Атлант расправил плечи

           Shewalkeddownthehall,movingswiftlybutwithouteffort,withthesamesensationofknowingthatherfeetwereprobablytouchingthegroundbutthatshedidnotfeelit.ShedidnotknowhowmanyroomsshecrossedtoreachJim’soffice,orwhethertherehadbeenanypeopleinherway,sheknewthedirectiontotakeandthedoortopullopentoenterunannouncedandwalktowardhisdesk.

           Thenewspaperwastwistedintoarollbythetimeshestoodbeforehim.Shethrewitathisface,itstruckhischeekandfelldowntothecarpet.

           "There’smyresignation,Jim,"shesaid."Iwon’tworkasaslaveorasaslave-driver."

           Shedidnothearthesoundofhisgasp;itcamewiththesoundofthedoorclosingafterher.

           Shewentbacktoherofficeand,crossingtheanteroom,signaledEddietofollowherinside.

           Shesaid,hervoicecalmandclear,"Ihaveresigned."

           Henoddedsilently.

           "Idon’tknowasyetwhatI’lldointhefuture.I’mgoingaway,tothinkitoverandtodecide.Ifyouwanttofollowme,I’llbeatthelodgeinWoodstock."ItwasanoldhuntingcabininaforestoftheBerkshireMountains,whichshehadinheritedfromherfatherandhadnotvisitedforyears.

           "Iwanttofollow,"hewhispered,"Iwanttoquit,and...andIcan’t.Ican’tmakemyselfdoit."

           "Thenwillyoudomeafavor?"

           "Ofcourse.