14 Billibotton

第14章 脐眼

DAHL:……Oddly enough, the best-known aspect of this sector is Billibotton, a semi-legendary place about which innumerable tales have grown up. In fact, a whole branch of literature now exists in which heroes and adventurers (and victims) must dare the dangers of passing through Billibotton. So stylized have these stories become that the one well-known and, presumably, authentic tale involving such a passage, that of Hari Seldon and Dors Venabili, has come to seem fantastic simply by association ...

达尔：……奇怪得很，本区最出名的一环竟是脐眼……一个近乎传奇的地方，曾孕育出数不尽的传说。事实上，某些传说已经形成一个完整的文学派别，其中的主角与冒险家（或牺牲者）必须挑战穿越脐眼的危险。由于这些故事变得太过刻板，因此有一则流传甚广而且想必真实的传说，反倒因而显得荒诞不经。那是哈里·谢顿与铎丝·凡纳比里的一次脐眼历险……

ENCYCLOPEDIA GALACTICA

……《银河百科全书》

When Hari Seldon and Dors Venabili were alone, Dors asked thoughtfully, "Are you really planning to see this Mother woman?"

当哈里·谢顿与铎丝·凡纳比里再度独处时，铎丝语重心长地问道：“你真打算去见那个叫‘嬷嬷’的女人？”

"I'm thinking about it, Dors."

“我正在盘算呢，铎丝。”

"Youre an odd one, Hari. You seem to go steadily from bad to worse. You went Upperside, which seemed harmless enough, for a rational purpose when you were in Streeling. Then, in Mycogen, you broke into the Elders aerie, a much more dangerous task, for a much more foolish purpose. And now in Dahl, you want to go to this place, which that young man seems to think is simple suicide, for something altogether nonsensical."

“你是个怪人，哈里，你似乎稳定地每况愈下。当初在斯璀璘，你为一个合理的目的到上方去，而且那样做好像没什么害处。后来在麦曲生，你闯进长老阁，那是一项危险许多的行动，为的却是一个愚蠢许多的目的。如今在达尔，你又想去那个地方，那年轻人似乎认为简直就是自杀，然而这件事根本毫无意义。”

"I'm curious about this reference to Earth……and must know if theres anything to it."

“我对他提到的地球感到好奇。若有任何蹊跷，我一定要弄清楚。”

Dors said, "Its a legend and not even an interesting one. It is routine. The names differ from planet to planet, but the content is the same. There is always the tale of an original world and a golden age. There is a longing for a supposedly simple and virtuous past that is almost universal among the people of a complex and vicious society. In one way or another, this is true of all societies, since everyone imagines his or her own society to be too complex and vicious, however simple it may be. Mark that down for your psychohistory."

铎丝说：“它只是个传奇，内容甚至不算有趣。那是老生常谈，不同的行星上使用不同的名称，不过内容完全相同。有关起源世界和黄金时代的传说，随时随地层出不穷。处身于复杂而邪恶的社会，人们几乎一致渴望一个想必单纯而且良善的过去。就某个角度而言，所有的社会都是这样，因为人人都在想象自己的社会太复杂、太邪恶，不论它实际上多么单纯。把这点记下来，放进你的心理史学中。”

"Just the same," said Seldon, "I have to consider the possibility that one world did once exist. Aurora……Earth……the name doesnt matter. In fact……"

“即使如此，”谢顿说，“我还是得考虑某个世界真正存在过的可能性。奥罗拉……地球……名称并不重要。其实……”

He paused and finally Dors said, "Well?"

他顿了许久，最后铎丝终于说：“怎么样？”

Seldon shook his head. "Do you remember the hand-on-thigh story you told me in Mycogen? It was right after I got the Book from Raindrop Forty-Three……Well, it popped into my head one evening recently when we were talking to the Tisalvers. I said something that reminded me, for an instant……"

谢顿摇了摇头。“你记不记得在麦曲生的时候，你对我说过一个毛手毛脚的故事？当时我刚从雨点四十三那里拿到那本典籍……嗯，前两天傍晚，我们正在和堤沙佛一家聊天的时候，它又突然在我的脑海浮现。我说的什么事提醒了我自己，有那么一瞬间……”

"Reminded you of what?"

“提醒你什么？”

"I don't remember. It came into my head and went out again, but somehow every time I think of the single-world notion, it seems to me I have the tips of my fingers on something and then lose it."

“我记不得了。它钻进我的脑袋，马上又钻了出去。可是不知道怎么搞的，每当我想到那个‘单一世界’的概念，我就觉得好像摸到什么东西，然后又让它溜掉了。”

Dors looked at Seldon in surprise. "I don't see what it could be. The hand-on-thigh story has nothing to do with Earth or Aurora."

铎丝惊讶地望着谢顿。“我想不到那会是什么。毛手毛脚的故事和地球或奥罗拉并无任何关联。”

"I know, but this……thing……that hovers just past the edge of my mind seems to be connected with this single world anyway and I have the feeling that I must find out more about it at any cost. That……and robots."

“我知道，可是这件……事情……这件在我的心灵边缘徘徊的事情，似乎就是和这个单一世界有关。而且我有一种感觉，我必须不惜任何代价，找出更多关于这个世界的资料。此外……还有机器人。”

"Robots too? I thought the Elders aerie put an end to that."

“还有机器人？我以为长老阁已经为它划上句点。”

"Not at all. Ive been thinking about them." He stared at Dors with a troubled look on his face for a long moment, then said, "But I'm not sure."

“根本没有，我还一直在想呢。”他带着困惑的表情，凝视铎丝良久，然后又说，“可是我并不确定。”

"Sure about what, Hari?"

“确定什么，哈里？”

But Seldon merely shook his head and said nothing more.

不过谢顿只是摇着头，并没有再说什么。

Dors frowned, then said, "Hari, let me tell you one thing. In sober history……and, believe me, I know what I'm talking about there is no mention of one world of origin. Its a popular belief, I admit. I don't mean just among the unsophisticated followers of folklore, like the Mycogenians and the Dahlite heatsinkers, but there are biologists who insist that there must have been one world of origin for reasons that are well outside my area of expertise and there are the more mystical historians who tend to speculate about it. And among the leisure-class intellectuals, I understand such speculations are becoming fashionable. Still, scholarly history knows nothing about it."

铎丝皱了皱眉头，然后说：“哈里，让我告诉你一件事。在严肃的史学中……相信我，我知道自己在说些什么……从来没有提到过有个起源世界。它是个广为流传的信仰，这点我承认。我指的不只是迷信民间传说的天真信徒，例如麦曲生人和达尔的热闾工。还有许多生物学家，也都坚称必定有个起源世界，但所持的理由远超出我的专业领域。此外还有些倾向神秘主义的历史学家，也喜欢对它做些臆测。而在有闲阶级的知识分子之间，据我了解，这种臆测已逐渐变成时尚。话说回来，学院派的史学对它仍旧一无所知。”

Seldon said, "All the more reason, perhaps, to go beyond scholarly history. All I want is a device that Will simplify psychohistory for me and I don't care what the device is, whether it is a mathematical trick or a historical trick or something totally imaginary. If the young man weve just talked to had had a little more formal training, Id have set him on the problem. His thinking is marked by considerable ingenuity and originality……"

谢顿说：“既然这样，或许我们更有理由超越学院派的史学。我要找的只是一个能为我简化心理史学的机制，我不在乎那是什么机制，无论是数学技巧、历史技巧，或是某种全然虚无的东西都好。刚刚和我们晤谈的那个年轻人，倘若多受过一点正规训练，我就会把这个问题交给他。他的思考具有不少的巧思和原创性……”

Dors said, "And youre really going to help him, then?"

铎丝道：“这么说，你真准备帮助他？”

"Absolutely. Just as soon as I'm in a position to."

“一旦我有这个能力，义不容辞。”

"But ought you to make promises youre not sure youll be able to keep?"

“可是，你该承诺一些无法确定能否兑现的事吗？”

"I want to keep it. If youre that stiff about impossible promises, consider that Hummin told Sunmaster Fourteen that Id use psychohistory to get the Mycogenians their world back. Theres just about zero chance of that. Even if I work out psychohistory, who knows if it can be used for so narrow and specialized a purpose? Theres a real case of promising what one cant deliver."

“我很想兑现。如果你对不可能的承诺那么斤斤计较，想想夫铭是怎么对日主十四说的。他说我会用心理史学帮麦曲生人重建他们的世界，这个机会根本等于零。即使我果真完成心理史学，谁又晓得能不能用在如此狭隘而特定的目标上？要说无法兑现的承诺，这是个现成的实例。”

But Dors said with some heat, "Chetter Hummin was trying to save our lives, to keep us out of the hands of Demerzel and the Emperor. don't forget that. And I think he really would like to help the Mycogenians."

铎丝却带着一点火气说：“契特·夫铭是在试图救我们的命，让我们不至落入丹莫刺尔和大帝手中。可别忘了这一点。而且我认为，他真的希望帮助那些麦曲生人。”

"And I really would like to help Yugo Amaryl and I am far more likely to be able to help him than I am the Mycogenians, so if you justify the second, please don't criticize the first. Whats more, Dors"……and his eyes flashed angrily……"I really would like to find Mother Rittah and I'm prepared to go alone."

