Scene 32 · Notes

Notes　Scene 32: Welcoming a Companion

Next scene: 33 A Direct Question ›Read this scene again (from the start)

Notes on this scene

Mrs. St. Clair first mistakes Watson for someone bringing news, then learns that he is Holmes's friend. Holmes admits failure so far. She invites both men inside, apologizes for her distracted welcome, and begins questioning Holmes about his true opinion.

Japanese in this scene

非常ひじょうに力ちからになってくれました: 力になる means to be helpful or supportive. 〜てくれました presents Watson's past help as a favor to Holmes.
お会あいできてうれしいです: お会いできる is the polite potential expression for meeting someone; Mrs. St. Clair uses it as a warm formal greeting.
おもてなしに行いき届とどかない点てんがあっても: 行き届かない means not being sufficiently attentive. 〜ても asks pardon even if her hospitality has shortcomings.
私わたしは野営やえい暮ぐらしに慣なれています: 〜に慣れている means being accustomed to a condition. Watson reassures her that rough accommodation does not trouble him.

Full text: original English and Japanese translation

"No bad?"

「悪い知らせも」

"No."

「ええ」

"Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have had a long day."

「それはありがたいことです。でも、どうぞ中へ。長い一日でしたから、さぞお疲れでしょう」

"This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this investigation."

「友人のワトソン医師です。いくつもの事件で非常に力になってくれました。幸運な偶然で連れてこられることになり、この捜査に協力してもらえるのです」

"I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so suddenly upon us."

「お会いできてうれしいです」と夫人は私の手を温かく握った。「こんなに突然の衝撃を受けたところですので、おもてなしに行き届かない点があっても、どうかお許しください」

"My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be indeed happy."

「どうかお気遣いなく」と私は言った。「私は野営暮らしに慣れていますし、そうでなくても、おわびなど不要なことはよく分かります。奥様にでも、こちらの友人にでも、何かお役に立てれば実にうれしく思います」

Japanese words in this scene (with English meanings; ☆ saves a word)

でも — As a conjunction, means but; With a noun or another expression, highlights an example: even, or something like that; With a question word, expresses unrestricted choice: any.
中（なか） — among; inside
お — Honorific or polite prefix before a word.
疲れ（つかれ） — tiredness; fatigue
いくつ — some with か; how many; how old
事件（じけん） — case; incident
非常（ひじょう） — extreme; extraordinary
偶然（ぐうぜん） — by chance; accidentally; coincidence

Next scene: A Direct Question

Holmes introduces Watson as a trusted friend assisting with the case. Mrs. St. Clair apologizes because anxiety prevents a proper welcome, but Watson asks for no formal attention. Once they are inside, she returns at once to the only urgent matter that concerns her: what Holmes believes about her husband.

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