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(单词翻译:双击或拖选)
It was bright morning. The sun shone down on the damp lawns and sidewalks, reflecting off the sparkling parked cars. The Clerk came walking hurriedly, leafing through his instructions, flipping1 pages and frowning. He stopped in front of the small green stucco house for a moment, and then turned up the walk, entering the back yard.
The dog was asleep inside his shed, his back turned to the world. Only his thick tail showed.
"For Heaven's sake," the Clerk exclaimed, hands on his hips2. He tapped his mechanical pencil noisily against his clipboard. "Wake up, you in there."
The dog stirred. He came slowly out of his shed, head first, blinking and yawning in the morning sunlight. "Oh, it's you. Already?" He yawned again.
"Big doings." The Clerk ran his expert finger down the traffic-control sheet. "They're adjusting Sector3 T137 this morning. Starting at exactly nine o'clock." He glanced at his pocket watch. "Three hour alteration4. Will finish by noon."
"T137? That's not far from here."
The Clerk's lips twisted in contempt. "Indeed. You're showing astonishing perspicacity5, my black-haired friend. Maybe you can divine why I'm here."
"Exactly. Elements from this sector are involved. We must make sure they're properly placed when adjustment begins." The Clerk glanced toward the small green stucco house. "Your particular task concerns the man in there. He is employed by a business establishment lying within Sector T137. It's essential he be there before nine o'clock.
The dog studied the house. The shades had been let up. The kitchen light was on. Beyond the lace curtains dim shapes could be seen, stirring around the table. A man and woman. They were drinking coffee.
"There they are," the dog murmured. "The man, you say? He's not going to be harmed, is he?"
"Of course not. But he must be at his office early. Usually he doesn't leave until after nine. Today he must leave at eight-thirty. He must be within Sector T137 before the process begins, or he won't be altered to coincide with the new adjustment."
The dog sighed. "That means I have to summon."
"Correct." The Clerk checked his instruction sheet. "You're to summon at precisely7 eight-fifteen. You've got that? Eight-fifteen. No later."
"What will an eight-fifteen summons bring?"
The Clerk flipped8 open his instruction book, examining the code columns. "It will bring A Friend with a Car. To drive him to work early." He closed the book and folded his arms, preparing to wait. "That way he'll get to his office almost an hour ahead of time. Which is vital."
"Vital," the dog murmured. He lay down, half inside his shed. His eyes closed. "Vital."
"Wake up! This must be done exactly on time. If you summon too soon or too late—"
The dog nodded sleepily. "I know. I'll do it right. I always do it right."
Ed Fletcher poured more cream in his coffee. He sighed, leaning back in his chair. Behind him the oven hissed10 softly, filling the kitchen with warm fumes11. The yellow overhead light beamed down.
"Another roll?" Ruth asked.
"Have to go." Ruth got to her feet, unfastening her robe. "Time to go to work."
"Already?"
"Sure. You lucky bum13! Wish I could sit around." Ruth moved toward the bathroom, running her fingers through her long black hair. "When you work for the Government you start early."
"But you get off early," Ed pointed14 out. He unfolded the Chronicle, examining the sporting green. "Well, have a good time today. Don't type any wrong words, any double-entendres."
Ed yawned and glanced up at the clock over the sink. Plenty of time. Not even eight. He sipped more coffee and then rubbed his stubbled chin. He would have to shave. He shrugged16 lazily. Ten minutes, maybe.
Ruth came bustling17 out in her nylon slip, hurrying into the bedroom. "I'm late." She rushed rapidly around, getting into her blouse and skirt, her stockings, her little white shoes. Finally she bent18 over and kissed him. "Goodbye, honey. I'll do the shopping tonight."
"Goodbye." Ed lowered his newspaper and put his arm around his wife's trim waist, hugging her affectionately. "You smell nice. Don't flirt19 with the boss."
Ruth ran out the front door, clattering20 down the steps. He heard the click of her heels diminish down the sidewalk.