“而我真的希望帮助雨果·阿马瑞尔。何况，比起那些麦曲生人，我能帮助他的可能性要大得多，所以如果你认可前者，拜托别再批评后者。此外，铎丝，”他的双眼闪现怒火，“我真的希望找到瑞塔嬷嬷，我已准备好独自前往。”

Never! snapped Dors. "If you go, I go."

“绝不！”铎丝突然吼道，“你去我就去。”

Mistress Tisalver returned with her daughter in tow an hour after Amaryl had left on this way to his shift. She said nothing at all to either Seldon or Dors, but gave a curt nod of her head when they greeted her and gazed sharply about the room as though to verify that the heatsinker had left no trace. She then sniffed the air sharply and looked at Seldon accusingly before marching through the common room into the family bedroom.

阿马瑞尔离去一小时之后，堤沙佛夫人牵着女儿一块回来。她没有对谢顿或铎丝说半句话，仅仅在他们和她打招呼时随便点了点头，并且以锐利的目光扫描整个房间，仿佛要确定那名热闾工未曾留下任何痕迹。接着她猛嗅了一阵子，又以兴师问罪的眼光望向谢顿，这才穿过起居室走到主卧房。

Tisalver himself arrived home later and when Seldon and Dors came to the dinner table, Tisalver took advantage of the fact that his wife was still ordering some last-minute details in connection with the dinner to say in a low voice, "Has that person been here?"

堤沙佛自己则较晚回家。等到谢顿与铎丝来到餐桌旁，堤沙佛趁着妻子还在张罗晚餐最后的细节，刻意压低声音说：“那人来过了吗？”

"And gone," said Seldon solemnly. "Your wife was out at the time."

“又走了。”谢顿严肃地说，“你太太当时也不在。”

Tisalver nodded and said, "Will you have to do this again?"

堤沙佛点了点头，又说：“你还需要这么做吗？”

"I don't think so," said Seldon.

“我想不会了。”谢顿答道。

"Good."

“很好。”

Dinner passed largely in silence, but afterward, when the daughter had gone to her room for the dubious pleasures of computer practice, Seldon leaned back and said, "Tell me about Billibotton."

晚餐几乎都在沉默中进行。但在晚餐过后，当小女孩回到自己的房间，去练习并不一定有趣的电脑时，谢顿仰靠着，开口道：“跟我说说脐眼吧。”

Tisalver looked astonished and his mouth moved without any sound issuing.

堤沙佛显得颇为讶异，他的嘴巴一开一合，但未发出任何声音。然而，凯西莉娅却没那么容易目瞪口呆。

Casilia, however, was less easily rendered speechless. She said, "Is that where your new friend lives? Are you going to return the visit?"

她说：“你的新朋友住在那里吗？你准备去回访？”

"So far," said Seldon quietly, "I have just asked about Billibotton."

“目前为止，”谢顿平静地说，“我只是提到脐眼而已。”

Casilia said sharply, "It is a slum. The dregs live there. No one goes there, except the filth that make their homes there."

凯西莉娅尖声说道：“那是个贫民窟，住在那里的都是渣滓。没有人到那里去，只有秽物才把那里当自己的家。”

"I understand a Mother Rittah lives there."

“据我所知，有位瑞塔嬷嬷住在那儿。”

"I never heard of her," said Casilia, her mouth closing with a snap. It was quite clear that she had no intention of knowing anyone by name who lived in Billibotton.

“我没听过这个人。”凯西莉娅说完，随即“啪”地一声闭上嘴巴。她的意思相当明显，她不想知道任何住在脐眼的人叫什么名字。

Tisalver, casting an uneasy look at his wife, said, "Ive heard of her. Shes a crazy old woman who is supposed to tell fortunes."

堤沙佛一面不安地望着妻子，一面说道：“我倒听说过。她是个疯癫的老妇人，据说靠算命为生。”

"And does she live in Billibotton?"

“她住在脐眼吗？”

"I don't know, Master Seldon. Ive never seen her. Shes mentioned sometimes in the news holocasts when she makes her predictions."

“我不知道，谢顿老爷，我从未见过她。她做出预言的时候，全息新闻偶尔会提到。”

"Do they come true?"

“预言成真了吗？”

Tisalver snorted. "Do predictions ever come true? Hers don't even make sense."

堤沙佛嗤之以鼻。“哪里有成真的预言？她的预言甚至毫无意义。”

"Does she ever talk about Earth?"

“她曾经提到过地球吗？”

"I don't know. I wouldnt be surprised."

“我不知道，即使有我也不会惊讶。”

"The mention of Earth doesnt puzzle you. Do you know about Earth?"

“提起地球并没有让你摸不着头脑。你知道有关地球的事吗？”

Now Tisalver looked surprised. "Certainly, Master Seldon. Its the world all people came from……supposedly."

这时堤沙佛才显出惊讶的表情。“当然啦，谢顿老爷。大家都来自那个世界……据说如此。”

"Supposedly? don't you believe it?"

“据说如此？你不相信吗？”

"Me? I'm educated. But many ignorant people believe it."

“我？我受过教育。但许多无知民众都相信。”

"Are there book-films about Earth?"

“有没有关于地球的影视书？”

"Childrens stories sometimes mention Earth. I remember, when I was a young boy, my favorite story began, Once, long ago, on Earth, when Earth was the only planet…… Remember, Casilia? You liked it too."

“儿童故事有时会提到地球。我记得，当我还是小孩的时候，我最喜欢的故事是这样开头的：‘很久以前，在地球上，当时地球还是唯一的行星……’凯西莉娅，记得吗？你也喜欢这个故事。”

Casilia shrugged, unwilling to bend as yet.

凯西莉娅耸了耸肩，不愿就此软化。

"Id like to see it sometime," said Seldon, "but I mean real book-films……uh……learned ones……or films……or printouts."

“我希望改天能看一看，”谢顿说，“但我是指真正的影视书……喔……学术性的……或是影片……或是打印出的资料。”

"I never heard of any, but the library……"

“我从未听说有这种东西，不过图书馆……”

"I'll try that……Are there any taboos about speaking of Earth?"

“我会去试试看……有没有任何禁忌不准提到地球？”

"What are taboos?"

“禁忌是什么？”

"I mean, is it a strong custom that people mustnt talk of Earth or that outsiders mustnt ask about it?"

“我的意思是，有没有一个强烈的习俗，不准人们提到地球，或是不准外人问起？”

Tisalver looked so honestly astonished that there seemed no point in waiting for an answer.

堤沙佛的讶异看来如此实实在在，似乎毫无必要等待他的回答。

Dors put in, "Is there some rule about outsiders not going to Billibotton?"

铎丝插嘴道：“有没有什么规定，不准外人前往脐眼？”

Now Tisalver turned earnest. "No rule, but its not a good idea for anyone to go there. I wouldnt."

这时堤沙佛变得一本正经。“没有什么规定，但任何人到那里去都是不智之举。我自己就绝对不会去。”

Dors said, "Why not?"

铎丝问：“为什么？”

"Its dangerous. Violent! Everyone is armed……I mean, Dahl is an armed place anyway, but in Billibotton they use the weapons. Stay in this neighborhood. Its safe."

“那里充满危险，充满暴力！人人携带武器……我的意思是，虽然达尔人惯常武装自己，可是在脐眼他们真的使用武器。留在这个社区，这里才安全。”

"So far," said Casilia darkly. "It would be better if we left altogether. Heatsinkers go anywhere these days." And there was another lowering look in Seldons direction.

“目前为止如此。”凯西莉娅以阴郁的口吻说，“我们最好还是远走高飞吧，这年头热闾工无处不在。”说完，她又朝谢顿的方向白了一眼。

Seldon said, "What do you mean that Dahl is an armed place? There are strong Imperial regulations against weapons."

谢顿道：“你说达尔人惯常武装自己，这是什么意思？帝国政府早有管制武器的强硬规定。”

"I know that," said Tisalver, "and there are no stun guns here or percussives or Psychic Probes or anything like that. But there are knives." He looked embarrassed.

“我知道。”堤沙佛说，“这里并没有麻痹枪或震波武器，也没有心灵探测器或任何类似的东西，可是我们有刀。”他看来有些尴尬。

Dors said, "Do you carry a knife, Tisalver?"

铎丝说：“堤沙佛，你随身带刀吗？”

"Me?" He looked genuinely horrified. "I am a man of peace and this is a safe neighborhood."

“我？”他现出厌恶至极的表情，“我是个爱好和平的人，而且这是个安全的社区。”

"We have a couple of them in the house," said Casilia, sniffing again. "Were not that certain this is a safe neighborhood."

“我们家里藏了几把。”凯西莉娅一面说，一面又哼了一声，“我们并不那么确定这是个安全的社区。”

"Does everyone carry knives?" asked Dors.

“是不是人人都随身带刀？”铎丝问道。

"Almost everyone, Mistress Venabili," said Tisalver. "Its customary. But that doesnt mean everyone uses them."

“凡纳比里夫人，的确几乎人人都带。”堤沙佛说，“这是一种习俗，但不代表人人都用得到。”

"But they use them in Billibotton, I suppose," said Dors.

“不过我想，脐眼的人却用得到。”铎丝说。

"Sometimes. When theyre excited, they have fights."

“三天两头。他们激动时，就会打起来。”

"And the government permits it? The Imperial government, I mean?"

“政府准许这种事吗？我的意思是帝国政府？”

"Sometimes they try to clean Billibotton up, but knives are too easy to hide and the custom is too strong. Besides, its almost always Dahlites that get killed and I don't think the Imperial government gets too upset over that."

