Атлант расправил плечи

           Thelifelessindifferenceofhiseyesdidnotfullyhidethattheyhadbeenintelligent;thewrinklescuttinghisfacewiththerecordofsomeincrediblebitterness,hadnotfullyerasedthefactthatthefacehadoncepossessedthekindlinesspeculiartohonesty.

           "Whendidyoueatlast?"sheasked.

           "Yesterday,"hesaid,andadded,"Ithink."

           Sherangfortheporterandordereddinnerfortwo,tobebroughttohercarfromthediner.

           Thetramphadwatchedhersilently,butwhentheporterdeparted,heofferedtheonlypaymentitwasinhispowertooffer:"Idon’twanttogetyouintrouble,ma’am,"hesaid.

           Shesmiled."Whattrouble?"

           "You’retravelingwithoneofthoserailroadtycoons,aren’tyou?"

           "No,alone."

           "Thenyou’rethewifeofoneofthem?"

           "No."

           "Oh."Shesawhiseffortatalookofsomethinglikerespect,asiftomakeupforhavingforcedanimproperconfession,andshelaughed.

           "No,notthat,either.IguessI’moneofthetycoonsmyself.MynameisDagnyTaggartandIworkforthisrailroad."

           "Oh...IthinkI’veheardofyou,ma’am—intheolddays."Itwashardtotellwhat"theolddays"meanttohim,whetheritwasamonthorayearorwhateverperiodoftimehadpassedsincehehadgivenup.