Chapter 17: New Earth

第十七章新地球

"Four planets," muttered Trevize. "All are small,plus a trailing off of asteroids. No gas giants."

“四颗行星，”崔维兹喃喃说道：“全都很小，再加上一长串小行星，没有气态巨行星。”

Pelorat said, "Do you find that disappointing?"

裴洛拉特说：“你认为这令人失望吗？”

"Not really. It's expected. Binaries that circle each other at smalldistances can have no planets circling one of the stars. Planets cancircle the center of gravity of both, but it's very unlikely that theywould be habitable too far away.

“并不尽然，这是预料中的事。互相环绕的双星如果彼此距离很近，就不会有行星环绕其中任何一颗，而只能环绕两者的重心，但是那种行星不太可能适于住人——因为太远了。

"On the other hand if the binaries are reasonably separate, there canbe planets in stable orbits about each, if they are close enough to oneor the other of the stars. These two stars, according to the computer'sdata bank, have an average separation of 3.5 billion kilometers and evenat periastron, when they are closest together, are about 1.7 billionkilometers apart. A planet in an orbit of less than 200 million kilometersfrom either star would be stably situated, but there can be no planetwith a larger orbit. That means no gas giants since they would haveto be farther away from a star, but what's the difference? Gas giantsaren't habitable, anyway."

“反之，如果双星彼此分得够开，各自的稳定轨道上就能有行星存在，前提是那些行星与双星之一足够接近。而这两颗恒星，根据电脑资料的纪录，平均间距为三十五亿公里，甚至在‘近星点’，也就是它们最接近的时候，相隔也有十七亿公里。一颗行星距离双星之一若下超过两亿公里，就算处于一个稳定的轨道，而超过这个距离的轨道上则不可能有行星存在。这就表示绝不会有气态巨行星，因为那种行星距离恒星必定很远。不过这又有什么差别呢？反正气态巨行星都无法住人。”

"But one of those four planets might be habitable."

“但这四颗行星之一也许适于人类居住。”

"Actually the second planet is the only real possibility. For onething, it's the only one of them large enough to have an atmosphere."

“事实上，只有第二颗行星有可能。原因之一，是唯有它才大到足以保有大气层。”

They approached the second planet rapidly and over a period of two daysits image expanded; at first with a majestic and measured swelling. Andthen, when there was no sign of any ship emerging to intercept them,with increasing and almost frightening speed.

他们迅速航向第二颗行星。接下来的两天中，它的影像逐步扩大，起先是庄严而缓慢地膨胀，等到他们确定没有任何前来拦截的船舰，行星影像的膨胀便越来越快，几乎达到骇人的速率。

The Far Star was moving swiftly along a temporary orbit athousand kilometers above the cloud cover, when Trevize said grimly,"I see why the computer's memory banks put a question mark after thenotation that it was inhabited. There's no clear sign of radiation;either light in the night-hemisphere, or radio anywhere."

此时，远星号位于云层上方一千公里处，循着一条临时轨道疾速飞行。崔维兹绷着脸说：“电脑记忆库在住人的注记后面加上问号，现在我知道是为什么了。它没有明显的辐射迹象，夜半球没有火光，而且也没有任何电波。”

"The cloud cover seems pretty thick," said Pelorat.

“云层似乎挺厚的。”裴洛拉特说。

"That should not blank out radio radiation."

“那也不会将电波辐射隐藏起来。”

They watched the planet wheeling below them, a symphony in swirlingwhite clouds, through occasional gaps of which a bluish wash indicatedocean.

他们望着下方不停转动的行星，打转的白云色调极为和谐，其间偶尔出现一些隙缝，透出代表海洋的青色图样。

Trevize said, "The cloud level is fairly heavy for an inhabitedworld. It might be a rather gloomy one. What bothers me most,"

崔维兹说：“就一个住人世界而言，此地云量算是很重，可能是个相当阴沉的世界。”

he added, as they plunged once more into the night-shadow, "is that nospace stations have hailed us."

“而最令我困扰的一点，”当他们再度钻入夜面阴影时，他补充道：“是我们没收到任何太空站的呼叫。”

"The way they did back at Comporellon, you mean?" said Pelorat.

“你的意思是，应该像我们刚到康普隆的时候那样？”裴洛拉特问。

"The way they would in any inhabited world. We would have to stopfor the usual checkup on papers, freight, length of stay, and so on."

“任何住人世界都会那样做。我们得停下来接受例行盘查，包括证件、货物、停留时间等等。”

Bliss said, "Perhaps we missed the hail for some reason."

宝绮思说：“也许由于某种原因，我们错过了呼叫讯号。”

"Our computer would have received it at any wavelength they mighthave cared to use. And we've been sending out our own signals, but haveroused no one and nothing as a result. Dipping under the cloud layerwithout communicating with station officials violates space courtesy,but I don't see that we have a choice."

“他们可能使用的各种波长，我们的电脑都接收得到。而且我们一直送出自己的讯号，结果却唤不出任何人，也得不到一点回音。如果没跟太空站的人员联络，就迳行俯冲到云层下，是一种违反太空礼仪的行为，但我看我们没有其他选择。”

The Far Star slowed, and strengthened its antigravityaccordingly, so as to maintain its height. It came out into thesunlight again, and slowed further. Trevize, in co-ordination with thecomputer, found a sizable break in the clouds. The ship sank and passedthrough it. Beneath them heaved the ocean in what must have been a freshbreeze. It lay, wrinkled, several kilometers below, them, faintly stripedin lines of froth.

于是远星号开始减速，同时增强反重力以继续维持原来的高度。等它再度回到白昼区，速度已经减得很低。崔维兹与电脑合作无间，在云层中找到一个够大的裂缝，太空艇立刻下降，一举穿过云隙。他们随即见到波涛汹涌的海洋，那想必是强风造成的结果。海面在他们下方数公里处，看来像是一块满是皱褶的绒布，还点缀着泡沫构成的隐约线条。

They flew out of the sunlit patch and under the cloud cover. Theexpanse of water immediately beneath them turned a slate-gray, and thetemperature dropped noticeably.

他们飞出那片晴空，来到云层之下。正下方辽阔的海水变成青灰色，温度也显着下降。

Fallom, staring at the viewscreen, spoke in her own consonant-richlanguage for a few moments, then shifted to Galactic. Her voicetrembled. "What is that which I see beneath?"

菲龙一面盯着显像屏幕，一面用子音丰富的母语说个不停。一会儿之后，她才改用银河标准语，以颤抖的声音说：“下面我看到的是什么？”

"That is an ocean," said Bliss soothingly. "It is a very large massof water."

“那是海洋，”宝绮思以安抚的口吻说：“是非常非常多的水。”

"Why does it not dry up?"

“它为什么不会干掉呢？”

Bliss looked at Trevize, who said, "There's too much water for it todry up."

宝绮思看了看崔维兹，后者答道：“水太多了，所以干不掉。”

Fallom said in a half-choked manner, "I don't want all that water. Letus go away." And then she shrieked, thinly, as the Far Star moved through a patch of storm clouds so that the viewscreen turned milky and was streaked with the mark of raindrops.

菲龙以近乎哽咽的语调说：“我不要那些水，让我们离开这里。”此时远星号正通过一团暴风云，显像屏幕因此变成乳白色，上面还有雨点形成的纹路。菲龙突然开始尖叫，但声音不太大。

The lights in the pilot-room dimmed and the ship's motion becameslightly jerky.

驾驶舱的灯光暗了下来，太空艇的动作变得有些不顺畅。

Trevize looked up in surprise and cried out. "Bliss, your Fallom isold enough to transduce. She's using electric power to try to manipulatethe controls. Stop her!"

崔维兹惊讶地抬起头，高声喊道：“宝绮思，你的菲龙已经大到可以转换能量，她正利用电力试图控制操纵装置，快阻止她！”

Bliss put her arms about Fallom, and hugged her tightly, "It's allright, Fallom, it's all right. There's nothing to be afraid of. It'sjust another world, that's all. There are many like this."

宝绮思伸出双臂抱住菲龙，将她紧紧拥人怀中。“没事，菲龙，没事，没什么好怕的。这只不过是另一个世界，像这样的世界还多着呢。”

Fallom relaxed somewhat but continued to tremble.

菲龙的紧张情绪放松了些，不过仍在继续发抖。

Bliss said to Trevize, "The child has never seen an ocean, andperhaps, for all I know, never experienced fog or rain. Can't you besympathetic?"

宝绮思对崔维兹说：“这孩子从来没见过海洋，据我所知，也可能从未经验过雨和雾。你不能有点同情心吗？”

"Not if she tampers with the ship. She's a danger to all of us,then. Take her into your room and calm her down."

“如果她动太空船的脑筋，我就绝不同情，她那样做会给我们带来极大的危险。把她带到你们的舱房去，让她冷静下来。”

Bliss nodded curtly.

宝绮思生硬地点了点头。

Pelorat said, "I'll come with you, Bliss."

裴洛拉特说：“我跟你一道去，宝绮思。”

"No, no, Pel," she responded. "You stay here. I'll soothe Fallom andyou soothe Trevize." And she left.

“不，不要，裴，”她答道：“你留在这里。我来安抚菲龙，你负责安抚崔维兹。”说完便转身离去。

"I don't need soothing," growled Trevize to Pelorat. "I'm sorry if Iflew off the handle, but we can't have a child playing with the controls,can we?"

