原文
At this especial meeting they intended to draw up a petition to the
school trustees, humbly praying that a fence be put around the school
grounds; and a plan was also to be discussed for planting a few
ornamental trees by the church, if the funds of the society would
permit of it . . . for, as Anne said, there was no use in starting
another subscription as long as the hall remained blue. The members were
assembled in the Andrews' parlor and Jane was already on her feet to
move the appointment of a committee which should find out and report
on the price of said trees, when Gertie Pye swept in, pompadoured and
frilled within an inch of her life. Gertie had a habit of being late
. . . "to make her entrance more effective," spiteful people said.
Gertie's entrance in this instance was certainly effective, for she
paused dramatically on the middle of the floor, threw up her hands,
rolled her eyes, and exclaimed, "I've just heard something perfectly
awful. What DO you think? Mr. Judson Parker IS GOING TO RENT ALL THE
ROAD FENCE OF HIS FARM TO A PATENT MEDICINE COMPANY TO PAINT
ADVERTISEMENTS ON."
語彙など
- especial:特別な
- draw up a petition:請願書を作成する
- trustee:理事
- humbly:つつましく
- pray:嘆願する
- ornamental:装飾用の
- fund:基金,財源
- there is no use:〜しても無駄だ
- subscription:寄付
- as long as:〜する限り
- assemble:召集する
- parlor:応接間
- on one's feet:即座に
- move:動議として提案する
- appointment:任命
- said:前述の
- sweep in:堂々と入ってくる
- pompadour:ポンパドール(前髪を上に持ち上げる髪形)
- frill:余計な飾り
- within an inch of one's life:死ぬ一歩手前まで
- have a habit of doing:〜するのを常とする
- spiteful:悪意のある
- in this instance:今回は
- rent:賃貸しする
- patent medicine:特許薬
- advertisement:広告