Атлант расправил плечи
Account Overdrawn
Theirterrorhadtheevasivequalityofguilt:itwasnotthefearthatcomesfromunderstanding,butfromtherefusaltounderstand.
Thelasttrainstoodattheplatform,itswindowsalong,lonestreakoflight.Thesteamofthelocomotive,gaspingtenselythroughthewheels,didnothaveitsusualjoyoussoundofenergyreleasedforasprint;ithadthesoundofapantingbreaththatonedreadstohearanddreadsmoretostophearing.Farattheendofthelightedwindows,shesawthesmallreddotofalanternattachedtoherprivatecar.Beyondthelantern,therewasnothingbutablackvoid.
Thetrainwasloadedtocapacity,andtheshrillnotesofhysteriaintheconfusionofvoiceswerethepleasforspaceinvestibulesandaisles.Somepeoplewerenotleaving,butstoodinvapidcuriosity,watchingtheshow;theyhadcome,asifknowingthatthiswasthelasteventtheywouldeverwitnessintheircommunityand,perhaps,intheirlives.
Shewalkedhastilythroughthecrowd,tryingnottolookatanyone.
Someknewwhoshewas,mostofthemdidnot.Shesawanoldwomanwitharaggedshawlonhershouldersandthegraphofalifetime’sstruggleonthecrackedskinofherface;thewoman’sglancewasahopelessappealforhelp.
