女は何も言いませんでしたが、エイミーはその表情を理解し、一分ほど間を置いて、真面目な顔でこう付け加えました、「これについてあなたに話したいと思っていたんだけど、忘れちゃった。
Aunt gave me the ring today.
叔母が今日指輪をくれたの。
She called me to her and kissed me, and put it on my finger, and said I was a credit to her, and she’d like to keep me always.
credit (誇り) [名] a source of pride
keep (そばに置いておく) [動] continue to have, use, or maintain
彼女は私を呼んでキスして、指輪を私の指にはめ、私は彼女の誇りであり、いつも私をそばに置いておきたいと言ってくれたの。
She gave that funny guard to keep the turquoise on, as it’s too big.
turquoise (ターコイズ) [名] a greenish-blue stone used in jewelry
彼女はターコイズがあまりに大きいので、それをはめておくためにあのおかしなガードもくれたの。
I’d like to wear them Mother, can I?”
ママ、これを着けたいんだけど、いい?」

 “They are very pretty, but I think you’re rather too young for such ornaments, Amy,” said Mrs. March, looking at the plump little hand, with the band of sky-blue stones on the forefinger, and the quaint guard formed of two tiny golden hands clasped together.
band (指輪) [名] a ring or belt
forefinger (人差し指) [名] the finger next to the thumb
quaint (奇妙な) [形] attractive in an old-fashioned or unusual way
form (形) [名] the shape of something
tiny (小さな) [形] very small
clasp (握り合う) [動] hold or fasten together with a clasp
「とてもきれいだけど、エイミー、あなたはそんな装飾品をするにはまだ若すぎると思うよ」と、人差し指に空色の石の指輪をはめ、小さな金色の手が二つ握り合った形の奇妙なガードを付けた、ふっくらとした小さな手を見ながら、マーチ夫人は言った。

 “I’ll try not to be vain,” said Amy.
「うぬぼれないようにするよ」とエイミーは言った。
“I don’t think I like it only because it’s so pretty, but I want to wear it as the girl in the story wore her bracelet, to remind me of something.”
「きれいだからだけに好きなわけじゃないと思うけど、物語の中の少女がブレスレットを着けたように、何かを思い出すために着けたいの」

 “Do you mean Aunt March?” asked her mother, laughing.
「マーチおばさんのこと?」と母は笑いながら尋ねた。

 “No, to remind me not to be selfish.”
remind (思い出す) [動] cause someone to remember something
「違うよ、わがままにならないように思い出すために」
Amy looked so earnest and sincere about it that her mother stopped laughing, and listened respectfully to the little plan.
respectfully (敬意を払って) [副] in a way that shows respect
エイミーは真剣で誠実そうに見えたので、母は笑うのをやめて、その小さな計画に敬意を払って耳を傾けた。

 “I’ve thought a great deal lately about my ‘bundle of naughties’, and being selfish is the largest one in it, so I’m going to try hard to cure it, if I can.
「最近、自分の『いたずらの束』についてよく考えたんだけど、わがままが一番大きいから、できるなら治すように頑張ろうと思うの。
Beth isn’t selfish, and that’s the reason everyone loves her and feels so bad at the thoughts of losing her.
feel bad (悲しい気持ちになる) [動] feel sad or unhappy
ベスはわがままじゃないから、みんな彼女を愛していて、彼女を失うことを考えるととても悲しい気持ちになるのよ。
People wouldn’t feel so bad about me if I was sick, and I don’t deserve to have them, but I’d like to be loved and missed by a great many friends, so I’m going to try and be like Beth all I can.
feel bad (悪く思う) [動] feel guilty or unhappy
all I can (できる限り) [副] to the best of one's ability
私が病気になったとしても、人々は私のことをそれほど悪く思わないよ、それに私は彼らに愛される資格はないの、でも私はたくさんの友達に愛され、恋しがられたい、だから私はできる限りベスのようになろうと思うの。
I’m apt to forget my resolutions, but if I had something always about me to remind me, I guess I should do better.
be apt to (しがちである) [動] be likely to
do better (もっとうまくやる) [動] perform more successfully
私は自分の決意を忘れがちだけど、いつも思い出させてくれる何かがあれば、もっとうまくやれると思うの。
May we try this way?”
こうやってみてもいいかな?」