“我不需要安抚！”崔维兹对裴洛拉特吼道。“我很抱歉，也许我的情绪忽然失控，但我们总不能让一个小孩玩弄操纵装置，你说对不对？”

"Of course we can't," said Pelorat, "but Bliss was caught bysurprise. She can control Fallom, who is really remarkably well behavedfor a child taken from her home and her her robot, and thrown,willy-nilly, into a life she doesn't understand."

“当然不能。”裴洛拉特说：“可是事情太突然了，所以宝绮思一时之间不知所措，其实她可以制止菲龙。菲龙实在算是很乖了，想想她的处境，被迫远离家乡，还有她的——她的机器人，而且还被迫投入一个她不了解的生活。”

"I know. It wasn't I who wanted to take her along, remember. It wasBliss's idea."

“我知道。当初不是我要带她同行的，记得吧，那是宝绮思的主意。”

"Yes, but the child would have been killed, if we hadn't takenher."

“没错，但我们若是不带她走，这孩子准死无疑。”

"Well, I'll apologize to Bliss later on. To the child, too."But he was still frowning, and Pelorat said gently, "Golan, old chap,is there anything else bothering you?"

“好吧，待会儿我会向宝绮思道歉，也会向那孩子道歉。”不过他仍旧眉头深锁，裴洛拉特柔声问道：“葛兰，老弟，还有什么事困扰着你吗？”

"The ocean," said Trevize. They had long emerged from the rain storm,but the clouds persisted.

“这海洋——”崔维兹说。他们早已钻出暴风雨，云层却浓密依旧。

"What's wrong with it?" asked Pelorat.

“海洋有什么不对劲？”裴洛拉特问。

"There's too much of it, that's all."

“太多了就是问题。”

Pelorat looked blank, and Trevize said, with a snap, "No land. Wehaven't seen any land. The atmosphere is perfectly normal, oxygen andnitrogen in decent proportions, so the planet has to be engineered,and there has to be plant life to maintain the oxygen level. In thenatural state, such atmospheres do not occur except, presumably,on Earth, where it developed, who knows how. But, then, on engineeredplanets there are always reasonable amounts of dry land, up to one thirdof the whole, and never less than a fifth. So how can this planet beengineered, and lack land?"

裴洛拉特一脸茫然，崔维兹突然又说：“没有陆地，我们没看到任何陆地。大气绝对正常，氧和氮的比例恰到好处，因此这颗行星一定经过精密改造，也一定拥有维持氧气含量的植物。在自然的状况下，不会出现这样的大气——想必只有地球例外，这种大气原本就是地球形成的，谁知道为什么。不过，话说回来，精密改造过的行星总有足够的干燥陆地，最多可占总表面积的三分之一　，绝不会少于五分之一。所以说，这颗行星既然经过精密改造，又怎么会缺乏陆地呢？”

Pelorat said, "Perhaps, since this planet is part of a binarysystem, it is completely atypical. Maybe it wasn't engineered, butevolved an atmosphere in ways that never prevail on planets about singlestars. Perhaps life developed independently here, as it once did on Earth,but only sea life."

裴洛拉特说：“有可能，因为这颗行星是双星系的一部分，和一般的典型完全不同。也许它并未接受过精密改造，而是以特殊方式演化出大气的，在环绕单星的行星上，则从未出现过这种方式。这里可能独立发展出某种生命，就像地球一样，不过却是水中生物。”

"Even if we were to admit that," said Trevize, "it would do us nogood. There's no way life in the sea can develop a technology. Technologyis always based on fire, and fire is impossible in the sea. A life-bearingplanet without technology is not what we're looking for."

“就算我们接受这点，”崔维兹说：“对我们也没任何益处。水中生物绝不可能发展出科技，科技总是建立在火的发明上，而水火是不相容的。一个拥有生命却没有科技的行星，并不是我们找寻的目标。”

"I realize that, but I'm only considering ideas. After all, as far aswe know, technology only developed once on Earth. Everywhere else,the Settlers brought it with them. You can't say technology is `always' anything, if you only have one case to study."

“这点我了解，但我只是做理论上的考量。毕竟，据我们所知，科技从无到有仅仅发展过一次——就是在地球上。在银河其他各个角落，科技都是由银河殖民者播种的。如果只有一个研究案例，你就不能说科技‘总是’如何如何。”

"Travel through the sea requires streamlining. Sea life cannot haveirregular outlines and appendages such as hands."

“在水中行动得具备流线型的形体，水中生物不能有不规则的外形，或是像人手那样的附肢。”

"Squids have tentacles."

“乌贼就有触手。”

Trevize said, "I admit we are allowed to speculate, but if you'rethinking of intelligent squid-like creatures evolving independentlysomewhere in the Galaxy, and developing a technology not based on fire,you're supposing something not at all likely, in my opinion."

崔维兹说：“我承认我们可以做各种臆测，但你若是幻想在银河某个角落，会独立演化出一种类似乌贼的智慧生物，而且发展出一种无火的科技，你就是在想像一种完全不可能的事，我的看法如此。”

"In your opinion ," said Pelorat gently.

“你的‘看法’如此。”裴洛拉特柔声说。

Suddenly, Trevize laughed. "Very well, Janov. I see you'relogic-chopping in order to get even with me for speaking harshly toBliss, and you're doing a good job. I promise you that if we find noland, we will examine the sea as best we can to see if we can find yourcivilized squids."

崔维兹突然哈哈大笑。“很好，詹诺夫，我看得出你是在强词夺理，来报复我刚才对宝绮思的大吼大叫，你的确很成功。我答应你，如果找不到陆地的话，我们会尽可能搜寻海洋，看看能否找到你说的那种文明乌贼。”

As he spoke, the ship plunged into the night-shadow again, and theviewscreen turned black.

他在说这番话的时候，太空艇再度进入夜面阴影，显像屏幕也变得一片漆黑。

Pelorat winced. "I keep wondering," he said. "Is this safe?"

裴洛拉特显得有些畏缩。“我一直在想一个问题，”他说：“这样到底安不安全？”

"Is what safe, Janov?"

“什么到底安不安全，詹诺夫？”

"Racing through the dark like this. We might dip, and dive into theocean, and be destroyed instantly."

“在黑暗中像这样高速飞行。我们也许会越飞越低，最后一头栽进海里，然后立刻报销。”

"Quite impossible, Janov. Really! The computer keeps us travelingalong a gravitational line of force. In other words, it remains alwaysat a constant intensity of the planetary gravitational force which meansit keeps us at a nearly constant height above sea level."

“几乎不可能，詹诺夫，真的！电脑让我们始终沿着一条重力线飞行，换句话说，它一直让行星重力场保持恒定强度，这就表示它使我们和海平面几乎维持恒定距离。”

"But how high?"

“可是有多高呢？”

"Nearly five kilometers."

“将近五公里。”

"That doesn't really console me, Golan. Might we not reach land andsmash into a mountain we don't see?"

“这样还是不能真正让我心安，葛兰。难道我们不可能碰到陆地、撞上我们看不见的山峰吗？”

" We don't see, but ship's radar will see it, and thecomputer will guide the ship around or over the mountain."

“我们看不见，可是太空船的雷达会看见，而电脑会引导太空船绕过或飞越山峰。”

"What if there's level land, then? We'll miss it in the dark."

“那么，万一经过的是平地呢？我们会在黑暗中失之交臂。”

"No, Janov, we won't. Radar reflected from water is not at all likeradar reflected from land. Water is essentially flat; land is rough. Forthat reason, reflection from land is substantially more chaotic thanreflection from water. The computer will know the difference and it willlet me know if there's land in view. Even if it were day and the planetwere sun-lit, the computer might well detect land before I would."

“不，詹诺夫，我们不会错过。水面反射的雷达波和陆地反射的完全不同，水面基本上是平坦，而陆地则崎岖不平。因此比较之下，陆地反射的雷达波显得极为紊乱，电脑能分辨其中的差别，如果眼前出现陆地，它随时会告诉我们。就算是大白天，整个行星阳光普照，电脑也一定会比我更早发现陆地。”

They fell silent and, in a couple of hours, they were back indaylight, with an empty ocean again rolling beneath them monotonously,but occasionally invisible when they passed through one of the numerousstorms. In one storm, the wind drove the Far Star out of itspath. The computer gave way, Trevize explained, in order to preventan unnecessary waste of energy and to minimize the chance of physicaldamage. Then, when the turbulence had passed, the computer eased theship back into its path.

接下来是一阵沉默。几小时后，他们又回到白昼区，下面仍是起起伏伏的空旷海洋。当他们偶尔穿越暴风雨时，海洋就会暂时在眼前消失。暴风雨多得数也数不清，在某一团暴风雨中，强风将远星号吹离原来的路径，电脑却未强行对抗。崔维兹解释道，这是为了避免不必要的能源浪费，并减低太空艇受损的机会。通过那团乱流之后，电脑果然将太空艇的航道缓缓矫正回来。

"Probably the edge of a hurricane," said Trevize.

“可能是个飓风的外缘。”崔维兹说。

Pelorat said, "See here, old chap, we're just traveling west toeast or east to west. All we're examining is the equator."

袭洛拉特说：“我跟你讲，老弟，我们如果一直由西往东飞——或是由东往西飞，我们观察到的就只有赤道而已。”

Trevize said, "That would be foolish, wouldn't it? We're followinga great-circle route northwest-southeast. That takes us through thetropics and both temperate zones and each time we repeat the circle, thepath moves westward, as the planet rotates on its axis beneath us. We'remethodically criss-crossing the world. By now, since we haven't hit land,the chances of a sizable continent are less than one in ten, accordingto the computer, and of a sizable island less than one in four, withthe chances going down each circle we make."

