＜流れ＞
①かっこを振っていない英文
②単語注（①でアスタリスクを振ったところ）
③設問
④かっこを振った英文
⑤設問の答え
⑥訳

IV. THE DEATH OF THE CURATE.
第４章 「助任司祭の死です！」

第４章　第１回　(第441話)

問題編

It was on the sixth day of our imprisonment that I peeped for the last time, and presently found myself alone. Instead of keeping close to me and trying to oust* me from the slit, the curate had gone back into the scullery. I was struck by a sudden thought. I went back quickly and quietly into the scullery. In the darkness I heard the curate drinking. I snatched in the darkness, and my fingers caught a bottle of burgundy*.

oust追い出す　burgundyブルゴーニュワイン

青のsudden thoughtとは何のこと？

解答編

It was (on the sixth day of our imprisonment) that I peeped (for the last time), and (presently) found myself alone. (Instead of keeping close to me and trying to oust me from the slit), the curate had gone back into the scullery. I was struck by a sudden thought. I went back quickly and quietly (into the scullery). (In the darkness) I heard the curate drinking. I snatched (in the darkness), and my fingers caught a bottle of burgundy*.

青のsudden thoughtは、助任司祭が自分に黙って貴重な食料をたべているかもしれない、という考え、かな。

全訳

最後にわたしが穴からのぞいたのは、閉じ込められてから6日目のことだった。そしてすぐに自分が一人でいることに気づいた。わたしの側に居続けたり、のぞき穴からわたしを追い払おうとせずに、助任司祭は食器洗い場に戻っていた。わたしは突然ある考えに打たれ、素早く静かに食器洗い場に戻った。暗闇の中、助任司祭が酒を飲んでいた。暗い中わたしはひったくろうとして、ブルゴーニュワインのボトルを捕まえた。

第４章　第２回　(第442話)

問題編

For a few minutes there was a tussle*. The bottle struck the floor and broke, and I desisted* and rose. We stood panting and threatening each other. In the end I planted myself between him and the food, and told him of my determination to begin a discipline. I divided the food in the pantry, into rations* to last us ten days. I would not let him eat any more that day. In the afternoon he made a feeble effort to get at the food. I had been dozing, but in an instant I was awake. All day and all night we sat face to face, I weary but resolute, and he weeping and complaining of his immediate hunger. It was, I know, a night and a day, but to me it seemed—it seems now—an interminable* length of time.

tussle乱闘　desist思いとどまる　ration配給量　interminable果てしない

オレンジのplantの意味は？（ごめんこれくらいしか問題にできない）

解答編

(For a few minutes) there was a tussle*. The bottle struck the floor and broke, and I desisted* and rose. We stood panting and threatening each other. (In the end) I planted myself (between him and the food), and told him of my determination to begin a discipline. I divided the food (in the pantry), (into rations* to last us ten days). I would not let him eat any more (that day). (In the afternoon) he made a feeble effort to get at the food. I had been dozing, but (in an instant) I was awake. (All day and all night) we sat face to face, I weary but resolute, and he weeping and complaining of his immediate hunger. It was, 《I know》, a night and a day, but (to me) it seemed—it seems now—an interminable* length of time.

このplantは「置く」とか。

全訳

数分の間、乱闘をした。ワインボトルは床にぶつかって割れ、そこでわたしは思いとどまって立ち上がった。わたしたちは息も絶え絶えながら相手をののしり合った。最終的に、わたしは彼と食糧の間に入り、秩序ある行動をしようという決意を伝えた。食糧庫の食べ物を、10日もつように各日用に分けた。その日、わたしは彼にこれ以上決して食べさせなかった。午後になると、彼は食べ物を求めて弱々しい努力をしていた。わたしはうとうとしていたが、すぐに目が覚めた。日夜通して、わたしたちは顔を突き合わせて座った。わたしは疲れていたが決意に満ちており、彼は泣きながら、目下の空腹をかこっていた。たぶん、1夜と1日の間だったと思う。だがわたしにとってはーいま振り返ってもそう思うがー永遠の長さの時間に感じられた。

第４章　第３回　(第443話)