 “Yes, but I have more faith in the corner of the big closet.
「そうね、でも私は大きなクローゼットの隅の方が信頼できるよ。
Wear your ring, dear, and do your best.
指輪をはめて、最善を尽くしてね。
I think you will prosper, for the sincere wish to be good is half the battle.
battle (戦い) [名] a fight between two or more armed forces
あなたは成功すると思うよ、善良でありたいという誠実な願いは戦いの半分だから。
Now I must go back to Beth.
ベスの所に戻らなくちゃ。
Keep up your heart, little daughter, and we will soon have you home again.”
keep up (元気を出す) [動] maintain or increase the rate, amount, or standard of
元気を出して、娘よ、すぐに家に帰れるからね」

 That evening while Meg was writing to her father to report the traveler’s safe arrival, Jo slipped upstairs into Beth’s room, and finding her mother in her usual place, stood a minute twisting her fingers in her hair, with a worried gesture and an undecided look.
arrival (到着) [名] the action or process of arriving
twist (絡ませる) [動] turn or cause to turn around and around
その夜、メグが旅人の無事の到着を報告するために父親に手紙を書いている間に、ジョーは二階のベスの部屋に忍び込み、いつもの場所に母親がいるのを見つけると、心配そうな仕草と決まりきらない表情で、髪の毛に指を絡ませながらしばらく立っていた。

 “What is it, deary?” asked Mrs. March, holding out her hand, with a face which invited confidence.
what is it (どうしたの) [句] what is the matter
deary (あなた) [名] a term of endearment
「どうしたの、あなた」とマーチ夫人は手を差し出し、信頼を誘うような顔で尋ねた。

 “I want to tell you something, Mother.”
「ママ、話したいことがあるの」

 “About Meg?”
「メグのこと?」

 “How quickly you guessed!
「なんてすぐに当てるんだ!
Yes, it’s about her, and though it’s a little thing, it fidgets me.”
fidget (そわそわさせる) [動] make or cause to make small movements, typically through nervousness or impatience
ええ、彼女のことなんだけど、小さなことなんだけど、私をそわそわさせるの」

 “Beth is asleep. Speak low, and tell me all about it.
speak low (小さな声で話す) [動] speak in a low voice
「ベスは寝ている。小さな声で、全部話してちょうだい。
That Moffat hasn’t been here, I hope?” asked Mrs. March rather sharply.
hasn't been (来ていない) [動] has not been
I hope (でしょうね) [慣] I wish or expect that
モファットさんがここに来たわけではないでしょうね?」とマーチ夫人は少しきつい口調で尋ねた。

 “No. I should have shut the door in his face if he had,” said Jo, settling herself on the floor at her mother’s feet.
shut the door in one's face (ドアを閉める) [動] close the door in front of someone
settle oneself (腰を下ろす) [動] sit down
「いいえ、もし彼が来たら、私は彼の顔の前でドアを閉めたでしょう」とジョーは言い、母親の足元の床に腰を下ろした。
“Last summer Meg left a pair of gloves over at the Laurences’ and only one was returned.
last summer (去年の夏) [名] the summer of the previous year
over (に) [前] to a place
「去年の夏、メグはローレンス家に手袋を忘れて、片方だけ返されたの。
We forgot about it, till Teddy told me that Mr. Brooke owned that he liked Meg but didn’t dare say so, she was so young and he so poor.
私たちはそのことを忘れていたんだけど、テディがブルックさんがメグが好きだと認めたけど、彼女がとても若くて彼がとても貧乏だから、あえてそうは言わなかったと教えてくれたの。
Now, isn’t it a dreadful state of things?”
state (状況) [名] the way things are at a particular time
ねえ、ひどい状況じゃない?」