She was gone. The house was silent. He was alone.
Ed got to his feet, pushing his chair back. He wandered lazily into the bathroom and got his razor down. Eight-ten. He washed his face, rubbing it down with shaving cream, and began to shave. He shaved leisurely21. He had plenty of time.
The Clerk bent over his round pocket watch, licking his lips nervously22. Sweat stood out on his forehead. The second hand ticked on. Eight-fourteen. Almost time.
"Time!" the Clerk cried.
Nothing happened.
The Clerk turned, eyes wide with horror. From the little shed a thick black tail showed. The dog had gone back to sleep.
The dog stirred. He thumped26 around hastily, backing out of the shed. "My goodness." Embarrassed, he made his way quickly to the fence. Standing27 up on his hind9 paws, he opened his mouth wide. "Woof!" he summoned. He glanced apologetically at the Clerk. "I beg your pardon. I can't understand how—"
The Clerk gazed fixedly29 down at his watch. Cold terror knotted his stomach. The hands showed eight-sixteen. "You failed," he grated. "You failed! You miserable30 flea-bitten rag-bag of a wornout old mutt! You failed!"
The dog dropped and came anxiously back. "I failed, you say? You mean the summons time was—?"
"You summoned too late." The Clerk put his watch away slowly, a glazed31 expression on his face. "You summoned too late. We won't get A Friend with a Car. There's no telling what will come instead. I'm afraid to see what eight-sixteen brings."
"I hope he'll be in Sector T137 in time."
"He won't," the Clerk wailed32. "He won't be there. We've made a mistake. We've made things go wrong!"
Ed was rinsing33 the shaving cream from his face when the muffled34 sound of the dog's bark echoed through the silent house.
"Damn," Ed muttered. "Wake up the whole block." He dried his face, listening. Was somebody coming?
The doorbell rang.
Ed came out of the bathroom. Who could it be? Had Ruth forgotten something? He tossed on a white shirt and opened the front door.
A bright young man, face bland36 and eager, beamed happily at him. "Good morning, sir." He tipped his hat. "I'm sorry to bother you so early—"
"What do you want?"
"I'm from the Federal Life Insurance Company. I'm here to see you about—"
Ed pushed the door closed. "Don't want any. I'm in a rush. Have to get to work."
"Your wife said this was the only time I could catch you." The young man picked up his briefcase37, easing the door open again. "She especially asked me to come this early. We don't usually begin our work at this time, but since she asked me, I made a special note about it"
"Okay." Sighing wearily, Ed admitted the young man. "You can explain your policy while I get dressed."
The young man opened his briefcase on the couch, laying out heaps of pamphlets and illustrated38 folders39. "I'd like to show you some of these figures, if I may. It's of great importance to you and your family to—"
Ed found himself sitting down, going over the pamphlets. He purchased a ten-thousand-dollar policy on his own life and then eased the young man out. He looked at the clock. Practically nine-thirty!
"Damn." He'd be late to work. He finished fastening his tie, grabbed his coat, turned off the oven and the lights, dumped the dishes in the sink, and ran out on the porch.
As he hurried toward the bus stop he was cursing inwardly. Life insurance salesmen. Why did the jerk have to come just as he was getting ready to leave?
Ed groaned40. No telling what the consequences would be, getting to the office late. He wouldn't get there until almost ten. He set himself in anticipation41. A sixth sense told him he was in for it. Something bad. It was the wrong day to be late.
If only the salesman hadn't come.
Ed hopped42 off the bus a block from his office. He began walking rapidly. The huge clock in front of Stein's Jewelry43 Store told him it was almost ten.
His heart sank. Old Douglas would give him hell for sure. He could see it now. Douglas puffing44 and blowing, red-faced, waving his thick finger at him; Miss Evans, smiling behind her typewriter; Jackie, the office boy, grinning and snickering; Earl Hendricks; Joe and Tom; Mary, dark-eyed, full bosom45 and long lashes46. All of them, kidding him the whole rest of the day.