問題編

And so our widened incompatibility ended at last in open conflict. For two vast days we struggled in undertones and wrestling contests. There were times when I beat and kicked him madly, times when I cajoled* and persuaded him, and once I tried to bribe him with the last bottle of burgundy, for there was a rain-water pump* from which I could get water. But neither force nor kindness availed; he was indeed beyond reason. He would neither desist from his attacks on the food nor from his noisy babbling* to himself. The rudimentary* precautions to keep our imprisonment endurable he would not observe. Slowly I began to realise the complete overthrow of his intelligence, to perceive that my sole companion in this close and sickly darkness was a man insane.

cajole甘言を弄する　pumpポンプ　babbleぺちゃくちゃしゃべる　rudimentary基本的な　

オレンジのobserveの意味

解答編

And so our widened incompatibility ended (at last) in open conflict. (For two vast days) we struggled in undertones and wrestling contests. There were times 〔when I beat and kicked him madly〕, times 〔when I cajoled* and persuaded him〕, and (once) I tried to bribe him (with the last bottle of burgundy), 【for there was a rain-water pump* 〔from which I could get water〕】. But neither force nor kindness availed; he was indeed (beyond reason). He would neither desist (from his attacks on the food) nor (from his noisy babbling* to himself). [The rudimentary* precautions to keep our imprisonment endurable] he would not observe. Slowly I began to realise the complete overthrow of his intelligence, to perceive [that my sole companion (in this close and sickly darkness) was a man insane].

オレンジのobserveは「遵守する」あたり。

全訳

そうしてわれわれの溝は深まり、とうとう開けっ広げな喧嘩になってしまった。2日間の長きにわたって、わたしたちは小声で口論し、取っ組み合った。わたしが彼を打ちのめしてひどく蹴ったときもあったし、甘言を弄して説得できたときもあった。そしてある時には、最後のブルゴーニュワインボトルで彼に言うことを聞かせようとした。溜めた雨水を汲むポンプがあり、そこから水が飲めたからだ。だが、強制しても懐柔してもダメだった。実際、彼は理性が飛んでいた。食べ物をめぐって襲ってきたり、やかましく独り言を言ったりすることをやめようとしなかった。閉じ込められている生活を耐え続けるための基本的な節度は彼には守れなかった。だんだん、彼の知性も完全になくなってしまっていることにわたしは気づきはじめた。そして、
この閉塞的で気が滅入る暗闇の中での唯一の仲間は、狂人であることを悟った。

第４章　第４回　(第444話)

問題編

From certain vague memories I am inclined to think my own mind wandered at times. I had strange and hideous* dreams whenever I slept. It sounds paradoxical, but I am inclined to think that the weakness and insanity of the curate warned me, braced* me, and kept me a sane man.
On the eighth day he began to talk aloud instead of whispering, and nothing I could do would be moderate his speech.
“It is just, O God!” he would say, over and over again. “It is just. On me and mine be the punishment laid. We have sinned, we have fallen short. There was poverty, sorrow; the poor were trodden* in the dust, and I held my peace*. I preached acceptable folly*—my God, what folly!—when I should have stood up, though I died for it, and called upon them to repent*—repent! . . . Oppressors of the poor and needy . . . ! The wine press of God!”

hideousひどい　brace心の準備をさせる　tread-trod-trodden踏んづける　hold one’s peace≒hold one’s tongue：静かにする　folly愚かなこと　repent後悔する

1.　赤アンダーラインは一語余計。どれ？
2.　オレンジのjustの意味は？

解答編

(From certain vague memories) I am inclined to think [my own mind wandered at times]. I had strange and hideous* dreams 【whenever I slept】. It sounds paradoxical, but I am inclined to think [that the weakness and insanity of the curate warned me, braced* me, and kept me a sane man].
(On the eighth day) he began to talk aloud (instead of whispering), and nothing 〔I could do〕 would moderate his speech.
“It is just, O God!” he would say, over and over again. “It is just. (On me and mine) be the punishment laid. We have sinned, we have fallen short. There was poverty, sorrow; the poor were trodden* in the dust, and I held my peace*. I preached acceptable folly*—my God, what folly!—【when I should have stood up, 《though I died for it》, and called upon them to repent*—repent】! . . . Oppressors of the poor and needy . . . ! The wine press of God!”

