Chapter 7

Chapter SEVEN By the time we left the cave, the first few rays of early-morning sunlight had started to pierce the surface of the sea, turning it bright aqua. 'We had better hurry back to our camping spot,' I said. 'Mum and Auster will be worried if they wake up and find us gone.'

第七章我们离开山洞的时候，清晨的几缕阳光已经照在海面上，把海面染成了明亮的水色。 “我们最好快点回到宿营地，”我说。 “如果妈妈和奥斯特醒来发现我们走了，他们会担心的。”

'Let's go!' agreed Delphina as we both got onto Squishy's back. Squishy seemed so much calmer after his time in the cave. I used the compass to steer us through the kelp forest, being sure to avoid the deepest parts. As we got closer to our camping spot, I hoped, hoped, hoped that we would make it back before Mum and Auster woke up! We arrived just as Mum was unzipping the flap of her tent. Uh-oh... She poked her head out of the tent, hair waving about all over the place. Her eyes almost popped out of her head when she saw Delphina and I bobbing towards

“我们走吧!德尔菲娜同意了，我们俩都骑到史乖宝宝的背上。 在山洞里呆了一段时间后，史乖宝似乎平静多了。 我用指南针指引我们穿过海带森林，一定要避开最深的地方。 当我们离露营地越来越近时，我希望、希望、希望我们能在妈妈和奥斯特醒来之前赶回来！我们到达时，妈妈正在拉开帐篷的拉链。 啊哦……她从帐篷里探出头来，头发飘得到处都是。 当她看到德尔菲娜和我朝她晃来晃去时，她的眼睛几乎要跳出来了

her on the giant pufferfish! 'Auster!' she called. 'Come quickly! I think I might still be dreaming!' Now Auster's head appeared through the tent flap too. Isn't that your... plushie, Delphina?' he asked.

她骑在巨大的河豚上！“南风!她叫道。 “快来!”我想我可能还在做梦！”现在奥斯特的头也从帐篷的门缝里露出来了。 那不是你的…plushie, Delphina ?他问。

'What has been going on?' asked Mum. I confessed to taking the conch shell and how the magic went wrong. Then Delphina told them how we chased Squishy through the forest and ended up in the magical jewel cave. By the time we finished our story, Mum and Auster looked a little stern.

“发生了什么事？”妈妈问。 我承认拿走了海螺壳，以及魔法是如何出错的。 然后德尔菲娜告诉他们我们如何在森林里追逐史乖宝，最后来到了神奇的宝石洞。 当我们讲完故事的时候，妈妈和奥斯特看起来有点严厉。

'You should have woken us up!' said Mum. 'I know,' I replied. 'I'm really sorry I borrowed the shell without asking. I promise I won't do it again. I would have magicked you up a lovely warm tent and sleeping bag if you were cold, added Auster. With mer-fairy lights and everything!'

“你应该叫醒我们的！”妈妈说。 “我知道，”我回答。“我真的很抱歉没问你就借了壳。 我保证不会再犯了。 “如果你觉得冷的话，我可以给你变一个可爱的暖和的帐篷和睡袋。”奥斯特补充道。 还有人鱼仙女的灯光和一切！”

'But that was the problem,' I mumbled. 'I didn't want you to magic up anything for me. I wanted the holiday to be like the other camping trips I've been on... Auster nodded, understanding. Maybe I've been trying too hard to impress you, Emerald,' he said. 'I just thought it would be nice to have a little bit of luxury, but we can leave the magic shell at home next time. 'No!' I replied quickly. 'Actually...

“但这就是问题所在，”我咕哝着说。 “我不想让你为我变出什么魔法来。 我希望这次假期能像我以前的露营旅行一样…… 奥斯特点点头，表示理解。 “也许我太努力想给你留下好印象了，祖母绿，”他说。 “我只是觉得有一点奢侈品会很好，但下次我们可以把这个神奇的贝壳留在家里。” “不!”我很快地回答。“其实…