Атлант расправил плечи

           Shedidnotknowwhy;shecouldnotdefineherownfeeling;sheknewonlythattherewas,inherfeeling,ascreamofprotestagainstinjustice,andthatitwasaresponsetosomethingmuchbeyondanoldpieceofmachinery.

           Therestofherstaffhadgone,whensheenteredtheanteroomofheroffice,butEddieWillerswasstillthere,waitingforher.Sheknewatoncethatsomethinghadhappened,bythewayhelookedandthewayhefollowedhersilentlyintoheroffice.

           "What’sthematter,Eddie?"

           "McNamaraquit."

           Shelookedathimblankly."Whatdoyoumean,quit?"

           "Left.Retired.Wentoutofbusiness."

           "McNamara,ourcontractor?"

           "Yes."

           "Butthat’simpossible!"

           "Iknowit."

           "Whathappened?Why?"

           "Nobodyknows."

           Takinghertimedeliberately,sheunbuttonedhercoat,satdownatherdesk,startedtopulloffhergloves.Thenshesaid,"Beginatthebeginning,Eddie.Sitdown."

           Hespokequietly,butheremainedstanding."Italkedtohischiefengineer,longdistance.ThechiefengineercalledfromCleveland,totellus.That’sallhesaid.Heknewnothingelse."

           "Whatdidhesay?"

           "ThatMcNamarahasclosedhisbusinessandgone."

           "Where?"

           "Hedoesn’tknow.Nobodyknows."

           Shenoticedthatshewasholdingwithonehandtwoemptyfingersofthegloveoftheother,theglovehalf-removedandforgotten.Shepulleditoffanddroppeditonthedesk.

           Eddiesaid,"He’swalkedoutonapileofcontractsthatareworthafortune.Hehadawaitinglistofclientsforthenextthreeyears...."