Атлант расправил плечи
By our love
Helookedatthedoorwithasensationofmalevolenttriumphatthethoughtofallthosevoicesbeingdefeatedbytheinnocuousfigureofhissecretary,ayoungmanexpertatnothingbuttheartofevasion,whichhepracticedwiththegray,rubberlimpnessoftheamoral.Thevoices,thoughtTaggart,werecomingfromColorado,fromeverycenteroftheTaggartsystem,fromeveryofficeofthebuildingaroundhim.Hewassafesolongashedidnothavetohearthem.
Hisemotionshadcloggedintoastill,solid,opaqueballwithinhim,whichthethoughtofthemenwhooperatedtheTaggartsystemcouldnotpierce;thosemenweremerelyenemiestobeoutwitted.ThesharperbitesoffearcamefromthethoughtofthemenontheBoardofDirectors;buthisletterofresignationwashisfireescape,whichwouldleavethemstuckwiththefire.ThesharpestfearcamefromthethoughtofthemeninWashington.Iftheycalled,hewouldhavetoanswer;hisrubbersecretarywouldknowwhosevoicessupersededhisorders.ButWashingtondidnotcall.
Thefearwentthroughhiminspasms,onceinawhile,leavinghismouthdry.Hedidnotknowwhathedreaded.Heknewthatitwasnotthethreatoftheradiospeaker.Whathehadexperiencedatthesoundofthesnarlingvoicehadbeenmorelikeaterrorwhichhefeltbecausehewasexpectedtofeelit,aduty-terror,somethingthatwentwithhisposition,likewell-tailoredsuitsandluncheonspeeches.
