Chapter 14

14 The Story A few days later, when the weather was fine and Grandma Nan's ankle was nearly back to its normal size, Mr Hibberdee arrived at the lake. Rosa had been chopping some wood under the watchful gaze of Albert the Moose, and she spotted the bear trundling through the scrub without a care in the world.Rosa waved happily.

14故事几天后，天气转晴，南奶奶的脚踝几乎恢复了正常大小，希伯迪先生来到湖边。 罗莎在驼鹿阿尔伯特的注视下砍柴，她发现那只熊在灌木丛中无忧无虑地慢悠悠地走着。罗莎高兴地挥了挥手。

'Good morning,' said Mr Hibberdee, his scarf fluttering in the breeze. 'Hello,' said Rosa, wiping her brow. 'How are you and your jams?' 'Sweet as ever,' he said thoughtfully. 'I wondered if you might have payment for my honey?' Rosa's heart started to race-she had pushed the matter right out of her mind. 'Well,' she said tentatively, 'Grandma Nan mentioned that you might like a story in payment?' Mr Hibberdee's face brightened. 'Oh,yes!' he said, scratching his neck. 'I haven't heard a story in weeks. But make sure it's exciting. I love exciting stories. 'I can try?'said Rosa.

“早上好，”希伯迪先生说，他的围巾在微风中飘动。 “你好，”罗莎擦着额头说。 “你和你的果酱怎么样？”“一如既往地甜蜜，”他若有所思地说。 “我不知道你能不能给我买蜂蜜的钱？ ”罗莎的心开始狂跳——她已经把这件事抛到脑后了。 “嗯，”她试探性地说，“南奶奶说你可能想要一个故事作为报酬？”希伯狄先生的脸亮了起来。 “哦,是的!他搔着脖子说。 “我好几个星期没有听到任何消息了。 但一定要让人兴奋。 我喜欢激动人心的故事。“我可以试试吗？””罗莎说。

Mr Hibberdee clapped with happiness, and sat down on a fallen tree trunk at the lakeside. They watched a flock of geese bob up and down on the water as Rosa started to tell her story. She took a deep breath. 'When Dad couldn't look after me any more in the city, Grandma Nan was the only person I could think of who might put me up. I'd never met her before, but I had to try.' she said. Sad stories always affected Mr Hibberdee the most. His eyes sparkled. 'And?' 'So I wrote her a letter,' laughed Rosa. 'But Grandma Nan can't remember that bit.' Mr Hibberdee let out a rumbly sort of laugh.

希伯蒂先生高兴地拍了拍手，坐在湖边一根倒在地上的树干上。 当罗莎开始讲述她的故事时，他们看到一群鹅在水面上上下浮动。 她深吸了一口气。“当爸爸在城里不能再照顾我的时候，奶奶是我能想到的唯一可以收留我的人。 我以前从未见过她，但我必须试一试。她说。 悲伤的故事总是对希伯迪先生影响最大。 他的眼睛闪闪发光。“和?“所以我给她写了一封信，”罗莎笑着说。 “但是南奶奶不记得了。”希伯迪先生发出一阵低沉的笑声。

'And then Tom flew me here in his little plane,' said Rosa. 'You flew here in an aeroplane?' said Mr Hibberdee excitedly. 'Yes.A little one,' said Rosa. 'And it could land on water!'

“然后汤姆用他的小飞机把我送到这里，”罗莎说。 “你是坐飞机来的？”希伯蒂先生兴奋地说。 ‘是的。“一个小的。”罗莎说。 “而且它可以降落在水面上！”

'Wow,' said Mr Hibberdee. 'I should love to travel in an aeroplane one day. It would make getting to my customers easier, that's for sure. Bears don't often get the chance to fly. 'No,I bet they don't,' said Rosa.

“哇，”希伯狄先生说。“我希望有一天能坐飞机旅行。 这肯定会让我更容易找到我的客户。 熊很少有机会飞起来。 “不，我打赌他们不会，”罗莎说。