手足/枝

解説

付記

ある婦人がブーツを買った。 店員は紐をきつく締め上げ、 驚くほどの高さまで編み上げていく。 あまりに高く――聖書の言葉を持ち出すまでもなく―― 不自然な高さだ。 だが他人の罪を非難する資格など自分にはない。 人にはそれぞれ弱さがあるのだから。 婦人は顔をしかめ、赤面しながら言った。 「このブーツは高すぎて耐えられません。 私の脚が、脚が痛むのです」 店員は子供のように無邪気な笑みを浮かべ、 次の瞬間には、墓場のように悲しげな顔をつくった。 だが婦人の痛みに本気で同情などしていない。 彼はつま先を撫でながら言った。 「奥様、ご安心ください―― “枝（twigs）”までは傷ついていませんとも」 ―― B・パーシヴァル・ダイク

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Original

The branch of a tree or the leg of an American woman.

Additional notes

Twas a pair of boots that the lady bought, And the salesman laced them tight To a very remarkable height— Higher, indeed, than I think he ought— Higher than can be right. For the Bible declares—but never mind: It is hardly fit To censure freely and fault to find With others for sins that I'm not inclined Myself to commit. Each has his weakness, and though my own Is freedom from every sin, It still were unfair to pitch in, Discharging the first censorious stone. Besides, the truth compels me to say, The boots in question were made that way. As he drew the lace she made a grimace, And blushingly said to him: This boot, I'm sure, is too high to endure, It hurts my—hurts my—limb. The salesman smiled in a manner mild, Like an artless, undesigning child; Then, checking himself, to his face he gave A look as sorrowful as the grave, Though he didn't care two figs For her pains and throes, As he stroked her toes, Remarking with speech and manner just Befitting his calling: "Madam, I trust That it doesn't hurt your twigs." B. Percival Dike