He came to the corner and stopped for the light. On the other side of the street rose the big white concrete building, the towering column of steel and cement, girders and glass windows—the office building. Ed flinched47. Maybe he could say the elevator got stuck. Somewhere between the second and third floor.
The street light changed. Nobody else was crossing. Ed crossed alone. He hopped up on the curb48 on the far side—
And stopped, rigid.
The sun had winked49 off. One moment it was beaming down. Then it was gone. Ed looked sharply up. Gray clouds swirled50 above him. Huge, formless clouds. Nothing more. An ominous51, thick haze52 that made everything waver and dim. Uneasy chills plucked at him. What was it?
He advanced cautiously, feeling his way through the mist. Everything was silent. No sounds—not even the traffic sounds. Ed peered frantically53 around, trying to see through the rolling haze. No people. No cars. No sun. Nothing.
The office building loomed54 up ahead, ghostly. It was an indistinct gray. He put out his hand uncertainly—
A section of the building fell away. It rained down, a torrent55 of particles. Like sand. Ed gaped56 foolishly. A cascade57 of gray debris58, spilling around his feet. And where he had touched the building, a jagged cavity yawned—an ugly pit marring the concrete.
Dazed, he made his way to the front steps. He mounted them. The steps gave way underfoot. His feet sank down. He was wading59 through shifting sand, weak, rotted stuff that broke under his weight.
He got into the lobby. The lobby was dim and obscure. The overhead lights flickered60 feebly in the gloom. An unearthly pall61 hung over everything.
He spied the cigar stand. The seller leaned silently, resting on the counter, toothpick between his teeth, his face vacant. And gray. He was gray all over.
The seller did not answer. Ed reached out toward him. His hand touched the seller's gray arm—and passed right through.
"Good God," Ed said.
The seller's arm came loose. It fell to the lobby floor, disintegrating63 into fragments. Bits of gray fiber64. Like dust. Ed's senses reeled.
"Help!" he shouted, finding his voice.
No answer. He peered around. A few shapes stood here and there: a man reading a newspaper, two women waiting at the elevator.
Ed made his way over to the man. He reached out and touched him.
The man slowly collapsed65. He settled into a heap, a loose pile of gray ash. Dust. Particles. The two women dissolved when he touched them. Silently. They made no sound as they broke apart.
Ed found the stairs. He grabbed hold of the bannister and climbed. The stairs collapsed under him. He hurried faster. Behind him lay a broken path—his footprints clearly visible in the concrete. Clouds of ash blew around him as he reached the second floor.
He gazed down the silent corridor. He saw more clouds of ash. He heard no sound. There was just darkness—rolling darkness.
He climbed unsteadily to the third floor. Once, his shoe broke completely through the stair. For a sickening second he hung, poised66 over a yawning hole that looked down into a bottomless nothing.
Then he climbed on, and emerged in front of his own office: DOUGLAS AND BLAKE, REAL ESTATE.
The hall was dim, gloomy with clouds of ash. The overhead lights flickered fitfully. He reached for the door handle. The handle came off in his hand. He dropped it and dug his fingernails into the door. The plate glass crashed past him, breaking into bits. He tore the door open and stepped over it, into the office.
Miss Evans sat at her typewriter, fingers resting quietly on the keys. She did not move. She was gray, her hair, her skin, her clothing. She was without color. Ed touched her. His fingers went through her shoulder, into dry flakiness.
He drew back, sickened. Miss Evans did not stir.
He moved on. He pushed against a desk. The desk collapsed into rotting dust. Earl Hendricks stood by the water cooler, a cup in his hand. He was a gray statue, unmoving. Nothing stirred. No sound. No life. The whole office was gray dust—without life or motion.
Ed found himself out in the corridor again. He shook his head, dazed. What did it mean? Was he going out of his mind? Was he—?
