よみうち英語Read the classics by typingNotes Scene 50: A Shape in the Dark
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Notes on this scene
As Holmes and Watson cross the grounds, a strange shape bursts from the bushes and disappears into the darkness. Watson cries out, and even Holmes is startled for a moment. They remove their shoes, enter the bedroom through the window, close the shutters, move the lamp, and silently survey the room.
Japanese in this scene
- いつなんどき
- いつなんどき means at any unknown moment. Watson fears the free-roaming cheetah could suddenly leap onto either man's shoulder.
- それから彼は低く笑い出し
- それから advances the sequence: after speaking, Holmes next gives a low laugh and leans toward Watson.
- たいした家庭だね
- たいした is used ironically here: after hearing the baboon, Holmes calls the household ‘quite a family’ with dry understatement.
- いくらか
- いくらか limits the improvement: Watson feels somewhat, but not completely, relieved once he enters the bedroom beside Holmes.
Full text: original English and Japanese translation
"My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?"
「なんてことだ！」私はささやいた。「今の、見たかい？」
Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low laugh and put his lips to my ear.
ホームズも一瞬、私と同じくらい驚いていた。動揺のあまり、彼の手は万力のように私の手首を締めつけた。それから彼は低く笑い出し、唇を私の耳に寄せた。
"It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon."
「たいした家庭だね」と彼はつぶやいた。「あれはヒヒだ」
I had forgotten the strange pets which the Doctor affected. There was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to distinguish the words:
博士が好んで飼っている奇妙な動物たちのことを、私は忘れていた。チーターもいるのだ。いつなんどき、それが肩に飛び乗ってくるかもしれない。正直に言うと、ホームズに倣って靴を脱ぎ、寝室の中に入ったときには、いくらか気が楽になった。連れは音もなく鎧戸を閉め、ランプをテーブルに移し、部屋の中を見回した。すべて、昼間に見たとおりだった。それから彼は私のそばにそっと寄り、手をラッパのようにして耳元に、またもささやいた。あまりに静かな声で、言葉を聞き分けるのがやっとだった。
"The least sound would be fatal to our plans."
「ほんの少しの物音でも、私たちの計画は台無しになる」
I nodded to show that I had heard.
私は聞こえたことを示すためにうなずいた。