よみうち英語Read the classics by typingNotes Scene 20: A Bruised Wrist
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Notes on this scene
When Helen's account ends, Holmes asks whether she has told him everything. She says that she has, but Holmes observes that she is protecting her stepfather and draws attention to marks on her wrist. He then turns toward the fire and remains silent for a long time while a heavy stillness fills the room.
Japanese in this scene
- 自分の力がどれほどか
- どれほど means ‘how’ or ‘to what extent.’ With か, it forms the embedded question ‘how strong he is’ or ‘how much strength he has.’ Helen says that her stepfather probably does not fully understand the extent of his own strength.
- ぱちぱち
- ぱちぱち imitates the small cracking sounds of the fire. The sound fills the long silence while Holmes stares into the flames and thinks.
- 賢明な判断でしたね
- でした is the polite past form of です. Holmes affirms that coming to consult him was a wise decision.
- ですが
- ですが politely introduces Holmes's challenge to Helen's account. He contrasts her claim of completeness with evidence that she has withheld something.
Background
- Miss Roylott
- Holmes calls the client Miss Roylott here although she introduced herself as Stoner. The original story is generally considered to contain a naming slip.
Full text: original English and Japanese translation
"You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me all?"
「賢明な判断でしたね」と私の友人は言った。「ですが、すべてお話しになりましたか？」
"Yes, all."
「はい、すべてです」
"Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather."
「ロイロットさん、そうではありませんね。あなたは義父をかばっていますね」
"Why, what do you mean?"
「まあ、何をおっしゃるのですか？」
For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed upon the white wrist.
答えの代わりに、ホームズは、客の膝に置かれた手を縁取る黒いレースの飾りを押し戻した。白い手首には、四本の指と親指の跡である、五つの小さな青黒い斑点が刻まれていた。
"You have been cruelly used," said Holmes.
「ひどい扱いを受けましたね」とホームズは言った。
The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own strength."
婦人は深く顔を赤らめ、傷ついた手首を覆い隠した。「あの人は厳しい人です」と彼女は言った。「自分の力がどれほどか、きっとよく分かっていないのです」
There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire.
長い沈黙が続き、その間ホームズはあごを両手にのせ、ぱちぱちと燃える暖炉の火をじっと見つめていた。