ジェムが本物の真珠と思ってアンお母さんにあげたネックレスは、贋物だと知って、そのことをアンに打ち明けます。
I . . . I . . . there is something I must tell you, Mother. You'll be awfully disappointed, Mother . . . but I didn't mean to deceive you, Mother . . . truly I didn't."
"I'm sure you didn't, dear. What is it? Don't be afraid."
"Oh, Mother dearwums, those pearls aren't real pearls . . . I thought they were . . . I did think they were . . . did . . ."
Jem's eyes were full of tears. He couldn't go on.
Ｔhis needed all the secret wisdom of mothers.
"Jem, I never thought you supposed they were real pearls. I knew they weren't . . . at least in one sense of real. In another, they are the most real things I've ever had given me. Because there was love and work and self-sacrifice in them . . . and that makes them more precious to me than all the gems that divers have fished up from the sea for queens to wear. Darling, I wouldn't exchange my pretty beads for the necklace I read of last night which some millionaire gave his bride and which cost half a million. So that shows you what your gift is worth to me, dearest of dear little sons. Do you feel better now?"
work n. 労働、作業
fish vi. 探す
Ex. He fished in his pocket for the key.
彼はポケットを探して鍵を取り出そうとした。
exchange 〜for．．． 〜を．．．と交換する
Ex. Will you exchange your seat for mine?
私と席を替わってくれませんか？
