《福尔摩斯探案集·歪唇男人》第21节
“Well?” she cried, “well?” And then, seeing that there were two of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. “No good news?” “None.” “No bad?” “No.” “Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have had a long day.” “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.” “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.” “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.” “Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes,” said the lady as we entered a well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had been laid out, “I should very much like to ask you one or two plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain answer.”
注释摘要
在这短短的一段戏里，一扇门打开之后，上演的是一场高度压缩的情感哑剧。圣克莱尔夫人只喊了一个词：Well? 重复两次，先是急切，再是看到来人不止一个时，声音里燃起希望；紧接着，她看到福尔摩斯摇头耸肩，那希望便被压碎，沉入一声呻吟。这一连串从“Well?”到“cry of hope”再到“groan”的转换，全凭语气与肢体完成，没用一个形容词来解说她的心理——…