“他们偶尔会试图把脐眼扫干净，可是刀子太容易藏匿，而且习俗太过根深蒂固。此外，被杀害的几乎总是达尔人，我想帝国政府不会为这种事太操心。”

"What if its an outsider who gets killed?"

“万一被杀的是个外人呢？”

"If its reported, the Imperials could get excited. But what happens is that no one has seen anything and no one knows anything. The Imperials sometimes round up people on general principles, but they can never prove anything. I suppose they decide its the outsiders fault for being there……So don't go to Billibotton, even if you have a knife."

“倘若有人报案，帝国官员可能也会激动。不过实际上，绝不会有人看到或知道任何事。帝国官员有时会根据普通法令围捕民众，但他们向来无法证明任何事。我想在他们看来，外人到那里去是自己找死。所以即使你有刀，也别去脐眼吧。”

Seldon shook his head rather pettishly. "I wouldnt carry a knife. I don't know how to use one. Not skillfully."

谢顿颇为烦躁地摇了摇头。“我不会带着刀去。我不知道如何使用，一点也不熟练。”

"Then its simple, Master Seldon. Stay out." Tisalver shook his head portentously. "Just stay out."

“那么很简单，谢顿老爷，不要进去。”堤沙佛忧心忡忡地摇了摇头，“总之不要进去。”

"I may not be able to do that either," said Seldon.

“我可能也无法从命。”谢顿说。

Dors glared at him, clearly annoyed, and said to Tisalver, "Where does one buy a knife? Or may we have one of yours?"

铎丝气呼呼地瞪着他，显然是不耐烦了，她索性对堤沙佛说：“哪里才能买到刀子？或是能借用你们的吗？”

Casilia said quickly, "No one takes someone elses knife. You must buy your own."

凯西莉娅随即答道：“没有人借用别人的刀子，你必须自己买。”

Tisalver said, "There are knife stores all over. There aren't supposed to be. Theoretically theyre illegal, you know. Any appliance store sells them, however. If you see a washing machine on display, thats a sure sign."

堤沙佛说：“卖刀的店到处都有。其实不该这样，你知道吧，理论上这是不合法的。然而，任何家电商店都有出售。你只要看到展示着一台洗衣机，就准没错。”

"And how does one get to Billibotton?" asked Seldon.

“还有，要怎样去脐眼？”谢顿问道。

"By Expressway." Tisalver looked dubious as he looked at Dorss frowning expression.

“搭乘捷运。”堤沙佛望着铎丝的愁容，显得不知如何是好。

Seldon said, "And once I reach the Expressway?"

谢顿说：“我抵达捷运站之后呢？”

"Get on the eastbound side and watch for the signs. But if you must go, Master Seldon"……Tisalver hesitated, then said……"you mustnt take Mistress Venabili. Women sometimes are treated……worse."

“搭上向东的列车，注意沿途的路标。不过假如你非去不可，谢顿老爷，”堤沙佛迟疑了一下，又说，“你一定不能带着凡纳比里夫人。妇女有时会有……更糟的下场。”

"She wont go," said Seldon.

“她不会去的。”谢顿说。

"I'm afraid she will," said Dors with quiet determination.

“只怕她会去。”铎丝带着沉稳的决心说道。

Chapter 68

68

The appliance store dealers mustache was clearly as lush as it had been in his younger days, but it was grizzled now, even though the hair on his head was still black. He touched the mustache out of sheer habit as he gazed at Dors and brushed it back on each side.

用品店老板的八字胡显然和年轻时代一样浓密，只是如今已经斑白，虽说他的头发乌黑依旧。他一面凝视着铎丝，一面伸手将那两撇胡子往后梳，全然是一种习惯性动作。

He said, "Youre not a Dahlite."

他说：“你不是达尔人。”

"Yes, but I still want a knife."

“没错，但我仍想要一把刀。”

He said, "Its against the law to sell knives."

他说：“卖刀是违法的。”

Dors said, "I'm not a policewoman or a government agent of any sort. I'm going to Billibotton."

铎丝说：“我不是女警，也不是任何一种政府特务。我是要到脐眼去。”

He stared at her thoughtfully. "Alone?"

他意味深长地瞪着她。“一个人？”

"With my friend." She jerked her thumb over her shoulder in the direction of Seldon, who was waiting outside sullenly.

“和我的朋友一起。”她将拇指朝肩后一甩，指向谢顿的方向，他正绷着脸等在外面。

"Youre buying it for him?" He stared at Seldon and it didn't take him long to decide. "Hes an outsider too. Let him come in and buy it for himself."

“你是要帮他买？”他瞪了谢顿一眼，很快便做出判断。“他也是个外人，让他自己进来买。”

"Hes not a government agent either. And I'm buying it for myself."

“他也不是政府特务，而且我买刀是给自己用。”

The dealer shook his head. "Outsiders are crazy. But if you want to spend some credits, I'll take them from you."

老板摇了摇头。“外人可都很疯狂。但你若想花掉些信用点，我不介意从你手中接过来。”

He reached under the counter, brought out a stub, turned it with a slight and expert motion, and the knife blade emerged.

他从柜台下面掏出一根粗短的圆棒，再以行家的动作轻轻一转，刀锋便立刻冒出来。

"Is that the largest you have?"

“这刀是你店里最大的一款吗？”

"Best womans knife made."

“是最好的女用刀。”

"Show me a mans knife."

“拿一把男用的给我看看。”

"You don't want one thats too heavy. Do you know how to use one of these things?"

“你不可能想要一把太重的刀。你知道怎样使用这种家伙吗？”

"I'll learn and I'm not worried about heavy. Show me a mans knife."

“我可以学，而且我不担心重量。拿一把男用的给我看看。”

The dealer smiled. "Well, if you want to see one……" He moved farther down the counter and brought up a much fatter stub. He gave it a twist and what appeared to be a butchers knife emerged.

老板微微一笑。“好吧，既然你想要看……”他从柜台的更下一层，拿出另一根粗得多的圆棒。然后他随手一扭，一把看来活像屠刀的利刃便出现了。

He handed it to her, handle first, still smiling.

他将那把刀转过来，握把朝前交给她，脸上仍旧带着微笑。

She said, "Show me that twist of yours."

她说：“示范一下你是怎么扭的。”

He showed her on a second knife, slowly twisting one way to make the blade appear, then the other way to make it disappear. "Twist and squeeze," he said.

他用这把大刀为她示范，慢慢扭向一侧刀锋便会显现，扭向另一侧便能令它消失。“一面扭一面压。”他说。

"Do it again, sir."

“老板，再做一遍。”

The dealer obliged.

老板遵命照办。

Dors said, "All right, close it and toss me the haft."

铎丝说：“好啦，收起来，再把刀柄丢给我。”

He did, in a slow upward loop.

他依言照做，刀子缓缓画出一道弧线。

She caught it, handed it back, and said, "Faster."

她接住后又还了回去，并且说：“快一点。”

He raised his eyebrows and then, without warning, backhanded it to her left side. She made no attempt to bring over her right hand, but caught it with her left and the blade showed tumescently at once……then disappeared. The dealers mouth fell open.

老板扬起眉毛，然后在毫无预警的情况下，反手将刀丢向她的左侧。她并未试图伸出右手，而是直接用左手接住。刀锋立刻冒出头来，下一刻又随即消失。老板看得张口结舌。

"And this is the largest you have?" she said.

“这是你店里最大的一款？”她问道。

"It is. If you try to use it, it Will just tire you out."

“是的。你若试图用这把刀，必会令你筋疲力尽。”

"I'll breathe deeply. I'll take a second one too."

“我会多做深呼吸。我还要一把。”

"For your friend?"

“给你的朋友？”

"No. For me."

“不，给我自己。”

"You plan on using two knives?"

“你打算使双刀？”

"Ive got two hands."

“我有两只手。”

The dealer sighed. "Mistress, please stay out of Billibotton. You don't know what they do to women there."

老板叹了一声。“夫人，奉劝你离脐眼远一点。你不知道他们那里怎样对付女人。”

"I can guess. How do I put these knives on my belt?"

“我猜得到。我该怎样将这两把刀插进皮带里？”

"Not the one youve got on, Mistress. Thats not a knife belt. I can sell you one, though."

“夫人，你身上那条皮带不行，那不是刀带。不过，我可以卖一条给你。”

"Will it hold two knives?"

“能装两把刀吗？”

"I might have a double belt somewhere. Not much call for them."

“我应该还有一条双刀带，它们的需求量不大。”

"I'm calling for them."

“我现在就有需求。”

"I may not have it in your size."

“我也许没有你要的尺寸。”

"Then well cut it down or something."

“我们会把它切短，或是想别的办法。”

"It Will cost you a lot of credits."

“你得付出许多信用点。”

"My credit tile Will cover it."

“我的信用瓷卡付得起。”

When she emerged at last, Seldon said sourly, "You look ridiculous with that bulky belt."

等到她终于走出来，谢顿以酸酸的口气说：“这条笨重的皮带令你看来真滑稽。”

"Really, Hari? Too ridiculous to go with you to Billibotton? Then lets both go back to the apartment."

“真的吗，哈里？是不是太滑稽了，不配跟你到脐眼去？那我们就一同回公寓吧。”

"No. I'll go on by myself. I'll be safer by myself."