崔维兹说：“那样做实在很傻，对吧？其实，我们的飞行路径是个西北／东南向的球面大圆，它带着我们穿过热带和南北两个温带。我们每次着复这条路径，它便会自动偏西一点，因为行星一直在自转。所以说，我们很规律地逐渐扫过整个世界。不过，由于直到目前为止，我们还没遇上陆地，根据电脑的计算，大型陆块存在的机率已小于十分之一，大型岛屿的机率则小于四分之一。我们每多绕一圈，这些机率会再降一点。”

"You know what I would have done," said Pelorat slowly, as the nighthemisphere engulfed them again. "I'd have stayed well away from theplanet and swept the entire hemisphere facing me with radar. The cloudswouldn't have mattered, would they?"

“你知道换成我会怎么做吗？”裴洛拉特慢条斯理地说，此时他们又被夜半球吞噬。“我会跟这颗行星保持足够远的距离，利用雷达扫描正面整个半球。云层不是什么问题，对下对？”

Trevize said, "And then zoom to the other side and do the samethere. Or just let the planet turn once. That's hindsight,Janov. Who would expect to approach a habitable planet without stoppingat a station and being given a path or being excluded? And if onewent under the cloud layer without stopping at a station, who would expectnot to find land almost at once? Habitable planets are land!"

崔维兹说：“然后急速拉升，来到另一侧，再进行同样的工作，或者干脆等行星自转过来——那是后见之明，詹诺夫。通常来到一颗可住人行星，都得先停靠在某个太空站；取得一条降落路径——或被拒绝入境。谁缓笙到我们根本找不到太空站？即使没有停靠任何太空站，直接来到云层底下，谁又缓笙到无法很快找到陆地？可住人行星就是——陆地！”

"Surely not all land," said Pelorat.

“当然不会全是陆地。”裴洛拉特说。

"I'm not talking about that," said Trevize, in sudden excitement. "I'msaying we've found land! Quiet!"

“我不是在说那个，”崔维兹的声音突然变得很兴奋，“我是说我们找到陆地了！安静！”

Then, with a restraint that did not succeed in hiding his excitement,Trevize placed his hands on the desk and became part of the computer. Hesaid, "It's an island about two hundred and fifty kilometers long andsixty-five kilometers wide, more or less. Perhaps fifteen thousand squarekilometers in area or thereabout. Not large, but respectable. More thana dot on the map. Wait "

崔维兹虽然努力克制，却仍难掩兴奋之情。他将双手放到桌面上，整个人又变成电脑的一部分。“是一座岛屿，大约二百五十公里长，六十五公里宽，不会差多少。面积大概有一万五千平方公里左右，不算大，却也不小，在地图上下只一个点。等一等——”

The lights in the pilot-room dimmed and went out.

驾驶舱的灯光转暗，终至完全熄灭。

"What are we doing?" said Pelorat, automatically whispering as thoughdarkness were something fragile that must not be shattered.

“我们在做什么？”裴洛拉特不自觉压低了声音，仿佛黑暗是个很脆弱的东西，大声一点就会震碎。

"Waiting for our eyes to undergo dark-adaptation. The ship is hoveringover the island. Just watch. Do you see anything?"

“等我们的眼睛适应黑暗。现在太空船正在这座岛屿上空盘旋，仔细看看，你能看到什么东西吗？”

"No Little specks of light, maybe. I'm not sure."

“没有——可能有些小扁点，我不确定。”

"I see them, too. Now I'll throw in the telescopic lens."

“我也看到了，现在我要插入望远镜片。”

And there was light! Clearly visible. Irregular patches of it.

仍然有灯光！能看得很清楚，一团团的灯光零星散布各处。

"It's inhabited," said Trevize. "It may be the only inhabited portionof the planet."

“上面有人居住，”崔维兹说：“它可能是行星上唯一住人之处。”

"What do we do?"

“我们该怎么做？”

"We wait for daytime. That gives us a few hours in which we canrest."

“等到白天再说，这样我们可以有几小时的休息时间。”

"Might they not attack us?"

“他们不会攻击我们吗？”

"With what? I detect almost no radiation except visible light andinfrared. It's inhabited and the inhabitants are clearly intelligent. Theyhave a technology, but obviously a preelectronic one, so I don't thinkthere's anything to worry about up here. If I should be wrong, thecomputer will warn me in plenty of time."

“用什么攻击？除了可见光和红外线，我没侦测到其他的辐射。这是座住人的岛屿，而且看得出民智已开。他们也拥有科技，但显然是前电子时代的科技，所以我认为没什么好担心的。万一我猜错了，电脑也会及早警告我们。”

"And once daylight comes?"

“一旦白昼降临了呢？”

"We'll land, of course."

“我们当然马上着陆。”

They came down when the first rays of the morning sunshone through a break in the clouds to reveal part of the island-freshlygreen, with its interior marked by a line of low, rolling hills stretchinginto the purplish distance.

当清晨第一道阳光穿透云隙，照后这座岛屿的一部分时，他们驾着太空艇缓缓下降。岛上一片鲜绿，内地有一排低矮平缓的山丘，一直延伸到泛紫色的远方。

As they dropped closer, they could see isolated copses of treesand occasional orchards, but for the most part there weeeeeell-keptfarms. Immediately below them, on the southeastern shore of the islandwas a silvery beach backed by a broken line of boulders, and beyond itwas a stretch of lawn. They caught a glimpse of an occasional house,but these did not cluster into anything like a town.

他们在接近地面时，看到了四下分布的杂树林，以及穿插其间的果树园，不过大部分地区是经营良好的农场。在他们的正下方，也就是岛屿的东南岸，则是一片银色的海滩，后面有一排断断续续的圆石，更远处还有一片草地。他们偶尔也能看到些房舍，不过都很分散，没有构成任何城镇。

Eventually, they made out a dim network of roads, sparsely lined bydwelling places, and then, in the cool morning air, they spied an air-carin the far distance. They could only tell it was an air-car, and nota bird, by the manner of its maneuvering. It was the first indubitablesign of intelligent life in action they had yet seen on the planet.

最后，他们发现了一个模糊的道路网，路旁稀疏地排列着几栋住宅。接着，在清晨凉爽的空气中，他们侦察到远方有辆飞车。根据它飞行的方式，他们确定那并非一只大鸟，而的确是一辆飞车。那是他们在这颗行星上，首次见到的智慧生命活动的确实迹象。

"It could be an automated vehicle, if they could manage that withoutelectronics," said Trevize.

“它可能是个自动交通工具，假如他们不用电子零件也能做到的话。”崔维兹说。

Bliss said, "It might well be. It seems to me that if there were ahuman being at the controls, it would be heading for us. We must be quitea sight a vehicle sinking downward without the use of braking jetsof rocket fire."

宝绮思说：“很有可能。我认为如果有人在操纵，它就会朝我们飞过来。我们必定是个奇观——一艘航具缓缓下降，却没用到反推喷射火箭。”

"A strange sight on any planet," said Trevize thoughtfully. "Therecan't be many worlds that have ever witnessed the descent of a graviticspace-vessel. The beach would make a fine landing place, but ifthe winds blow I don't want the ship inundated. I'll make for the stretchof grass on the other side of the boulders."

“在任何行星上，这都是个奇景。”崔维兹语着心长地说：“不会有太多世界见过重力太空航具的降落过程——那海滩是个理想的着陆地点，但海风说不定会吹起来，我可不希望太空船泡水败。所以，我要飞到圆石另一侧的草坪去。”

"At least," said Pelorat, "a gravitic ship won't scorch privateproperty in descending."

“至少，”裴洛拉特说：“重力太空船降落时，不会把别人的财产烧焦。”

Down they came gently on the four broad pads that had moved slowlyoutward during the last stage. These pressed down into the soil underweight of the ship.

在降落的最后一个阶段，太空艇慢慢伸出四个宽大的脚垫，接着便轻巧地着陆。由于承受了太空艇的着量，四个脚垫全部陷入土中。

Pelorat said, "I'm afraid we'll leave marks, though."

裴洛拉特说：“不过，只怕我们留下压痕。”

"At least," said Bliss, and there was that in her voice that was noten approving, "the climate is evidently equable I would even say,warm."

“至少，”宝绮思的声音有点不以为然：“气候显然相当适中——甚至还算得上温暖。”

A human being was on the grass, watching the ship descend and showingno evidence of fear or surprise. The look on her face showed only raptinterest.

有个女子站在草地上，凝望着太空艇降落的过程。她未曾显出任何恐惧或惊讶的神色，脸上只流露出一副着迷的表情。

She wore very little, which accounted for Bliss's estimate of theclimate. Her sandals seemed to be of canvas, and about her hips was awraparound skirt with a flowered pattern. There were no leg-coveringsand there was nothing above her waist.

她穿得非常少，证明宝绮思对此地气候的估计很正确。她的凉鞋似乎是帆布制的，臀部围着一条印有花朵图样的短裙，大腿没有任何遮蔽物，腰部以上也完全赤裸。

Her hair was black, long, and very glossy, descending almost to herwaist; Her skin color was a pale brown and her eyes were narrow.

