Атлант расправил плечи

           "

           "WhendoIeverhaveachancetotalktoyouathome?"Shewasdrawlingherwordsimpassively,asifshewerestretchingthemtofilltime,forsomereasonwhichhecouldnotimagine."Ihadhopedtocatchafewmomentsofyourattention—likethis—betweentrainsandbusinessappointmentsandallthoseimportantmattersthatholdyoudayandnight,allthosegreatachievementsofyours,suchas...

           Hello,MissTaggart!"shesaidsharply,hervoiceloudandbright.

           Reardenwhirledaround.Dagnywaswalkingpastthem,butshestopped.

           "Howdoyoudo,"shesaidtoLillian,bowing,herfaceexpressionless.

           "Iamsosorry,MissTaggart,"saidLillian,smiling,"youmustforgivemeifIdon’tknowtheappropriateformulaofcondolencesfortheoccasion."ShenotedthatDagnyandReardenhadnotgreetedeachother."You’rereturningfromwhatwas,ineffect,thefuneralofyourchildbymyhusband,aren’tyou?"

           Dagny’smouthshowedafaintlineofastonishmentandofcontempt.

           Sheinclinedherhead,bywayofleave-taking,andwalkedon.

           LillianglancedsharplyatRearden’sface,asifindeliberateemphasis.Helookedatherindifferently,puzzled.

           Shesaidnothing.Shefollowedhimwithoutawordwhenheturnedtogo.Sheremainedsilentinthetaxicab,herfacehalf-turnedawayfromhim,whiletheyrodetotheWayne-FalklandHotel.