“不，我要自己去。我自己去会比较安全。”

Dors said, "There is no use saying that, Hari. We both go back or we both go forward. Under no circumstances do we separate."

铎丝说：“哈里，这样说一点用也没有。让我们一起向后转，否则就一起向前走。不论在任何情况下，我们都不会分开。”

And somehow the firm look in her blue eyes, the set to her lips, and the manner in which her hands had dropped to the hafts at her belt, convinced Seldon she was serious.

此时，她的蓝眼珠所透出的坚决眼神，她的嘴角所弯成的弧度，以及她双手放在腰际刀柄上的姿势，在在使谢顿相信她是认真的。

"Very well," he said, "but if you survive and if I ever see Hummin again, my price for continuing to work on psychohistory……much as I have grown fond of you……Will be your removal. Do you understand?"

“很好，”他说，“但如果你活着回来，又如果我还能见到夫铭，那么，要我继续研究心理史学的条件就是让你消失……虽然我越来越喜欢你。你能了解吗？”

And suddenly Dors smiled. "Forget it. don't practice your chivalry on me. Nothing Will remove me. Do you understand?"

铎丝突然露出微笑。“忘掉这码事吧，别把你的骑士精神用在我身上。无论如何我都不会消失的，你能了解吗？”

They got off the Expressway where the sign, flickering in the air, said: BILLIBOTTON. As perhaps an indication of what might be expected, the second I was smeared, a mere blob of fainter light.

看到“脐眼”这个路标在半空闪烁，他们两人便下了捷运。路标第一个字左侧污损了，只剩下一个黯淡的光点，这也许正意味着这是个什么样的环境。

They made their way out of the car and down to the walkway below. It was early afternoon and at first glance, Billibotton seemed much like the part of Dahl they had left.

走出车厢之后，他们沿着下面的人行道前进。此时刚过正午，乍看之下，脐眼似乎很像他们居住的那一带达尔区。

The air, however, had a pungent aroma and the walkway was littered with trash.

然而，空气中有一种刺激性的气味，人行道处处可见乱丢的垃圾。由此即可看出，附近绝对见不到自动扫街器。

One could tell that auto-sweeps were not to be found in the neighborhood. And, although the walkway looked ordinary enough, the atmosphere was uncomfortable and as tense as a too-tightly coiled spring.

此外，虽然人行道看来相当普通，此地的气氛却令人很不舒服，有如扭得太紧的弹簧那般紧绷。

Perhaps it was the people. There seemed the normal number of pedestrians, but they were not like pedestrians elsewhere, Seldon thought. Ordinarily, in the press of business, pedestrians were self-absorbed and in the endless crowds on the endless thoroughfares of Trantor, people could only survive……psychologically……by ignoring each other. Eyes slid away. Brains were closed off. There was an artificial privacy with each person enclosed in a velvet fog of his or her own making. Or there was the ritualistic friendliness of an evening promenade in those neighborhoods that indulged in such things.

或许是因为人的关系。行人的数目似乎还算正常，但谢顿心想，他们却和其他地方的行人不一样。通常，在工作压力下，每个行人心中都只有自己；置身川陀无数大街小巷的无数人群中，就心理层面而言，人们唯有忽略他人才能活下去。例如目光绝不流连，大脑完全封闭。人人罩在一团自制的浓雾里，也能获得一种人工的隐私。反之，在那些热衷于黄昏漫步的社区中，则充满一种仪式化的亲切感。

But here in Billibotton, there was neither friendliness nor neutral withdrawal. At least not where outsiders were concerned. Every person who passed, moving in either direction, turned to stare at Seldon and Dors. Every pair of eyes, as though attached by invisible cords to the two outsiders, followed them with I'll will.

但在脐眼这里，至少对外人而言，却是既没有亲切感也没有漠然的回避。每个擦身而过的人，不论是来是往，都会转头朝谢顿与铎丝瞪上一眼。每对眼睛仿佛都有隐形绳索系在这两个外人身上，带着恶意紧追着他们不放。

The clothing of the Billibottoners tended to be smudged, old, and sometimes corn. There was a patina of ill-washed poverty over them and Seldon felt uneasy at the slickness of his own new clothes.

脐眼人的衣着较为肮脏和老旧，有些还已经破损。这些衣服都带着一种没洗干净的晦暗，令谢顿不禁对自己光鲜的新衣感到不安。

He said, "Where in Billibotton does Mother Rittah live, do you suppose?"

他说：“照你想来，瑞塔嬷嬷会住在脐眼哪里？”

"I don't know," said Dors. "You brought us here, so you do the supposing. I intend to confine myself to the task of protection and I think I'm going to find it necessary to do just that."

“我不知道。”铎丝说，“你把我俩带到这里，所以应该由你来想。我打算专注于保镖的工作，我想我会发现确有必要只做这一件事。”

Seldon said, "I assumed it would only be necessary to ask the way of any passerby, but somehow I'm not encouraged to do so."

谢顿说：“而我认为确有必要随便找个路人问问，但我又不太想这么做。”

"I don't blame you. I don't think youll find anyone springing to your assistance."

“我不会怪你的，我也认为你找不到任何愿意帮助你的热心人士。”

"On the other hand, there are such things as youngsters." He indicated one with a brief gesture of one hand. A boy who looked to be about twelve……in any case young enough to lack the universal adult male mustache had come to a full halt and was staring at them.

“话说回来，别忘了还有少年这种东西。”谢顿随手指了指其中一个。那个男孩看来大约十二岁，总之尚未蓄起成年男子不可或缺的八字胡。他已停下脚步，正盯着他们两人。

Dors said, "Youre guessing that a boy that age has not yet developed the full Billibottonian dislike of outsiders."

铎丝说：“你是在猜想，那种年纪的男孩尚未完全发展出脐眼人对外人的厌恶。”

"At any rate," said Seldon, "I'm guessing he is scarcely large enough to have developed the full Billibottonian penchant for violence. I suppose he might run away and shout insults from a distance if we approach him, but I doubt hell attack us."

“至少，”谢顿说，“我猜想他的年纪还小，不至于完全发展出脐眼的暴力倾向。我想如果我们走近他，他可能会拔腿就跑，在老远的地方高声辱骂，但我不信他会攻击我们。”

Seldon raised his voice. "Young man."

谢顿提高音量说：“年轻人。”

The boy took a step backward and continued to stare.

男孩向后退了一步，继续瞪着他们两人。

Seldon said, "Come here," and beckoned.

谢顿说：“到这里来。”同时招了招手。

The boy said, "Wa for, guy?"

男孩说：“哥儿们，干啥？”

"So I can ask you directions. Come closer, so I don't have to shout."

“好让我能向你问路。走近一点，好让我不必大吼大叫。”

The boy approached two steps closer. His face was smudged, but his eyes were bright and sharp. His sandals were of different make and there was a large patch on one leg of his trousers.

男孩向前走了两步。他的脸孔脏兮兮，一双眼睛却明亮而敏锐。他的凉鞋式样与众不同，短裤的一侧还有个大补丁。

He said, "Wa kind o directions?"

他说：“啥样的路？”

"Were trying to find Mother Rittah."

“我们想要找瑞塔嬷嬷。”

The boys eyes flickered. "Wa for, guy?"

男孩的眼睛亮了起来。“哥儿们，干啥？”

"I'm a scholar. Do you know what a scholar is?"

“我是一名学者。你知道学者是什么吗？”

"Ya went to school?"

“你上过学？”

"Yes. didn't you?"

“没错。你没有吗？”

The boy spat to one side in contempt. "Nah."

男孩不屑地向一旁啐了一口。“没。”

"I want advice from Mother Rittah……if youll take me to her."

“我有事要请教瑞塔嬷嬷，希望你能带我去找她。”

"Ya want your fortune? Ya come to Billibotton, guy, with your fancy clothes, so I can tell ya your fortune. All bad."

“你要算命？哥儿们，你穿着拉风的衣服来脐眼，连我都能帮你算命……霉运当头。”

"Whats your name, young man?"

“年轻人，你叫什么名字？”

"Whats it to ya?"

“跟你何干？”

"So we can speak in a more friendly fashion. And so you can take me to Mother Rittahs place. Do you know where she lives?"

“好让我们能以更友善的方式交谈，好让你可以带我去瑞塔嬷嬷的住处。你知道她住在哪里吗？”

"Maybe yes, maybe no. My names Raych. Whats in it for me if I take ya?"

“也许知，也许不知。我叫芮奇，如果我带你去，有什么好处？”

"What would you like, Raych?"

“芮奇，你想要什么？”

The boys eyes halted at Dorss belt. Raych said, "The lady got a couple o knives. Gimme one and I'll take ya to Mother Rittah."

男孩的目光停留在铎丝的腰带上，他说：“这大姐带着双刀。给我一把，我就带你去找瑞塔嬷嬷。”

"Those are grown peoples knives, Raych. Youre too young."

“那是成人用的刀，芮奇，你的年纪还太小。”

"Then I guess I'm too young to know where Mother Rittah lives." And he looked up slyly through the shaggy halt that curtained his eyes.

“那么我猜我的年纪也太小，不会知道瑞塔嬷嬷住在哪里。”说完他抬起头，透过遮住眼睛的乱发狡猾地望向对方。

Seldon grew uneasy. It was possible they might attract a crowd. Several men had stopped already, but had then moved on when nothing of interest seemed to be taking place. If, however, the boy grew angry and lashed out at them in word or deed, people would undoubtedly gather.