 “Do you think Meg cares for him?” asked Mrs. March, with an anxious look.
care for (気にかける) [動] to be concerned about or interested in
「メグは彼を気にかけていると思う?」とマーチ夫人は心配そうな顔で尋ねた。

 “Mercy me! I don’t know anything about love and such nonsense!” cried Jo, with a funny mixture of interest and contempt.
contempt (軽蔑) [名] the act of despising
「なんてこと! 私は恋愛とかそんなナンセンスなことは何も知らないよ!」とジョーは興味と軽蔑がおかしく混ざり合った様子で叫んだ。
“In novels, the girls show it by starting and blushing, fainting away, growing thin, and acting like fools.
grow thin (痩せる) [動] become thinner
「小説では、女の子たちはびっくりしたり、顔を赤らめたり、気絶したり、痩せたり、馬鹿みたいに振る舞ったりしてそれを示すよ。
Now Meg does not do anything of the sort.
でもメグはそんな風には何もしないよ。
She eats and drinks and sleeps like a sensible creature, she looks straight in my face when I talk about that man, and only blushes a little bit when Teddy jokes about lovers.
look straight (真っ直ぐに見る) [動] look directly
joke (冗談を言う) [動] say something humorous
彼女は分別のある生き物のように食べたり飲んだり眠ったりして、私があの男性について話す時も私の顔を真っ直ぐに見て、テディが恋人について冗談を言う時も少し顔を赤らめるだけよ。
I forbid him to do it, but he doesn’t mind me as he ought.”
私は彼にそれを禁じたんだけど、彼は私を気にしないのよ。」

 “Then you fancy that Meg is not interested in John?”
be interested in (興味がある) [動] to have a feeling of wanting to know or learn about something or someone
「じゃあ、メグはジョンに興味がないと思うの?」

 “Who?” cried Jo, staring.
「誰?」ジョーは叫び、じっと見つめた。

 “Mr. Brooke. I call him ‘John’ now.
「ブルックさん。私は今彼を「ジョン」と呼んでいる。
We fell into the way of doing so at the hospital, and he likes it.”
fall into (呼ぶようになる) [動] get into the habit of doing something
病院でそう呼ぶようになって、彼もそれを気に入っている。」

 “Oh, dear! I know you’ll take his part.
take one's part (味方をする) [動] support or defend someone or something
「ああ、おやおや! あなたは彼の味方をするでしょう。
He’s been good to Father, and you won’t send him away, but let Meg marry him, if she wants to.
send away (追い払う) [動] cause to go away
彼はパパに親切にしてくれたし、あなたは彼を追い払ったりせず、メグが望むなら彼と結婚させるでしょう。
Mean thing! To go petting Papa and helping you, just to wheedle you into liking him.”
mean (卑劣な) [形] unkind or unfair
wheedle (好きにさせる) [動] persuade someone to do something by coaxing or flattery
卑劣なやつ! パパを可愛がり、あなたを助けるのは、ただあなたに彼を好きにさせるためだ。」
And Jo pulled her hair again with a wrathful tweak.
wrathful (怒りにまかせて) [形] very angry
そしてジョーは怒りにまかせてもう一度髪を引っ張った。

 “My dear, don’t get angry about it, and I will tell you how it happened.
get angry (怒る) [動] feel or show anger
「あなた、怒らないでくれ、経緯を話そう。
John went with me at Mr. Laurence’s request, and was so devoted to poor Father that we couldn’t help getting fond of him.
ジョンはローレンス氏の頼みで私と一緒に行き、可哀想なパパにとても献身的だったので、私たちは彼を好きにならずにはいられませんでした。
He was perfectly open and honorable about Meg, for he told us he loved her, but would earn a comfortable home before he asked her to marry him.
open (オープン) [形] not closed or blocked
honorable (誠実) [形] having or showing high moral standards
earn (手に入れる) [動] obtain by one's own labor or effort
彼はメグについてとてもオープンで誠実で、彼女を愛しているが、結婚を申し込む前に快適な家を手に入れるつもりだと話してくれた。
He only wanted our leave to love her and work for her, and the right to make her love him if he could.
彼はただ彼女を愛し、彼女のために働くための私たちの許可と、もし彼にできるなら彼女に彼を愛させる権利を望んだだけだった。
He is a truly excellent young man, and we could not refuse to listen to him, but I will not consent to Meg’s engaging herself so young.”
refuse (拒否する) [動] decline to accept
彼は本当に素晴らしい青年で、私たちは彼の話を聞くことを拒否することはできませんでしたが、私はメグがそんなに若くして婚約することには同意しません」