A sound.
Ed turned, peering into the gray mist. A creature was coming, hurrying rapidly. A man—a man in a white robe. Behind him others came. Men in white, with equipment. They were lugging68 complex machinery69.
The men stopped. Their mouths opened. Their eyes popped.
"Look!"
"Something's gone wrong!"
"One still charged."
"Get the de-energizer."
"We can't proceed until—"
The men came toward Ed, moving around him. One lugged71 a long hose with some sort of nozzle. A portable cart came wheeling up. Instructions were rapidly shouted.
Ed broke out of his paralysis72. Fear swept over him. Panic. Something hideous73 was happening. He had to get out. Warn people. Get away.
He turned and ran, back down the stairs. The stairs collapsed under him. He fell half a flight, rolling in heaps of dry ash. He got to his feet and hurried on, down to the ground floor.
The lobby was lost in the clouds of gray ash. He pushed blindly through, toward the door. Behind him, the white-clad men were coming, dragging their equipment and shouting to each other, hurrying quickly after him.
He reached the sidewalk. Behind him the office building wavered and sagged74, sinking to one side, torrents75 of ash raining down in heaps. He raced toward the corner, the men just behind him. Gray clouds swirled around him. He groped his way across the street, hands outstretched. He gained the opposite curb—
The sun winked on. Warm yellow sunlight streamed down on him. Cars honked76. Traffic lights changed. On all sides men and women in bright spring clothes hurried and pushed: shoppers, a blue-clad cop, salesmen with briefcases77. Stores, windows, signs ... noisy cars moving up and down the street ...
And overhead was the bright sun and familiar blue sky.
Ed halted, gasping78 for breath. He turned and looked back the way he had come. Across the street was the office building—as it had always been. Firm and distinct. Concrete and glass and steel.
"Sorry." Ed shook his head, trying to clear it. From where he stood, the office building looked like always, big and solemn and substantial, rising up imposingly80 on the other side of the street.
But a minute ago—
Maybe he was out of his mind. He had seen the building crumbling81 into dust. Building—and people. They had fallen into gray clouds of dust. And the men in white—they had chased him. Men in white robes, shouting orders, wheeling complex equipment.
He was out of his mind. There was no other explanation. Weakly, Ed turned and stumbled along the sidewalk, his mind reeling. He moved blindly, without purpose, lost in a haze of confusion and terror.
He paced back and forth84 nervously, clasping and wringing85 his hands in an agony of apprehension86. He took off his glasses and wiped them shakily.
Lord. All the trouble and grief. And it wasn't his fault. But he would have to take the rap. It was his responsibility to get the Summoners routed out and their instructions followed. The miserable flea-infested Summoner had gone back to sleep—and he would have to answer for it.
The doors opened. "All right," a voice murmured, preoccupied87. It was a tired, care-worn voice. The Clerk trembled and entered slowly, sweat dripping down his neck into his celluloid collar.
The Old Man glanced up, laying aside his book. He studied the Clerk calmly, his faded blue eyes mild—a deep, ancient mildness that made the Clerk tremble even more. He took out his handkerchief and mopped his brow.
"I understand there was a mistake," the Old Man murmured. "In connection with Sector T137. Something to do with an element from an adjoining area."
"That's right." The Clerk's voice was faint and husky. "Very unfortunate."
"What exactly occurred?"
"I started out this morning with my instruction sheets. The material relating to T137 had top priority, of course. I served notice on the Summoner in my area that an eight-fifteen summons was required."
"Did the Summoner understand the urgency?"
"Yes, sir." The Clerk hesitated. "But—"
"But what?"
The Clerk twisted miserably88. "While my back was turned the Summoner crawled back in his shed and went to sleep. I was occupied, checking the exact time with my watch. I called the moment—but there was no response."
"You called at eight-fifteen exactly?"
