Атлант расправил плечи

           Shewantedtotellhimoftheyearsshehadspentlookingformensuchashetoworkwith;shewantedtotellhimthathisenemieswerehers,thatshewasfightingthesamebattle;shewantedtocrytohim:I’mnotoneofthem!Butsheknewthatshecouldnotdoit.SheboretheresponsibilityforTaggartTranscontinentalandforeverythingdoneinitsname;shehadnorighttojustifyherselfnow.

           Sittingstraight,herglanceassteadyandopenashis,sheansweredevenly,"Youwillgetthetransportationyouneed,Mr.Wyatt."

           Shesawafainthintofastonishmentinhisface;thiswasnotthemannerortheanswerhehadexpected;perhapsitwaswhatshehadnotsaidthatastonishedhimmost:thatsheofferednodefense,noexcuses.Hetookamomenttostudyhersilently.Thenhesaid,hisvoicelesssharp:

           "Allright.Thankyou.Goodday."

           Sheinclinedherhead.Hebowedandlefttheoffice.

           "That’sthestory,Hank.IhadworkedoutanalmostimpossiblescheduletocompletetheRioNorteLineintwelvemonths.NowI’llhavetodoitinnine.Youweretogiveustherailoveraperiodofoneyear.Canyougiveittouswithinninemonths?Ifthere’sanyhumanwaytodoit,doit.Ifnot,I’llhavetofindsomeothermeanstofinishit."

           Reardensatbehindhisdesk.Hiscold,blueeyesmadetwohorizontalcutsacrossthegauntplanesofhisface;theyremainedhorizontal,impassivelyhalf-closed;hesaidevenly,withoutemphasis:

           "I’lldoit."

           Dagnyleanedbackinherchair.Theshortsentencewasashock.