1.　would be moderate→would moderate。moderateが動詞。
2.　オレンジのjustは、「当然」「正しい」あたり。形容詞。

全訳

とある曖昧な記憶から、わたしも取りとめもない考えを巡らせていたのだと考えてしまう。寝たときはいつも、奇妙でひどい夢を見ていた。逆説的に思われるかもしれないが、助任司祭が弱々しくなり、狂っていくのを見て、わたしは気が引き締まり、踏ん張って正気でいられるように努力した。
8日目、彼はささやきを超えて、大声で話し始めた。何をやっても彼の話をなだめられなかった。
「当然なのだ、神よ！」彼は何度も何度も言っていた。「当然だ。私と信者に、罰よ降りかかり給え。私たちは罪を犯した。神の栄光を授かることはなかった。貧困と、悲哀があった。貧しき人々は砂埃の中踏みつけられた。そしてわたしは沈黙した。許されるだろうが、わたしは愚かなことを説いていた―神よ、なんと愚かなことを！たとえ死んだとしても、わたしが立ち上がって、彼らに悔い改めさせていれば！……貧しく困っている者を抑圧する連中……！神のワイン踏みである！」

第４章　第５回　(第445話)

問題編

Then he would suddenly revert to the matter of the food I withheld* from him, praying, begging, weeping, at last threatening. He began to raise his voice—I prayed him not to. He perceived a hold* on me—he threatened he would shout and bring the Martians upon us. For a time that scared me; but any concession would have shortened our chance of escape beyond estimating. I defied him, although I felt no assurance that he might not do this thing. But that day, at any rate, he did not. He talked with his voice rising slowly, through the greater part of the eighth and ninth days—threats, entreaties*, mingled with a torrent of half-sane and always frothy* repentance for his vacant sham* of God’s service, such as made me pity him. Then he slept awhile, and began again with renewed strength, so loudly that I must needs make him desist.

withhold引き留める　hold威力、影響力　entreaty哀願　frothy空疎な　shamごまかし　

（いちおう）青アンダーラインの動詞は？

解答編

Then he would suddenly revert to the matter of the food 〔I withheld* from him〕, praying, begging, weeping, at last threatening. He began to raise his voice—I prayed him not to. He perceived a hold* on me—he threatened [he would shout and bring the Martians upon us]. (For a time) that scared me; but any concession would have shortened our chance of escape beyond estimating. I defied him, 【although I felt no assurance that he might not do this thing】. But that day, at any rate, he did not. He talked (with his voice rising slowly), (through the greater part of the eighth and ninth days)—threats, entreaties*, (mingled with a torrent of half-sane and always frothy* repentance for his vacant sham* of God’s service), such as made me pity him. Then he slept awhile, and began again with renewed strength, so loudly that I must needs make him desist.

動詞はmake。needsは副詞。must needsでmust necessarilyと同じ感じ。

全訳

そして、助任司祭は食料の問題に突然話を向けた。わたしが彼に手を出させていなかったのだが、彼は祈り、請い、泣き、とうとう脅してきた。彼は声を張り上げはじめたー今度はわたしが彼にやめてくれと願った。彼は主導権を握っていることに気づいたー叫んで火星人を呼び寄せるぞと脅してきた。しばらくの間それが恐ろしかったが、揉め事を起こせば結局、脱出の可能性を見込みより低くするだけだったのだろう。わたしは彼に逆らった。彼が叫ばない保証はまったく感じなかったのに。だがともかく、その日、彼はそうしなかった。彼は声をゆっくりと上げながらしゃべった。8日目と9日目の大部分を通して、私に脅したり、懇願したりしていた。半分正気を保ちながら、絶えず神への奉仕がおざなりだったことを空疎に後悔するなど、感情が様々に乱れていた。そんな姿は哀れだった。そして彼はしばらく寝た。そして活力を取り戻すとまた話し始めた。とてもうるさかったので、彼を抑えなければならなかった。

第４章　第６回　(第446話)