 “Of course not. It would be idiotic!
「もちろん、そうは思わないよ。ばかげたことだよ!
I knew there was mischief brewing.
brew (起こる) [動] be in the process of happening
私はいたずらが起こっていることを知っていた。
I felt it, and now it’s worse than I imagined.
私はそれを感じていたし、今は想像していたよりもひどい。
I just wish I could marry Meg myself, and keep her safe in the family.”
私がメグと結婚して、家族の中で彼女を安全に守ることができたらいいのに」

 This odd arrangement made Mrs. March smile, but she said gravely, “Jo, I confide in you and don’t wish you to say anything to Meg yet.
make (微笑む) [動] cause to smile
confide (信頼する) [動] to tell someone about something private or secret
wish (言わないでほしい) [動] to want something to happen
この奇妙な取り決めにママは微笑んだが、真面目な顔で言った、「ジョー、私はあなたを信頼しているし、まだメグには何も言わないでほしい。
When John comes back, and I see them together, I can judge better of her feelings toward him.”
ジョンが戻ってきて、2人が一緒にいるのを見たら、彼に対する彼女の気持ちをもっとよく判断できるよ」

 “She’ll see those handsome eyes that she talks about, and then it will be all up with her.
talk about (話題にする) [動] speak about
be all up with (参ってしまう) [動] be finished or done for
「彼女は話題にしているあのハンサムな目を見て、それで彼女はすっかり参ってしまうよ。
She’s got such a soft heart, it will melt like butter in the sun if anyone looks sentimentlly at her.
soft heart (優しい心) [名] a kind and gentle person
sentimentlly (感傷的に) [副] in a way that shows a lot of emotion, especially sadness or love
彼女は本当に優しい心の持ち主だから、誰かが彼女を感傷的に見たら、それは太陽の下でバターのように溶けてしまうよ。
She read the short reports he sent more than she did your letters, and pinched me when I spoke of it, and likes brown eyes, and doesn’t think John an ugly name, and she’ll go and fall in love, and there’s an end of peace and fun, and cozy times together.
pinch (つねる) [動] squeeze or compress sharply between the fingers
fall in love (恋に落ちる) [動] begin to feel a strong romantic attachment to someone
彼女はあなたの手紙よりも彼が送った短い報告書を読んで、私がそのことを言うと私をつねり、茶色い目が好きで、ジョンを醜い名前だとは思っていないし、彼女は恋に落ちてしまうだろうし、平和と楽しみ、そして一緒に過ごす居心地の良い時間は終わりを告げるよ。
I see it all!
全部わかっちゃった!
They’ll go lovering around the house, and we shall have to dodge.
go lovering (いちゃいちゃする) [動] behave as a lover
around (中で) [前] in or into every part of
dodge (避ける) [動] avoid or evade by a sudden quick movement
彼らは家の中でいちゃいちゃするだろうし、私たちは避けなければならないよ。
Meg will be absorbed and no good to me any more.
be absorbed (夢中になる) [動] be deeply interested in something
no good (役に立たない) [形] not helpful or useful
メグは夢中になって、もう私には役に立たなくなるよ。
Brooke will scratch up a fortune somehow, carry her off, and make a hole in the family, and I shall break my heart, and everything will be abominably uncomfortable.
scratch up (ひっかき集める) [動] to collect or gather something with difficulty
carry off (連れ去る) [動] to take away by force
make a hole (穴を開ける) [動] to create an opening in something
break one's heart (心が張り裂けそうになる) [動] to cause someone to feel very sad or disappointed
abominably (ひどく) [副] in a very bad or unpleasant way
ブルックはなんとかして財産をひっかき集めて、彼女を連れ去り、家族に穴を開けるだろうし、私は心が張り裂けそうになるだろうし、すべてがひどく不快になるだろう。
Oh, dear me!
dear (なんて) [形] used as an affectionate or friendly form of address
ああ、なんてことだ!
Why weren’t we all boys, then there wouldn’t be any bother.”
weren't (じゃなかった) [動] were not
bother (面倒なこと) [名] something that is annoying or troublesome
どうして私たちみんな男の子じゃなかったんだろう、そうしたら面倒なことは何もなかっただろうに」