谢顿开始感到不安，再这样下去，可能会引来一群人。已经有几名男子停下来，但在发现似乎没有什么看头之后，他们又全都掉头离去。然而，倘若这个男孩发起脾气，以言语或行动攻击他们，路人无疑会群聚过来。

He smiled and said, "Can you read, Raych?"

他微微一笑。“芮奇，你识字吗？”

Raych spat again. "Nah! Who wants to read?"

芮奇又啐了一口。“不！谁要识字？”

"Can you use a computer?"

“你会用电脑吗？”

"A talking computer? Sure. Anyone can."

“会说话的电脑吗？当然，人人都会。”

"I'll tell you what, then. You take me to the nearest computer store and I'll buy you a little computer all your own and software that Will teach you to read. A few weeks and youll be able to read."

“那么，我告诉你怎么办。你带我到最近的一家电脑店，我帮你买一台属于你自己的小电脑，以及一套能教你识字的软件。几个星期后，你就识字了。”

It seemed to Seldon that the boys eyes sparkled at the thought, but……if so……they hardened at once. "Nah, Knife or nothin."

谢顿发觉男孩的眼睛似乎为之一亮，但即便如此，那目光随即又转趋强硬。“不，不给刀子就拉倒。”

"Thats the point, Raych. You learn to read and don't tell anyone and you can surprise people. After a while you can bet them you can read. Bet them five credits. You can win a few extra credits that way and you can buy a knife of your own."

“芮奇，关键就在这里。你自己学识字，别告诉任何人，就能让大家吃一惊。过一阵子之后，你可以打赌说你会识字，和他们赌五个信用点。这样你就能赢得不少零用钱，就可以帮自己买把刀子。”

The boy hesitated. "Nah! No one Will bet me. No one got credits."

男孩犹豫了一下。“不！没人会和我打赌，没人有信用点。”

"If you can read, you can get a job in a knife store and you can save your wages and get a knife at a discount. How about that?"

“只要你识字，就能在刀店找到一份工作。你把工资存起来，就可以用折扣价买一把刀。这样好不好？”

"When ya gonna buy the talking computer?"

“你什么时候去买会说话的电脑？”

"Right now. I'll give it to you when I see Mother Rittah."

“马上去，但要等我见到瑞塔嬷嬷再给你。”

"You got credits?"

“你有信用点？”

"I have a credit tile."

“我有信用瓷卡。”

"Lets see ya buy the computer."

“我们一起去买电脑吧。”

The transaction was carried through, but when the boy reached for it, Seldon shook his head and put it inside his pouch. "Youve got to get me to Mother Rittah first, Raych. Are you sure you know where to find her?"

电脑的交易进行得很顺利，但是当男孩伸出手的时候，谢顿却摇了摇头，并将它放进自己的袋囊。“芮奇，你得先带我去找瑞塔嬷嬷。你确定知道能在哪儿找到她吗？”

Raych allowed a look of contempt to cross his face. "Sure I do. I'll take ya there, only ya better hand over the computer when we get there or I'll get some guys I know after you and the lady, so ya better watch out."

芮奇刻意流露出不屑的表情。“我当然确定。我会带你到那儿去，只不过我们到了之后，你最好把电脑给我。否则我会找些相熟的哥儿们，去追你和这个大姐，所以你最好小心点。”

"You don't have to threaten us," said Seldon. "Well take care of our end of the deal."

“你不必威胁我们。”谢顿说，“我们会履行我方的义务。”

Raych led them quickly along the walkway, past curious stares.

芮奇带着他们沿人行道快步走去，穿过了许多好奇的目光。

Seldon was silent during the walk and so was Dors. Dors was far less lost in her own thoughts, though, for she clearly remained conscious of the surrounding people at all times. She kept meeting, with a level glare, the eyes of those passersby that turned toward them. On occasion, when there were footsteps behind them, she turned to look grimly back.

谢顿一路上一言不发，而铎丝也一样。不过相较之下，铎丝并非在想什么心事，她显然一直在警戒着周遭的人群。对于那些转头望向他们的路人，她总是以直勾勾的凶狠眼神接触他们的目光。有好几次，当他们身后传来脚步声时，她都立刻转头怒目而视。

And then Raych stopped and said, "In here. She aint homeless, ya know."

然后芮奇停了下来，说道：“就在这里。你瞧，她不是无家可归。”

They followed him into an apartment complex and Seldon, who had had the intention of following their route with a view to retracing his steps later, was quickly lost.

他们跟着他进入一组公寓群。谢顿本想在心中默记走过的路线，以便待会儿能自行找到出路，却很快就迷失了方向。

He said, "How do you know your way through these alleys, Raych?"

他说：“芮奇，你怎么知道这些巷道该走哪一条？”

The boy shrugged. "I been loafin through them since I was a kid," he said. "Besides, the apartments are numbered……where they aint broken off……and theres arrows and things. You cant get lost if you know the tricks."

男孩耸了耸肩。“打从小时候，我就在这些巷道中游荡。”他说，“而且，这些公寓都有号码……除非脱落……还有箭头和其他东西。只要知道这些窍门，你就不可能迷路。”

Raych knew the tricks, apparently, and they wandered deeper into the complex. Hanging over it all was an air of total decay: disregarded debris, inhabitants slinking past in clear resentment of the outsiders invasion. Unruly youngsters ran along the alleys in pursuit of some game or other. Some of them yelled, "Hey, get out o the way!" when their levitating ball narrowly missed Dors.

芮奇显然深通这些窍门，于是他们逐渐深入公寓群。徘徊不去的是一种完全腐朽的气氛，瓦砾堆无人清理，一闪而过的居民对外人入侵表露出明显恨意。又皮又野的少年沿着巷道奔跑追逐，似乎正在玩某种游戏。当他们的飞球险些击中铎丝时，有些还大叫道：“嘿，让路！”

And finally, Raych stopped before a dark scarred door on which the number 2782 glowed feebly.

最后，芮奇停在一扇斑驳的深色大门之前，门上微微闪着“2782”这组数字。

"This iiiit," he said and held out his hand.

“这里就是。”他一面说，一面伸出手来。

"First lets see whos inside," said Seldon softly. He pushed the signal button and nothing happened.

“我们先看看谁在里面。”谢顿轻声道。他按下讯号钮，却没有任何反应。

"It don't work," said Raych. "Ya gotta bang. Loud. She don't hear too good."

“没用。”芮奇说，“你得捶门，捶得很响才行。她的耳朵不太好。”

Seldon pounded his fist on the door and was rewarded with the sound of movement inside. A shrill voice called out, "Who wants Mother Rittah?"

于是谢顿握拳猛击门板，果然听到里面有了动静。一个尖锐的声音传出来：“谁要见瑞塔嬷嬷？”

Seldon shouted, "Two scholars!"

谢顿喊道：“两名学者！”

He tossed the small computer, with its small package of software attached, to Raych, who snatchediit, grinned, and took off at a rapid run.Seldon then turned to face the opening door and Mother Rittah.

他将小电脑连同附带的软件套件一起扔给芮奇，芮奇一把抓住，咧嘴一笑，便快步跑走了。然后谢顿转过头来，面对着打开的门与门后的瑞塔嬷嬷。

Mother Rittah was well into her seventies, perhaps, but had the kind of face that, at first sight, seemed to belie that. Plump cheeks, a little mouth, a small round chin slightly doubled. She was very short……not quite 1.5 meters tall……and had a thick body.

瑞塔嬷嬷或许已有七十好几，但她的脸孔乍看之下似乎没有那么老。她的面颊丰满，嘴巴不大，轻微的双下巴则又小又圆。她个子非常矮……还不到一米五，却有一副粗壮的身躯。

But there were fine wrinkles about her eyes and when she smiled, as she smiled at the sight of them, others broke out over her face. And she moved with difficulty.

不过她的双眼周围有着细微的皱纹。每当她微笑的时候，例如见到他们之后的那一笑，脸部其他各处的皱纹也会绽露出来。此外，她的行动有些困难。

"Come in, come in," she said in a soft high-pitchedivoice and peered at them as though her eyesight was beginning to fail. "Outsiders……Outworlders even. Am I right? You don't seem to have the Trantor smell about you."

“进来，进来。”她一面以轻柔高亢的声音这么说，一面眯着眼睛凝视他们两人，仿佛她的视力也开始减退了。“外人……甚至还是外星人士，我说对了吗？你们身上似乎没有川陀的气味。”

Seldon wished she hadn't mentioned smell. The apartment, overcrowded and littered with small possessions that seemed dI'm and dusty, reeked with food odors that were on the edge of rancidity. The air was so thick and clinging that he was sure his clothes would smell strongly of it when they left.

谢顿真希望她未曾提到气味。这间过分拥挤的公寓发出一股食物的怪味，那是一种几乎接近腐臭的味道。屋内还有许多四处乱丢的小东西，都是一些看来陈旧而且盖满灰尘的物品。这里的空气如此浓浊粘稠，他可以确定即使离开这里之后，衣服上仍会带着这种强烈的气味。

He said, "You are right, Mother Rittah. I am Hari Seldon of Helicon. My friend is Dors Venabili of Cinna."

