兒童英語讀物《神奇樹屋》第十六冊 Hour of the Olympics 01 Just One More

"You awake?" Annie's voice came out of the dark.

"Yep," said Jack from his bed.

"Get up," said Annie. "We have to get to the treehouse before sunrise.""I'm ready," said Jack.

He threw back his covers and jumped out of bed.

He was wearing his jeans and T-shirt.

"You slept in your clothes?" asked Annie.

"I didn't want to waste any time," saidJack. He pulled on his backpack. Annie laughed.

"You must really be excited about going to ancientGreece," she said.

"Yep," said Jack.

"Do you have your secret library card?" askedAnnie.

"Yeah, do you?" said Jack.

"Sure. Put it in your backpack," she said. Shehanded her card to him. "I'll carry the flashlight.""All set," said Jack.

They tiptoed downstairs and out the door. Outsidethe air was fresh and cool. "There's no moon," saidAnnie. "Just stars."She turned on her flashlight.

"Ta-da!" she said. "Let's go."They followed the beam of light across their yardand up the street.

Jack was thrilled to be going to ancient Greece. Butsomething worried him.

"What do you think will happen after we go toGreece?" he asked Annie. "Is this our last missionever?""Oh, I hope not," said Annie. "What do you think?""I don't know. Let's ask Morgan," said Jack.

"Hurry!" said Annie.

They started running. The flashlight beam flew infront of them, lighting the way.

They slowed to a walk when they got to the FrogCreek woods. The thick woods were pitch-black.

Annie shined the flashlight upward as they walkedbetween the trees. Finally, they found the magic treehouse.

"We're here!" Annie called.

"Go on up," said Jack.

Annie grabbed the rope ladder and started up. Jackfollowed.

Annie shined the flashlight around the tree house.

Morgan le Fay was sitting at the window. Shecovered her eyes when the light hit her face.

"Turn off the light, please, Annie," she said softly.

Annie turned it off.

"Welcome," Morgan said in the dark. "Are youready for your next mission?""Yes!" said Annie. Then her voice got quiet. "Thisisn't our last one ever, is it?""Ask me that question after this mission," saidMorgan.

"We want to go on more," said Jack.

"You're very brave to say that," said Morgan.

"You've had three very hard journeys as MasterLibrarians.""Oh, they weren't so hard," said Jack.

"You risked your life to save the lost story ofHercules," said Morgan.

"It was nothing," said Annie.

"And the Chinese story of the silk weaver," saidMorgan. "And the Irish story of the serpent monsterSarph. Thank you.""You're welcome," said Jack and Annie.

"Now," said Morgan, "for the last story... Jack hearda rustling sound.

"Here is the title," Morgan said. "You can shineyour light on it, Annie."Annie turned the flashlight back on. She shined iton the paper.

"Wow, is that Greek?" asked Jack.

"It certainly is," said Morgan.

She reached into her robe again and pulled out abook.

"For your research," she said.

Jack took the book from her. Annie shined herflashlight on the cover. They read the title: A Day inAncient Greece.

"Now, what must you always remember?" askedMorgan.

"Our research book will guide us," said Jack.

"But in our darkest hour, only the lost story cansave us," said Annie.

Morgan nodded. "And you must show your secretlibrary cards to the wisest person you meet," she said.

"Don't worry. We will. Bye!" said Annie. Jackshivered with excitement as he pointed at the book'scover.

"I wish we could go there," he said.

"And I wish we could go on lots of other missions!"Annie added.

The wind began to blow.

The tree house started to spin.

It spun faster and faster.

Then everything was silent.

Absolutely silent.