Атлант расправил плечи

           Shenoticedthathestillsatasshehadlefthim,hisforearmleaningagainstthewheelatthesameangle,thefingersofhishandhangingdowninthesamesculpturedposition.Hiseyeswerewatchingher,butthatwasallshecouldreadinhisface:thathehadwatchedherintently,withoutmoving.

           Whenshewasseatedbesidehimoncemore,hesaid,"ThatwasthefirstmanItookawayfromyou."

           Sheasked,herfacestern,openandquietlydefiant,"Howmuchdoyouknowaboutthat?"

           "Nothingthathetoldmeinwords.Everythingthatthetoneofhisvoicetoldmewheneverhespokeofyou."

           Sheinclinedherhead.Shehadcaughtthesoundofsufferinginthefaintestexaggerationofevennessinhisvoice.

           Hepressedthestarter,themotor’sexplosionblastedthestorycontainedinthesilence,andtheydroveon.Thepathwidenedalittle,streamingtowardapoolofsunlightahead.

           Shesawabriefglitterofwiresamongthebranches,astheydroveoutintoaclearing.Anunobtrusivelittlestructurestoodagainstahillside,onarisingslantofrockyground.Itwasasimplecubeofgranite,thesizeofatoolshed,ithadnowindows,noaperturesofanykind,onlyadoorofpolishedsteelandacomplexsetofwireantennaebranchingoutfromtheroof.Galtwasdrivingpast,leavingitunnoticed,whensheaskedwithasuddenstart,"What’sthat?"

           Shesawthefaintbreakofhissmile."Thepowerhouse.