One night(a single evening or period of darkness [wən naɪt])—it was(used to specify or emphasize the time [ɪt wɑz]) on the twentieth of March, 1888(specifies the exact date [ɔn ðə tˈwɛnˌtiɛθ əv mɑrʧ 1888])—I was returning(the speaker was in the process of coming back [aɪ wɑz rɪˈtərnɪŋ]) from a journey(from a trip or travel [frəm ə ˈʤərni]) to a patient(indicating the purpose of the journey was to visit someone needing medical attention [tɪ ə ˈpeɪʃənt]) (for(because; introducing the reason for the previous statement [fər]) I had now returned(the speaker had come back to a previous state or location [aɪ hæd naʊ rɪˈtərnd]) to civil practice(to the normal, non-military, practice of medicine [tɪ ˈsɪvəl ˈpræktɪs])), when(at the time that; introducing a clause describing when something happened [wɪn]) my way led me(the route or path took the speaker [maɪ weɪ lɛd mi]) through Baker Street(a specific street in London [θru ˈbeɪkər strit]). As I passed(while the speaker was going by [ɛz aɪ pæst]) the well-remembered door(a door that the speaker remembers clearly and fondly [ðə well-remembered dɔr]), which must always be associated(that the speaker will always connect in their mind [wɪʧ məst ˈɔlˌweɪz bi əˈsoʊʃiˌeɪtəd]) in my mind(in the speaker's thoughts or memories [ɪn maɪ maɪnd]) with my wooing(with the speaker's courtship or romantic pursuit of someone [wɪθ maɪ wuɪŋ]), and(in addition to [ənd]) with the dark incidents(with the troubling or mysterious events [wɪθ ðə dɑrk ˈɪnsədənts]) of the Study in Scarlet(referring to a specific case or story [əv ðə ˈstədi ɪn ˈskɑrlət]), I was seized(the speaker was overcome [aɪ wɑz sizd]) with a keen desire(with a strong feeling or wish [wɪθ ə kin dɪˈzaɪər]) to see Holmes again(to meet or visit Holmes once more [tɪ si hoʊmz əˈgɛn]), and(and also [ənd]) to know(to find out [tɪ noʊ]) how he was employing(how Holmes was using [haʊ hi wɑz ɪmˈplɔɪɪŋ]) his extraordinary powers(Holmes' remarkable abilities or skills [hɪz ˌɛkstrəˈɔrdəˌnɛri paʊərz]). His rooms(the rooms belonging to Holmes [hɪz rumz]) were brilliantly lit(were very brightly illuminated [wər ˈbrɪljəntli lɪt]), and(and also [ənd]), even as I looked up(at the very moment the speaker glanced upwards [ˈivɪn ɛz aɪ lʊkt əp]), I saw(the speaker observed [aɪ sɔ]) his tall, spare figure(Holmes' slender and lanky body [hɪz tɔl spɛr ˈfɪgjər]) pass twice(move back and forth two times [pæs twaɪs]) in a dark silhouette(as a dark outline or shadow [ɪn ə dɑrk ˌsɪləˈwɛt]) against the blind(in front of the window covering [əˈgɛnst ðə blaɪnd]). He was pacing(he was walking back and forth [hi wɑz ˈpeɪsɪŋ]) the room(inside the room [ðə rum]) swiftly, eagerly(quickly and with enthusiasm [sˈwɪftli ˈigərli]), with his head sunk(with his head lowered [wɪθ hɪz hɛd səŋk]) upon his chest(towards his chest [əˈpɑn hɪz ʧɛst]) and his hands clasped(and his hands held tightly together [ənd hɪz hænz klæspt]) behind him(at his back [bɪˈhaɪnd ɪm]). To me(in the speaker's opinion [tɪ mi]), who knew(because the speaker was familiar with [hu nu]) his every mood and habit(all of Holmes' emotional states and routines [hɪz ˈɛvəri mud ənd ˈhæbət]), his attitude and manner(his way of behaving and carrying himself [hɪz ˈætəˌtud ənd ˈmænər]) told their own story(revealed a clear message or indication [toʊld ðɛr oʊn ˈstɔri]). He was at work again(Holmes was engaged in a case or problem once more [hi wɑz æt wərk əˈgɛn]). He had risen(he had emerged [hi hæd ˈrɪzən]) out of his drug-created dreams(from a state of altered consciousness induced by drugs [aʊt əv hɪz drug-created drimz]) and was hot(and was intensely focused [ənd wɑz hɑt]) upon the scent(on the trail or clue [əˈpɑn ðə sɛnt]) of some new problem(of a fresh mystery or case [əv səm nu ˈprɑbləm]). I rang the bell(the speaker pressed the doorbell [aɪ ræŋ ðə bɛl]) and was shown up(and was escorted [ənd wɑz ʃoʊn əp]) to the chamber(to the room [tɪ ðə ˈʧeɪmbər]) which had formerly been(that used to be [wɪʧ hæd ˈfɔrmərli bɪn]) in part my own(partially belonging to the speaker [ɪn pɑrt maɪ oʊn]).
