4 How Strange

4 "HOW STRANGE..." "Benjamin Franklin," Annie whispered. "I can't believe it," said Jack. "I've seen him on posters at home," said Annie, "for a show at the Little Theater—Ben Franklin in Paris." "Right," said Jack. The gardener was making sense after all, he thought. Jack knew that Benjamin Franklin was a scientist, an inventor, a diplomat, a writer, and almost everything else you could think of. "Where's George Washington?" whispered Annie. "He must be in front," said Jack. He pointed to the white-haired man in the high- backed chair on the platform.

“真奇怪……”“本杰明·富兰克林，”安妮低声说。 “我真不敢相信，”杰克说。 “我在家里的海报上见过他，”安妮说，“巴黎小剧场的一场演出——本·富兰克林。” “好的，”杰克说。他想，园丁总算说得通了。 杰克知道本杰明·富兰克林是一位科学家、发明家、外交家、作家，以及几乎所有你能想到的人。 “乔治·华盛顿在哪儿？”安妮小声问。 “他一定在前面，”杰克说。 他指了指站台上坐在高背椅上的白发老人。

The general was much older than he was when they'd met him in 1776, but he still looked strong and powerful. "I wonder if he'll remember us," whispered Annie. "I hope he doesn't," said Jack. "He's a lot older and we're not. That would be hard to explain." "That man writing must be James Madison," said Annie. She pointed to the small thin man writing at the front table. George Washington banged his gavel again and rose from his chair. "We must stop now," he said. "Let us put aside our differences and enjoy a meal together." The delegates began rising from their chairs. Some were still grumbling and shaking their heads. George Washington walked over to Ben Franklin. Ben leaned on his walking stick as the two men spoke quietly.

这位将军比他们1776年见到他时老了很多，但他看起来仍然强壮有力。 “不知道他会不会记得我们，”安妮小声说。 “我希望他不会，”杰克说。 “他比我们老得多。 这很难解释。” “写信的那个人一定是詹姆斯·麦迪逊，”安妮说。 她指着坐在前排桌子上写字的那个瘦小的男人。 乔治·华盛顿又敲了敲木槌，从椅子上站了起来。 “我们现在必须停止，”他说。 “让我们抛开分歧，一起吃顿饭吧。” 代表们开始从椅子上站起来。 有些人还在抱怨，摇着头。 乔治·华盛顿走向本·富兰克林。 本拄着拐杖，两个人轻声交谈。

"Let's go," said Annie. "Wait," said Jack. "We need to plan what to say to him!" But before he could stop her, Annie hurried across the room with Ben's food basket. Oh, man, thought Jack, following her. Ben caught sight of them. "Hello, children," he said with a friendly smile.

“我们走吧，”安妮说。“等等，”杰克说。 “我们得计划一下对他说什么！”但在他阻止她之前，安妮拿着本的食物篮匆匆穿过房间。 哦，天哪，杰克想，跟着她。 本看见了他们。“你们好，孩子们，”他友好地微笑着说。

George Washington looked startled when he saw Jack and Annie. "Have we met before?" he asked in his deep, calm voice. "Uh…actually…," Annie started, but then stopped. Jack shook his head. "I know!" said George Washington. "You remind me of two children I met during the war. How strange…" "Really?" said Annie. "Yes, they were remarkable!" said George Washington. "But that was eleven years ago —they would be grown by now. I've thought of them often." Jack glanced at Annie, trying to hide a smile. "What can we do for you, children?" Ben asked. "Sir, we brought your midday meal. It's from your daughter, Sarah," said Annie. She held out the basket of food.

乔治·华盛顿看到杰克和安妮时吓了一跳。 “我们以前见过面吗？”他用深沉而平静的声音问道。 “呃……实际上……”安妮刚开口，但又停了下来。 杰克摇了摇头。“我知道！”乔治·华盛顿说。 “你让我想起了我在战争期间遇到的两个孩子。 真奇怪……”“真的吗？”安妮说。 “是的，他们很了不起！”乔治·华盛顿说。 “但那是11年前的事了——它们现在应该已经长大了。 我常常想起他们。” 杰克瞥了安妮一眼，竭力掩饰自己的笑容。 “孩子们，我们能为你们做些什么？”本问。 “先生，我们给您送来了午餐。 这是你女儿萨拉寄来的，”安妮说。 她递出一篮子食物。

"Oh, well, thank you," said Ben, chuckling. He set the basket down on the nearest table. "Celery and cabbage, no doubt. Sarah's always trying to keep me healthy." George Washington smiled. "Enjoy your meal, my friend," he said to Ben. "If you'd prefer steak pie and beer, join us at the tavern." With a nod to Jack and Annie, George Washington left them. "Tell me, how did you happen to deliver my meal today?" Ben asked Annie. His eyes were bright with curiosity. "I was expecting Louis." "Um, Louis was supposed to bring it," said Annie. "But he went swimming. So we told John we would do it." "How kind of you," said Ben. "And what are your names?" "Jack and Annie," said Jack. "Well, thank you very much, Jack and Annie," said Ben Franklin. "And good day to

“哦，好吧，谢谢你，”本笑着说。 他把篮子放在最近的桌子上。 “芹菜和卷心菜，毫无疑问。 莎拉总是努力让我保持健康。” 乔治·华盛顿笑了。“好好享受你的晚餐，我的朋友，”他对本说。 “如果你更喜欢牛排派和啤酒，来酒馆和我们一起吧。” 乔治·华盛顿向杰克和安妮点了点头，离开了他们。 “告诉我，你今天是怎么给我送饭的？”本问安妮。 他的眼睛因好奇而发亮。 “我在等路易斯。”“嗯，路易斯应该把它带来的，”安妮说。 “但是他去游泳了。所以我们告诉约翰我们会这么做。” “你真好，”本说。 “你们叫什么名字？”“杰克和安妮，”杰克说。 “好吧，非常感谢你们，杰克和安妮，”本·富兰克林说。 “再见。