小説を読みながら、語彙を増やしましょう。
夏目漱石の小説『坊っちゃん』の原文と毛利八十太郎が英訳した “Botchan (Master Darling)” を併せて見ていきます。
【あらすじ】
赤シャツ（教頭）から人につけこまれないよう注意しろと言われる主人公ですが、年若く経験が浅いことの何が悪いのかよくわかりません。
●----------------------------------------------------------
"If they're such a bother, I don't mind not hearing them. I only asked you because you sprang the subject."
"That's right. I may seem irresponsible in not concluding the thing I had started. Then this much I'll tell you. I mean no offense, but you are fresh from school, and teaching is a new experience. And a school is a place where somewhat complicated private circumstances are common and one cannot do everything straight and simple."
"If can't get it through straight and simple, how does it go?"
"Well, there you are so straight as that. As I was saying, you're short of experience......"
"I should be. As I wrote it down in my record-sheet, I'm 23 years and four months."
"That's it. So you'd be done by some one in unexpected quarter."
"I'm not afraid who might do me as long as I'm honest."
"Certainly not. No need be afraid, but I do say you look sharp; your predecessor was done."
I noticed Clown had become quiet, and turning round, saw him at the stern talking with the boatman. Without Clown, I found our conversation running smoothly.
"By whom was my predecessor done?"
"If I point out the name, it would reflect on the honor of that person, so I can't mention it. Besides there is no evidence to prove it and I may be in a bad fix if I say it. At any rate, since you're here, my efforts will prove nothing if you fail. Keep a sharp look-out, please."
"You say look-out, but I can't be more watchful than I'm now. If I don't do anything wrong, after all, that's all right isn't it?"
do （人を）だます、欺く
quarter 方角、あたり
predecessor 前任者
in a bad fix 困りきる
keep a sharp look-out 油断なく見張りする、警戒する
watchful 用心深い、注意深い、警戒する、油断のない
夏目漱石による原文はこちら。
＊＊＊ 慣用句を覚えよう ＊＊＊
Thumb（親指）
be all thumbs
have ten thumbs
無器用である
bite the [one's] thumb at...
…を挑発的に侮辱する
count one's thumbs
時間をつぶす
golden thumb
thumb of gold
millet's thumb
金のなる木、ドル箱
on the thumb
ヒッチハイクをして
rule of thumb
経験と常識に基づいたやり方、経験則、実際的な目安
sit there with one's thumb [finger] up one's ass
手をこまねいている、てんでやる気がない
stick out like a sore thumb
一目瞭然である、ひどく目立つ、さしでがましい
turn thumbs up [down]
（…を）承認（拒否）する、（…に）賛成（反対）する
twirl [twiddle] one's thumbs
両手の４本の指を組んで左右の親指をくるくる回す（手持ちぶさたにしている）、（なにもしないで）のらくらしている
under someone's thumb
under the thumb of someone
人にあごで使われて、人の支配下（勢力下）に置かれて
【参考】
▽青空文庫
