"And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to thoroughly understand the situation.
"現(xiàn)在說一下我的家里的情況,福爾摩斯先生,因為我希望你對整個情況有個全面的了解。
My groom and my page sleep out of the house, and may be set aside altogether.
我的馬夫和聽差是睡在房子外面的,這兩個人可以完全撇開不談。
I have three maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose absolute reliability is quite above suspicion.
我有三個女傭人,她們已跟隨我多年,都是絕對可靠而無須置疑的。
Another, Lucy Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few months.
不過,另外有一個叫露茜·帕爾的當幫手的侍女,在我家里服侍只有幾個月。
She came with an excellent character, however, and has always given me satisfaction.
不過她的優(yōu)秀品格使我深感滿意。
She is a very pretty girl and has attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place.
她是個非常漂亮的姑娘,有時會招惹一些愛慕她的人在周圍蕩來蕩去。
That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way.
這是我們發(fā)現(xiàn)她身上唯一的不足之處,但是無論從哪方面講,我們都相信她是個十足的好姑娘。
So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it will not take me long to describe it.
關于仆人方面的情況就是這些。我家庭本身是很簡單的,無須花費許多時間來講。
I am a widower and have an only son, Arthur.
我是個鰥夫,只有一個名叫阿瑟的獨生子。
He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Holmes -- a grievous disappointment.
他使我很失望,福爾摩斯先生,真叫人傷心啊。
I have no doubt that I am myself to blame.
這無疑是我自己的過錯。
People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very likely I have.
人家都說是我寵壞了他,很可能是這樣。
When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I had to love.
在我愛妻去世后,我覺得只有他一個人是我應該疼愛的,
I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a moment from his face.
我甚至看見他有片刻的不高興都受不了。
I have never denied him a wish.
我對他從來是有求必應的。
Perhaps it would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I meant it for the best."
如果早先我對他嚴格一點,也許對我們倆都要好些,但我所做的一切都是為他好。"