03 The Silk Weaver

Chapter 3, The Silk Weaver Jack and Annie kept walking across the pasture toward the road. Annie stopped when they neared the farmhouse. We have to find the silk weaver and give her the message, she said. Let's do that on our way back, said Jack. I'm worried about finding the Imperial Library. What if we don't have time? said Annie. We promised and he was so nice.

第三章 丝绸织工 杰克和安妮穿过牧场，一直往大路走。快要走到农舍的时候，安妮停下了脚步。 “我们得先找到丝绸织工，把消息带给她呀。”她说。 “我们回来的时候再找吧，”杰克说，“我还得找皇家图书馆呢，我担心来不及。” “要是我们回来没时间了怎么办？”安妮说，“我们都答应人家了，而且他人那么好。”

Jack sighed. Okay, he said, but let's find her fast and remember to keep your head down so no one will notice us. Jack and Annie bowed their heads as they headed toward the house. As they got closer, Jack peeked out from under his hat. An ox pulled a cart filled with hay. Men hoed the ground. Women pushed wheelbarrows piled high with grain. There, said Annie. She pointed to an open porch where a young woman was weaving cloth on a loom. That must be her. Annie ran to the silk weaver. Jack looked around to see if anyone was watching. Luckily, all the farm workers seemed too busy to notice anything. Still looking around carefully, Jack walked toward the porch.

杰克叹了口气。 “好吧，”他说，“不过我们得快点找到她，还有记得低下头，别让别人 注意到我们。” 杰克和安妮低着头，朝那栋房子走去。 走近些的时候，杰克从帽子底下偷偷往外瞅。 一头公牛拉着装满干草的大车。 男人们在地里锄草。 女人们推着堆得高高的独轮车，上面装满了谷物。 “在那儿！”安妮说。 她指着一个敞开的门廊，门廊里有个年轻女人正坐在织布机前织布。 那肯定就是她了。 安妮朝丝绸织工跑了过去。 杰克四下张望，看看有没有人在注意他们。 幸好，所有的农工看起来都忙得很，没空注意别的事。 杰克一边小心翼翼地左看右看，一边朝门廊走去。

Annie was already talking to the silk weaver. What did he say? The young woman asked. Her voice was soft but strong. Her dark eyes glowed with happiness. He said you should meet him in the field at twilight, said Annie. He's so handsome. Yes, he is. The silk weaver gave Annie a shy smile. Then she reached down to a basket near her loom and picked up a ball of yellow thread. It was very brave of you to bring the message, she said. Please accept this silk thread as my thank you. She handed Annie the ball of silk. It's beautiful, said Annie. Feel. She handed it to Jack. The thread was smooth and soft.

安妮已经在和丝绸织工说话了。 他说什么了？ 年轻女人问道。 她的声音柔柔的，却很坚定。 她深色的眼睛亮闪闪的，满是喜悦。 “他说你要在黄昏的时候到田野里和他见面。”安妮说。 他长得可帅啦。 对呀，他确实很帅。 丝绸织工冲安妮害羞地笑了笑。 接着她伸手到织布机旁边的篮子里，拿出了一团黄色的线。 “你们敢来给我送信，真的太勇敢了。”她说。 这团丝线送给你们，就当是我的谢礼啦。 她把那团丝线递给安妮。 “好漂亮呀。”安妮说。 你摸摸看。 她把线团递给杰克。 这丝线摸起来又光滑又柔软。

How do you make silk? said Jack. It is made from the cocoons of silk worms, said the weaver. Really, worms? That's neat, said Jack. Let me write that down. He reached into his sack.

“丝绸是怎么做出来的呀？”杰克问。 “丝绸是用蚕的茧做的哦。”织工说。 真的吗？是小虫子做的？ “太有意思啦。”杰克说。 我要把这个记下来。 他把手伸进了自己的背包里。

Please don't," said the silk weaver. The making of silk is China's most valuable secret. Anyone who steals the secret will be arrested. The Dragon King will have him put to death.

“请不要记。”丝绸织工说。 丝绸的制作方法是中国最珍贵的秘密。 任何偷走这个秘密的人都会被抓起来。 龙王会下令把他处死的。

Oops! said Jack. He dropped the ball of silk into his sack. I think you must leave quickly, whispered the silk weaver. You have been seen. Jack looked over his shoulder. A man was pointing at them. Let's go, he said. Bye, said Annie. Good luck on your date. Thank you, the silk weaver said. Come on, said Jack. They hurried away from the silk weaver. Stop, someone shouted. Run, said Annie.

“哎哟！”杰克叫了一声，赶紧把丝线团塞进了背包里。 “你们得快点走了，”丝绸织工小声说，“有人看到你们了。” 杰克回头一看，有个男人正指着他们呢。 “我们快走。”他说。 “再见呀，”安妮说，“祝你约会顺利哦。” “谢谢你们。”丝绸织工说。 “快走吧。”杰克说，两个人赶紧离开了丝绸织工那里。 “站住！”有人大喊。“快跑！”安妮说。