 Jo leaned her chin on her knees in a disconsolate attitude and shook her fist at the reprehensible John.
chin (顎) [名] the lower part of a person's face below the mouth
disconsolate (悲しげな) [形] very unhappy and unable to be comforted
ジョーは悲しげな態度で膝に顎を乗せ、非難されるべきジョンに向かって拳を振り上げた。
Mrs. March sighed, and Jo looked up with an air of relief.
マーチ夫人はため息をつき、ジョーはほっとした様子で顔を上げた。

 “You don’t like it, Mother? I’m glad of it.
glad (よかった) [形] pleased; happy
「気に入らないの、ママ? よかったよ。
Let’s send him about his business, and not tell Meg a word of it, but all be happy together as we always have been.”
彼を仕事に送り出して、メグには一言も言わずに、いつものようにみんなで幸せに過ごしましょう」

 “I did wrong to sigh, Jo.
do wrong (間違いをする) [動] make a mistake
「ため息をついたのは間違いだったよ、ジョー。
It is natural and right you should all go to homes of your own in time, but I do want to keep my girls as long as I can, and I am sorry that this happened so soon, for Meg is only seventeen and it will be some years before John can make a home for her.
make (建てる) [動] construct or create something
いずれみんなが自分の家を持つのは自然なことだし、正しいことなんだけど、私はできるだけ長く娘たちをそばに置いておきたいし、こんなことがこんなに早く起こってしまって残念だよ、だってメグはまだ17歳だし、ジョンが彼女のために家を建てるまでには数年かかるでしょう。
Your father and I have agreed that she shall not bind herself in any way, nor be married, before twenty.
あなたのお父さんと私は、彼女が20歳になるまでは、いかなる形でも自分を縛ったり、結婚したりしないことに同意しました。
If she and John love one another, they can wait, and test the love by doing so.
彼女とジョンが愛し合っているのなら、待つこともできるし、そうすることで愛を試すこともできる。
She is conscientious, and I have no fear of her treating him unkindly.
conscientious (良心的) [形] governed by or done according to conscience
unkindly (不親切に) [副] in an unkind manner
彼女は良心的で、彼を不親切に扱う心配はありません。
My pretty, tender hearted girl!
tender hearted (優しい) [形] easily moved to love, pity, or sorrow
私のかわいくて優しい娘!
I hope things will go happily with her.”
go happily (うまくいく) [動] proceed well
彼女のことがうまくいくといいんだけど」

 “Hadn’t you rather have her marry a rich man?” asked Jo, as her mother’s voice faltered a little over the last words.
falter (震える) [動] to hesitate or waver
「彼女に金持ちと結婚させたいとは思わないの?」とジョーは尋ねた。母の声が最後の方で少し震えたからだ。

