よみうち英語Read the classics by typingNotes Scene 38: A Three Pipe Problem
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Notes on this scene
Calling the case a three-pipe problem, Holmes draws his knees up and remains motionless while smoke fills the room. Watson begins to doze. Then Holmes suddenly springs from his chair, puts down his pipe, and invites Watson to hear Sarasate perform at St. James’s Hall that afternoon.
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.
- ように
- ように can express a goal, an intended result, or resemblance, depending on the words around it. With a verb of request, it can also report what someone was told to do.
- ような
- ような links a comparison or example to a following noun: “like; such as.” It is the noun-modifying form corresponding to ように.
- のだ
- のだ adds explanation or emphasis, similar to “the fact is…” or “it is that….” In polite speech it becomes のです or んです.
Background
- Pablo de Sarasate
- Pablo de Sarasate (1844–1908) was a celebrated Spanish violinist and composer, famous for works such as Zigeunerweisen. He performed frequently and successfully in London.
- St. James’s Hall
- This major concert hall near Piccadilly operated from 1858 to 1905. It was one of Victorian London’s leading musical venues and regularly hosted afternoon performances.
Full text: original English and Japanese translation
"To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put his pipe down upon the mantelpiece.
「たばこを吸うのさ」と彼は答えた。「これはまさしくパイプ三服ぶんの問題だから、五十分ほどは話しかけないでくれたまえ」彼は椅子の上で体を丸め、細いひざを鷹のような鼻先まで引き寄せると、目を閉じ、黒い陶製のパイプを奇妙な鳥のくちばしのように突き出して、じっと座っていた。彼は眠りこんでしまったのだろうと私は思い、実のところ自分もこっくりしかけていたが、そのとき彼は、心を決めた人のような身ぶりで不意に椅子から跳び起き、パイプを炉棚に置いた。
"Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare you for a few hours?"
「今日の午後、セント・ジェイムズ・ホールでサラサーテが弾くんだ」と彼は言った。「どうだい、ワトソン？きみの患者たちは、二、三時間ほどきみを放免してくれそうかね？」