她的头发又黑又长，几乎垂到腰际，看来非常光滑柔润。她有着淡棕色的皮肤，和一对细长的眼睛。

Trevize scanned the surroundings and there was no other human being insight. He shrugged and said, "Well, it's early morning and the inhabitantsmay be mostly indoors, or even asleep. Still, I wouldn't say it was awell-populated area."

崔维兹四下扫视一遍，发现周遭没有其他人。他耸了耸肩，“嗯，现在是大清早，居民可能大多在室内，有的甚至可能还在睡觉。不过话说回来，我不认为这是个人口众多的地区。”

He turned to the others and said, "I'll go out and talk to the woman,if she, speaks anything comprehensible. The rest of you……"

他转过头对其他人说：“我出去跟那个女子谈谈，她若能说些我听得懂的话，那么你们……”

"I should think," said Bliss firmly, "that we might as well allstep out. That woman looks completely harmless and, in any case, I want to stretch my legs and breathe planetary air, and perhaps arrange for planetary food. I want Fallom to get the feel of a world again, too,and I think Pel would like to examine the woman at closer range."

“我倒认为，”宝绮思以坚决的口气说：“我们一起出去比较好。那女子看来完全没有危险，而且反正我想出去伸伸腿，呼吸一下这个行星的空气，也许还能张罗些这个行星的食物。我也要菲龙重温置身一个世界的感觉，此外，我想裴会希望在近距离检视一下那名女子。”

"Who? I?" said Pelorat, turning faintly pink. "Not at all, Bliss,but I am the linguist of our little party."

“谁？我？”裴洛拉特脸上顿时出现红晕，“根本没这回事，宝绮思，但我是我们这个小组的通译。”

Trevize shrugged. "Come one, come all. Still, though she may lookharmless, I intend to take my weapons with me."

崔维兹又耸了耸肩。“好啦，一起行动。不过，虽然她看来毫无危险，我还是打算带着我的武器。”

"I doubt," said Bliss, "that you will be much tempted to use them onthat young woman."

“我可不信，”宝绮思说：“你会想用它们对付那个年轻少女。”

Trevize grinned. "She is attractive, isn't she?"

崔维兹咧嘴微微一笑。“她很迷人，对不对？”

Trevize left the ship first, then Bliss, with one hand swung backwardto enclose Fallom's, who carefully made her way down the ramp afterBliss. Pelorat was last.

崔维兹首先离开太空艇，殿后的是裴洛拉特。宝绮思走在中间，一只手在背后拉住菲龙的小手；菲龙则紧跟着宝绮思，小心翼翼地走下斜梯。

The black-haired young woman continued to watch with interest. Shedid not back away an inch.

黑发年轻女子仍然兴味十足地看着，没有向后移动半步。

Trevize muttered, "Well, let's try."

崔维兹喃喃说道：“好，让我们试试看。”

He held his arms away from his weapons and said, "I greet you."

他将原本按着武器的双手抬起来，开口道：“我向你问好。”

The young woman considered that for a moment, and said, "I greet theeand I greet thy companions."

那年轻女子思索了一会儿，然后说：“我问候尊驾，亦问候尊驾之同伴。”

Pelorat said joyfully, "How wonderful! She speaks Classical Galacticand with a correct accent.'"

裴洛拉特兴奋地说道：“太好了！她说的是古典银河标准语，而且发音字正腔圆。”

"I understand her, too," said Trevize, oscillating one hand to indicatehis understanding wasn't perfect. "I hope she understands me."

“我也懂她的意思。”崔维兹说着又摆了摆手，表示他其实并不是每一个字都听得懂。“我希望她懂得我的意思。”

He said, smiling, and assuming a friendly expression, "We come fromacross space. We come from another world."

他露出一副友善的表情，微笑着说：“我们从遥远的太空飞来，我们来自另一个世界。”

"That is well," said the young woman, in her clear soprano. "Comesthy ship from the Empire?"

“甚好，”年轻女子以清脆的女高音说：“尊驾之太空船自帝国而来？”

"It comes from a far star, and the ship is named Far Star ."

“它来自一个遥远的星体，这艘太空船就叫作远星号。”

The young woman looked up at the lettering on the ship. "Is thatwhat that sayeth? If that be so, and if the first letter is an F, then,behold, it is imprinted backward."

年轻女子抬起头，看了看太空艇上的字样。　“那是其含意吗？若果如此，又若果第二字为‘星’，那么注意看，它给印反了。”

Trevize was about to object, but Pelorat, in an ecstasy of joy, said,"She's right. The letter F did reverse itself about two thousand yearsago. What a marvelous chance to study Classical Galactic in detail andas a living language."

崔维兹正准备反驳，裴洛拉特却欣喜若狂地说：“她说得对，‘星’这个字的确是在两千多年前反过来的。这是多么难得的机会，遇到了活生生的古典标准语，让我可以详细研究一番。”

Trevize studied the young woman carefully. She was not much more than1.5 meters in height, and her breasts, though shapely, were small. Yetshe did not seem unripe. The nipples were large and the areolae dark,though that might be the result of her brownish skin color.

崔维兹仔细打量这位年轻女子。她身高只有一百五十几公分，胸部虽秀挺却不丰满。但她看来并非尚未发育成熟，她的乳头不小，乳晕颜色也很深，不过后者或许是棕色皮肤造成的结果。

He said, "My name is Golan Trevize; my friend is Janov Pelorat;the woman is Bliss; and the child is Fallom."

他说：“我的名字叫葛兰·崔维兹；这位是我的朋友詹诺夫。裴洛拉特；那位女士是宝绮思；那个小孩叫作菲龙。”

"Is it the custom, then, on the far star from which you come, thatthe men be given a double name? I am Hiroko, daughter of Hiroko."

“那么，尊驾来自的远方星体，是否存在为男子取双名之惯例？我名为广子，为广子之女。”

"And your father?" interposed Pelorat suddenly.

“你的父亲呢？”裴洛拉特突然插嘴。

To which Hiroko replied with an indifferent shrug of her shoulder,"His name, so sayeth my mother, is Smool, but it is of no importance. Iknow him not."

广子不以为然地耸了耸肩，答道：“他的名字，我娘亲说唤作史慕尔，然而这毫无重要，我并不识他。”

"And where are the others?" asked Trevize. "You seem to be the onlyone to be here to greet us."

“其他人在哪里？”崔维兹说：“似乎只有你一个人在这里迎接我们。”

Hiroko said, "Many men are aboard the fishboats; many women are in thefields. I take holiday these last two days and so am fortunate enough tosee this great thing. Yet people are curious and the ship will have beenseen as it descended, even from a distance. Others will be here soon."

广子说：“多数男子在渔船上，多数女子在田间。我这两天休假，因而有幸目睹这伟大场面。然而人们都好奇，太空船降落时会被目击，即便位于远方亦如是，他人很快将来到。”

"Are there many others on this island?"

“这个岛上还有很多人吗？”

"There are more than a score and five thousand," said Hiroko withobvious pride.

“总数超过二十五仟。”广子答道，语气中透着明显的骄傲。

"And are there other islands in the ocean?"

“海洋中还有其他岛屿吗？”

"Other islands, good sir?" She seemed puzzled.

“其他岛屿，尊贵的先生？”她似乎十分困惑。

Trevize took that as answer enough. This was the one spot on theentire planet that was inhabited by human beings.

崔维兹认为这句问话无异于回答。整个行星上，这里是唯一有人居住的地方。

He said, "What do you call your world?"

他说：“你们如何称呼你们的世界？”

"It is Alpha, good sir. We are taught that the whole name is AlphaCentauri, if that has more meaning to thee, but we call it Alpha only and,see, it is a fair-visaged world."

“它唤作阿尔发，尊贵的先生。我们教科书中，提及其全名为‘半人马之阿尔发’，不知此一全名对尊驾是否更具意义，然而我们只唤它阿尔发，瞧，它是个美景世界。”

"A what world?" said Trevize, turning blankly toPelorat.

“什么世界？”崔维兹问，同时茫然地转头望向裴洛垃待。

"A beautiful world, she means," said Pelorat.

“她的意思是美丽的世界。”裴洛拉特说。

"That it is," said Trevize, "at least here, and at this moment." Helooked up at the mild blue morning sky, with its occasional drift ofclouds. "You have a nice sunny day, Hiroko, but I imagine there aren'tmany of those on Alpha."

“的确没错，”崔维兹说：“至少此地，此时此刻。”他抬头望着清晨淡蓝色的天空，其间偶尔有几朵云彩飘过。“今天是个大好的晴天，广子，但是我想，这种天气在阿尔发不多见。”

Hiroko stiffened. "As many as we wish, sir. The clouds may come whenwe need rain, but on most days it seemeth good to us that the sky isfair above. Surely a goodly sky and a quiet wind are much to be desiredon those days when the fishboats are at sea."

广子愣了一下。“我们要多少有多少，先生。我们需要雨水时，云朵便会飘来，然而大多数日子里，天空晴朗似乎对我们更有助益。在渔船出海的这些日子，我们当然极需晴朗的天空与温和的风。”

"Do your people control the weather, then, Hiroko?"

“这么说，你们可以控制气候喽，广子？”

"Did we not, Sir Golan Trevize, we would be soggy with rain."

“若我们无法，葛兰·崔维兹先生，我们将给雨水淋得湿透。”

"But how do you do that?"

“但你们是如何做到的？”

"Not being a trained engineer, sir, I cannot tell thee."

“并非身为训练有素之工程师，先生，恕我无法向尊驾解释。”

"And what might be the name of this island on which you and yourpeople live?" said Trevize, finding himself trapped in the ornatesound of Classical Galactic (and wondering desperately if he had theconjugations right).

