よみうち英語Read the classics by typingNotes Scene 11: A Cheap Assistant
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Notes on this scene
Wilson names his assistant as Vincent Spaulding and praises him as an excellent worker who could earn twice as much in another shop. Holmes observes that an employee willing to accept less than the market rate is a rare piece of good fortune and may be as unusual as the advertisement itself.
Japanese in this scene
- かもしれない
- かもしれない means “might; may.” It marks a possibility rather than a firm conclusion and is less certain than でしょう or だろう.
- てくれる
- Verb + てくれる says that someone performs an action for the speaker or the speaker’s group. It presents the act as a welcome favor.
- ている
- The 〜ている form can show an action in progress, a continuing condition, or the present result of a completed action. The surrounding context selects the meaning.
- という
- という connects quoted words, a name, or an idea to the noun that follows. Depending on context, it can mean “called,” “that,” or “the idea that.”
Full text: original English and Japanese translation
"What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes.
「その奇特な若者の名前は？」とシャーロック・ホームズが尋ねた。
"His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?"
「名前はヴィンセント・スポールディングといいまして、それに、若者というほど若くもないんです。歳はちょっと見当がつきません。ホームズさん、あれ以上できる助手は望めませんし、あの男ならよそへ移って、うちで払える額の倍は稼げることも、よく分かっているんです。でも結局のところ、本人がそれで満足しているなら、わざわざ余計な知恵をつけることもないでしょう？」
"Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is not as remarkable as your advertisement."
「なるほど、もっともだ。相場より安い給料で来てくれる雇い人がいるとは、あなたはじつに運がいい。今の時代の雇い主には、めったにないことだ。その助手も、あの広告に負けず劣らず珍しい存在かもしれない」