問題編

“Be still!” I implored*.
He rose to his knees, for he had been sitting in the darkness near the copper*.
“I have been still too long,” he said, in a tone that must have reached the pit, “and now I must bear my witness*. Woe unto this unfaithful city! Woe! Woe! Woe! Woe! Woe! To the inhabitants of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet——”
“Shut up!” I said, rising to my feet, and in a terror lest the Martians (　　) hear us. “For God’s sake——”
“Nay,” shouted the curate, at the top of his voice, standing likewise and extending his arms. “Speak! The word of the Lord is upon me!”
In three strides he was at the door leading into the kitchen.
“I must bear my witness! I go! It has already been too long delayed.”
I put out my hand and felt the meat chopper* hanging to the wall. In a flash I was after him. I was fierce with fear. Before he was halfway across the kitchen I had overtaken him. With one last touch of humanity I turned the blade back and struck him with the butt*. He went headlong forward and lay stretched on the ground. I stumbled over him and stood panting. He lay still.

implore懇願する　copper銅製の調理器具　bear witness：証拠を示す、存在していることを示す(to～)　　meat chopper：精肉機　butt太い方の端（ここでは精肉機の台座・持ち手）

オレンジのカッコ内に入る助動詞一語

解答編

“Be still!” I implored*.
He rose to his knees, 【for he had been sitting (in the darkness) (near the copper*)】.
“I have been still too long,” he said, (in a tone 〔that must have reached the pit〕), “and now I must bear my witness*. Woe unto this unfaithful city! Woe! Woe! Woe! Woe! Woe! (To the inhabitants of the earth (by reason of the other voices of the trumpet))——”
“Shut up!” I said, rising to my feet, and (in a terror 【lest the Martians should hear us】). “For God’s sake——”
“Nay,” shouted the curate, at the top of his voice, (standing likewise) and (extending his arms). “Speak! The word of the Lord is upon me!”
In three strides he was (at the door leading into the kitchen).
“I must bear my witness! I go! It has already been too long delayed.”
I put out my hand and felt the meat chopper* hanging to the wall. (In a flash) I was after him. I was fierce with fear. 【Before he was halfway across the kitchen】 I had overtaken him. (With one last touch of humanity) I turned the blade back and struck him with the butt*. He went headlong forward and lay stretched on the ground. I stumbled over him and stood panting. He lay still.

lest S (should) V原形

全訳

「落ち着け！」とわたしは懇願した。
彼はひざ立ちになった。暗闇の中、調理器具の近くに座っていたからだ。
「もう我慢の限界だ」と彼は言った。クレーターまで届いたと思われるほどの口調だった。そし「ここで奇蹟を見届けなければならない。この不信心な街に災いあれ！災いあれ！災いあれ！災いあれ！災いあれ！災いあれ！残りのトランペットの声のために、地球の生きるものたちへ！
「黙れ！」と立ち上がりながら言った。火星人が聞いているかもしれないと恐れた。
「神のためにーー」
「いや」助任司祭は声を張り上げて叫んだ。同じように立って、腕を広げて、「声を上げよ！主の世界が現れるのだ！」
彼はキッチンに繋がるドアまで三歩あるいた。
「奇蹟を見届けねばらならぬ！ゆこう！もうあまりに遅すぎる」
手を伸ばすと、壁にかかっている精肉機の感触があった。そしてすぐに彼を追った。恐怖で凶暴になっていた。彼がキッチンまで行く途中、わたしは追いついた。最後に残っていた倫理観で、精肉機の刃をしまい、彼を持ち手の部分で殴った。そのまま前に倒れ、地面で伸びて横たわっていた。彼の上でよろめき、息を荒立てながら立ち尽くしていた。彼は動かないままだった。

第４章　第７回　(第447話)

問題編

Suddenly I heard a noise without, the run and smash of slipping plaster, and the triangular aperture in the wall was darkened. I looked up and saw the lower surface of a handling-machine coming slowly across the hole. One of its gripping limbs curled amid the debris; another limb appeared, feeling its way over the fallen beams. I stood petrified*, staring. Then I saw through a sort of glass plate near the edge of the body the face, as we may call it, and the large dark eyes of a Martian, peering, and then a long metallic snake of tentacle came feeling slowly through the hole.