“你和你的族人居住的这个岛屿，不知其名如何称呼？”崔维兹问。他发现自己已受到影响，也学起这种古典标准语的华丽腔调（他实在极想知道自己的文法是否正确）。

Hiroko said, "We call our heavenly island in the midst of the vastsea of waters New Earth."At which Trevize and Pelorat stared at each other with surpriseand delight.

广子说：“我们这座位于汪洋之中，有如天堂般的岛屿，唤作‘新地球’。”听到这个答案，崔维兹与裴洛拉特惊喜交集，不约而同地转头瞪着对方。

There was no time to follow up on the statement. Otherswere arriving. Dozens. They must consist of those, Trevize thought,who were not on the ships or in the fields, and who were not from toofar away. They came on foot for the most part, though two ground-carswere in evidence rather old and clumsy.

他们没有机会继续讨论下去，因为许多人陆续来到，总数有好几十个。崔维兹心想，这些人一定都没出海，也未在田间工作，而且住处离此地不太远。大多数人都徒步前来，不过他也看到两辆车——都相当老旧粗陋。

Clearly, this was a low-technology society, and yet they controlledthe weather.

显然这是个科技水准不高的社会，但他们却能控制气候。

It was well known that technology was not necessarily all of a piece;that lack of advance in some directions did not necessarily excludeconsiderable advance in others but surely this example of unevendevelopment was unusual.

众所皆知，科技发展未必能面面顾到，即使某一方面落后，其他方面仍有可能相当先进。可是像这么不均衡的发展，也实在是个罕见的例子。

Of those who were now watching the ship, at least half were elderlymen and women; there were also three or four children. Of the rest, morewere women than men. None showed any fear or uncertainty whatever.

前来观看太空艇的人群中，至少有一半是年长的男女，也有三、四个小孩子，其他人则大多数是女性。不过没有任何人表现出恐惧或疑虑。

Trevize said in a low voice to Bliss, "Are you manipulating them? Theyseem serene."

崔维兹对宝绮思低声道：“你在操纵他们吗？他们似乎——相当稳静。”

"I'm not in the least manipulating them," said Bliss. "I never touchminds unless I must. It's Fallom I'm concerned with."

“完全没有。”宝绮思说：“除非有必要，我绝不轻易碰触他人的心灵，我现在关心的只有菲龙一个人。”

Few as the newcomers were to anyone who had experienced the crowdsof curiosity-seekers on any normal world in the Galaxy, they were amob to Fallom, to whom the three adults on the Far Star hadbeen something to grow accustomed to. Fallom was breathing rapidly andshallowly, and her eyes were half-closed. Almost, she seemed in shock.

对于曾在银河任何一个正常世界凑过热闹的人而言，现在的围观者根本不算多；可是对于菲龙而言，她才刚刚适应了远星号上的三个成人，现在这群人在她眼中无异是黑压压的一群。菲龙的呼吸变得非常急促，眼睛半闭起来，几乎是受到了惊吓。

Bliss was stroking her, softly and rhythmically, and making soothingsounds. Trevize was certain that she was delicately accompanying it all by an infinitely gentle rearrangement of mental fibrils.

宝绮思轻轻地、反覆规律地抚摩着她，嘴里发出安抚的声调。崔维兹十分肯定，此时她还正以无比轻柔的方式，仔细重组菲龙的心灵纤丝。

Fallom took in a sudden deep breath, almost a gasp, and shook herself,in what was perhaps an involuntary shudder. She raised her head andlooked at those present with something approaching normality and thenburied her head in the space between Bliss's arm and body.

菲龙突然喘息似的深深吸一口气，接着她甩了甩头，大概是不由自主地打了个颤。然后她抬起头，以比较正常的目光看了看周围的人群，随即又将头埋进宝绮思怀中。

Bliss let her remain so, while her arm, encircling Fallom's shoulder,tightened periodically as though to indicate her own protective presenceover and over.

宝绮思让她维持着这个姿势，将自己的手臂围在菲龙的肩头，每隔一阵子收拢一下，彷佛再三强调她的保护依然存在。

Pelorat seemed rather awestruck, as his eyes went from one Alphan toanother. He said, "Golan, they differ so among themselves."

裴洛拉特目光扫过这群阿尔发人，表情似乎相当愕然。“葛兰，他们彼此间的差异可真大。”

Trevize had noticed that, too. There were various shades of skinand hair color, including one brilliant red head with blue eyes andfreckled skin. At least three apparent adults were as short as Hiroko,and one or two were taller than Trevize. A number of both sexes had eyesresembling those of Hiroko, and Trevize remembered that on the teemingcommercial planets of the Fili sector, such eyes were characteristic ofthe population, but he had never visited that sector.

崔维兹也注意到这一点。他们的肤色与发色有好几种，其中一人有着火红的头发、碧蓝的眼珠，以及满是雀斑的皮肤。至少有三个明明是成人，却长得跟广子一般矮小，另有一两人则比崔维兹还高。好几个男女的眼睛都与广子类似，崔维兹想起来，在菲律星区那些商业繁荣的行星上，这种眼睛是当地居民的特征，不过他自己从未造访那个星区。

All the Alphans wore nothing above the waist and among the women thebreasts all seemed to be small. That was the most nearly uniform of allthe bodily characteristics that he could see.

所有的阿尔发人腰部以上一律赤裸，女性的胸部似乎都不大，在崔维兹眼中，那是她们最接近一致的身体特征。

Bliss said suddenly, "Miss Hiroko, my youngster is not accustomedto travel through space and she is absorbing more novelty than she caneasily manage. Would it be possible for her to sit down and, perhaps,have something to eat and drink?"

宝绮思突然说：“广子小姐，我的小朋友还不习惯太空旅行，她吸收的新奇事物已超过她的消化能力。可不可以让她坐下来，也许再给她点吃的喝的？”

Hiroko looked puzzled, and Pelorat repeated what Bliss had said inthe more ornate Galactic of the mid-Imperial period.

广子现出困惑的表情，裴洛拉特便用流行于帝国中叶、听来较为华丽的银河标准语，将宝绮思的话着复了一遍。

Hiroko's hand then flew to her mouth and she sank to her kneesgracefully. "I crave your pardon, respected madam," she said. "I havenot thought of this child's needs, nor of thine. The strangeness of thisevent has too occupied me. Wouldst thou would you all asvisitors and guests, enter the refectory for morning meal? May we joinyou and serve as hosts?"

广子听了赶紧用一只手掩住嘴，盈盈地屈膝半跪。“我恳求您恕罪，尊贵的女士，”她说：“我未曾顾及这孩儿以及尊驾的需要。这件事太过稀奇，将我整个心思占满。请尊驾——请您们诸位访客——前往食堂进早膳如何？我们加入您们，以主人的身分招待可好？”

Bliss said, "That is kind of you." She spoke slowly and pronouncedthe words carefully, hoping to make them easier to understand. "It would be better, though, if you alone served as hostess, for the sake of the comfort of the child who is unaccustomed to being with many peopleat once."

宝绮思说：“你实在太好了。”她说得很慢，每个音都发得很仔细，希望能让对方比较容易了解。“不过，最好能由你一个人招待我们，这样孩子才会觉得自在，她不习惯同时和太多人在一起。”

Hiroko rose to her feet. "It shall be as thou hast said."

广子站了起来，答道：“一切遵照尊驾的吩咐。”

She led them, in leisurely manner, across the grass. Other Alphansedged closer. They seemed particularly interested in the clothing of thenewcomers. Trevize removed his light jacket, and handed it to a man whohad sidled toward him and had laid a questing finger upon it.

她从容地走在前面，带领他们穿过草坪。其他的阿尔发人紧跟在两旁，他们似乎对这些访客的衣着特别感兴趣。其中有个人挨近了崔维兹，好奇地摸摸他的轻便夹克，崔维兹索性将夹克脱下来递给他。

"Here," he said, "look it over, but return it." Then he said toHiroko. "See that I get it back, Miss Hiroko."

“拿去吧，好好看个够，不过要还我。”然后他又对广子说：“要保证我能拿回来，广子小姐。”

"Of a surety, it will be backhanded, respected sir." She nodded herhead gravely.

“不在话下，必将物归原主，尊贵的先生。”她神情严肃地点了点头。

Trevize smiled and walked on. He was more comfortable without thejacket in the light, mild breeze.

崔维兹露出微笑，继续往前走。在轻柔温和的微风中，他觉得脱掉夹克更舒服了。

He had detected no visible weapons on the persons of any of those abouthim, and he found it interesting that no one seemed to show any fear ordiscomfort over Trevize's. They did not even show curiosity concerningthem. It might well be that they were not aware of the objects as weaponsat all. From what Trevize had so far seen, Alpha might well be a worldutterly without violence.

他默默观察周围的人群，看不出有任何人身上带着武器。而对于崔维兹携带的武器，好像也没有人表现出恐惧或不安，甚至没有表现出好奇，这点令崔维兹感到很有意思。很可能他们根本不知道那是武器，根据崔维兹目前观察的心得，阿尔发很可能是个完全没有暴力的世界。

A woman, having moved rapidly forward, so as to be a little aheadof Bliss, turned to examine her blouse minutely, then said, "Has't thou breasts, respected madam?"

此时，一名女子加快脚步，超前宝绮思一点，然后转过头来，仔细检视宝绮思的宽松上衣，并且说：“尊驾具有乳房吗，尊贵的女士？”

And, as though unable to wait for an answer, she placed her handlightly on Bliss's chest.

