Атлант расправил плечи
Atlantis
"Yes,I—"Shewaslookingatthetallfigurewiththesun-streakedhair,withthesuppressedsmileinthemercilesslyperceptiveeyes—shewasseeingthestruggletobuildherLineandthesummerdayofthefirsttrain’srun—shewasthinkingthatifahumanfigurecouldbefashionedasanemblemofthatLine,thiswasthefigure.
"Yes...Idid..."Then,rememberingtherest,sheadded,"ButInameditafteranenemy."
Hesmiled."That’sthecontradictionyouhadtoresolvesoonerorlater,MissTaggart."
"Itwasyou...wasn’tit?...whodestroyedmyLine..."
"Why,no.Itwasthecontradiction."
Sheclosedhereyes;inamoment,sheasked,"AllthosestoriesIheardaboutyou—whichofthemweretrue?"
"Allofthem."
"Wasityouwhospreadthem?"
"No.Whatfor?Ineverhadanywishtobetalkedabout."
"Butyoudoknowthatyou’vebecomealegend?"
"Yes."
"TheyounginventoroftheTwentiethCenturyMotorCompanyistheonerealversionofthelegend,isn’tit?"
"Theonethat’sconcretelyreal—yes."
Shecouldnotsayitindifferently;therewasstillabreathlesstoneandthedropofhervoicetowardawhisper,whensheasked,"Themotor...themotorIfound...itwasyouwhomadeit?"
"Yes.