Chapter 17

CHAPTER 17 "I hope it's not too late to accept your dinner invitation," Pearl said to Bob and Mary. "That is, if you're still offering it." "Of course!" Mary said. "And again, we are so sorry about going along with the cat's plan." "We were just trying to save our buddy Larry," Bob explained. "I get it," Merle replied. "No hard feelings. It'll be good to get to know you!" "Merle and I will go freshen up and be right with you," Pearl said. "I don't really freshen up," Merle pointed out. "Well, I need to, and you're coming with me." Pearl took Merle by the paw and headed back into the house.

第十七章“我希望现在接受你们的晚餐邀请还不算太晚，”珠儿对鲍勃和玛丽说。 “当然，前提是你还在提供这份工作。” “当然!”玛丽说。“再说一次，我们很抱歉按照猫的计划行事。” “我们只是想救我们的朋友拉里，”鲍勃解释说。 “我明白了，”梅尔回答。 “别生气。能认识你真好！”“我和莫尔去梳洗一下，马上就来，”珠儿说。 “我不怎么梳洗，”梅尔指出。 “嗯，我需要去，你跟我一起去。” 珠儿抓住梅尔的爪子，朝屋里走去。

Just as they hopped through Michael's bedroom window, a neon-blue convertible with a spoiler and low- profile tires rolled up into the Gomezes' driveway. Michael and his dad walked over to it, Bob and Mary following behind. "All right, Gomez," Dr. Howard shouted through his window, not bothering to get out of the car. "Let's hear from these amazing Dead Sea squirrels."

就在他们从迈克尔卧室的窗户跳出来的时候，一辆带有扰流板和低调轮胎的霓虹蓝色敞篷车驶进了戈麦斯家的车道。 迈克尔和他爸爸走过去，鲍勃和玛丽跟在后面。 “好吧，戈麦斯。”霍华德医生透过车窗喊道，根本懒得下车。 “让我们听听这些神奇的死海松鼠是怎么说的。”

"Oh, they just went into the house to freshen up," Mary the squirrel said. But all Dr. Howard, Dr. Gomez, and Michael heard was, "Squeak, squeak... squeak, squeak, squeak." Bob followed up with, "You'll love meeting them. Maybe we could all have dinner together?" "Do you like nuts?" Larry asked from the tree. Bob and Larry's voices also only sounded like cute squirrel squeaks to the assembled humans. Dr. Howard shook his head. "Yep. That's what I thought," he muttered. "Sir, these aren't—" Dr. Gomez tried to explain, but Dr. Howard cut him off. "Look, Gomez," he said gruffly. "You spent all summer under the hot sun. Maybe you forgot to wear a hat?" "No, I promise you—" Dr. Gomez stammered. "Take the rest of the week off," Dr. Howard offered, putting the car in reverse. "Rest up. Keep out of the sun. I'll get Esteban to cover for you." He backed out of the driveway and took off, tires screeching. Michael waved goodbye to his dad's boss, a relieved grin on his face. "Thanks for coming, Dr. Howard! I'll make sure Dad stays hydrated!"

松鼠玛丽说：“哦，它们只是进屋梳洗。” 但霍华德医生、戈麦斯医生和迈克尔听到的只是“吱吱，吱吱……” 吱吱，吱吱，吱吱。”鲍勃接着说：“你会喜欢见到他们的。 也许我们可以一起吃晚饭？”“你喜欢坚果吗？”拉里从树上问。 鲍勃和拉里的声音对聚集在一起的人类来说也只是听起来像可爱的松鼠吱吱声。 霍华德医生摇了摇头。 “是的。我也是这么想的。”他喃喃地说。 “先生，这些不是——” 戈麦斯试图解释。 霍华德打断了他的话。“听着，戈麦斯。”他粗声粗气地说。 “你整个夏天都在烈日下度过。 也许你忘记戴帽子了？”“不，我向你保证——” 戈麦斯结结巴巴地说。“这周剩下的时间休息吧。” 霍华德提议道，把车倒了回去。 “休息了。不要让太阳晒着。 我会让埃斯特班替你。” 他把车倒出车道，带着刺耳的轮胎声起飞了。 迈克尔向他爸爸的老板挥手告别，脸上露出宽慰的笑容。 “谢谢你能来，霍华德医生！”我会确保爸爸保持水分的！”