Атлант расправил плечи

           Theyoungboyhadblondhairandafacewithanunusualpurityofform.Shefeltcertainthatsheknewthisface,butshecouldnotrecallwhereshehadseenit.Theboycaughtherpuzzledglance,grinnedand,asiftohelpher,whistledsoftly,almostinaudiblythefirstnotesofHalley’sFifthConcerto.ItwastheyoungbrakemanoftheComet.

           Shelaughed."ItwastheFifthConcertobyRichardHalley,wasn’tit?"

           "Sure,"heanswered."ButdoyouthinkI’dtellthattoascab?"

           "Awhat?"

           "WhatamIpayingyoufor?"askedEllisWyatt,approaching;theboychuckled,dartingbacktoseizetheleverhehadabandonedforamoment."It’sMissTaggartwhocouldn’tfireyou,ifyouloafedonthejob.lean."

           "That’soneofthereasonswhyIquittherailroad,MissTaggart,"saidtheboy.

           "DidyouknowthatIstolehimfromyou?"saidWyatt."Heusedtobeyourbestbrakemanandnowhe’smybestgrease-monkey,butneitheroneofusisgoingtoholdhimpermanently."

           "Whois?"

           "RichardHalley.Music.He’sHalley’sbestpupil."

           Shesmiled,"Iknow,thisisaplacewhereoneemploysnothingbutaristocratsforthelousiestkindsofjobs."

           "They’reallaristocrats,that’strue,"saidWyatt,"becausetheyknowthatthere’snosuchthingasalousyjob—onlylousymenwhodon’tcaretodoit.