よみうち英語Read the classics by typingNotes Scene 16: The Millionaire's Will
You've finished this scene
Notes on this scene
Spaulding says that an American millionaire named Ezekiah Hopkins created the Red-Headed League through his will. Because Hopkins had red hair, he directed that the income from his estate should support comfortable jobs for other red-haired men. Wilson naturally objects that enormous numbers of people should apply.
Japanese in this scene
- ていた
- The 〜ていた form is the past of 〜ている. It describes an action that was in progress or a state that continued at the time being discussed.
- 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.”
- ので
- ので gives a reason in a relatively explanatory, neutral way: “because; since.” It often sounds softer than から.
- は
- は marks the topic of a sentence and can also set up a contrast with another item.
Background
- An American millionaire
- Late nineteenth-century America produced famous fortunes in railways, steel, and oil. To British readers, an American millionaire could suggest both enormous generosity and colorful eccentricity.
Full text: original English and Japanese translation
"'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; so, when he died, it was found that he had left his enormous fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to do.'
「『いいですか』と彼は広告を見せながら言いました。『ほら、組合に空きがあるでしょう、それにここに、詳しいことを問い合わせる宛先も出ています。私に分かるかぎりじゃ、組合を作ったのはアメリカの百万長者で、イジーカイア・ホプキンズという、ずいぶん風変わりな人だったそうです。自分も赤毛だったもので、赤毛の男にはみな大いに肩入れしていて、それで、亡くなってみると、莫大な財産を管財人に託し、その利息で同じ髪の色の男たちに楽な勤め口を用意するよう、指示を残していたんですよ。聞くところじゃ、給料はすばらしくて、仕事はほとんどないそうです』
"'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who would apply.'
「『でも』と私は言いました。『それじゃ、赤毛の男が何百万人も応募してくるだろうに』