3 Diamond Mines

Chapter 3 Diamond mines A few weeks later, Sara received a letter from her father. It set the whole school talking.

第三章钻石矿几个星期后，萨拉收到父亲的一封信。 这使整个学校议论纷纷。

"An old friend has offered me a share in his diamond mines," wrote Captain Crewe. "We'll be rich beyond my wildest dreams. It makes me dizzy to think of it." Then, shortly before Sara's eleventh birthday, she had another letter from her father. This one sounded quite different.

“一位老朋友要我分享他的钻石矿，”克鲁船长写道。 “我们会比我做梦都要富有。 我一想到它就头晕。” 然后，在萨拉11岁生日前不久，她又收到了父亲的一封信。 这个听起来很不一样。

"I fear your father is not a business man," he wrote. "Each night I lie tossing and turning. I can't sleep for trying to work out the sums. I wish you were here with me." But despite his worries, Captain Crewe wrote to Miss Minchin, telling her to organize an amazing birthday party for Sara.

“恐怕你父亲不是个商人，”他写道。 “每天晚上我躺在床上辗转反侧。 我因为想算出这些总和而睡不着觉。 我希望你在我身边。” 尽管很担心，克鲁船长还是写信给明钦小姐，让她为萨拉组织一个盛大的生日聚会。

Sara was led into the schoolroom by Miss Minchin. Behind her came the servants, carrying boxes overflowing with presents. "You may leave us," Miss Minchin announced to the servants. "If you please, Miss Minchin," said Sara, suddenly, "could Becky stay?"

萨拉被明钦小姐领进了教室。 仆人们跟在她后面，提着装满礼物的箱子。 “你们可以离开我们了，”明钦小姐对仆人们宣布。 “请问，明钦小姐，”萨拉突然问道，“贝基能留下来吗？”

Miss Minchin jumped. "My dear Sara," she said, "Becky is a scullery maid. Scullery maids are not like young ladies. "But Becky is! Please let her stay... because it's my birthday." "You are too kind, Sara. Becky, go and stand there," said Miss Minchin, sharply, waving at the door.

明钦小姐跳了起来。“亲爱的萨拉，”她说，“贝基是一个女仆。 洗碗女工不像年轻的小姐。 “可贝基是！”请让她留下来…… 因为今天是我的生日。” “你太好了，萨拉。贝基，去站在那儿，”明钦小姐朝门挥了挥手，严厉地说。

The instant Miss Minchin had swept out of the room, everyone rushed to see Sara open her presents. There were books and hats, necklaces and tiaras- but best of all, there was a magnificent doll. Imagine if she could talk! You're always imagining things.

明钦小姐一走出房间，大家都冲过去看萨拉打开礼物。 有书、帽子、项链和头饰——但最重要的是，有一个漂亮的洋娃娃。 想象一下，如果她能说话！你总是胡思乱想。