よみうち英語Read the classics by typingNotes Scene 37: The Next Morning
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Notes on this scene
The storm clears by morning. Holmes tells Watson that he expects a busy day and will begin his investigation in the City. While waiting for coffee, Watson opens the untouched newspaper and notices a headline connected with the previous night’s visitor.
Japanese in this scene
- かもしれない
- かもしれない marks possibility: “might; may.” It presents the statement as uncertain rather than as a firm conclusion.
- ので
- ので gives a reason in a comparatively explanatory or gentle way: “because; since.”
- には
- には combines に with the topic marker は. In a time expression it can emphasize a deadline or point by which something will happen.
Background
- the City
- Here the capitalized City means the City of London, the historic central district of London. It is not the general noun “city”; Holmes names it as the first place where he plans to investigate.
Full text: original English and Japanese translation
It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came down.
朝には天気が回復し、大都会を覆う薄暗い帳を通して、日が柔らかな明るさで輝いていた。私が下りていくと、ホームズはすでに朝食を取っていた。
"You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of young Openshaw's."
「きみを待たなかったのは許してくれたまえ」と彼は言った。「若いオープンショーの件を調べるので、今日は大変忙しくなると思う」
"What steps will you take?" I asked.
「どんな手を打つんだい」と私は尋ねた。
"It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all."
「最初の問い合わせの結果に、大きく左右される。結局、ホーシャムへ出向く必要があるかもしれない」
"You will not go there first?"
「最初に行くのではないんだね」
"No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the maid will bring up your coffee."
「ああ、まずシティから始める。呼び鈴を鳴らせば、女中がコーヒーを持ってくるよ」
As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a chill to my heart.
待つ間、私は卓からまだ開かれていない新聞を取り上げ、目を走らせた。そして、胸が冷たくなるような見出しに目が止まった。