petrifiedかたまって　

オレンジのwithoutの意味は？

解答編

(Suddenly) I heard a noise (without), the run and smash of slipping plaster, // and the triangular aperture in the wall was darkened. I looked up and saw the lower surface of a handling-machine coming slowly (across the hole). One of its gripping limbs curled (amid the debris); another limb appeared, (feeling its way over the fallen beams). I stood petrified*, staring. Then I saw (through a sort of glass plate (near the edge of the body)) the face, as we may call it, and the large dark eyes of a Martian, peering, // and then a long metallic snake of tentacle came feeling slowly (through the hole).

オレンジのwithoutは「外で」（副詞）

全訳

突然、外で音がした。外壁が剥がれてすべり、砕けた。壁の三角形の隙間は暗くなっていた。見上げると、穴の向こうで、作業マシーンの下の面がゆっくり近づいてくるのが見えた。ものをつかむ手の一本は瓦礫の中で曲げており、別の手が現れ、崩れた柱の上の道を探っていた。かたまって立ち尽くし、見つめていた。そして、胴体の端の近くにあるガラスのようなものを通して、火星人の顔（と呼んでいるもの）と、大きな黒い目が見えた。じっと見ていた。そして長い金属の蛇のような触手がゆっくりと穴を通してこちらに忍び寄って来た。

第４章　第８回　(第448話)

問題編

I turned by an effort, stumbled over the curate, and stopped at the scullery door. The tentacle was now some way, two yards or more, in the room, and twisting and turning, with queer sudden movements, this way and that. For a while I stood fascinated by that slow, fitful* advance. Then, with a faint, hoarse cry, I forced myself across the scullery. I trembled violently; I could scarcely stand upright. I opened the door of the coal cellar, and stood there in the darkness staring at the faintly lit doorway into the kitchen, and listening. Had the Martian seen me? What was it doing now?

fitful変わりやすい

オレンジのandが繋いでるのは？

解答編

I turned by an effort, stumbled over the curate, and stopped at the scullery door. The tentacle was now some way, two yards or more, in the room, and twisting and turning, with queer sudden movements, this way and that. For a while I stood fascinated by that slow, fitful* advance. Then, with a faint, hoarse cry, I forced myself across the scullery. I trembled violently; I could scarcely stand upright. I opened the door of the coal cellar, and stood there in the darkness staring at the faintly lit doorway into the kitchen, and listening. Had the Martian seen me? What was it doing now?

オレンジのandはstaringとlisteningでいいかな。

全訳

意を決して引き返し、副牧師の上でつまずき、食器洗い場のドアで立ち止まった。触手はもうこの部屋にそこそこ、2ヤード以上侵入ししていた。曲がりくねっていて、突然奇妙にあちこち動いた。しばらくの間、このゆっくりとした無秩序な動きに見とれて立ち尽くしていた。そして、かすかなかすれた叫び声と共に、食器洗い場を無理に横切った。激しく震えていた。まっすぐ立っているのもやっとだった。石炭庫のドアを開け、そこの暗闇の中で、かすかに明るいキッチンのドア付近を見つめ、耳を澄ませていた。火星人はわたしを見ただろうか？いま何をしていた？

第４章　第９回　(第449話)

問題編

Something was moving to and fro there, very quietly; every now and then it tapped against the wall, or started on its movements with a faint metallic ringing, like the movements of keys on a split-ring*. Then a heavy body—I knew too well what—was dragged across the floor of the kitchen towards the opening. Irresistibly attracted, I crept to the door and peeped into the kitchen. In the triangle of bright outer sunlight I saw the Martian, in its Briareus of a handling-machine, scrutinizing the curate’s head. I thought at once that it would infer my presence from the mark of the blow I had given him.

split-ringスプリットリング↓

a heavy bodyは何のこと

解答編

Something was moving (to and fro) there, very quietly; (every now and then) it tapped against the wall, or started on its movements (with a faint metallic ringing), (like the movements of keys on a split-ring). Then a heavy body—I knew too well what—was dragged (across the floor of the kitchen) (towards the opening). Irresistibly attracted, I crept to the door and peeped into the kitchen. (In the triangle of bright outer sunlight) I saw the Martian, (in its Briareus of a handling-machine), scrutinizing the curate’s head. I thought (at once) [that it would infer my presence (from the mark of the blow 〔I had given him〕].