但她似乎等不及对方回答，便迳自伸出手轻轻按在宝绮思胸前。

Bliss smiled and said, "As thou hast discovered, I have. They areperhaps not as shapely as thine, but I hide them not for that reason. Onmy world, it is not fitting that they be uncovered."

宝绮思微微一笑，答道：“诚如尊驾所发现，我确实拥有。它们或许不如尊驾那般秀挺，然而我遮住它们，并非由于此等原因。在我的世界上，不适宜让它们暴露在外。”

She whispered in an aside to Pelorat, "How do you like the way I'mgetting the hang of Classical Galactic?"

说完，她转头对裴洛拉特耳语道：“你觉得我对古典标准语的窍门掌握得怎么样？”

"You did that very well, Bliss," said Pelorat.

“你掌握得很好，宝绮思。”裴洛拉特说。

The dining room was a large one with long tables to which wereattached long benches on either side. Clearly, the Alphans atecommunity-fashion.

那间餐厅相当大，里面有许多长型餐桌，每张餐桌两侧都摆着长椅。从这些陈设，可以明显看出阿尔发人惯于集体用餐。

Trevize felt a pang of conscience. Bliss's request for privacy hadreserved this space for five people and forced the Alphans generallyto remain in exile outside. A number, however, placed themselves at arespectful distance from the windows (which were no more than gaps inthe wall, unfilled even by screens), presumably so that they might watchthe strangers eat.

崔维兹觉得良心十分不安，由于宝绮思要求独处，这么大的地方只能给五人享用，害得其他阿尔发人被迫留在外面。不过仍有许多阿尔发人不愿离去，他们与窗子保持礼貌的距离（所谓的窗子，其实只是墙壁上的一些隙缝，甚至没有装纱窗），想必是为了观看这些陌生人的吃相。

Involuntarily, he wondered what would happen if it were torain. Surely, the rain would come only when it was needed, light and mild,continuing without significant wind till enough had fallen. Moreover,it would always come at known times so that the Alphans would be readyfor it, Trevize imagined.

崔维兹不知不觉想到一个问题，那就是下雨的时候会怎么样？当然，雨水只有在需要时才会落下，雨势一定恰到好处，也不会伴随太强的风，而且总是适可而止。此外，下雨的时间必定会提前预报，因此阿尔发人可早做准备，崔维兹这么想。

The window he was facing looked out to sea, and far out at the horizonit seemed to Trevize that he could make out a bank of clouds similar tothose that so nearly filled the skies everywhere but over this littlespot of Eden.

崔维兹对面那扇窗子可以望见海洋，在远方地平线上，崔维兹似乎能看见一片云层，看来与其他各处的云层无异。想必除了这一小块人间仙境，整个天空都布满那种乌云。

There were advantages to weather control.

气候控制的确有莫大好处。

Eventually, they were served by a young woman on tiptoeing feet. Theywere not asked for their choice, but were merely served. There was a smallglass of milk, a larger of grape juice, a still larger of water. Eachdiner received two large poached eggs, with slivers of white cheeseon the side. Each also had a large platter of broiled fish and smallroasted potatoes, resting on cool, green lettuce leaves.

终于有人出来为他们服务，那是一位踮着脚尖走路的年轻女子。她没有问他们要吃什么，只是默默将食物端出来。每个人都有一小杯羊奶、一中杯葡萄汁、一大杯白开水。食物包括两个大型荷包蛋，旁边配着些白色乳酪片，此外还有一大盘烧鱼，缀着些小块的烤马铃薯，下面铺着清凉鲜绿的莴苣叶。

Bliss looked with dismay at the quantity of food before her and wasclearly at a loss where to begin. Fallom had no such trouble. She drankthe grape juice thirstily and with clear evidence of approval, thenchewed away at the fish and potatoes. She was about to use her fingersfor the purpose, but Bliss held up a large spoon with tined ends thatcould serve as a fork as well, and Fallom accepted it.

看到这么多食物摆在面前，宝绮思现出十分为难的表情，显然不知如何下手才好。菲龙却没这个问题，她大口喝着葡萄汁，就像渴了几天一样，而且露出明显的赞赏神情，然后又开始大嚼烧鱼与马铃薯。本来她差点要伸手去抓，宝绮思及时递给她一根前端有尖齿的大汤匙，菲龙便接过来当叉子用。

Pelorat smiled his satisfaction and cut into the eggs at once.

裴洛拉特满意地笑了笑，开始切他的荷包蛋。

Trevize, saying, "Now to be reminded what real eggs taste like,"followed suit.

崔维兹说：“现在可以重温真正的蛋是什么滋味了。”说完也开始切荷包蛋。

Hiroko, forgetting to eat her own breakfast in her delight at themanner in which the others ate (for even Bliss finally began, withobvious relish), said, at last, "Is it well?"

广子看着客人用餐的模样（就连宝绮思也终于开动，而且显然吃得津津有味），不禁满心欢喜，竟然忘了吃自己那一份。最后，她终于开口说：“好吗？”

"It is well," said Trevize, his voice somewhat muffled. "This islandhas no shortage of food, apparently. Or do you serve us more thanyou should, out of politeness?"

“好得很。”崔维兹的声音有些含混不清，“看得出这座岛屿食物充足——还是你们太客气，招待我们的食物丰盛得过分？”

Hiroko listened with intent eyes, and seemed to grasp the meaning,for she said, "No, no, respected sir. Our land is bountiful, our sea evenmore so. Our ducks give eggs, our goats both cheese and milk. And thereare our grains. Above all, our sea is filled with countless varietiesof fish in numberless quantity. The whole Empire could eat at our tablesand consume not the fish of our sea."

广子定睛专心聆听，似乎领悟了这句话的意思，因为她的回答完全切题。“不，不，尊贵的先生。我们土地物产丰饶，我们海产更加丰富。我们的鸭子会生蛋，我们的山羊能提供乳酪与鲜奶，此外我们种植谷物。尤其重要的是，我们的海洋满是各式各样鱼类，数量多得不计其数。整个帝国都能上我们的餐桌，也不会将我们海中的鱼消耗殆尽。”

Trevize smiled discreetly. Clearly, the young Alphan had not thesmallest idea of the true size of the Galaxy.

崔维兹暗自微微一笑。这个年轻的阿尔发人，对于银河的实际大小没有丝毫概念，这点十分明显。

He said, "You call this island New Earth, Hiroko. Where, then, mightOld Earth be?"

他说：“你们管这个岛屿叫新地球，广子，那么旧地球又该在哪里？”

She looked at him in bewilderment." Old Earth, say you? Icrave pardon, respected sir. I take not thy meaning."

她不知所措地望着他。“旧地球，您是这么说的吗？我恳求您恕罪，尊贵的先生，我不解尊驾的意思。”

Trevize said, "Before there was a New Earth, your people must havelived elsewhere. Where was this elsewhere from which they came?"

崔维兹说：“在新地球出现之前，你们族人一定住在别的地方。他们原来住的那个‘别的地方’究竟在哪里？”

"I know naught of that, respected sir," she said, with troubledgravity. "This land has been mine all my life, and my mother's andgrandmother's before me; and, I doubt not, their grandmother's andgreat-grandmother's before them. Of any other land, I know naught."

“我一概不知，尊贵的先生。”她的神情极其凝重，“这块土地在我有生之年是我的；在我之前，是我娘亲、我外祖母的；我也毫不怀疑，在她们之前，是她们的外祖母、曾外祖母的。至于其他的土地，我根本一概不知。”

"But," said Trevize, descending to gentle argumentation, "you speakof this land as New Earth. Why do you call it that?"

“可是，”崔维兹改用温和的方式说理，“你说这块土地叫作新地球，你为什么这样称呼它？”

"Because, respected sir," she replied, equally gentle, "that is what itis called by all since the mind of woman goeth not to the contrary."

“因为，尊贵的先生，”她以同样温和的方式答道：“大家都如此称呼，女性又未曾表示反对。”

"But it is New Earth, and therefore, a later Earth. Theremust be an Old Earth, a former one, for which it wasnamed. Each morning there is a new day, and that implies that earlierthere had existed an old day. Don't you see that this must be so?"

“但它却是‘新’地球，因此是较晚出现的地球。一定还有个‘旧’地球，一个较早的地球，用的是同样的名字。每天早上都是新的一天，这表示在此之前还有旧日子，你难道看不出必然如此吗？”

"Nay, respected sir. I know only what this land is called. I know ofnaught else, nor do I follow this reasoning of thine which sounds verymuch like what we call here chop-logic. I mean no offense."

“不然，尊贵的先生。我仅知晓这块土地叫什么，对其他土地不知情。我也无法领会尊驾的推论，那听来极似我们这里所谓的强词夺理。我并非有意冒犯。”

And Trevize shook his head and felt defeated.

崔维兹摇了摇头，心中充满挫折感。

Trevize leaned toward Pelorat, and whispered, "Whereverwe go, whatever we do, we get no information."

崔维兹凑向裴洛拉特，悄声道：“不论我们来到哪里，不论我们做些什么，总是得不到所需要的讯息。”

"We know where Earth is, so what does it matter?" said Pelorat,doing little more than move his lips.

“我们已经知道地球在哪里了，所以又有什么关系呢？”裴洛拉特仅仅蠕动嘴唇回答。

"I want to know something about it."