His manner(The way he behaved or conducted himself [hɪz ˈmænər]) was not effusive(was not expressing feelings openly or enthusiastically [wɑz nɑt ˈɛfjusɪv]). It seldom was(It rarely happened that his manner was effusive [ɪt ˈsɛldəm wɑz]); but he was glad(however, he felt happy [bət hi wɑz glæd]), I think(in my opinion; I believe [aɪ θɪŋk]), to see me(that I was visiting him [tɪ si mi]). With hardly a word spoken(Almost no words were exchanged [wɪθ ˈhɑrdli ə wərd ˈspoʊkən]), but with a kindly eye(but with a gentle and friendly look [bət wɪθ ə ˈkaɪndli aɪ]), he waved me(he gestured me [hi weɪvd mi]) to an armchair(towards a comfortable chair with armrests [tɪ ən ˈɑrmˌʧɛr]), threw across(tossed or placed casually [θru əˈkrɔs]) his case of cigars(the container holding his cigars [hɪz keɪs əv sɪˈgɑrz]), and indicated(and pointed out or gestured towards [ənd ˈɪndəˌkeɪtɪd]) a spirit case(a container holding alcoholic beverages [ə ˈspɪrɪt keɪs]) and a gasogene(an apparatus for aerating water [ənd ə gasogene]) in the corner(located in the angle where two walls meet [ɪn ðə ˈkɔrnər]). Then he stood(After that, he positioned himself [ðɛn hi stʊd]) before the fire(in front of the fireplace [ˌbiˈfɔr ðə faɪər]) and looked me over(and examined me carefully [ənd lʊkt mi ˈoʊvər]) in his singular introspective fashion(in his unique and thoughtful manner [ɪn hɪz ˈsɪŋgjələr ˌɪntrəˈspɛktɪv ˈfæʃən]).
“Wedlock suits you(Marriage is becoming to you [ˈwɛˌdlɑk suts ju]),” he remarked(he commented [hi rɪˈmɑrkt]). “I think, Watson(In my opinion, Watson [aɪ θɪŋk ˈwɑtsən]), that you have put on(that you have gained [ðət ju hæv pʊt ɔn]) seven and a half pounds(seven and a half pounds of weight [ˈsɛvən ənd ə hæf paʊnz]) since I saw you(from the last time I saw you [sɪns aɪ sɔ ju]).”
“Seven(Exclamation of surprise or disagreement regarding the number seven [ˈsɛvən])!” I answered(I responded. [aɪ ˈænsərd]).
“Indeed, I should have thought(In fact, I would have guessed [ˌɪnˈdid aɪ ʃʊd hæv θɔt]) a little more(a slightly higher amount [ə ˈlɪtəl mɔr]). Just a trifle more(Only a bit more [ʤɪst ə ˈtraɪfəl mɔr]), I fancy, Watson(I believe, Watson [aɪ ˈfænsi ˈwɑtsən]). And in practice again(And back to your medical practice [ənd ɪn ˈpræktɪs əˈgɛn]), I observe(I notice [aɪ əbˈzərv]). You did not tell me(You didn't inform me [ju dɪd nɑt tɛl mi]) that you intended(that you planned [ðət ju ˌɪnˈtɛndɪd]) to go into harness(to return to work or your profession [tɪ goʊ ˈɪntu ˈhɑrnɪs]).”
“Then(Indicates a sequence in conversation or thought; 'after that' [ðɛn]), how(In what way or manner [haʊ]) do(Auxiliary verb used to form questions [du]) you(Refers to the person being addressed [ju]) know(To be aware of something through observation, inquiry, or information [noʊ])?”