a heavy bodyは助任司祭の死体。

全訳

何かがそこでとてもゆっくりと行ったり来たりしていた。ときどき壁に触れたり、鍵束のようにかすかな金属音を立てて動き出したりした。そして重い体がーあまりにも見知ったものだったー隙間に向かって、キッチンの床の上を引っ張られた。抵抗し難い誘惑にかられ、ドアに忍び寄って、キッチンをのぞき込んだ。三角形のまぶしい外の日光の中で、火星人が見えた。ブリアレオスのような作業マシーンに乗っていた。そいつは助任司祭の頭をよく調べていた。わたしはすぐに悟った。わたしが殴った痕から、火星人はわたしの存在を察知するだろうと。

第４章　第10回　(第450話)

問題編

I crept back to the coal cellar, shut the door, and began to cover myself up as much as I could, and as noiselessly as possible in the darkness, among the firewood and coal therein. Every now and then I paused, rigid, to hear if the Martian had thrust its tentacles through the opening again.
Then the faint metallic jingle* returned. I traced it slowly feeling over the kitchen. Presently I heard it nearer—in the scullery, as I judged. I thought that its length might be insufficient to reach me. I prayed copiously*. It passed, scraping* faintly across the cellar door. An age of almost intolerable suspense intervened; then I heard it fumbling* at the latch*! It had found the door! The Martians understood doors!

jingleジングルベルの「ジングル」。チリンチリンという音。copiouslyたいそう　scrapeこする　fumble手探りする　latch掛け金　

every now and thenの意味

解答編

I crept back (to the coal cellar), shut the door, and began to cover myself up (as much as I could), and (as noiselessly as possible) (in the darkness), (among the firewood and coal therein). (Every now and then) I paused, rigid, to hear [if the Martian had thrust its tentacles (through the opening) again].
Then the faint metallic jingle* returned. I traced it slowly feeling over the kitchen. Presently I heard it nearer—in the scullery, as I judged. I thought [that its length might be insufficient to reach me]. I prayed copiously*. It passed, scraping faintly (across the cellar door). An age of almost intolerable suspense intervened; then I heard it fumbling* (at the latch*)! It had found the door! The Martians understood doors!

every now and thenは「ときどき」。sometimes とか、once in a whileとかの仲間。

全訳

わたしは石炭庫に静かに戻り、ドアを閉め、暗闇の中なるべく音を立てず、そこの薪と石炭の隙間に、できるかぎり姿を隠そうとしはじめた。ときどきわたしは動きを止め、かたまり、また隙間を通って触手が侵入してこないか聞き耳を立てた。
そしてかすかに金属が鳴る音がまた聞こえだした。音を聞き続けると、ゆっくりとキッチンを探っているようだった。そうしていると近くに聞こえたー食器洗い場だったと思う。触手の長さはここまで届くほど長くはないだろうと思った。必死に祈った。かすかに石炭庫のドアをこすって、触手は通り過ぎた。長いこと、もう耐えられないほどドキドキしていた。すると、触手が掛け金のあたりを手探りしているのが聞こえた！ドアを見つけたのだ！火星人はドアを理解しているのだ！

第４章　第11回　(第451話)

問題編

It worried at the catch for a minute, perhaps, and then the door opened.
In the darkness I could just see the thing—like an elephant’s trunk more than anything else—waving towards me and touching and examining the wall, coals, wood and ceiling. It was like a black worm swaying its blind head to and fro.
Once, even, it touched the heel of my boot. I was on the (　　) of screaming; I bit my hand. For a time the tentacle was silent. I could have fancied it had been withdrawn. Presently, with an abrupt click*, it gripped something—I thought it had me!—and seemed to go out of the cellar again. For a minute I was not sure. Apparently it had taken a lump of coal to examine.

