Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO Off to the Enchanted Wood It was exciting to slip out of bed at half past eleven and dress. It was very dark because there was no moon. "We shall have to take a pocket light," said Joe. "Are you all ready? Now don't make a noise, or you'll wake Mother and Father." They all crept downstairs and out into the dark, silent garden.

第二章 前往魔法森林 十一点半悄悄溜下床穿衣服，可太让人兴奋啦。 外面黑沉沉的，因为天上没有月亮。 “我们得带个小手电筒。”乔说。 “你们都准备好了吗？ 现在可别出声，不然会吵醒爸爸妈妈的。” 他们全都蹑手蹑脚地下了楼，走到外面漆黑又安静的花园里。

An owl hooted nearby, and something ran down the garden path. Beth nearly squealed.

附近有只猫头鹰在叫，有什么东西顺着花园小径跑了过去。 贝丝差点叫出声来。

"Shh! It's only a mouse or something, said Joe. "I'll switch on my light now. Keep close together and we'll see where we're going." In a bunch they went down the back garden and out into the little lane there. The Enchanted Wood loomed up big and dark. The trees spoke to one another softly. "Wisha-wisha-wisha," they said. "Wisha-wisha-wisha!"

“嘘！ 就是只老鼠或者别的小东西啦。”乔说。 “我现在要开手电啦。 大家挨近点，这样我们就能看清路了。” 他们挤成一团，穿过后花园，走到了外面的小巷子里。 魔法森林高高地耸立着，又大又暗。 树木们正轻声地互相说着话。 “沙——沙——沙——”它们说道。 “沙——沙——沙！”

The children jumped over the ditch and walked through the wood, down the paths they knew so well. The wood was full of fairy-folk going about their business.

孩子们跳过水沟，走进森林，沿着他们熟得不能再熟的小路往前走。 森林里到处都是忙着自己事情的小精灵。

They took no notice of the children. Joe soon switched off his light. Lanterns shone everywhere and gave enough light to see by.

他们根本没注意到这几个孩子。 乔很快就关掉了手电筒。 到处都有灯笼亮着，光线足够看清路了。