Атлант расправил плечи
By our love
Hequitlastweek."
TheydidnotnoticeTaggart,astheydidnotnoticethefurniturearoundthem.Shehadnotgrantedhimeventherecognitionoforderinghimoutofheroffice.Likeaparalytic,uncertainofhismuscles’obedience,hegatheredhisstrengthandslippedout.Buthewascertainofthefirstthinghehadtodo:hehurriedtohisofficetodestroyhisletterofresignation.
Shedidnotnoticehisexit;shewaslookingatEddie."IsKnowlandhere?"sheasked.
"No.He’sgone."
"Andrews?"
"Gone."
"McGuire?"
"Gone."
Hewentonquietlytorecitethelistofthoseheknewshewouldaskfor,thosemostneededinthishour,whohadresignedandvanishedwithinthepastmonth.Shelistenedwithoutastonishmentoremotion,asonelistenstothecasualtylistofabattlewhereallaredoomedanditmakesnodifferencewhosenamesfallfirst.
Whenhefinished,shemadenocomment,butasked,"Whathasbeendonesincethismorning?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing?"
"Dagny,anyofficeboycouldhaveissuedordersheresincethismorningandeverybodywouldhaveobeyedhim,Buteventheofficeboysknowthatwhoevermakesthefirstmovetodaywillbeheldresponsibleforthefuture,thepresentandthepast—whenthebuckpassingbegins.
