原文
"Speaking of marrying, reminds me of another thing that has been
troubling me of late," continued Paul. "Mrs. Lynde was down here one
day last week having tea with Grandma, and Grandma made me show her
my little mother's picture . . . the one father sent me for my birthday
present. I didn't exactly want to show it to Mrs. Lynde. Mrs. Lynde is a
good, kind woman, but she isn't the sort of person you want to show your
mother's picture to. YOU know, teacher. But of course I obeyed Grandma.
Mrs. Lynde said she was very pretty but kind of actressy looking, and
must have been an awful lot younger than father. Then she said, 'Some of
these days your pa will be marrying again likely. How will you like to
have a new ma, Master Paul?' Well, the idea almost took my breath away,
teacher, but I wasn't going to let Mrs. Lynde see THAT. I just looked
her straight in the face . . . like this . . . and I said, 'Mrs. Lynde,
father made a pretty good job of picking out my first mother and I could
trust him to pick out just as good a one the second time.' And I CAN
trust him, teacher. But still, I hope, if he ever does give me a new
mother, he'll ask my opinion about her before it's too late. There's
Mary Joe coming to call us to tea. I'll go and consult with her about
the shortbread."
語彙など
- of late:最近
- obey:従う
- kind of:多少
- actressy:女優のような
- some of these days:いずれ近いうちに
- take someone's breath away:ハッとさせる,息もつけぬようにする
- pick out:見つける
- opinion:意見
- consult with:〜に相談する
- shortbread:ショートブレッド(バターをたっぷり入れ厚めに焼いたさっくりしたバタークッキー)