A Scandal in Bohemia by Arthur Conan Doyle- page 2

One night—it was on the twentieth of March, 1888—I was returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street.

• 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 the well-remembered door, which must always be associated in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers.

• 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 were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the blind.

• 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 the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him.

• 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, who knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their own story.

• 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.

• He was at work again: Holmes was engaged in a case or problem once more [hi wɑz æt wərk əˈgɛn]

He had risen out of his drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new problem.

• 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 and was shown up to the chamber which had formerly been in part my own.

• 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 was not effusive.

• 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; but he was glad, I think, to see me.

• 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, but with a kindly eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner.

• 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 before the fire and looked me over in his singular introspective fashion.

• 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,” he remarked. “I think, Watson, that you have put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you.”

• 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!” I answered.

• Seven: Exclamation of surprise or disagreement regarding the number seven [ˈsɛvən]
• I answered: I responded. [aɪ ˈænsərd]

“Indeed, I should have thought a little more.

• 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, I fancy, Watson.

• 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, I observe.

• And in practice again: And back to your medical practice [ənd ɪn ˈpræktɪs əˈgɛn]
• I observe: I notice [aɪ əbˈzərv]

“Then, how do you know?”

• 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 see it, I deduce it.

• 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]

“My dear Holmes,” said I, “this is too much.

• 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 would certainly have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago.

• 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 is true that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can’t imagine how you deduce it.

• 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]