“I(The speaker [aɪ]) see(Perceive with the eyes; understand [si]) it(Refers to something previously mentioned or understood [ɪt]), I(The speaker [aɪ]) deduce(Arrive at (a fact or conclusion) by reasoning; infer [dɪˈdus]) it(Refers to something previously mentioned or understood [ɪt]). How(In what way or manner [haʊ]) do(Auxiliary verb used to form questions [du]) I(The speaker [aɪ]) know(To be aware of something through observation, inquiry, or information [noʊ]) that(Introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]) you(The person being addressed [ju]) have been getting(Present perfect continuous tense, indicating an action that started in the past and continues to the present [hæv bɪn ˈgɪtɪŋ]) yourself(Reflexive pronoun, referring back to 'you' [ˈjɔrsɛlf]) very(To a great degree; extremely [ˈvɛri]) wet(Covered or saturated with water or another liquid [wɛt]) lately(Recently; in the near past [ˈleɪtli]), and(Used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) that(Introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]) you(The person being addressed [ju]) have(Auxiliary verb used to form the present perfect tense [hæv]) a(Indefinite article, indicating one of something [ə]) most(To the greatest degree; very [moʊst]) clumsy(Awkward in movement or handling things [ˈkləmzi]) and(Used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) careless(Not giving sufficient attention to avoiding harm or errors [ˈkɛrlɛs]) servant(A person employed to perform domestic tasks [ˈsərvənt]) girl(A young female [gərl])?”
“My(Expressing affection or endearment [maɪ]) dear(Loved or cherished [dɪr]) Holmes(Referring to the person named Holmes [hoʊmz]),” said(Past tense of 'say', indicating speech [sɛd]) I(The speaker [aɪ]), “this(Referring to something nearby or being discussed [ðɪs]) is(Present tense of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]) too(To a higher degree than is desirable, permissible, or possible [tu]) much(A large amount or degree [məʧ]). You(The person being addressed [ju]) would(Used to express a conditional or hypothetical situation [wʊd]) certainly(Without doubt; definitely [ˈsərtənli]) have been burned(Past participle of 'burn', indicating being consumed by fire [hæv bɪn bərnd]), had(Used to introduce a conditional clause [hæd]) you(The person being addressed [ju]) lived(Past tense of 'live', indicating existence [lɪvd]) a(Indefinite article, indicating one of something [ə]) few(A small number of [fju]) centuries(Periods of one hundred years [ˈsɛnʧəriz]) ago(In the past [əˈgoʊ]). It(Refers to something previously mentioned or understood [ɪt]) is(Present tense of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]) true(In accordance with fact or reality [tru]) that(Introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]) I(The speaker [aɪ]) had(Past tense of 'have' [hæd]) a(Indefinite article, indicating one of something [ə]) country(Relating to rural areas [ˈkəntri]) walk(An act of walking, especially for pleasure or exercise [wɔk]) on(Indicating a day or date [ɔn]) Thursday(A day of the week [ˈθərzˌdeɪ]) and(Used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) came(Past tense of 'come', indicating movement towards the speaker [keɪm]) home(The place where one lives [hoʊm]) in(Expressing the situation of something surrounded or enclosed [ɪn]) a(Indefinite article, indicating one of something [ə]) dreadful(Extremely bad or unpleasant [ˈdrɛdfəl]) mess(A dirty or untidy state or thing [mɛs]), but(Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something already said [bət]) as(Because; since [ɛz]) I(The speaker [aɪ]) have(Auxiliary verb used to form the present perfect tense [hæv]) changed(Past participle of 'change', indicating alteration [ʧeɪnʤd]) my(Belonging to the speaker [maɪ]) clothes(Items worn to cover the body [kloʊðz]) I(The speaker [aɪ]) can’t(Contraction of 'cannot', indicating inability [kænt]) imagine(Form a mental image or concept of [ˌɪˈmæʤən]) how(In what way or manner [haʊ]) you(The person being addressed [ju]) deduce(Arrive at (a fact or conclusion) by reasoning; infer [dɪˈdus]) it(Refers to something previously mentioned or understood [ɪt]). As(Used to indicate that something happens during the time that something else is taking place [ɛz]) to(Concerning; regarding [tɪ]) Mary(A proper noun, a name [ˈmɛri]) Jane(A proper noun, a name [ʤeɪn]), she(Referring to Mary Jane [ʃi]) is(Present tense of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]) incorrigible(Not able to be corrected, improved, or reformed [ˌɪnˈkɑrəʤəbəl]), and(Used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) my(Belonging to the speaker [maɪ]) wife(A married woman [waɪf]) has(Auxiliary verb used to form the present perfect tense [həz]) given(Past participle of 'give', indicating transfer or bestowal [ˈgɪvɪn]) her(Belonging to the servant girl [hər]) notice(Intimation of the intention to end a contract of employment [ˈnoʊtɪs]), but(Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something already said [bət]) there(In or at that place [ðɛr]), again(Once more; another time [əˈgɛn]), I(The speaker [aɪ]) fail(Be unsuccessful in achieving something [feɪl]) to(Expressing purpose or intention [tɪ]) see(Perceive with the eyes; understand [si]) how(In what way or manner [haʊ]) you(The person being addressed [ju]) work(Operate or function [wərk]) it(Refers to something previously mentioned or understood [ɪt]) out(Solve or discover (something) by reasoning or calculation [aʊt]).”