 “Money is a good and useful thing, Jo, and I hope my girls will never feel the need of it too bitterly, nor be tempted by too much.
need (必要性) [名] a thing that is wanted or required
bitterly (痛感する) [副] in a manner that is intensely and extremely unpleasant
「お金は良いものであり、役に立つものよ、ジョー、そして私は私の娘たちがお金の必要性をあまり痛感したり、あまりにも多くのお金に誘惑されたりしないことを願っているよ。
I should like to know that John was firmly established in some good business, which gave him an income large enough to keep free from debt and make Meg comfortable.
be firmly established (しっかりと就いている) [動] be firmly established
some good business (何か良い仕事) [名] some good business
give (得られる) [動] give
income (収入) [名] income
large enough (十分な) [形] large enough
keep free from (解放される) [動] keep free from
make comfortable (楽にする) [動] make comfortable
ジョンが借金から解放されてメグを楽にさせるのに十分な収入を得られる、何か良い仕事にしっかりと就いていることを知りたいよ。
I’m not ambitious for a splendid fortune, a fashionable position, or a great name for my girls.
fashionable (上流階級の) [形] of or relating to the upper classes
私は娘たちに素晴らしい財産や、上流階級の地位や、偉大な名声を望んではいない。
If rank and money come with love and virtue, also, I should accept them gratefully, and enjoy your good fortune, but I know, by experience, how much genuine happiness can be had in a plain little house, where the daily bread is earned, and some privations give sweetness to the few pleasures.
rank (地位) [名] a position in a social hierarchy
good fortune (幸運) [名] success or luck
genuine (本物の) [形] real; true
daily bread (日々の糧) [名] the food that is necessary for everyday life
privation (欠乏) [名] a state or condition of lacking something
sweetness (甘美さ) [名] the quality of being sweet
もし地位やお金が愛や美徳と共にやって来るなら、私はそれらを感謝して受け入れ、あなたの幸運を喜ぶべきだけれど、私は経験から、日々の糧を得て、いくつかの欠乏がわずかな楽しみに甘美さを与える、質素な小さな家でどれほど本物の幸せが得られるかを知っているよ。
I am content to see Meg begin humbly, for if I am not mistaken, she will be rich in the possession of a good man’s heart, and that is better than a fortune.”
mistaken (間違っている) [形] wrong in one's opinion or judgment
possession (所有) [名] the state of having, owning, or controlling something
私はメグが謙虚に始めるのを見ることに満足しているよ、なぜなら私が間違っていなければ、彼女は善良な男性の心を所有することで豊かになるでしょう、そしてそれは財産よりも良いことよ。」

 “I understand, Mother, and quite agree, but I’m disappointed about Meg, for I’d planned to have her marry Teddy by-and-by and sit in the lap of luxury all her days.
「分かったよ、ママ、全く同感よ、でも私はメグについてはがっかりだよ、だって私は彼女がそのうちテディと結婚して、一生贅沢な生活を送るように計画していたのに。
Wouldn’t it be nice?” asked Jo, looking up with a brighter face.
素敵じゃない?」とジョーは明るい顔で上を見ながら尋ねた。

 “He is younger than she, you know,” began Mrs. March, but Jo broke in...
「彼は彼女より若いのよ、分かるでしょう」とマーチ夫人は言い始めたが、ジョーは割って入った。

 “Only a little, he’s old for his age, and tall, and can be quite grown-up in his manners if he likes.
only a little (ほんの少しだけ) [副] to a small extent
old for one's age (年齢の割に大人びている) [形] having the appearance or qualities of a person older than one's age
quite grown-up (かなり大人っぽい) [形] having the appearance or qualities of a person older than one's age
「ほんの少しだけよ、彼は年齢の割に大人びていて、背も高く、彼が望めば態度もかなり大人っぽくなるよ。
Then he’s rich and generous and good, and loves us all, and I say it’s a pity my plan is spoiled.”
それに彼は裕福で気前が良く、善良で、私たちみんなを愛しているし、私の計画が台無しになったのは残念だよ」