他说：“瑞塔嬷嬷，你说对了。我是来自赫利肯的哈里·谢顿，我的朋友是来自锡纳的铎丝·凡纳比里。”

"So," she said, looking about for an unoccupied spot on the floor where she could invite them to sit, but finding none suitable.

“好。”她一面说，一面在地板上寻找一个空位，以便邀请他们坐下，可是却找不到合适的角落。

Dors said, "We are willing to stand, Mother."

铎丝说：“嬷嬷，我们乐意站着。”

"What?" she looked up at Dors. "You must speak briskly, my child. My hearing is not what it was when I was your age."

“什么？”她抬起头望着铎丝，“孩子，你说话必须中气十足。我的听力不再像你这个年纪时那么好了。”

"Why don't you get a hearing device?" said Seldon, raising his voice.

“你为什么不弄个助听装置？”谢顿提高音量说。

"It wouldnt help, Master Seldon. Something seems to be wrong with the nerve and I have no money for nerve rebuilding……You have come to learn the future from old Mother Rittah?"

“谢顿老爷，那没什么帮助。好像是神经方面的毛病，我却没钱去做神经重建。你们是来向瑞塔老嬷嬷请教未来之事？”

"Not quite," said Seldon. "I have come to learn the past."

“并不尽然。”谢顿说，“我是来请教过去之事。”

"Excellent. It is such a strain to decide what people want to hear."

“好极了。判断人们想听些什么可不容易。”

"It must be quite an art," said Dors, smiling.

“那必定是一门高深的技艺。”铎丝微笑着说。

"It seems easy, but one has to he properly convincing. I earn my fees."

“看来容易，可是必须令人心服口服。我就靠它为生。”

"If you have a credit outlet," said Seldon. "We Will pay any reasonable fees if you tell us about Earth……without cleverly designing what you tell us to suit what we want to hear. We wish to hear the truth."

“如果你有刷卡插座，”谢顿说，“我们会付你合理的酬劳。只要你告诉我们有关地球的事，其中没有为了满足我们而巧妙编织的话语……我们希望听的是事实。”

The old woman, who had been shuffling about the room, making adjustments here and there, as though to make it all prettier and more suitable for important visitors, stopped short. "What do you want to know about Earth?"

老妇人本来一直在屋里踱来踱去，东摸摸西弄弄，仿佛要将房间弄得更漂亮，更适合招待两位来访的贵客。此时她忽然停下来，说道：“你要知道有关地球的什么事？”

"What is it, to begin with?"

“首先，它究竟是什么？”

The old woman turned and seemed to gaze off into space. When she spoke, her voice was low and steady.

老妇人转过身来，目光似乎投射到太空中。当她开始说话的时候，她的声音变得又沉又稳。

"It is a world, a very old planet. It is forgotten and lost."

“它是一个世界，是一颗非常古老的行星。它遭人遗忘，如今下落不明。”

Dors said, "It is not part of history. We know that much."

铎丝说：“它并非历史的一部分，这点我们还知道。”

"It comes before history, child," said Mother Rittah solemnly. "It existed in the dawn of the Galaxy and before the dawn. It was the only world with humanity." She nodded firmly.

“孩子，它比历史更为古老。”瑞塔嬷嬷严肃地说，“它存在于银河的黎明期，以及黎明期之前。当时它是唯一拥有人类的世界。”她坚定地点了点头。

Seldon said, "Was another name for Earth……Aurora?"

谢顿问道：“地球的别名是不是……奥罗拉？”

And now Mother Rittahs face misted into a frown. "Where did you hear that?"

这时，瑞塔嬷嬷的脸孔突然皱成一团。“这个名字你是从哪里听来的？”

"In my wanderings. I have heard of an old forgotten world named Aurora on which humanity lived in primordial peace."

“在我东闯西荡中。我听说，有个古老而遭人遗忘的世界名叫奥罗拉，上面的人曾经享有太初的平静岁月。”

"Its a lie." She wiped her mouth as though to get the taste of what she had just heard out of it. "That name you mention must never be mentioned except as the place of Evil. It was the beginning of Evil. Earth was alone till Evil came, along with its sister worlds. Evil nearly destroyed Earth, but Earth rallied and destroyed Evil……with the help of heroes."

“那是个谎言！”她擦了擦嘴，仿佛要将刚刚听到的东西从嘴边抹去。“你提到的那个名字绝对不可再提，它只能指邪恶之地，它是邪恶的源头。在邪恶之地与其姐妹世界登场之前，地球一直是独一无二的。邪恶之地几乎毁灭了地球，但是地球最后团结起来，借着一些英雄的帮助，终于摧毁了邪恶之地。”

"Earth was before this Evil. Are you sure of that?"

“地球的历史早于这个邪恶之地，这点你确定吗？”

"Long before. Earth was alone in the Galaxy for thousands of years……millions of years."

“早得太多了。地球曾在银河系独处了数万年……乃至数百万年。”

"Millions of years? Humanity existed on it for millions of years with no other people on any other world?"

“数百万年？人类在其上生存了数百万年，当时其他的世界都没有人？”

"Thats true. Thats true. Thats true."

“那是事实，那是事实，那是事实！”

"But how do you know all this? Is it all in a computer program? Or a printout? Do you have anything I can read?"

“但你又是如何知道这些的？这些都在一个电脑程序里吗？或是在一份列印表中？你有任何东西能让我读一读吗？”

Mother Rittah shook her head. "I heard the old stories from my mother, who heard it from hers, and so on far back. I have no children, so I tell the stories to others, but it may come to an end. This is a time of disbelief."

瑞塔嬷嬷摇了摇头。“我从母亲那里听来这些古老的故事，她又是从她的母亲那里听来的，就是这样一脉相传。我没有子女，所以我把这些故事说给别人听。但它仍有可能就此失传，这是个失去信仰的时代。”

Dors said, "Not really, Mother. There are people who speculate about prehistoric times and who study some of the tales of lost worlds."

铎丝说：“嬷嬷，这很难讲。还是有人推论史前时代的种种可能，并且研究那些失落世界的相关传说。”

Mother Rittah made a motion of her arm as though to wipe it away. "They look at it with cold eyes. Scholarly. They try to fit it in with their notions. I could tell you stories for a year of the great hero Ba-Lee, but you would have no time to listen and I have lost the strength to tell."

瑞塔嬷嬷伸出手臂做了一个动作，仿佛是要扫开那句话。“他们用冷眼面对这个问题。那是学术，他们试图将它融入既有的概念。有关大英雄笆雳的故事，我可以跟你说上一年，可是你不会有那么多时间听，我也没有那么多精力讲。”

Seldon said, "Have you ever heard of robots?"

谢顿道：“你听说过机仆吗？”

The old woman shuddered and her voice was almost a scream. "Why do you ask such things? Those were artificial human beings, evil in themselves and the work of the Evil worlds. They were destroyed and should never be mentioned."

老妇人突然抖了一下，她的声音则几乎变作尖叫。“你、为、何、要、问、这、种、事？那种东西是人工的人类，是那些邪恶世界的产物，本身就是一种邪恶。它们早就遭到毁灭，再也不该提起。”

"There was one special robot, wasn't there, that the Evil worlds hated?"

“有一个特殊的机仆，是那些邪恶世界憎恨的对象，对不对？”

Mother Rittah tottered toward Seldon and peered into his eyes. He could feel her hot breath on his face. "Have you come to mock me? You know of these things and yet you ask? Why do you ask?"

瑞塔嬷嬷蹒跚地走向谢顿，紧紧盯着他的双眼。他甚至感觉得到她的热气喷在自己脸上。“你是专门来愚弄我的吗？你已经知道这些事，还偏偏要问？你为什么要问？”

"Because I wish to know."

“因为我希望知道。”

"There was an artificial human being who helped Earth. He was Da-Nee, friend of Ba-Lee. He never died and lives somewhere, waiting for his time to return. None knows when that time Will be, but someday he Will come and restore the great old days and remove all cruelty, injustice, and misery. That is the promise."

“曾有一个人工的人类帮助过地球。他名叫答霓，是笆雳的朋友。他从来没死，一直活在某个角落，等待着他的时代重返。没有人知道会是什么时候，不过总有一天他会回来，来复兴那个伟大的古老时代，并除去所有的残酷、不义和悲惨。那是他的承诺。”

At this, she closed her eyes and smiled, as if remembering ...

说到这里，她闭上眼睛，露出微笑，好像回想起……

Seldon waited a while in silence, then sighed and said, "Thank you, Mother Rittah. You have been very helpful. What is your fee?"

谢顿默默等了一会儿，然后叹了一口气。“谢谢你，瑞塔嬷嬷，你对我有很大的帮助。我该付你多少酬劳？”

"So pleasant to meet Outworlders," the old woman replied. "Ten credits. May I offer you some refreshment?"

“很高兴能遇见外星人士。”老妇人答道，“十个信用点。我有荣幸招待你们一些茶点吗？”

"No, thank you," said Seldon earnestly. "Please take twenty. You need only tell us how to get back to the Expressway from here……And, Mother Rittah, if you can arrange to have some of your tales of Earth put into a computer disc, I Will pay you well."

“不用了，谢谢你。”谢顿一本正经地说，“请收下二十点。你只要告诉我们怎样从这里回到捷运站。还有，瑞塔嬷嬷，如果你能把有关地球的传说录进电脑磁片，我会付你很好的价钱。”

"I would need so much strength. How well?"

