Атлант расправил плечи
By our love
Thevice-Presidentinchargeofpublicrelationscouldnotbefound.
Drivingthroughthestreetstohisoffice,Taggarthadseentheblacklettersoftheheadlines.WalkingdownthecorridorsofTaggartTranscontinental,hehadheardthevoiceofaspeakerpouringfromaradioinsomeone’soffice,thekindofvoiceoneexpectstohearonunlightedstreetcorners:itwasscreamingdemandsforthenationalizationoftherailroads.
Hehadwalkedthroughthecorridors,hisstepsnoisy,inordertobeseen,andhasty,inordernottobestoppedforquestions.Hehadlockedthedoorofhisoffice,orderinghissecretarynottoadmitanypersonorphonecallandtotellallcomersthatMr.Taggartwasbusy.
Thenhesatathisdesk,alonewithblankterror.Hefeltasifheweretrappedinasubterraneanvaultandthelockcouldneverbebrokenagain—andasifhewereheldondisplayinthesightofthewholecitybelow,hopingthatthelockwouldholdoutforeternity.Hehadtobehere,inthisoffice,itwasrequiredofhim,hehadtositidlyandwait—waitfortheunknowntodescenduponhimandtodeterminehisactions—andtheterrorwasbothofwhowouldcomeforhimandofthefactthatnobodycame,nobodytotellhimwhattodo.
Theringingofthetelephonesintheouterofficesoundedlikescreamsforhelp.
