20 THE GOOD-BYE

CHAPTER 20 THE GOOD-BYE For months, Roz had feared the poison tide, and now she was going to march straight into it. She stood on the northern slopes and gazed out at the ocean. Clouds of gently shimmering dust were billowing through the water. The robot's eyes drifted skyward to a winged shape, high above. Brightbill was up there, scanning the seas. After a few minutes, he dove down and landed on his mother's shoulder. "The poison tide gradually curves west," said Brightbill, pointing. "So if you keep moving north, the water will eventually clear up." "Thank you for that helpful information," said Roz. "And the currents are strong and unpredictable," said Brightbill. "So be careful not to get turned around." "My internal compass will keep me headed in the right direction," said Roz. "Also, you never know when a boat or an airship might appear," said Brightbill. "So stay underwater as much as you can, to be safe." "Brightbill, I appreciate your concern," said Roz.

二十章再见几个月来，罗兹一直害怕毒潮，现在她要直接冲进去了。 她站在北边的山坡上，凝视着外面的大海。 一团团微微闪烁的灰尘在水面上翻腾。 机器人的目光飘向天空，高高地望向一个有翅膀的形状。 布莱特比尔在上面，扫描着海面。 几分钟后，他俯冲下来，落在他妈妈的肩膀上。 “毒潮逐渐向西倾斜，”布莱特比尔指着说。 “所以如果你继续向北移动，水最终会变干净。” “谢谢你提供的有用信息，”罗兹说。 布莱特比尔说：“洋流很强劲，难以预测。 “所以要小心不要转身。” “我内心的指南针会让我朝着正确的方向前进，”罗兹说。 布莱特比尔说：“而且，你永远不知道什么时候会有船或飞艇出现。” “所以为了安全，尽量待在水下。” “布莱特比尔，我感谢你的关心，”罗兹说。

"But please try not to worry. I am prepared for whatever I encounter." Farther up the hillside, a group of animals had gathered. They came to see off their good friend Roz. Everybody was counting on her to stop the poison tide. It seemed like an impossible task, but if anyone could succeed, it was the wild robot. Among the group were Loudwing, Nettle and Thorn, the beavers, and the otters. Chitchat stood with her three kits. Swooper floated on the breeze. Even Fink was there, lurking behind the others. However, someone important was missing. "Where is Glimmer?" said Roz. "Glimmer wanted to be here," said Brightbill. "But she stayed home because, well, Ma, you're going to be a grandmother." "Has Glimmer laid eggs?" The goose smiled. "She laid her first egg early this morning. We expect four or five more." "Oh, Brightbill, that is wonderful!" said Roz, hugging her son. "You and Glimmer will be excellent parents." "Life has been so hard lately," said Brightbill. "It's nice to have good news. But it feels strange to bring goslings into such a scary world." "The world can be scary sometimes," said Roz. "Whenever I am scared, I think of you, and I feel

“但请尽量不要担心。 我对我遇到的任何事情都做好了准备。” 山坡上，一群动物聚集在一起。 他们来为他们的好朋友罗兹送行。 大家都指望她能阻止毒潮。 这似乎是一项不可能完成的任务，但如果有人能成功的话，那就是野生机器人。 这群人中有大鸣翼、荨麻和荆棘、海狸和水獭。 Chitchat和她的三个工具包站在一起。 雨燕在微风中飘荡。 就连芬克也在那里，躲在其他人后面。 然而，一个重要的人不见了。 “微光在哪儿？”罗兹问。 “微光想待在这里，”布莱特比尔说。 “但她留在家里，因为，嗯，妈妈，你就要当奶奶了。” “微光下蛋了吗？”母鹅笑了。 “她今天一大早下了第一个蛋。 我们预计还会有四五个。” “哦，布莱特比尔，太棒了！”罗兹拥抱着儿子说。 “你和格里姆会是优秀的父母。” “最近生活太艰难了，”布莱特比尔说。 “很高兴听到好消息。 但是把小鹅带到这样一个可怕的世界，感觉很奇怪。” “这个世界有时候很可怕，”罗兹说。 “每当我害怕的时候，我就会想起你，我就会感到。

strong. Now, with grandgoslings on the way, I feel even stronger. I will do everything in my power to stop the poison tide. I am not afraid." "Just be careful," said Brightbill. "I want my goslings to meet their grandmother." "I will be careful," said Roz. "I want to meet my grandgoslings." Roz and Brightbill hugged each other tight. And then Brightbill fluttered up and joined the other animals. The robot marched downhill and across the shore. Before stepping into the water, she peered back at her friends and family. They looked tired, frail, nervous. Surrounding them were dead plants and scorched rocks. A puff of wind sent ashes floating through the group. The island had always seemed like a paradise, but now it seemed more like a prison.

强。现在，有了即将出世的小孙辈，我感觉更坚强了。 我将尽我所能阻止毒潮。 我不害怕。”“小心点，”布莱特比尔说。 “我想让我的小鹅们见见他们的奶奶。” “我会小心的，”罗兹说。 “我想见见我的小孙辈。” 罗兹和布莱特比尔紧紧地拥抱在一起。 接着，布莱特比尔飞了起来，加入了其他动物的行列。 机器人向山下行进，穿过海岸。 在入水之前，她回头看了看她的朋友和家人。 他们看上去疲惫、虚弱、紧张。 他们周围是枯死的植物和烧焦的岩石。 一阵风吹来，灰烬在人群中飘动。 这个岛一直看起来像个天堂，但现在却更像个监狱。

Voices called from the hillside. "Good luck, Roz!" "Thank you, Roz!" "We love you, Roz!" Roz waved good-bye. She took in one last view of the island. And when she was ready, she turned and marched into the waves.

山坡上传来喊声。 “祝你好运，罗兹！”“谢谢你，罗兹！”“我们爱你，罗兹！”罗兹挥手告别。 她最后看了一眼这个岛。 当她准备好了，她转身冲进了海浪。