《神奇树屋》 第四十三册 Leprechaun In Late Winter 07 really

　　Hundreds of Shea swarmed 1 over the bright bridge. Behind thegalloping riders, more Shea came flattering on winds likebutterflies.



Augusta stood up as if intrans, her hands casted over her heart.



Oh!



Whoa! Breathed Annie.



Keep playing. Shouted Jack 3.



Annie blew into the whistle again,The Shea flew in gallop 2 along the white grassy 4 bank. Their horsesflit as the wind, they had arched necks, and flinging eyes.



They moved faster and faster, swirling 6 into a blending circle oflightand colorThe sorrowing sounds of the music inspired Jack’s sorrow with hiswords too. He looked at his notebook and sang;In the swallow they liveSo wild so freeWith the lonely girlTo the hell of the SheaJack, no! shouted Annie.



A mighty 7 blast of wind, nearly blew Jack and Annie off their rock,they crouched 8 down and covered their heads, when the wind grewcalm, they stood up.



Just in time to see the swollen 9 cloud of light vanished back to theold forest, the Shea were gone.



Once again, sky blended with water and earth and will of the silvermist.



Woo. Jack said breathless.



That was amazing.



Jack? Do you know what you just did?



Yeah. I made the Shea appear and disappear. Jack said.



I used my notes from Mary’s story, just like we’ve planed.



Yes. You did that. Said Annie. and you made Augusta disappearedtoo.



What/ said Jack.



The Shea took Augusta! Said Annie. I tried to stop you, but it wastoo late. You’ve already sound those words.



What words? Said Jack.



You sang:



In the swallow they liveSo wild so freeWith the lonely girlTo the hell of the SheaSaid Annie.



I was just reading from my notes. Said Jack.



They took Augusta? Are you sure?



Yes. She’s gone. Said Annie.



Oh, no! said Jack.



He and Annie ran to theridge above the river,Augusta! He shouted.



There was no sign of Augusta’s red cape 10 anywhere.



See? She’s gone. Said Annie.



It’s all my fault! Said Jack.



You couldn’t help yourself. Said Annie.



But I am responsible. Said Jack, we have to get her back..



Maybe Mary can help us. Said Annie.



She?



Wait, listen! Said Jack.



What’s that songSqueaking noises were coming from behind the pile of smallboards, it’s sounded as if someone was trying to play the magicwhistle. But the song was definitely notmagical.



The whistle, I must drop it. Said Annie.



Maybe it’s Augusta. Said Jack.



Jack and Annie ran back and looked over the rocks.



A man no higher than Jack’s knee was blowing into the whistle. Theman wore green Jacket, and three cornered red cap with whitefeather. He had big ears, a bushy red beard, skinny little legs andsilver buckles 11 on his shoes.



Oh man! Said Jack.



A Leprechaun, whispered AnnieA leprechaun ?



Jack and Annie just stared at Leprechaun, as he blew into thewhistle. His small bonny fingers danced over its six holes. But onlysqueaks, chirps 12 and hollow twitting sounds came out.



The Leprechaun blew harder and harder, then he stopped. Heturned the whistle over and looked at it closely. He shook his headand frowned.



Hello! Said Annie.



The Leprechaun jumped and looked up.



Well hello yourself? He said greening.



You startled me. You will take this back and it’sno use to me, asyou can play at here.



The little man held up the whistleJack reached over the rock and took it. He slipped it back into thepocket of his coat.



Listen. We need your help. Said Jack. Our friend...



Oh , you human always say in such a hurry? The Leprechaun saidSorry. Said Jack. But we really need you to help us , you see...



First of all, who are you? The Leprechaun asked.



I am Jack, she’s my sister Annie. said Jack. Our friend...



Ah, well then Jack and your sister Annie, I am Willy. Said theLeprechaunAnd let’s get a few things to try it away. Never call me little Willy ortiny Willy. I don’t like it and never ever call me will Willy. That’s theone I hate them most.



Ok, fine. Said Jack. But..



Jack! Let me handle this. said Annie.



She turned to the Leprechaun,Willy, why didn’t you go back over the river with the Shea?



Ask me why I came over the river in the first place? I will tell you theanswers to your both questions, said WillyOk! Why did you come over the river in the first place,Willy? And ,why didn’t you go back across over the Shea? Said AnnieAnswer no.1I was having a bit of nap in the reeds when I heard the whistle play.



Said Willy. Before I knew it I was moving with the Shea, I crossedthe bridge, probably you didn’t see me, lost in the swirl 5 of things Iwas.



Excuse me, started Jack, ...



I’ve hear a whistle play, Willy said. but yours miss, was like a nananever heard from human, not in the 900 years of my life, so, answerno.2...



I didn’t go back over the river, because I wanted to find the secret ofyou play.



Well, that’s easy, said Annie, the whistle played itself, it wasn’t me.



Ah.. you’re smartest girl. Said Willy. And you like to keep the secretof your talents to yourself.



No. really. Said Annie.



Listen! Willy. Jack broke in.



Can you help us , we lost our friend Augusta. It was my fault, I sangabout the lonely girl then she was taken by the Shea.



Yes. I saw that. Said Willy. Wish the way she was.



So I guess now, you want me to help you find her, isn’t that?



Yes. That’s it. Said Jack.



We will going to ask Mary sharing to help us. Said Annie.



But you probably know the way better than...



Wait, a minute! Said Willy.



Did you say Mary Sheridan?



You know Mary? Said Annie.



Know her. Said Willy. Grinning from ear to ear.



Well, if I were four feet, taller I would marry Mary Sheridan yearsago.



Really? Said Annie.



Oh, yes. She is a very good friend. Said Willy. You see, I livedwhere you might call the in between. I have one foot, in the magicalworld of Shea, and I have one foot, in the mortal world of humanlike Mary.



Ah! Lovely Mary.



Yeah! Mary’sgreat. Said Jack, but now, ...



You want me to get your missing friend. Said Willy.



Right, right. Said Jack.



I can do that. But what will you gift me for it? said Willy,What do you mean? Asked Jack.



What will you give me for helping 13 you find your friend? My time isvery valuable, you know. Said Willy.



We don’t really have anything. Said Jack.



We’re poor and miserable 14. Said Annie.



I can see that. Said Willy. Alright, then , how about this? I will leadyou to your friend, and you teach me how to play the whistle theway you played. Well enough?



Sorry. I ...said Annie.



Deal. Jack broke in.



Jack! Said Annie.



Annie, it’s a deal. Jacksaid. he was ready to promise anything tosave Augusta.



Good. Said Willy.



I love to play like that for Mary someday. Now the path I am aboutto show you, very very secret you must never show any other livingsongs.



Of course not. Jack said.



Then comewith me. Said Willy.



And now I will lead you across the water to the home of Shea.