clickカチっという音

on the (　　) of～で「～の間際に」

解答編

It worried (at the catch for a minute), perhaps, and then the door opened.
(In the darkness) I could just see the thing《—like an elephant’s trunk more than anything else—》waving (towards me) and touching and examining the wall, coals, wood and ceiling. It was like a black worm swaying its blind head (to and fro).
Once, 《even》, it touched the heel of my boot. I was on the verge of screaming; I bit my hand. (For a time) the tentacle was silent. I could have fancied [it had been withdrawn]. Presently, (with an abrupt click*), it gripped something—I thought it had me!—and seemed to go out of the cellar again. (For a minute) I was not sure. (Apparently) it had taken a lump of coal to examine.

on the verge/point of～

全訳

火星人は留め金で手こずっているようだった。たぶん一分くらいだった。そしてドアが開いた。
暗闇の中、その物（象の胴体が一番近い）がこちらにくねくね動いてきて、壁・石炭・薪・天井に触れては調べているようだった。黒いミミズが四方八方に盲目の頭を振っているようだった。
一度、わたしのブーツのかかとに触手が当たったことさえあった。叫ぶ寸前で、手を噛んだ。しばらくの間触手の音はしなかった。引っこめられたとでも思いこんだだろうか。まもなく、不意にカチッと音がして、触手が何かをつかんだー自分かと思った！そしてまた石炭庫から出て行ったようだ。しばらくの間、茫然自失としていた。どうやら、石炭の塊を調査用にとって行ったらしい。

第４章　第12回　(第452話)

問題編

I seized the opportunity of slightly shifting my position, which had become cramped*, and then listened. I whispered passionate prayers for safety.
Then I heard the slow, deliberate sound creeping towards me again. Slowly, slowly it drew near, scratching against the walls and tapping the furniture.
While I was still doubtful, it rapped* smartly against the cellar door and closed it. I heard it go into the pantry, and the biscuit-tins rattled and a bottle smashed, and then came a heavy bump against the cellar door. Then silence that passed into an infinity of suspense.
Had it gone?
At last I decided that it had.
It came into the scullery no more; but I lay all the tenth day in the close darkness, buried among coals and firewood, not daring even to crawl out for the drink for which I craved*. It was the eleventh day before I ventured so far from my security.

crampedけいれんした　rapコンコンと叩く　craveほしがる

青アンダーラインの訳

解答編

I seized the opportunity of slightly shifting my position, 〔which had become cramped*〕, and then listened. I whispered passionate prayers (for safety).
Then I heard the slow, deliberate sound creeping towards me again. (Slowly, slowly) it drew near, (scratching against the walls) and (tapping the furniture).
【While I was still doubtful】, it rapped* smartly (against the cellar door) and closed it. I heard it go into the pantry, // and the biscuit-tins rattled and a bottle smashed, // and then came a heavy bump (against the cellar door). Then <came> silence 〔that passed into an infinity of suspense〕.
Had it gone?
At last I decided that it had.
It came into the scullery no more; but I lay all the tenth day (in the close darkness), buried among coals and firewood, (not daring even to crawl out (for the drink 〔for which I craved*〕). It was the eleventh day before I ventured so far from my security.

it is～before…　…するまで～かかった

全訳

少し体の位置を移せる機会をつかんだ。もうけいれんしていた。耳を澄ませ、危険な目に遭わないように必死に祈りをつぶやいた。
そして、ゆっくりとした音がまたわたしに忍び寄ってくるのが聞こえた。ゆっくりゆっくり近づいてきた。壁をひっかき、家具を触っていた。
まだ正体がわからないまま、それは賢いことに石炭庫のドアを叩いて閉めた。食料貯蔵室に入ってくる音がした。ビスケット缶がカタカタ鳴り、ボトルが砕けた。そして部屋のドアに衝突する重い音がした。続いて静かになり、果てしない緊張をもたらした。
行ったか？
結局、行ったことにしようと決めた。
もうそれは食器洗い場には入ってこなかったが、10日目はずっとその深い闇の中に横たわっていた。石炭や薪に埋もれるように隠れ、ひどく欲しかった飲み物さえもこっそり取りに行こうとしなかった。安全とは程遠い危険な旅に出て、11日目となった。