よみうち英語Read the classics by typingNotes Scene 17: A Story on the Road
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Notes on this scene
Holmes praises Watson's gift for silence and says it makes him an invaluable companion. He is grateful to have someone to speak to because his thoughts are grim: he does not know what he can tell Mrs. St. Clair when she meets him.
Japanese in this scene
- 戸口で迎えてくれたら
- 〜てくれたら sets Mrs. St. Clair's expected welcome as a future condition: Holmes wonders what he will say then.
- ばかばかしいほど単純
- Adjective plus ほど means 'so ... that.' The case looks so simple that its resistance to thought seems absurd.
- 黙っていられるすばらしい才能
- 黙っていられる means being able to remain silent. Holmes humorously praises that restraint as Watson's talent.
- この上なくありがたい
- この上なく is a formal intensifier meaning 'supremely' or 'more than anything,' emphasizing Holmes's gratitude for Watson's company.
Full text: original English and Japanese translation
"You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear little woman to-night when she meets me at the door."
「きみには黙っていられるすばらしい才能があるね、ワトソン」と彼は言った。「おかげで同行者としてこの上なくありがたい。いや本当に、話せる相手がいるのは助かるよ。一人で考えていても、あまり楽しいことばかりではないからね。今夜、あの気の毒な奥さんが戸口で迎えてくれたら、何と言おうかと考えていたんだ」
"You forget that I know nothing about it."
「私は何も事情を知らないことを、きみは忘れているよ」
"I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a spark where all is dark to me."
「リーへ着くまでに、事件の事実を話す時間はちょうどあるだろう。ばかばかしいほど単純に見えるのに、どうにも考えを進める足場が見つからない。糸はいくらでもあるのに、その端をつかめないんだ。さあ、ワトソン、明確に簡潔に話すから、私には真っ暗な所できみには何か光が見えるかもしれない」
"Proceed, then."
「では、話してくれ」