Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14 "Is this some kind of joke, Gomez?!" Dr. Howard barked into the phone. Dr. Gomez could hear a roar in the background that he guessed must be the powerful engine of Dr. Howard's convertible. "You have urgent information regarding squirrels? It's been a long day— this better be good." Dr. Howard seldom went on digs or taught classes like the professors who worked for him, but he always seemed to be very busy— usually on his way to very important lunches and dinners. "No, Dr. Howard, this is not a joke." Dr. Gomez was in his home office, Michael hanging over his shoulder, trying to listen in. "I'm in possession of two ancient squirrels from the Dead Sea." "Dad, please!" Michael whispered.

第十四章“这是在开玩笑吗，戈麦斯？！”博士。 霍华德对着电话吼道。 戈麦斯博士可以听到背景中传来一声轰鸣声，他猜测这一定是Dr。 霍华德的兑换。“你有关于松鼠的紧急消息吗？” 这是漫长的一天——这最好是好事。” 霍华德博士很少像为他工作的教授那样去实地考察或授课，但他似乎总是很忙——通常是在去参加非常重要的午餐和晚餐的路上。 “不，霍华德医生，这不是开玩笑。” 戈麦斯医生在他的家庭办公室里，迈克尔趴在他的肩膀上，试图偷听。 “我有两只来自死海的古松鼠。” “爸爸,拜托!”迈克尔低声说。

"Actually, sir, let me restate that," Dr. Gomez said, waving at Michael to be quiet. "They were found near the Dead Sea dig, but they're actually from somewhere north of the sea. They were vacationing there and got stuck." "Vacationing???" Dr. Howard shouted over the sound of tires squealing. Dr. Gomez imagined him rolling his eyes as he cruised down a winding road. "Vacationing squirrels, right. And how did you gather this information from these... squirrels?"

“实际上，先生，让我再说一遍。” 戈麦斯说，挥手示意迈克尔安静。 “它们是在死海附近被发现的，但实际上它们来自大海北部的某个地方。 他们在那里度假，然后被困住了。” “度假? ?”霍华德医生在轮胎的尖叫声中喊道。 戈麦斯医生想象着他在蜿蜒的道路上行驶时翻白眼的样子。 “度假的松鼠，没错。 你是怎么从这些… 松鼠?”

"They, ah... they told me," Dr. Gomez answered uncomfortably. A long pause followed. Dr. Gomez listened to the sound of rushing wind over the phone. Finally Dr. Howard said, "So, these squirrels, they... talk, do they?" "Yes, sir." Dr. Gomez covered his face with one hand. Michael sighed deeply and shook his head. There was no turning back now. "Aramaic, no doubt?" Dr. Howard mocked. "Or perhaps Hebrew, or maybe even Latin?" "Well, they may also speak those languages. And squirrel, of course, but we communicate in English." Dr. Gomez pulled the phone away from his head. The sound of Dr. Howard's laughing hurt his ear. Finally, when the laughing had died down a bit, Dr. Gomez added, "Sir, if you don't believe me, you should come see for yourself." Michael threw his hands up in the air. "This is terrible!" "Shhhhh!" Dr. Gomez shushed.

“他们啊…他们对我说：“我的医生。 戈麦斯不安地回答。 接着是长时间的沉默。博士。 戈麦斯听着电话里呼啸的风声。 最后霍华德医生说：“那么，这些松鼠，它们…… 他们会说话吗？”“是的,先生。” 戈麦斯医生用一只手捂住脸。 迈克尔深深地叹了口气，摇了摇头。 现在已经没有回头路了。 “一定是阿拉姆语吧？”霍华德医生嘲笑道。 “或者是希伯来语，或者甚至是拉丁语？”“嗯，他们也可能说那些语言。 当然还有松鼠，但我们用英语交流。” 戈麦斯医生把手机从他头上拿开。 霍华德医生的笑声刺痛了他的耳朵。 最后，当笑声稍稍平息下来的时候。 戈麦斯补充道：“先生，如果你不相信我，你应该自己来看看。” 迈克尔举起双手。 “这太可怕了！”“嘘!”博士。 戈麦斯嘘。

"Am I being shushed?" Dr. Howard shouted. "Sorry, sir. I wasn't shushing you," Dr. Gomez said. "Okay, Gomez," Dr. Howard said, honking his horn. "Let's see if you can make more sense in person. I'll be at your place in five, if this slowpoke gets out of my way." He laid on the horn again. "All right, sir. Thank you." Dr. Gomez hung up the phone and informed his very unhappy son, "He'll be here soon."

“我被嘘了吗？”霍华德医生喊道。 “对不起，先生。我没有嘘你。” 戈麦斯说。“好吧，戈麦斯。” 霍华德边说边按喇叭。 “让我们看看你本人是否能讲得更清楚。 如果这个慢性子让开，我五分钟后到你那儿。” 他又按响了喇叭。 “好的，先生。谢谢你。” 戈麦斯医生挂了电话，告诉他非常不高兴的儿子：“他很快就会来。”