比弗先生看着他的儿子，似乎他不知道该不该相信他。
But he went into the house. In a few minutes hecame back.
可他还是进了屋。几分钟后他出来了。
"The warden says you can keep the young swan herefor a while if you can help him.
“执法官说你可以收留这只小天鹅一段时间，如果你能帮他的话。
But sooner or later the bird will have to go back tothe Red Rock Lakes, where he belongs.
但这只鸟儿或迟或早总要放回红石湖去，他是属于那里的。
The warden said he wouldn't let just anybody have a young swan,
执法官说他可不会让随便什么人收养一只小天鹅的，
but he'd let you have one because you understand about birds, and he trusts you. That's quitea compliment, son."
但你却可以例外，因为你熟悉鸟类，他也信任你。这可是相当高的赞誉呀，儿子。“
Mr. Beaver looked pleased. Sam looked happy. Louis was greatly relieved.
比弗先生显得很满意。萨姆看上去幸福极了。路易斯大大松了一口气。
After a while everyone went in to supper in the kitchen of the ranch house.
一会儿，大家都去牧场平房的厨房吃晚饭了。
Mrs. Beaver allowed Louis to stand beside Sam's chair.
比弗先生允许路易斯站在萨姆的椅子旁边。
They fed him some corn and some oats, which tasted good.
他们喂他味美的玉米和燕麦。
When Sam was ready for bed, he wanted Louis to sleep in his room with him, but Mrs. Beaversaid no.
在萨姆准备上床睡觉的时候，他想要路易斯和他一起睡在卧室里，可比弗先生却说不行。
"He'll mess up the room. He's no canary; he's enormous.
“他会把卧室弄乱的。他不是金丝雀;他的个头太大了。
Put the bird out in the barn. He can sleep in one of the empty stalls; the horses won't mind."
让这只鸟到谷仓去吧。他可以睡在一个空马厩里：那些马准不会介意的。”
Next morning, Sam took Louis to school with him. Sam rode his pony, and Louis flew along.
第二天早晨，萨姆领着路易斯一起去学校。
At the schoolhouse, the other children were amazed to see this great bird, with his long neck,bright eyes, and big feet.
萨姆骑着他的小马，路易斯飞在旁边。到了学校，别的孩子们看到这只长脖子，亮眼睛，大脚板的大鸟后都感到很惊奇。
Sam introduced him to the teacher of the first grade, Mrs. Hammerbotham, who was short andfat.
萨姆把他向矮胖的一年级老师哈默博瑟姆太太作了介绍。
Sam explained that Louis wanted to read and write because he was unable to make any soundwith his throat.
萨姆解释说，路易斯不能用他的嗓子发声，所以他想学会读和写。
Mrs. Hammerbotham stared at Louis. Then she shook her head.
哈默博瑟姆太太盯着路易斯。然后她摇摇头。
"No birds!" she said. "I've got enough trouble."
“不要鸟类!”她说，“我的麻烦已经够多了。”
Sam looked disappointed."Please, Mrs. Hammerbotham," he said.
萨姆显得很失望。“求你了，哈默博瑟姆太太，”他说，
"Please let him stand in your class and learn to read and write."
“请让他站到你的班里学习读写吧。”
"Why does a bird need to read and write?" replied the teacher. "Only people need tocommunicate with one another."
“为什么一只鸟儿还需要读写?”这个老师回答，“只有人类才需要相互沟通。”
"That's not quite true, Mrs. Hammerbotham," said Sam, "if you'll excuse me for saying so.
“这话不完全对，哈默博瑟姆太太，”萨姆说，“如果你能原谅我这么说的话。
I have watched birds and animals a great deal. All birds and animals talk to one another--theyreally have to, in order to get along.
我观察过很多的鸟类和动物。所有的鸟儿和动物都相互交谈——为了能好好相处，他们真的必须如此。
Mothers have to talk to their young. Males have to talk to females, particularly in the spring ofthe year when they are in love."
母亲必须要和她们的孩子交谈。雄性动物必须要和雌性动物交谈，特别是在每年的春天，他们在爱情之中的时候。”
"In love?" said Mrs. Hammerbotham, who seemed to perk up at this suggestion. "What do youknow about love?" Sam blushed.
“在爱情之中?”听到这暗示后感到一惊的哈默博瑟姆太太说，“你对爱情都知道些什么?”萨姆脸红了。