“我想对它多少先有个了解。”

"She's very young. Scarcely a repository of information."

“她很年轻，不太可能是知识的宝库。”

Trevize thought about that, then nodded. "Right, Janov."

崔维兹想了一下，便点了点头。“有道理，詹诺夫。”

He turned to Hiroko and said, "Miss Hiroko, you haven't asked us whywe are here in your land?"

他转头对广子说：“广子小姐，你尚未问及我们来到你们这里目的为何？”

Hiroko's eyes fell, and she said, "That would be but scant courtesyuntil you have all eaten and rested, respected sir."

广子垂下限睑，答道：“如此有欠礼数，必须等待您们吃饱暍足，休憩完毕才能发问，尊贵的先生。”

"But we have eaten, or almost so, and we have recently rested, so Ishall tell you why we are here. My friend, Dr. Pelorat, is a scholaron our world, a learned man. He is a mythologist. Do you know whatthat means?"

“可是我们已经吃饱，或者说几乎饱了，而且我们刚刚也休息过，所以我准备告诉你，我们为何来到此地。我的朋友，裴洛拉特博士，他是我们那个世界的一名学者，一位饱学之士。严格说来他是一名神话学家，你知道那是什么意思吗？”

"Nay, respected sir, I do not."

“不然，尊贵的先生，我不知。”

"He studies old tales as they are told on different worlds. Old talesare known as myths or legends and they interest Dr. Pelorat. Are therelearned ones on New Earth who know the old tales of this world?"

“他专门研究各个世界流传的古老故事，那些古老故事通称为神话或传说，裴洛拉特博士对它们非常感兴趣。在新地球上，有没有什么饱学之士，知道有关这个世界的古老故事？”

Hiroko's forehead creased slightly into a frown of thought. She said,"This is not a matter in which I am myself skilled. We have an old manin these parts who loves to talk of ancient days. Where he may havelearned these things, I know not, and methinks he may have spun hisnotions out of air, or heard them from others who did so spin. Thisis perhaps the material which thy learned companion would hear, yet Iwould not mislead thee. It is in my mind," she looked to right and leftas though unwilling to be overheard, "that the old man is but a prater,though many listen willingly to him."

广子的额头微微皱起，看得出她陷入沉思。她说：“这方面我自己并不嫺熟。我们这附近有位老者，喜爱谈论古老的日子。他究竟打哪儿听来那些事，我可不知晓，依我看许是他凭空杜撰的，或是听那些故事杜撰者讲的。尊驾那位饱学的同伴，欲听的八成即是那些，然而我不会误导尊驾，在我心目中，”她左顾右吩一番，仿佛不愿被他人偷听。“那老者不过是个话匣子，偏偏很多人乐意听他说话。”

Trevize nodded. "Such prating is what we wish. Would it be possiblefor you to take my friend to this old man……"

崔维兹点了点头。“我们想找的就是这种话匣子，能不能请你带我的朋友去见那位老者——”

"Monolee he calls himself."

“他唤自己为单姓李。”

"……to Monolee, then. And do you think Monolee would be willingto speak to my friend?"

“——那就去找这位单姓李。你认为单姓李是否愿意跟我的朋友谈话？”

"He? Willing to speak?" said Hiroko scornfully. "Thou must ask,rather, if he be ever ready to cease from speaking. He is but a man,and will therefore speak, if allowed, till a fortnight hence, with nopause. I mean no offense, respected sir."

“他？愿意谈话？”广子以轻蔑的口气说：“尊驾其实该问，他是否有闭上嘴巴之时。他仅是个男性，因而是果情况允许，会不眠不休说上十天半个月。我无意冒犯，尊贵的先生。”

"No offense taken. Would you lead my friend to Monolee now?"

“你没有冒犯我，现在你就能带我的朋友去见单姓李吗？”

"That may anyone do at any time. The ancient is ever home and everready to greet an ear."

“任何人在任何时候都行，那老人随时都在家，随时欢迎倾听的耳朵上门。”

Trevize said, "And perhaps an older woman would be willing to comeand sit with Madam Bliss. She has the child to care for and cannot moveabout too much. It would please her to have company, for women, as youknow, are fond of……"

崔维兹说：“此外，也许能找到一位年长的妇人，愿意陪宝绮思女士坐坐。她有个小孩需要照顾，因此不能走得太远。要是能有个伴，她会很高兴的，因为女人，你知道，全都喜欢……”

"Prating?" said Hiroko, clearly amused. "Why, so men say, althoughI have observed that men are always the greater babblers. Let the menreturn from their fishing, and one will vie with another in tellinggreater flights of fancy concerning their catches. None will mark them norbelieve, but this will not stop them, either. But enough of my prating,too. I will have a friend of my mother's, one whom I can seethrough the window, stay with Madam Bliss and the child, and before thatshe will guide your friend, the respected doctor, to the aged Monolee. Ifyour friend will hear as avidly as Monolee will prate, thou wilt scarcelypart them in this life. Wilt thou pardon my absence a moment?"

“打开话匣子？”广子显然被逗乐了，“诚然，男人皆如是说，虽然根据我观察，男人总是唠叨更多。等到男人打渔回来，便会争相夸耀他们的收获，比试谁的牛皮吹得最凶。无人注意他们，亦无人相信那些言语，他们仍旧乐此不疲。然而我的话匣子也该关了——我会让娘亲的一位朋友，我现在即可透过窗子看到她，请她来陪宝绮思女士与这位小友。在此之前，她会先带您的朋友，那位尊贵的博士，去见单姓李老先生。若果您的朋友听故事的兴趣，与单姓李开话匣子的兴趣一样大，这辈子尊驾将无法让他们分开。请尊驾恕罪，我去去就来可好？”

When she had left, Trevize turned to Pelorat and said, "Listen, getwhat you can out of the old man, and Bliss, you find out what you canfrom whoever stays with you. What you want is anything about Earth."

当她离去后，崔维兹转头对裴洛拉特说：“听着，尽你可能向那位老先生打探；宝绮思，不管什么人来陪你，尽可能套她的话。你们要挖掘的，是有关地球的任何资料。”

"And you?" said Bliss. "What will you do?"

“那你呢？”宝绮思问：“你要做什么？”

"I will remain with Hiroko, and try to find a third source."

“我留在广子身旁，试着寻找第三个资料来源。”

Bliss smiled. "Ah yes. Pel will be with this old man; I with an oldwoman. You will force yourself to remain with this fetchingly uncladyoung woman. It seems a reasonable division of labor."

宝绮思微微一笑。“是啊，裴要去找一位老先生；我要跟着一个老妇人。而你，则强迫自己陪伴这位迷人的半裸年轻女郎，这似乎是很合理的分工方式。”

"As it happens, Bliss, it is reasonable."

“纯属巧合，宝绮思，但这是合理的安排。”

"But you don't find it depressing that the reasonable division oflabor should work out so, I suppose."

“不过我想，你不会因这样的合理分工而感到闷闷不乐。”

"No, I don't. Why should I?"

“不，我不会。我为何要闷闷不乐？”

"Why should you, indeed?"

“是啊，你怎么会呢？”

Hiroko was back, and sat down again. "It is all arranged. The respectedDr. Pelorat will be taken to Monolee; and the respected Madam Bliss,together with her child, will have company. May I be granted, then,respected Sir Trevize, the boon of further conversation with thee,mayhap of this Old Earth of which thou……"

广子回来，再次在椅子上坐定。“都已安排妥当，尊贵的裴洛拉特博士将被带去见单姓李，尊贵的宝绮思女士与她的孩儿将有人陪伴。那么，尊贵的崔维兹先生，能否恩准我继续与尊驾交谈？或许再聊聊那个旧地球，尊驾一直……”

"Pratest?" asked Trevize.

“话匣子没关？”崔维兹问。

"Nay," said Hiroko, laughing. "But thou dost well to mock me. I showedthee but discourtesy ere now in answering thy question on this matter. I would fain make amends."

“不然，”广子笑道：“然而尊驾学我说话，模仿得唯妙唯肖。至今为止，我在回答尊驾这个问题之时，自始至终都很失礼，我亟欲做些补偿。”

Trevize turned to Pelorat. "Fain?"

崔维兹转向裴洛拉特。“亟欲？”

"Be eager," said Pelorat softly.

“渴望的意思。”裴洛拉特轻声说。

Trevize said, "Miss Hiroko, I felt no discourtesy, but if it willmake you feel better, I will gladly speak with you."

崔维兹说：“广子小姐，我不觉得你有失礼之处，不过要是能让你心安，我很愿意跟你谈谈。”

"Kindly spoken. I thank thee," said Hiroko, rising.

“说得真客气，我感谢尊驾。”广子一面说，一面站了起来。

Trevize rose, too. "Bliss," he said, "make sure Janov remainssafe."

崔维兹也跟着起身。“宝绮思，”他说：“要确保詹诺夫平安无事。”

"Leave that to me. As for you, you have your……" She nodded towardhis holsters.

“这件事交给我负责。至于你自己，你有你的——”她朝他腰际的皮套点了点头。

"I don't think I'll need them," said Trevize uncomfortably.

“我想我不需要用到它们。”崔维兹不大自在地说。

He followed Hiroko out of the dining room. The sun was higher in thesky now and the temperature was still warmer. There was an otherworldlysmell as always. Trevize remembered it had been faint on Comporellon, alittle musty on Aurora, and rather delightful on Solaria. (On Melpomenia,they were in space suits where one is only aware of the smell of one'sown body.) In every case, it disappeared in a matter of hours as theosmic centers of the nose grew saturated.