“我需要花很多力气。价钱有多好？”

"It would depend on how long the story is and how well it is told. I might pay a thousand credits."

“那要看故事有多长，以及说得有多好。我也许会付一千点。”

Mother Rittah licked her lips. "A thousand credits? But how Will I find you when the story is told?"

瑞塔嬷嬷舔了舔嘴唇。“一千点？可是故事录好之后，我要怎样找到你？”

"I Will give you the computer code number at which I can be reached."

“我会给你一个电脑址码，这样就能联络到我。”

After Seldon gave Mother Rittah the code number, he and Dors left, thankful for the comparatively clean odor of the alley outside. They walked briskly in the direction indicated by the old woman.

谢顿将址码写给瑞塔嬷嬷后，便与铎丝一同离去。相较之下，外面巷道的空气简直清新宜人。他们根据老妇人的指引，踏着轻快的步伐向前走去。

Dors said, "That wasn't a very long interview, Hari."

铎丝说：“哈里，这并不是一次很长的晤谈。”

"I know. The surroundings were terribly unpleasant and I felt I had learned enough. Amazing how these folktales tend to magnify."

“我知道。但周遭环境不舒服之至，而且我觉得打听得够多了。真难想象这些民间传说如何放大到这种程度。”

"What do you mean, magnify?"

“你所谓的‘放大’是什么意思？”

"Well, the Mycogenians fill their Aurora with human beings who lived for centuries and the Dahlites fill their Earth with a humanity that lived for millions of years. And both talk of a robot that lives forever. Still, it makes one think."

“嗯，麦曲生人将他们的奥罗拉说成上面住有能活好几世纪的人，达尔人则将他们的地球说成有着延续数百万年的人类，而两者都提到一个长生不死的机器人。话说回来，这的确耐人寻味。”

"As far as millions of years go, theres room for…… Where are we going?"

“既然有好几百万年，就该有机会……我们正往哪儿走？”

"Mother Rittah said we go in this direction till we reach a rest area, then follow the sign for CENTRAL WALKWAY, bearing left, and keep on following the sign. Did we pass a rest area on the way in?"

“瑞塔嬷嬷说我们应该沿着这个方向走，直到抵达一个休息区，然后找一个指着左边的‘中央走道’路标，再一直跟着那个路标前进。我们来的时候，有没有经过一个休息区？”

"We may be leaving by a route different from the one we came in. I don't remember a rest area, but I wasn't watching the route. I was keeping my eye on the people we passed and……"

“我们现在走的这条路，也许和来时的路线不同。我不记得有个休息区，不过刚才我没有注意看路。我的眼睛一直摆在路人身上，而且……”

Her voice died away. Up ahead the alley swelled outward on both sides.

她的声音逐渐消失。前方的巷道两侧都向外敞开。

Seldon remembered. They had passed that way. There had been a couple of ratty couch pads resting on the walkway floor on either side.

谢顿想了起来，他们的确曾经路过这里。他还记得两侧的人行道上弃置着一些破烂的沙发垫。

There was, however, no need for Dors to watch passersby going out as she had coming in. There were no passersby. But up ahead in the rest area they spotted a group of men, rather large-sized for Dahlites, mustaches bristling, bare upper arms muscular and glistening under the yellowish indoor light of the walkway.

然而，铎丝不必再像进来的时候那样防范路人，因为现在一个路人也没有。倒是在前面的休息区里，他们发现有一群人。就达尔人而言，那群人个头相当大，一个个的八字胡都向上竖起。在人行道的昏黄光线照耀下，他们裸露的上臂全都肌肉盘虬，而且熠熠生辉。

Clearly, they were waiting for the Outworlders and, almost automatically, Seldon and Dors came to a halt. For a moment or two, the tableau held. Then Seldon looked behind him hastily. Two or three additional men had stepped into view.

显然，他们是在等待这两位外星人士，谢顿与铎丝几乎自然而然停下脚步。一时之间，双方形成一个静止画面。然后谢顿匆匆向后看了看，发现后面又走出来两三个人。

Seldon said between his teeth, "Were trapped. I should not have let you come, Dors."

谢顿抿着嘴说：“我们落入陷阱了。我不该让你跟来的，铎丝。”

"On the contrary. This is why I'm here, but was it worth your seeing Mother Rittah?"

“刚好相反，这正是我跟来的原因。可是你为了见瑞塔嬷嬷，值得付出这种代价吗？”

"If we get out of this, it was."

“只要我们能脱身，那就值得。”

Seldon then said in a loud and firm voice, "May we pass?"

然后，谢顿以响亮而坚定的声音说：“我们能过去吗？”

One of the men ahead stepped forward. He was fully Seldons height of 1.73 meters, but broader in the shoulders and much more muscular. A bit flabby at the waist, though, Seldon noted.

对面的一名男子向前走来。他与身高一米七三的谢顿不相上下，但肩膀比谢顿更宽，而且肌肉更结实。不过，他的腰部有点松垮，谢顿注意到了。

"I'm Marron," he said with self-satisfied significance, as though the name ought to have meaning, "and I'm here to tell you we don't like Outworlders in our district. You want to come in, all right……but if you want to leave, youll have to pay."

“我叫玛隆，”他以自大自满的口气说，仿佛这个名字应该具有某种意义。“我在这里是要告诉你，我们不喜欢外星人士踏进我们的地盘。你想要进来，可以……但如果要出去，你就得付出代价。”

"Very well. How much?"

“很好，多少？”

"All youve got. You rich Outworlders have credit tiles, right? Just hand them over."

“你身上所有的财产。你们阔气的外星人士都有信用瓷卡，对吗？通通交出来。”

"No."

“不行。”

"No point saying no. Well just take them."

“不容你说不行，我们自己会动手。”

"You cant take them without killing me or hurting me and they wont work without my voiceprint. My normal voiceprint."

“除非把我打伤或杀掉，否则你休想得到。而且必须配合我的声纹才能使用，我的正常声纹。”

"Thats not so, Master……see, I'm being polite……we can take them away from you without hurting you very much."

“并非如此，老爷……看，我很礼貌……我们可以从你身上取走，却不必把你伤得太厉害。”

"How many of you big strong men Will it take? Nine? No." Seldon counted rapidly. "Ten."

“你们这些粗壮汉子得用上几个？九个？不，”谢顿很快数了一遍，“十个。”

"Just one. Me."

“就一个，我。”

"With no help?"

“没有帮手？”

"Just me."

“就我一个。”

"If the rest of you Will clear away and give us room, I would like to see you try it, Marron."

“玛隆，如果其他人能闪开，给我们腾出地方，我愿意看看你怎么动手。”

"You don't have a knife, Master. You want one?"

“你没有刀子，老爷，你要一把吗？”

"No, use yours to make the fight even. I'll fight without one."

“不必，你用你的，这样打斗才算公平。我要赤手空拳上阵。”

Marron looked about at the others and said, "Hey, this puny guy is a sport. He don't even sound scared. Thats sort of nice. It would be a shame to hurt him. I tell you what, Master. I'll take the girl. If you want me to stop, hand over your credit tile and her tile and use your right voices to activate them. If you say no, then after I'm through with the girl……and thatll take some time"……he laughed……"I'll just have to hurt you."

玛隆环顾同党众人，然后说：“嘿，这小个子真有种。听他的口气甚至不害怕，这可真不简单。打伤他简直没面子……老爷，我告诉你怎么办。我要对付这姑娘，如果你想要我停手，就把你和她的信用瓷卡一块交出来，再用你们的正确声音启动。如果你说不，那么等我收拾完这姑娘……那可要点时间，”他纵声大笑，“我就不得不伤害你。”

"No," said Seldon. "Let the woman go. Ive challenged you to a fight……one to one, you with a knife, me without. If you want bigger odds, I'll fight two of you, but let the woman go."

“不，”谢顿说，“让这女子离去。我已经向你挑战……一对一，你用刀子，我不用。你若想要更大的胜算，我就一个打你们两个，可是先让这名女子离去。”

"Stop, Hari!" cried out Dors. "If he wants me, let him come and get me. You stay right where you are, Hari, and don't move."

“哈里，闭嘴！”铎丝叫道，“如果他想要我，就让他过来抓我。你就留在原地，哈里，千万别动。”

"You hear that?" said Marron, grinning broadly. " You stay right where you are, Hari, and don't move. I think the little lady wants me. You two, keep him still."

“你们听到了吗？”玛隆咧嘴大笑，“‘你就留在原地，哈里，千万别动。’我说这小妮子想要我。你们两个，把他看牢。”

Each of Seldons arms were caught in an iron grip and he felt the sharp point of a knife in his back.

谢顿的双臂像是被两道铁箍紧紧锁住，他还感到有锐利的刀尖抵在背上。

"Dont move," said a harsh whisper in his ear, "and you can watch. The lady Will probably like it. Marrons pretty good at this."

“别动。”谢顿耳际传来厉声的耳语，“你可以看着。那女的也许会喜欢，玛隆这方面很高明。”

Dors called out again. "Dont move, Hari!" She turned to face Marron watchfully, her half-closed hands poised near her belt.

铎丝再度叫道：“哈里，别动！”说完，她转身警觉地面对着玛隆，半握的双手挨近腰际的皮带。

He closed in on her purposefully and she waited till he had come within arms length, when suddenly her own arms flashed and Marron found himself facing two large knives.

