读故事

The submarine captain had never been at odds with his first lieutenant before, and that put the whole crew at risk. Now there was disagreement about a certain procedure between the two and it had become distinctly clear to all on board that they were in the middle of their own internal crisis. The captain knew immediately, however, that no one would know what to do in an emergency if the chain of command was at sixes and sevens. He had to make sure their minds were at rest.
With the sub surfaced and set to be riding smoothly at sea level, the captain called an all-ship meeting.
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. At the end of the day, however, final decisions on every sub were the captain's.
The first lieutenant asked for permission to speak at once.
The captain was suddenly at his mercy, but agreed at the expense of his authority to let the first lieutenant speak to the whole crew in his presence.
Standing at his elbow, the first lieutenant prepared to speak. He looked totally in command at the moment, and the captain began to fear the worst.
At the height of his tension, however, the first lieutenant apologized for his insubordination. He then told the crew that he agreed with everything the captain had said and that they should all salute and honor him. They all did so at his request.
There was never a problem with authority again.

记短语

at odds不和，争吵，意见不一致
at once马上，立刻
at one time曾经有一个时期，一度；同时
at one's elbow在（某人）手边，在（某人）近旁
at present现在，目前
at rest休息之中，处于停止状态，处于安宁状态
at risk处境危险，遭受危险
at sea level在海平面上
at sixes and sevens乱七八糟；不和
at sb's request（at the request of）在…的要求下，应…的要求（或请求）
at the end of the day最终，到头来，（工作等）完成之时
at the expense of由…付费，由…负担费用；以…为代价，在…受损害的情况下
at the height of在…顶点，在…顶峰
at the mercy of（at sb.'s mercy）任凭…的摆布，完全受…的支配
at the moment此刻，目前；那时，当时

    潜艇艇长以前从来没有和他的副艇长发生意见不统一，这使整个舰队处境危险。现在俩人就某个程序发生了分歧，大家十分清楚他俩内心都处于危机之中。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。他得想办法让大伙儿安下心来。
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。
    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authority发生冲突。但是到头来每艘潜艇上的最终决定还是要由艇长来做。
    副艇长马上要求批准他讲话。
    艇长突然处于他的控制之下，但他冒着牺牲authority的危险同意副艇长当着他的面向全体水手发表讲话。
    副艇长站在他身边准备开始讲话。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。
    但是，在紧张的顶峰，副艇长为自己违抗命令做了道歉。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。在他的请求下，大家都这样做了。
    以后再也没有出现过与authority的冲突。

本文选自新航道精品图书《读故事记短语》