核心问题
She says she was too busy to join us last night. 对于 Marx says, The Bible says 的用法我是理解的: 这里使用 says, 而不使用 said, 是想表示著名人物或著作所说的话直到现在还是有效的。但对于上句中的 she says 我就不理解了。
词典解答
根据CGEL的解释，对于不久前所发生的交流行为，可以使用动词的一般现在时态：
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Joan tells me she's going to the airport in an hour's time. (CGEL) 琼告诉我她在一小时内(后)要到机场去。
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The guard says (that) the road is closed. (Close) 卫兵说路不通了。
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The boss says (that) he can see you now. (LEG) 老板说他现在可以见你。
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A: Come in now, Jim. Dinner's ready. 吉姆, 现在进来吧。晚餐准备好了。
B: What does your mother say? 你母亲说什么？
C: She says you must come in now, Dad. (She says) dinner's ready. 她说你现在该进来了，爸爸。(她说)晚餐准备好了。
(参见 present tense )