他不怀好意地欺近她，而她则不动声色。等到他来到一臂之遥，在她的双臂陡然一闪之后，玛隆便发觉自己面对着两把大刀。

For a moment, he leaned backward and then he laughed. "The little lady has two knives……knives like the big boys have. And Ive only got one. But thats fair enough." His knife was swiftly out. "I hate to have to cut you, little lady, because it Will be more fun for both of us if I dont. Maybe I can just knock them out of your hands, huh?"

一时之间，他猛然向后一仰，然后哈哈大笑。“这小妮子有两把刀……像是大男生用的那种。我却只有一把，不过这也够公平了。”他把刀子迅速亮出来，“我可不愿意失手砍伤你，小妮子，因为如果能避免，我们两个都会获得更多乐趣。也许我把它们从你手上敲掉就好了，啊？”

Dors said, "I don't want to kill you. I'll do all I can to avoid doing so. Just the same, I call on all to witness, that if I do kill you, it is to protect my friend, as I am honor-bound to do."

铎丝说：“我不想杀你，我会尽可能避免那样做。话说回来，我要求大家做个见证，万一我真杀了你，那是为了保护我的朋友，是我责无旁贷。”

Marron pretended to be terrified. "Oh, please don't kill me, little lady." Then he burst into laughter and was joined by the other Dahlites present.

玛隆装出害怕的样子。“喔，小妮子，求求你别杀我。”说完他立刻哈哈大笑，在场的达尔人也跟着笑起来。

Marron lunged with his knife, quite wide of the mark. He tried it again, then a third time, but Dors never budged. She made no attempt to fend off any motion that was not truly aimed at her.

玛隆举刀向前刺出，落点却离铎丝相当远。接着他又试了第二次、第三次，但铎丝始终一动不动。对于并非真正瞄准她的攻击，她根本不试图格挡。

Marrons expression darkened. He was trying to make her respond with panic, but he was only making himself seem ineffectual. The next lunge was directly at her and Dorss left-hand blade moved flashingly and caught his with a force that pushed his arm aside. Her right-hand blade flashed inward and made a diagonal slit in his T-shirt. A thin bloody line smeared the dark-haired skin beneath. Marron looked down at himself in shock as the onlookers gasped in surprise.

玛隆的表情转趋阴沉。他本想让她惊慌失措，不料弄巧成拙，只是令自己显得徒劳无功。于是，下一次的攻击便直接瞄准她。铎丝的左手刀随即闪电般挥出，猛力迎向他的武器，将他的手臂震开。她的右手刀则迅疾内转，在他的短衫上划出一道对角线。短衫底下长满黑色胸毛的皮肤，立时绽出一条细微的血痕。

Seldon felt the grip on him weaken slightly as the two who held him were distracted by a duel not going quite as they had expected. He tensed himself.

玛隆在震撼中低头望向自己，围观的众人则在惊讶中喘不过气来。谢顿觉得抓着自己的两个人放松了点，这场决斗并未完全按照他们的预期进行，因而吸引了他们的注意力。谢顿暗自蓄势待发。

Now Marron lunged again and this time his left hand shot outward to enclose Dorss right wrist. Again Dorss left-hand blade caught his knife and held it motionless, while her right hand twisted agilely and drew downward, even as Marrons left hand closed upon it. It closed on nothing but the blade and when he opened his hand there was a bloody line down the palm.

此时玛隆再度举刀进攻，这回他的左手同时出击，朝铎丝的右腕抓去。铎丝的左手刀再度格住他的利刃，令它一时动弹不得；她的右手做了一个敏捷的回旋，在玛隆的左手挨近的当儿向下一沉。结果，除了刀刃他什么也没抓到，而当他张开手的时候，手掌上赫然出现一道血痕。

Dors sprang back and Marron, aware of the blood on his chest and hand, roared out chokingly, "Someone toss me another knife!"

铎丝立即向后跳开。玛隆在发觉胸部与手掌挂彩后，以透不过气的声音咆哮道：“哪个人再扔给我一把刀！”

There was hesitation and then one of the onlookers tossed his own knife underhanded. Marron reached for it, but Dors was quicker. Her right-hand blade struck the thrown knife and sent it flying backward, whirling as it went.

一阵迟疑之后，一名同党将自己的刀偷偷抛过去。玛隆正要伸手去接，铎丝的行动却比他更快。她的右手刀击向那把掷出的利刃，让它循着原路一面打转一面飞回去。

Seldon felt the grips on his arms weaken further. He lifted them suddenly, pushing up and forward, and was free. His two captors turned toward him with a sudden shout, but he quickly kneed one in the groin and elbowed the other in the solar plexus and both went down.

谢顿感到两只手臂上的抓力变得更弱。他猛然举起双臂，用力向前推，立刻就重获自由。抓他的两个人大叫一声，转过身来面对着他，他则以膝头迅速撞向其中一人的鼠蹊，并用手肘击向另一人的胃部，两人随即应声倒地。

He knelt to draw the knives of each and rose as double-armed as Dors. Unlike Dors, Seldon did not know how to handle the blades, but he knew the Dahlites would scarcely be aware of that.

他跪下去拔取那两人身上的佩刀，起身之后，他就和铎丝一样成为双刀客。然而与铎丝不同的是，谢顿不会使用这种武器，但他知道那些达尔人几乎不可能发觉。

Dors said, "Just keep them off, Hari. don't attack yet……Marron, my next stroke Will not be a scratch."

铎丝说：“别让他们靠近就行，哈里，暂时还别攻击……玛隆，我的下一击将不只是皮肉伤。”

Marron, totally enraged, roared incoherently and charged blindly, attempting by sheer kinetic energy to overwhelm his opponent. Dors, dipping and sidestepping, ducked under his right arm, kicked her foot against his right ankle, and down he crashed, his knife flying.

玛隆陷入极度的愤怒，一面发出毫无意义的咆哮，一面展开盲目的攻击，试图单用巨大的冲力压倒对手。铎丝身形一沉，向旁边跨出一步，同时低头避开他的右臂，并在他的右脚踝踢了一记。玛隆立刻瘫倒在地，手中的刀飞了出去。

She then knelt, placed one blade against the back of his neck and the other against his throat, and said, "Yield!"

然后她跪在地上，将一把刀架在他的后颈，另一把抵住他的咽喉，说道：“投降！”

With another yell, Marron struck out against her with one arm, pushed her to one side, then scrambled to his feet.

大吼一声之后，玛隆重新发动攻势。他用一只手推开她，然后挣扎着站起来。

He had not yet stood up completely when she was upon him, one knife slashing downward and hacking away a section of his mustache. This time he yowled like a large animal in agony, clapping his hand to his face. When he drew it away, it was dripping blood.

当她再度欺近时，他尚未完全站稳。只见一刀砍下去，便将他的八字胡削去一截。这次他像一头重伤的巨兽般发出哀号，还一巴掌拍向自己的脸部。当他将手拿开时，那只手正滴着鲜血。

Dors shouted, "It wont grow again, Marron. Some of the lip went with it. Attack once more and youre dead meat."

铎丝喊道：“它不会再长出来，玛隆，有一片嘴唇跟它一起飞了。再做一次攻击，你就是一具死尸。”

She waited, but Marron had had enough. He stumbled away, moaning, leaving a trail of blood.

她严阵以待，但玛隆已经吃不消了。他一面呻吟，一面跌跌撞撞逃了开，沿途还留下一条血迹。

Dors turned toward the others. The two that Seldon had knocked down were still lying there, unarmed and not anxious to get up. She bent down, cut their belts with one of her knives and then slit their trousers.

铎丝转身面向其他人。被谢顿打倒的那两个还躺在那里，他们已被缴械，并未急着爬起来。她弯下腰，用一把刀切断他们的皮带，又划开他们的裤子。

"This way, youll have to hold your pants up when you walk," she said.

“这样一来，你们就得提着裤子走路。”她说。

She stared at the seven men still on their feet, who were watching her with awestruck fascination. "And which of you threw the knife?"

她又瞪着仍然站在原处的七个人，他们都以敬畏的眼神如痴如醉地望着她。“刚才扔刀子的，是你们哪一个？”

There was silence.

众人一片沉默。

She said, "It doesnt matter to me. Come one at a time or all together, but each time I slash, someone dies."

她又说：“对我而言没有差别。一个一个来或一起上都行，但我每砍一刀，就会去掉一条命。”

And with one accord, the seven turned and scurried away.

七个人动作一致地急忙转身，拔腿逃命去了。

Dors lifted her eyebrows and said to Seldon, "This time, at least, Hummin cant complain that I failed to protect you."

铎丝扬起眉毛，对谢顿说：“至少这一次，夫铭不能怪我没尽到保护你的责任。”

Seldon said, "I still cant believe what I saw. I didn't know you could do anything like that……or talk like that either."

谢顿说：“我仍然无法相信眼前的一切。我一直不知道你能做这样的事……或是能说这样的话。”

Dors merely smiled. "You have your talents too. We make a good pair. Here, retract your knife blades and put them into your pouch. I think the news Will spread with enormous speed and we can get out of Billibotton without fear of being stopped."

铎丝只是微微一笑。“你也有你的本事，我们是一对好搭档。来，让手中的刀子回鞘，再放进你的袋囊。我想消息会以极高的速度流传，因此我们可以顺利离开脐眼，不必担心再被拦住去路。”

She was quite right.

她说得相当正确。