他跟着广子离开餐厅，此时太阳已高挂天际，气温变得更暖和了。每个世界都有一种特殊的气味，此地也不例外。崔维兹记得康普隆上有着郁闷的气味，奥罗拉的空气中带点霉味，索拉利的味道则相当恰人。（在梅尔波美尼亚上，他们始终穿着太空衣，因此只能闻到自己的体臭。）但只要在某颗行星待上几小时，等鼻子的嗅觉神经饱和后，特殊的气味便会消失无踪。

Here, on Alpha, the odor was a pleasant grassy fragrance under thewarming effect of the sun, and Trevize felt a bit annoyed, knowing thatthis, too, would soon disappear.

而在阿尔发上，则有阳光烘出来的一种青草芳香，令人觉得神清气爽。崔维兹不禁感到有点懊恼，因为他很明白，这种香味很快就会闻不到了。

They were approaching a small structure that seemed to be built ofa pale pink plaster.

他们朝一栋小型建筑物走去，它看来似乎是用浅粉红色石膏建成的。

"This," said Hiroko, "is my home. It used to belong to my mother'syounger sister."

“这就是我的家，”广子说：“它过去属于娘亲的妹妹所有。”

She walked in and motioned Trevize to follow. The door was open or,Trevize noticed as he passed through, it would be more accurate to saythere was no door.

她走了进去，示意崔维兹一块进来。大门敞开着，更正确的说法是根本没有门，崔维兹经过时注意到这一点。

Trevize said, "What do you do when it rains?"

崔维兹说：“下雨的时候你怎么办？”

"We are ready. It will rain two days hence, for three hours eredawn, when it is coolest, and when it will moisten the soil mostpowerfully. Then I have but to draw this curtain, both heavy andwater-repellent, across the door."

“我们事先有准备。两天后即有一场雨，将在黎明前连续下三小时，那时气温最低，对泥土之湿润作用最强。我只消拉起门帘就行，这种门帘既厚重又防水。”

She did so as she spoke. It seemed made of a strong canvas-likematerial.

她一面说一面示范，门帘似乎是用类似帆布的强韧布料制成。

"I will leave it in place now," she went on. "All will then knowI am within but not available, for I sleep or am occupied in mattersof importance."

“我就让它留在那儿，”她继续说：“如此众人皆会知晓我在家中，然而不方便见人，也许我正在睡觉，或者忙着什么重要之事。”

"It doesn't seem much of a guardian of privacy."

“它看来不怎么能保护隐私。”

"Why should it not be? See, the entrance is covered."

“为何不能？看，入口全遮住了。”

"But anyone could shove it aside."

“可是任何人都能把它推开。”

"With disregard of the wishes of the occupant?" Hiroko lookedshocked. "Are such things done on thy world? It would be barbarous."

“不理会主人的意愿？”广子看来吓了一跳，“此种事件在尊驾的世界会发生吗？简直可谓野蛮行为。”

Trevize grinned. "I only asked."

崔维兹咧嘴微微一笑。“我只不过问问而已。”

She led him into the second of two rooms, and, at her invitation, heseated himself in a padded chair. There was something claustrophobic aboutthe blockish smallness and emptiness of the rooms, but the house seemeddesigned for little more than seclusion and rest. The window openingswere small and near the ceiling, but there were dull mirror strips in acareful pattern along the walls, which reflected light diffusely. Therewere slits in the Ioor from which a gentle, cool breeze uplifted. Trevizesaw no signs of artifinal lighting and wondered if Alphans had to wakeat sunrise and go to bed at sunset.

这栋建筑共有两个房间，现在她带他来到另一间，在她的招呼下，崔维兹坐到一张铺有衬垫的椅子上。两个房间都很封闭、狭窄而空荡，令人产生一种幽闭恐惧，不过，这栋房舍的功能似乎就是隐居与休憩。窗子的开口很小，而且接近屋顶，不过墙壁贴着许多长条状的反光板，排列成适当的图样，能将光线四下反射到室内各处。地板上有些隙缝，徐徐透出柔和的凉风。由于不见任何人工照明设备，崔维兹怀疑阿尔发人是否必须日出而作，日落而息。

He was about to ask, but Hiroko spoke first, saying, "Is Madam Blissthy woman companion?"

他正打算发问，广子却先开口：“宝绮思女士是否为尊驾之女伴？”

Trevize said cautiously, "Do you mean by that, is she my sexual partner?"

崔维兹谨慎地反问：“你的意思是说，她是不是我的性伴侣？”

Hiroko colored. "I pray thee, have regard for the decencies of politeconversation, but I do mean private pleasantry."

广子脸红了。“我恳求尊驾，请注意交谈的文雅与礼貌，然而我的确是指私下之欢愉。”

"No, she is the woman companion of my learned friend."

“不是，她是我那饱学朋友的女伴。”

"But thou art the younger, and the more goodly."

“然而尊驾较为年轻，较为貌美。”

"Well, thank you for your opinion, but it is not Bliss's opinion. Shelikes Dr. Pelorat much more than she does me."

“嗯，谢谢你这么想，那却不是宝绮思的想法。比较之下，她对裴洛拉特博士的好感多了许多。”

"That much surprises me. Will he not share?"

“此事大大令我惊讶，他不愿分享？”

"I have not asked him whether he would, but I'm sure he wouldn't. Norwould I want him to."

“我从未问过他是否愿意，但我确定他不会，而我也不要他那样做。”

Hiroko nodded her head wisely. "I know. It is her fundament."

广子点了点头，露出一个精明的表情。“我明了，是由于她的尻部。”

"Her fundament?"

“她的尻部？”

"Thou knowest. This." And she slapped her own dainty rear end.

“尊驾应知晓，即是此处——”她拍了拍自己线条优美的臀部。

"Oh, that! I understand you. Yes, Bliss is generously proportionedin her pelvic anatomy." He made a curving gesture with his hands andwinked. (And Hiroko laughed.)

“喔，那里！我了解你的意思。没错，宝绮思的骨盆相当宽大。”他用双手在半空划出一个人体曲线，还眨了眨眼睛（广子随即开怀大笑）。

Trevize said, "Nevertheless, a great many men enjoy that kind ofgenerosity of figure."

崔维兹又说：“不过嘛，许多男人都喜爱那种丰满的体型。”

"I cannot believe so. Surely it would be a sort of gluttony to wishexcess of that which is pleasant in moderation. Wouldst thou think moreof me if my breasts were massive and dangling, with nipples pointingto toes? I have, in good sooth, seen such, yet have I not seen menflock to them. The poor women so afflicted must needs cover theirmonstrosities as Madam Bliss does."

“我难以置信，凡事大小适中最理想，如果一味求大，当然即是贪得无厌。若我的乳房硕大，在胸前摇摇蔽晃，一双乳头指着脚趾，尊驾是否将更重视我？说真格的，我曾见过如此之乳房，然而未见男人蜂拥周围。为乳房过大而苦恼的可怜女子，必定需要将畸形胸脯遮盖起来——像宝绮思女士那样。”

"Such oversize wouldn't attract me, either, though I am sure thatBliss doesn't cover her breasts for any imperfection they may have."

“过大的胸部同样不会吸引我，不过我可以肯定，宝绮思将她的乳房遮起来，绝不是因为有任何缺陷。”

"Thou dost not, then, disapprove of my visage or form?"

“如此说来，尊驾不嫌恶我的容貌或体型？”

"I would be a madman to do so. You are beautiful."

“除非我是疯子，你实在很漂后。”

"And what dost thou for pleasantries on this ship of thine, as thou flittest from one world to the next Madam Bliss being denied thee?"

“尊驾乘着太空船，自一个世界飞到另一世界——宝绮思女士又拒尊驾千里之外，在旅途中尊驾如何享受欢愉？”

"Nothing, Hiroko. There's nothing to do. I think of pleasantries onoccasion and that has its discomforts, but we who travel through spaceknow well that there are times when we must do without. We make up forit at other times."

“完全没有，广子，没什么可做的。我偶尔也会想到那些欢愉，这的确有些不好过。但我们从事太空旅行的人，都很了解有些时候必须禁欲，我们会在其他时候补回来。”

"If it be a discomfort, how may that be removed?"

“若果觉得不好过，要如何消除该种感觉？”

"I experience considerably more discomfort since you've brought upthe subject. I don't think it would be polite to suggest how I mightbe comforted."

“你提到这个话题，让我觉得更加不好过。可是要我建议如何消除那种感觉，我认为那是很不礼貌的。”

"Would it be discourtesy, were I to suggest a way?"

“若由我提议一个法子，会不会很无礼？”

"It would depend entirely on the nature of the suggestion."

“这完全要看是什么样的建议。”

"I would suggest that we be pleasant with each other."

“我建议你我二人互相取悦。”

"Did you bring me here, Hiroko, that it might come to this?"

“你带我来这里，广子，就是为了这件事吗？”

Hiroko said, with a pleased smile, "Yes. It would be both myhostess-duty of courtesy, and it would be my wish, too."

广子露出愉悦的笑容。“正是，此事既是我应尽的地主之谊，同时亦是我的想望。”

"If that's the case, I will admit iiiis my wish, too. In fact,I would like very much to oblige you in this. I would be uhfain to do thee pleasure."

“如果这样的话，我承认这也是我的想望。事实上，我非常乐意遵从你的意思。我——啊——亟欲取悦尊驾。”