 “I’m afraid Laurie is hardly grown-up enough for Meg, and altogether too much of a weathercock just now for anyone to depend on.
too much (あまりに) [副] to a greater extent than is desirable
weathercock (気まぐれ) [名] a person who changes their opinion or behavior frequently
「ローリーはメグには十分に大人ではないし、今は誰も頼りにできないほど気まぐれすぎると思うよ。
Don’t make plans, Jo, but let time and their own hearts mate your friends.
make plans (計画を立てる) [動] decide on and make arrangements for future events
mate (結び付ける) [動] come together or cause to come together
計画は立てないで、ジョー、時間と彼ら自身の心があなたの友人を結び付けるようにしなさい。
We can’t meddle safely in such matters, and had better not get ‘romantic rubbish’ as you call it, into our heads, lest it spoil our friendship.”
meddle (干渉する) [動] interfere in or busy oneself unduly with something that is not one's concern
私たちはそのような事柄に安全に干渉することはできないし、友情を台無しにしないように、あなたが言うところの「ロマンチックなゴミ」を頭に入れない方がいいよ」

 “Well, I won’t, but I hate to see things going all crisscross and getting snarled up, when a pull here and a snip there would straighten it out.
crisscross (交差する) [動] form a cross with
snarl (混乱) [名] a tangle or knot
「そうね、そうしないよ、でも、あっちを引っ張ったり、こっちを切ったりすれば、物事がすべて交差して混乱してしまうのを見るのは嫌だよ。
I wish wearing flatirons on our heads would keep us from growing up.
flatiron (アイロン) [名] a device with a flat, heated surface that is used to press clothes
頭にアイロンをかければ大人にならないで済むといいのに。
But buds will be roses, and kittens cats, more’s the pity!”
しかし、つぼみはバラになり、子猫は猫になる、残念なことに!」

 “What’s that about flatirons and cats?” asked Meg, as she crept into the room with the finished letter in her hand.
「アイロンと猫って何?」とメグは書き終えた手紙を手に部屋に忍び込みながら尋ねた。

 “Only one of my stupid speeches.
「私の愚かなスピーチの1つにすぎないよ。
I’m going to bed.
寝るよ。
Come, Peggy,” said Jo, unfolding herself like an animated puzzle.
Peggy (ペギー) [名] a female given name
unfold (広げる) [動] open or spread out from a folded state
puzzle (パズル) [名] a game, toy, or problem designed to test ingenuity or knowledge
おいで、ペギー」とジョーはまるで動くパズルのように体を広げた。

 “Quite right, and beautifully written.
quite right (まったくその通り) [副] absolutely correct
「まったくその通り、そして美しく書かれている。
Please add that I send my love to John,” said Mrs. March, as she glanced over the letter and gave it back.
ジョンに愛を送ると付け加えてください」とマーチ夫人は手紙に目を通し、返した。

 “Do you call him ‘John’?” asked Meg, smiling, with her innocent eyes looking down into her mother’s.
「彼のことを『ジョン』と呼ぶの?」とメグは微笑みながら、無邪気な目で母親を見下ろした。

 “Yes, he has been like a son to us, and we are very fond of him,” replied Mrs. March, returning the look with a keen one.
「そうよ、彼は私たちにとって息子のような存在で、私たちは彼がとても好きだよ」とマーチ夫人は鋭い視線でメグを見つめ返しながら答えた。

 “I’m glad of that, he is so lonely.
「それはよかった、彼はとても孤独だから。
Good night, Mother, dear.
おやすみなさい、ママ。
It is so inexpressibly comfortable to have you here,” was Meg’s answer.
inexpressibly (言葉にできないほど) [副] to a degree that cannot be expressed
あなたがここにいてくれるのは、言葉にできないほど心地よいよ」というのがメグの答えだった。

 The kiss her mother gave her was a very tender one, and as she went away, Mrs. March said, with a mixture of satisfaction and regret, “She does not love John yet, but will soon learn to.”
母親が彼女に与えたキスはとても優しいものだった、そして彼女が去ったとき、マーチ夫人は満足と後悔が混ざり合った気持ちで言った、「彼女はまだジョンを愛していないけど、すぐに愛するようになるでしょう」