《神奇树屋》 第二十七册 Thanksgiving on Thursday 06 Good Work

　　"Good day, Priscilla!" said Annie.



11"Good day," said Priscilla. She walked to them. "Didthou fill the basket with eels 2 and clams 3?""Not really," said Jack 4.



"The eel 1 didn't want to get caught," said Annie.



"And the clams live to be so old! We didn't think itwas right to take their lives."Priscilla laughed. Her sad eyes sparkled.



"What strange children," she said. "But you bothlook wet and cold. Would you like to come to myhouse and warm up by the fire?""Yes!" said Jack and Annie.



They washed off their feet and pulled on their shoesand stockings. Jack picked up his bag. Annie pickedup their empty basket.



"Would thou like to put some of my corn andsquash in thy basket?" said Priscilla.



"Oh, thanks!" said Annie. She took some corn andsquash from Priscilla's basket.



"And perhaps thou would like to carry thepumpkin?" Priscilla said to Jack.



"Sure!" said Jack.



"Sure?" said Priscilla.



"I mean, indeed," said Jack. He felt relieved. Nowthey wouldn't have to go back empty-handed.



Jack wrapped his arms around the heavy pumpkin 5.



Annie carried the basket. They followed Priscilla backto the village.



The Pilgrims and Wampanoag were gathering 6 in awide dirt street. Women were baking bread in anoutdoor oven. Some boys were setting wooden plankson barrels to make tables. Mary, the little girl, wascarrying a bucket of water.



Squanto sat smoking a pipe with Chief Massasoit,Governor Bradford, and Captain Standish.



Jack hoped Mary wouldn't ask him about the clamsand eels. He hoped Squanto wouldn't ask him aboutCaptain John Smith. He hoped the governor and thecaptain wouldn't ask him about home. Jack hid hisface behind the fat pumpkin.



Priscilla opened the door to a small house. Then sheled Jack and Annie into a dark, smoky room. The onlylight came from one window and a fire.



"Sit by the hearth 7," said Priscilla, "so your clothescan dry.""Where's the hearth?" Annie asked, looking around.



Priscilla laughed again, shaking her head. "There,where the fire lies," she said.



Jack put down the pumpkin and his bag. Annie putdown her basket. The hearth was so large, Jack couldhave stood in it. He and Annie got as close as theycould to the warm, crackling fire.



Several pots hung over the fire. Near the pots, aturkey was roasting on an iron rod.



"The Thanksgiving turkey," whispered Annie.



12"Cool," said Jack. The very first Thanksgivingturkey, he thought.



"Would thou please stir the corn pudding whilstthou art drying?" asked Priscilla. She pointed 8 to oneof the pots.



"Indeed," said Jack.



Priscilla took a wooden Spoon out of a jug 9 of waternear the hearth. She gave it to Jack. He put it into thethick, bubbly pudding and stirred.



"I must gather nuts," said Priscilla. "Whilst I amgone, move the roots close to the ashes and stir herbsinto the seafood 10 chowder.""Indeed," said Annie.



After Priscilla left, Annie looked at Jack.



"What are 'roots' and 'herbs'?" she asked.



"Look in the book," said Jack.



Annie took the research book from Jack's bag. Shelooked up roots and read aloud:



The Pilgrims called certain vegetables roots. Thesevegetables, such as carrots and turnips 11, grow underthe ground.



"Ah!" said Jack. He picked up some carrots andturnips near the hearth and moved them close to thehot ashes.



Next, Annie looked up herbs. She read aloud:



The Pilgrims called leafy vegetables that growabove the ground herbs. They made salads withherbs. They used dried herbs to flavor soups andseafood chowdersJack saw some dried plants hanging from the rafters"Those must be the herbs," he said. Annie broke offa leaf and sniffed 12 it. "Mmm, that smells good," shesaid. She leaned Close to one of the pots. "And thatmust be the seafood chowder it smells like the ocean."She crumbled 13 the leaf into the chowder She tookanother spoon from the jug of water. She and Jackboth stirred pots.



"Good work!" Priscilla said as she stepped back intothe room.



Jack smiled. The fire had made him hot and sweaty.



The smoke burned his eyes. But he didn't mind.



Finally he felt useful.



Priscilla put some walnuts 14 close to the fire.



"Squanto taught us which nuts are good to eat," shesaid.



"Squanto taught thee a lot," said Annie.



"He saved our lives," Priscilla said quietly. "Lastwinter we were cold and hungry. Half our peopledied."Annie gasped 15. "How?" she said.



"Sickness," said Priscilla. "Fever took my mother,my father, and my brother." Her eyes were brightwith tears.



13No one spoke 16. The sound of the crackling fire filledthe room. Then Annie put her arm around Priscilla.



"We're so sorry," said Annie.



"Yes, we are," said Jack.



"Thank you," Priscilla said with a sad smile. "'Twasa terrible winter. But we never gave up hope. Andnow, God be praised, we have had a good harvest,and we have peace with our neighbors."In the glow of the firelight, Priscilla was beautiful,Jack thought. Not only was she kind, but she wasincredibly brave as well.



"Come," she said. She wiped her eyes and stood up.



"Something special is about to take place. Would thoulike to watch?""Sure! I mean, indeed!" said Annie.



She and Jack jumped up and followed Priscillaoutside.