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And though things improved again after a time, the old brilliancy was never recaptured,
經過一段時期，雖然事態又有所改善，不過以往那種光輝閃閃的明亮從未再得到過，
and humanity never recovered from its entrance into twilight.
人們永遠沒有從走進的黃昏中再走出來。
There was an hysterical talk of “measures,” of “provisional dictatorship,”
這時流傳著關于“措施”，關于“緊急專政”的歇斯底里的議論，
and the inhabitants of Sumatra were asked to familiarize themselves with the workings of the central power station,
還有撒馬特拉的居民們得到邀請去親自了解一下中央電力站的操作。
the said power station being situated in France.
所說的這座電力站座落在法蘭西。
But for the most part panic reigned, and men spent their strength praying to their Books, tangible proofs of the Machine”s omnipotence.
但主要是恐慌處于支配地位，于是人們把他們的精力用在向他們的大書祈禱上，大書是那大機器萬能的明確證據。
There were gradations of terror- at times came rumours of hope-
恐怖在逐漸轉化著，有時一些予人以希望的謠言不脛而來：
the Mending Apparatus was almost mended-the enemies of the Machine had been got under- new “nerve-centres” were evolving
那修理機已經差不多修理好了，大機器的敵人已經被壓下去了，
which would do the work even more magnificently than before.
新的“神經中心”正在創制之中，它會把工作做得比以前更加精彩，等等。
But there came a day when, without the slightest warning, without any previous hint of feebleness,
可是這樣一個日子來臨了，并且沒有一點預先警告，沒有一點最輕微的預示：
the entire communication-system broke down, all over the world, and the world, as they understood it, ended.
整個通訊系統失靈了，全世界，也就是他們所理解的那個世界，告終了。
Vashti was lecturing at the time and her earlier remarks had been punctuated with applause.
瓦西蒂當時正在演講，最初她的演講不時為熱烈的掌聲所打斷。
As she proceeded the audience became silent, and at the conclusion there was no sound.
當她繼續講下去的時候，聽眾變得沉默起來，在結束時竟一點聲息都沒有。
Somewhat displeased, she called to a friend who was a specialist in sympathy.
她有點不大高興地打電話給一個朋友，那是一位善于同情別人的專家。
No sound: doubtless the friend was sleeping.
沒有回答的聲音：毫無疑問，這個朋友是在睡覺哩。
And so with the next friend whom she tried to summon, and so with the next,
她試打電話給另一個朋友，也同樣沒有聲音，接著又試打電話給另一個人，
until she remembered Kuno”s cryptic remark, “The Machine stops”.
同樣如此，直到她想起基諾的“大機器要停止運轉了”這句隱晦的話來。
The phrase still conveyed nothing. If Eternity was stopping it would of course be set going shortly.
這句話依然沒有傳達給她什么意義。如果永恒現在停止不前的話，它當然不久就會又運轉起來的。
For example, there was still a little light and air – the atmosphere had improved a few hours previously.
比如此這兒還有光和空氣——大氣在幾個小時以前已經得到了改善。
There was still the Book, and while there was the Book there was security.
這兒還有那本大書，而且只要大書還在那里就有安全。
She had never known silence, and the coming of it nearly killed her – it did kill many thousands of people outright.
她從來不懂得沉寂，沉寂的來臨簡直要她的命——它的確使千千萬萬人立刻喪命。
Ever since her birth she had been surrounded by the steady hum.
自從她出生以來，她就被持續不停的嗡嗡聲所環繞，
It was to the ear what artificial air was to the lungs, and agonizing pains shot across her head.
這種嗡嗡聲之對于耳朵，正如人工空氣之對于肺一樣重要。接著使人煩惱的痛苦閃過她的腦際。
And scarcely knowing what she did, she stumbled forward and pressed the unfamiliar button, the one that opened the door of her cell.
她簡直不知道自己在干什么，她蹣跚地朝前走去，按了一下那個不常用的電鈕，就是打開她那個小房間的門的電鈕。
Now the door of the cell worked on a simple hinge of its own.
現在這個小房間的門是靠它自己的一個簡單的蝶鉸操作。
It was not connected with the central power station, dying far away in France. It opened, rousing immoderate hopes in Vashti,
它與遠在法蘭西瀕于崩潰的中央電力站沒有聯系。 這個門開了，在瓦西蒂的心中引起一些過分的希望，
for she thought that the Machine had been mended.
因為她認為那大機器已經修理好。
It opened, and she saw the dim tunnel that curved far away towards freedom.
這個門一開，她便看到那幽暗的隧道彎彎曲曲地朝著自由而遠去。
One look, and then she shrank back.
她看了一眼，隨即縮回。
For the tunnel was full of people – she was almost the last in that city to have taken alarm.
因為隧道里擠滿了人——她差不多是這座城里最后感到恐懼的一個人。
People at any time repelled her, and these were nightmares from her worst dreams.
人們在任何時候都使她厭惡，這是她那些最壞的惡夢中的夢魘。
