Атлант расправил плечи

           Sheasked,anditwastheslowness,thesoundofcasualcuriosity,thetoneoftakingtheimplicationsforgranted,thatgavetohervoicethefaintestsoundofdisdain,"HowdidyouknowwhatIlooklikein...myoffice?"

           "ItoldyouthatI’vewatchedyouforyears."

           "Howwereyouabletowatchmethatthoroughly?Fromwhere?"

           "Iwillnotansweryounow,"hesaid,simply,withoutdefiance.

           Theslightmovementofhershoulderleaningback,thepause,thenthelower,huskiertoneofhervoice,leftahintofsmilingtriumphtotrailbehindherwords:"Whendidyouseemeforthefirsttime?"

           "Tenyearsago,"heanswered,lookingstraightather,lettingherseethathewasansweringthefull,unnamedmeaningofherquestion.

           "Where?"Thewordwasalmostacommand.

           Hehesitated,thenshesawafaintsmilethattouchedonlyhislips,nothiseyes,thekindofsmilewithwhichonecontemplates—withlonging,bitternessandpride—apossessionpurchasedatanexcruciatingcost;hiseyesseemeddirected,notather,butatthegirlofthattime.

           "Underground,intheTaggartTerminal,"heanswered.