亨利·斯莱萨 考试日（原文 权威译文）(3)

‘All right,’ he said. ‘Come with me, Richard.’ He led Dickie to the end of the room, where a single wooden armchair faced a multi-dialed computing machine. There was a microphone on the left arm of the chair, and when the boy sat down, he found its pinpoint head conveniently at his mouth. ‘Now just relax, Richard. You’ll be asked some questions, and you think them over carefully. Then give your answers into the microphone. The machine will take care of the rest.’ ‘Yes, sir.’ ‘I’ll leave you alone now. Whenever you want to start, just say “ready” into the microphone.’ ‘Yes, sir.’ The man squeezed his shoulder, and left. Dickie said, ‘Ready.’ Lights appeared on the machine, and a mechanism whirred. A voice said: ‘Complete this sequence. One, four, seven, ten . . Mr and Mrs Jordan were in the living room, not speaking, not even speculating. It was almost four o’clock when the telephone rang. The woman tried to reach it first, but her husband was quicker. 
‘Mr Jordan?’ The voice was clipped: a brisk, official voice. 
‘Yes, speaking.’ 
‘This is the Government Educational Service. Your son, Richard M Jordan, Classification 600-115 has completed the Government examination. We regret to inform you that his intelligence quotient is above the Government regulation, according to Rule 84 Section 5 of the New Code.’ Across the room, the woman cried out, knowing nothing except the emotion she read on her husband’s face.