I sat awhile in perfect silence, rallying my stunned faculties. Immediately it occurred to me that my ears had deceived me, or Bartleby had entirely misunderstood my meaning. I repeated my request in the clearest tone I could assume. But in quite as clear a one came the previous reply, "I would prefer not to."
"Prefer not to," echoed I, rising in high excitement, and crossing the room with a stride. "What do you mean? Are you moon-struck? I want you to help me compare this sheet here—take it," and I thrust it towards him.
２０２４０９２８
■２７ー■３７、１０分、単語しらべ
rally 敗残兵をあつめる、たてなおす
stun 目を廻させる、気絶させる
faculty 精神の能力
deceived 欺く、だます
assume やくめをとる、たいどをとる、仮定する
in quite もうすこしで、
"I would prefer not to," said he.
I looked at him steadfastly. His face was leanly composed; his gray eye dimly calm. Not a wrinkle of agitation rippled him. Had there been the least uneasiness, anger, impatience or impertinence in his manner; in other words, had there been any thing ordinarily human about him, doubtless I should have violently dismissed him from the premises. But as it was, I should have as soon thought of turning my pale plaster-of-paris bust of Cicero out of doors. I stood gazing at him awhile, as he went on with his own writing, and then reseated myself at my desk. This is very strange, thought I. What had one best do? But my business hurried me. I concluded to forget the matter for the present, reserving it for my future leisure. So calling Nippers from the other room, the paper was speedily examined.
２０２４０９２８、■３４－■５４、２０分、単語検索
steadfastly かっことした
leanly かたむいた
composed おちついた
dimly うすぐらく
calm おだやかな
dismiss 解散する、解雇する
premise 前提、そこから、屋敷
plaster せっこう
pale 青ざめた
bust 半身像
dismissed 解雇する
premises 前提、複数形で屋敷など