"Yes, sir! Exactly eight-fifteen. But the Summoner was asleep. By the time I managed to arouse him it was eight-sixteen. He summoned, but instead of A Friend with a Car we got a—A Life Insurance Salesman." The Clerk's face screwed up with disgust. "The Salesman kept the element there until almost nine-thirty. Therefore he was late to work instead of early."
For a moment the Old Man was silent. "Then the element was not within T137 when the adjustment began."
"No. He arrived about ten o'clock."
"During the middle of the adjustment." The Old Man got to his feet and paced slowly back and forth, face grim, hands behind his back. His long robe flowed out behind him. "A serious matter. During a Sector Adjustment all related elements from other Sectors89 must be included. Otherwise, their orientations90 remain out of phase. When this element entered T137 the adjustment had been in progress fifty minutes. The element encountered the Sector at its most de-energized91 stage. He wandered about until one of the adjustment teams met him."
"Did they catch him?"
"What—what then?"
Adjustment Team 8.jpg
The Old Man stopped pacing, his lined face grim. He ran a heavy hand through his long white hair. "We do not know. We lost contact with him. We will reestablish contact soon, of course. But for the moment he is out of control."
"What are you going to do?"
"He must be contacted and contained. He must be brought up here. There's no other solution."
"Up here!"
"It is too late to de-energize him. By the time he is regained92 he will have told others. To wipe his mind clean would only complicate93 matters. Usual methods will not suffice. I must deal with this problem myself."
"I hope he's located quickly," the Clerk said.
"He will be. Every Watcher is alerted. Every Watcher and every Summoner." The Old Man's eyes twinkled. "Even the Clerks, although we hesitate to count on them."
The Clerk flushed. "I'll be glad when this thing is over," he muttered.
Ruth came tripping down the stairs and out of the building, into the hot noonday sun. She lit a cigarette and hurried along the walk, her small bosom rising and falling as she breathed in the spring air.
"Ruth." Ed stepped up behind her.
"Come on." Ed grabbed her arm, pulling her along. "Let's keep moving."
"But what—?"
"I'll tell you later." Ed's face was pale and grim. "Let's go where we can talk. In private."
"I was going down to have lunch at Louie's. We can talk there." Ruth hurried along breathlessly. "What is it? What's happened? You look so strange. And why aren't you at work? Did you—did you get fired?"
They crossed the street and entered a small restaurant. Men and women milled around, getting their lunch. Ed found a table in the back, secluded96 in a corner. "Here." He sat down abruptly97. "This will do." She slid into the other chair.
Ed ordered a cup of coffee. Ruth had salad and creamed tuna on toast, coffee and peach pie. Silently, Ed watched her as she ate, his face dark and moody98.
"Please tell me," Ruth begged.
"You really want to know?"
"Of course I want to know!" Ruth put her small hand anxiously on his. "I'm your wife."
"Something happened today. This morning. I was late to work. A damn insurance man came by and held me up. I was half an hour late."
Ruth caught her breath. "Douglas fired you."
"No." Ed ripped a paper napkin slowly into bits. He stuffed the bits in the half-empty water glass. "I was worried as hell. I got off the bus and hurried down the street. I noticed it when I stepped up on the curb in front of the office."
"Noticed what?"
Ed told her. The whole works. Everything.
When he had finished, Ruth sat back, her face white, hands trembling. "I see," she murmured. "No wonder you're upset." She drank a little cold coffee, the cup rattling99 against the saucer. "What a terrible thing."
Ed leaned intently toward his wife. "Ruth. Do you think I'm going crazy?"
Ruth's red lips twisted. "I don't know what to say. It's so strange..."
"Yeah. Strange is hardly the word for it. I poked100 my hands right through them. Like they were clay. Old dry clay. Dust. Dust figures." Ed lit a cigarette from Ruth's pack. "When I got out I looked back and there it was. The office building. Like always."
