Атлант расправил плечи

           Theshopsweresmallone-storystructures,andastheymovedpasther,shecaughtfamiliarnamesontheirsigns,likeheadingsonthepagesofabookriffledbythecar’smotion:MulliganGeneralStore—AtwoodLeatherGoods—NielsenLumber—thenthesignofthedollarabovethedoorofasmallbrickfactorywiththeinscription:MulliganTobaccoCompany."Who’stheCompany,besidesMidasMulligan?"sheasked."Dr.Akston,"heanswered.

           Therewerefewpassers-by,somemen,fewerwomen,andtheywalkedwithpurposefulswiftness,asifboundonspecificerrands.Oneafteranother,theystoppedatthesightofthecar,theywavedtoGaltandtheylookedatherwiththeunastonishedcuriosityofrecognition.

           "HaveIbeenexpectedhereforalongtime?"sheasked,"Youstillare,"heanswered.

           Ontheedgeoftheroad,shesawastructuremadeofglasssheetsheldtogetherbyawoodenframework,butforoneinstantitseemedtoherthatitwasonlyaframeforthepaintingofawoman—atall,fragilewomanwithpaleblondhairandafaceofsuchbeautythatitseemedveiledbydistance,asiftheartisthadbeenmerelyabletosuggestit,nottomakeitquitereal.