Атлант расправил плечи
The Face without Pain or Fear or Guilt
Doyourememberhowheusedtohaveraillaidattherateoffivemilesaday,rightinthatpartofthecountry?Oh,Iknowhe’dhavereasontohateourguts,butwhatdoesitmatternow?
Ifoundhim—he’slivingonaranchoutinArizona.IphonedhimmyselfandIbeggedhimtosaveus.Justtotakecharge,foronenight,ofbuildingfiveandahalfmilesoftrack.Fiveandahalfmiles,Dagny,thatwe’restuckwith—andhe’sthegreatestrailroadbuilderliving!ItoldhimthatIwasaskinghimtodoitasagestureofcharitytous,ifhewould.Youknow,Ithinkheunderstoodme.Hewasn’tangry.Hesoundedsad.Buthewouldn’tdoit.Hesaidonemustnottrytobringpeoplebackoutofthegrave...Hewishedmeluck.Ithinkhemeantit...Youknow,Idon’tthinkhe’soneofthosethatthedestroyerknockedout.Ithinkhejustbrokebyhimself."
"Yes.Iknowhedid."
Eddiesawtheexpressiononherfaceandpulledhimselfuphastily.
"Oh,wefinallyfoundamantoputinchargeatElgin,"hesaid,forcinghisvoicetosoundconfident."Don’tworry,thetrackwillbebuiltlongbeforeyougetthere."
Sheglancedathimwiththefaintsuggestionofasmile,thinkingofhowoftenshehadsaidthesewordstohimandofthedesperatebraverywithwhichhewasnowtryingtotellher:Don’tworry.Hecaughtherglance,heunderstood,andtheansweringhintofhissmilehadatouchofembarrassedapology.
