Arthur's Pen Pal

Arthur's Pen Pal by Lillian Hoban

《亚瑟的笔友》，作者：莉莲·霍本

It was Sunday night. Mother and father had gone out to dinner. The babysitter was watching television. Violet was doing her homework. She drew a picture of a cow eating grass. Arthur, she said, will you help me with my homework? Will you help me show how milk is made?

周日晚上，爸爸妈妈出门吃晚饭了。临时保姆在看电视，维奥莱特在写作业，她画了一幅牛吃草的画。 “亚瑟，”她说道，“你能帮我写作业吗？能不能帮我讲讲牛奶是怎么来的呀？”

I can't, said Arthur. I am writing a letter to my pen pal. Who is your pen pal? asked Violet. His name is Sandy, said Arthur, and he has a big brother. There is a girl in my class named Sandy, said Violet. My pen pal is a boy, said Arthur. He is learning karate, and he plays the drums.

“我没空，”亚瑟说，“我正在给我的笔友写信呢。” “你的笔友是谁呀？”维奥莱特问。 “他叫桑迪，”亚瑟说，“他还有个哥哥。” “我们班有个女生也叫桑迪。”维奥莱特说。 “我的笔友是男孩子，”亚瑟说，“他正在学空手道，还会打鼓呢。”

Will you help me after you write to your pen pal? asked Violet. Why do you always need help? asked Arthur. Little sisters are a pain. Violet called the babysitter. It's time to take your bath. Violet finished her homework. She put her pencils and eraser in her pencil case. She laid out a clean dress and a ribbon for her hair. Then she went to take her bath.

“那你给笔友写完信之后能帮我吗？”维奥莱特问。 “你怎么总需要别人帮忙呀？”亚瑟说，“小妹妹真麻烦。” 保姆喊维奥莱特：“该洗澡啦。” 维奥莱特写完作业，把铅笔和橡皮放进铅笔盒里。 她摆好一件干净的连衣裙和一根扎头发的丝带，然后就去洗澡了。

Arthur finished writing his letter. He wrote, Dear Sandy, I am glad you are my pen pal. I have a little sister. I wish I had a little brother. I wish I had drums. Send me a picture of yourself. Your friend, Arthur. Arthur looked in his pocket for Sandy's address.

亚瑟写完了信，他写道：亲爱的桑迪，我很高兴你是我的笔友。 我有个小妹妹，可我想要个小弟弟，我还想要一套鼓。能不能给我寄一张你的照片呀？ 你的朋友，亚瑟。 亚瑟伸手到口袋里找桑迪的地址。

He pulled out two bottle caps, a baseball card, and some marbles. He pulled out some string and some chewed chewing gum. He pulled out a rubber snake and half of a melted chocolate bar. Arthur, called the babysitter, get ready for bed.

他掏出了两个瓶盖、一张棒球卡和一些弹珠。 他掏出了一些细绳，还有嚼过的口香糖。 他掏出了一条玩具橡胶蛇，还有半块融化的巧克力棒。 “亚瑟，”保姆喊道，“该准备睡觉啦。”