Атлант расправил плечи

           "

           Asheafofsparkswentupinthedepthofthefog—andshesawthebroadbackofaforemanwhosearmmadethesweepinggestureofasignal,directingsomeinvisibletask.Hejerkedhisheadtosnapanorder—shecaughtaglimpseofhisprofile—andshecaughtherbreath.

           Stocktonsawit,chuckledandcalledintothefog:"Hey,Ken!Comehere!Here’sanoldfriendofyours!"

           ShelookedatKenDanaggerasheapproachedthem.Thegreatindustrialist,whomshehadtriedsodesperatelytoholdtohisdesk,wasnowdressedinsmudgedoveralls.

           "Hello,MissTaggart.Itoldyouwe’dsoonmeetagain."

           Herheaddropped,asifinassentandingreeting,butherhandboredownheavilyuponhercane,foramoment,whileshestoodrelivingtheirlastencounter:thetorturedhourofwaiting,thenthegentlydistantfaceatthedeskandthetinklingofaglass-paneleddoorclosinguponastranger.

           Itwassobriefamomentthattwoofthemenbeforehercouldtakeitonlyasagreeting—butitwasatGaltthatshelookedwhensheraisedherhead,andshesawhimlookingatherasifheknewwhatshefelt—shesawhimseeinginherfacetherealizationthatitwashewhohadwalkedoutofDanagger’soffice,thatday.Hisfacegavehernothinginanswer:ithadthatlookofrespectfulseveritywithwhichamanstandsbeforethefactthatthetruthisthetruth.

           "Ididn’texpectit,"shesaidsoftly,toDanagger.