中英文本

Twenty Authority
第二十课 权威
The submarine captain never been at odds with his first lieutenant before, and that put the whole crew at risk.
潜艇艇长以前从来没有和他的第一副手发生意见不统一, 这使整个舰队处境危险。
Now there was disagreement about a certain pro-cedure between the two and it had become distincly clear to all on board that they were in the middle of their own internal crisis.
现在两人就某个程序发生了分歧，大家十分清楚他俩内心正处于危机之中。
The captain knew immediately, how-ever, that no one would know what to do in an emergency if the chain of command was at sixes and sevens.
不过，艇长很快就明白，如果指挥不当，出现紧急情况大家都会手足无措。
He had to make sure their minds were at rest.
他得想办法让大伙儿安下心来。

With the sub surfaced and set to be riding smoothly at sea level, the captain called an all-ship meeting.
等到潜艇浮上水面并开始在海平面上平稳行驶时，艇长召开了一次全体会议。
He explained the conflict at present to the entire crew and that at one time in each man's life, he would have conflict with authority.
他向全体水手解释了目前的冲突，并说在每个人的一生当中，都有可能一度和权威发生冲突。
At the end of the day, how-ever, final decisions on every sub were the captain's.
但是到头来每艘潜艇上的最终决定还是要由艇长来做。
The first lieutenant asked for permission to speak at once.
第一副艇长马上要求批准他讲话。
The captain was suddenlyat his mercy, but agreed at the expense of his authority to let the first lieutenant speak to the whole crew in his presence.
艇长突然处于他的控制之下，但他冒着牺牲权威的危险同意第一副艇长当着他的面向全体水手发表讲话。
Standing at his elbow, the first lieutenant prepared to speak.
第一副艇长站在他身边准备开始讲话。
He looked totally in command at the moment, and the captain began to fear the worst.
此刻他看上去完全控制着局面，艇长开始担心最坏的事情会发生。
At the height of his tension, however, the first lieutenant apologized for his in-subordination.
但是，在紧张的顶峰，第一副舰长为自己违抗命令做了道歉。
He then told the crew that he agreed with everything the captain had said and that they should all salute and honor him.
接着他告诉水手们他同意艇长所说的每一件事，大家应该赞美他，尊重他。
They all did so at his request.
在他的请求下，大家都这样做了。
There was never a problem with authority again.
以后再也没有出现过与权威的冲突。

重点讲解

1.at rest 休息之中，处于停止状态，处于安宁状态
例句：He lies at rest in the Martyrs' Cemetery.
他在烈士陵园安息着。
2.at risk 处境危险，遭受危险
例句：He saved three children alive at risk of his life.
他拼命救出了三个孩子。
3.at sea level 在海平面上
例句：A unit of pressure equal to the air pressure at sea level, approximately equal to1.01325?05newtons per square meter.
大气压力压力单位，等于海平面上的空气压力，每平方米约为1。01325?05牛顿
4.at sixes and sevens 乱七八糟；不和
例句：I'm all at sixes and sevens about what to do.
我心里七上八下,不知该怎么办。
5.at the expense of 由...付费，由...负担费用；以...为代价，在...受损害的情况下
例句：It is wrong to aim at sheer quantity at the expense of quality.
片面地追求数量而忽视质量是错误的。
6.at the mercy of (at sb.’s mercy) 任凭...的摆布，完全受...的支配
例句：A sailor is at the mercy of the weather.
水手受到天气的摆布。