"Sure. I was afraid—and guilty." Ed's eyes flickered. "I know what you're thinking. I was late and I couldn't face him. So I had some sort of protective psychotic fit. Retreat from reality." He stubbed the cigarette out savagely102. "Ruth, I've been wandering around town since. Two and a half hours. Sure, I'm afraid. I'm afraid like hell to go back."
"Of Douglas?"
"No! The men in white." Ed shuddered103. "God. Chasing me. With their damn hoses and—and equipment."
Ruth was silent. Finally she looked up at her husband, her dark eyes bright. "You have to go back, Ed."
"Back? Why?"
"To prove something."
"Prove what?"
"Prove it's all right." Ruth's hand pressed against his. "You have to, Ed. You have to go back and face it. To show yourself there's nothing to be afraid of."
"The hell with it! After what I saw? Listen, Ruth. I saw the fabric104 of reality split open. I saw—behind. Underneath105. I saw what was really there. And I don't want to go back. I don't want to see dust people again. Ever."
"For God's sake."
"For your sake. For your sanity106. So you'll know." Ruth got abruptly to her feet, pulling her coat around her. "Come on, Ed. I'll go with you. We'll go up there together. To the office of Douglas and Blake, Real Estate. I'll even go in with you to see Mr. Douglas."
Ed got up slowly, staring hard at his wife. "You think I blacked out. Cold feet. Couldn't face the boss." His voice was low and strained. "Don't you?"
Ruth was already threading her way toward the cashier. "Come on. You'll see. It'll all be there. Just like it always was."
"Okay," Ed said. He followed her slowly. "We'll go back there—and see which of us is right."
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1
flipping
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| 讨厌之极的 | |
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hips
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| abbr.high impact polystyrene 高冲击强度聚苯乙烯，耐冲性聚苯乙烯n.臀部( hip的名词复数 )；[建筑学]屋脊；臀围（尺寸）；臀部…的 | |
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sector
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| n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形 | |
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alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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perspicacity
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| n. 敏锐, 聪明, 洞察力 | |
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overlap
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| v.重叠，与…交叠；n.重叠 | |
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precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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flipped
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| 轻弹( flip的过去式和过去分词 )； 按（开关）； 快速翻转； 急挥 | |
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hind
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| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
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hissed
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| 发嘶嘶声( hiss的过去式和过去分词 )； 发嘘声表示反对 | |
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fumes
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| n.(强烈而刺激的)气味，气体 | |
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sipped
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| v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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bum
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| n.臀部；流浪汉，乞丐；vt.乞求，乞讨 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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bustling
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| adj.喧闹的 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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flirt
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| v.调情，挑逗，调戏；n.调情者，卖俏者 | |
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clattering
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| 发出咔哒声（clatter的现在分词形式） | |
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leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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furry
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| adj.毛皮的；似毛皮的；毛皮制的 | |
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thumped
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| v.重击， （指心脏）急速跳动( thump的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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fixedly
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| adv.固定地；不屈地，坚定不移地 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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glazed
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| adj.光滑的，像玻璃的；上过釉的；呆滞无神的v.装玻璃( glaze的过去式)；上釉于，上光；（目光）变得呆滞无神 | |
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wailed
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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rinsing
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| n.清水，残渣v.漂洗( rinse的现在分词 )；冲洗；用清水漂洗掉（肥皂泡等）；（用清水）冲掉 | |
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muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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35
vibration
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| n.颤动，振动；摆动 | |
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36
bland
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| adj.淡而无味的，温和的，无刺激性的 | |
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37
briefcase
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| n.手提箱，公事皮包 | |
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38
illustrated
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| adj. 有插图的，列举的 动词illustrate的过去式和过去分词 | |
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39
folders
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| n.文件夹( folder的名词复数 )；纸夹；（某些计算机系统中的）文件夹；页面叠 | |
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40
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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41
anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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42
hopped
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| 跳上[下]( hop的过去式和过去分词 )； 单足蹦跳； 齐足（或双足）跳行； 摘葎草花 | |
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43
jewelry
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| n.（jewllery）（总称）珠宝 | |
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44
puffing
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| v.使喷出( puff的现在分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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45
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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46
lashes
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| n.鞭挞( lash的名词复数 )；鞭子；突然猛烈的一击；急速挥动v.鞭打( lash的第三人称单数 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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47
flinched
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| v.（因危险和痛苦）退缩，畏惧( flinch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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48
curb
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| n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制 | |
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49
winked
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| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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50
swirled
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| v.旋转，打旋( swirl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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51
ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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52
haze
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| n.霾，烟雾；懵懂，迷糊；vi.(over)变模糊 | |
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53
frantically
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| ad.发狂地, 发疯地 | |
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54
loomed
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| v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的过去式和过去分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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55
torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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gaped
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| v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的过去式和过去分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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57
cascade
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| n.小瀑布，喷流；层叠；vi.成瀑布落下 | |
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58
debris
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| n.瓦砾堆，废墟，碎片 | |
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59
wading
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| （从水、泥等）蹚，走过，跋( wade的现在分词 ) | |
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60
flickered
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| （通常指灯光）闪烁，摇曳( flicker的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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61
pall
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| v.覆盖，使平淡无味；n.柩衣，棺罩；棺材；帷幕 | |
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62
croaked
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| v.呱呱地叫( croak的过去式和过去分词 )；用粗的声音说 | |
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63
disintegrating
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| v.（使）破裂[分裂，粉碎]，（使）崩溃( disintegrate的现在分词 ) | |
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64
fiber
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| n.纤维，纤维质 | |
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65
collapsed
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| adj.倒塌的 | |
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66
poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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67
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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68
lugging
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| 超载运转能力 | |
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69
machinery
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| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
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70
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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71
lugged
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| vt.用力拖拉（lug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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72
paralysis
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| n.麻痹(症)；瘫痪(症) | |
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73
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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74
sagged
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| 下垂的 | |
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75
torrents
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| n.倾注；奔流( torrent的名词复数 )；急流；爆发；连续不断 | |
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76
honked
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| v.（使）发出雁叫似的声音，鸣（喇叭），按（喇叭）( honk的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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77
briefcases
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| n.公文[事]包( briefcase的名词复数 ) | |
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78
gasping
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| adj. 气喘的, 痉挛的 动词gasp的现在分词 | |
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79
grunted
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说 | |
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80
imposingly
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81
crumbling
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| adj.摇摇欲坠的 | |
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82
administrative
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| adj.行政的，管理的 | |
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83
chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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84
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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85
wringing
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| 淋湿的，湿透的 | |
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86
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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87
preoccupied
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| adj.全神贯注的，入神的；被抢先占有的；心事重重的v.占据（某人）思想，使对…全神贯注，使专心于( preoccupy的过去式) | |
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88
miserably
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| adv.痛苦地；悲惨地；糟糕地；极度地 | |
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89
sectors
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| n.部门( sector的名词复数 )；领域；防御地区；扇形 | |
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90
orientations
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| n.方向( orientation的名词复数 )；定位；（任职等前的）培训；环境判定 | |
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91
energized
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| v.给予…精力，能量( energize的过去式和过去分词 )；使通电 | |
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92
regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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93
complicate
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| vt.使复杂化，使混乱，使难懂 | |
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94
spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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95
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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96
secluded
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| adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
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97
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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98
moody
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| adj.心情不稳的，易怒的，喜怒无常的 | |
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99
rattling
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| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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100
poked
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| v.伸出( poke的过去式和过去分词 )；戳出；拨弄；与（某人）性交 | |
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101
bawl
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| v.大喊大叫，大声地喊，咆哮 | |
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102
savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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103
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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104
fabric
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| n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织 | |
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105
underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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106
sanity
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| n.心智健全，神智正常，判断正确 | |
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