よみうち英語Read the classics by typingNotes Scene 34: About the Assistant
You've finished this scene
Notes on this scene
Holmes begins questioning Wilson about Vincent Spaulding. The assistant had worked at the shop for only about a month when he showed Wilson the advertisement. Wilson selected him from roughly a dozen applicants because he seemed clever and was willing to accept unusually low wages.
Japanese in this scene
- 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.
- てもらう
- Verb + てもらう presents an action as something the subject receives from another person: “have someone do…” or “get someone to do….”
- 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.”
- ほど
- ほど expresses degree or an approximate extent: “to the point that; as much as; about.” The comparison in the sentence determines its natural English rendering.
Full text: original English and Japanese translation
"We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who first called your attention to the advertisement—how long had he been with you?"
「そうした点は、私たちが解き明かすよう努めるとしよう。まずは、一つ二つ質問させてもらうよ、ウィルソンさん。あの広告に最初にあなたの目を向けさせた助手だが――そのとき、彼はあなたのところに来てどのくらいだったのかね？」
"About a month then."
「その時で、ひと月ほどでした」
"How did he come?"
「どういういきさつで来たのかね？」
"In answer to an advertisement."
「求人広告に応募してきたんです」
"Was he the only applicant?"
「応募してきたのは彼ひとりかね？」
"No, I had a dozen."
「いいえ、十二人ほど来ました」
"Why did you pick him?"
「なぜ彼を選んだのかね？」
"Because he was handy and would come cheap."
「気が利くうえに、安い給金で来てくれるというもんでして」