Атлант расправил плечи

           Dagny,runtothehouseandbringmeacleanbandage."

           Jimwatchedthem.Theylefthimalone,buttheyoftensawhimstandinginthedistance,watchingFranciscowithapeculiarkindofintensity.

           HeseldomspokeinFrancisco’spresence.ButhewouldcornerDagnyandhewouldsmilederisively,saying,"Allthoseairsyouputon,pretendingthatyou’reanironwomanwithamindofherown!You’reaspinelessdishrag,that’sallyouare.It’sdisgusting,thewayyouletthatconceitedpunkorderyouabout.Hecantwistyouaroundhislittlefinger.Youhaven’tanyprideatall.Thewayyourunwhenhewhistlesandwaitonhim!Whydon’tyoushinehisshoes?""Becausehehasn’ttoldmeto,"sheanswered.

           Franciscocouldwinanygameinanylocalcontest.Heneverenteredcontests.Hecouldhaveruledthejuniorcountryclub.Henevercamewithinsightoftheirclubhouse,ignoringtheireagerattemptstoenrollthemostfamousheirintheworld.DagnyandEddiewerehisonlyfriends.Theycouldnottellwhethertheyownedhimorwereownedbyhimcompletely;itmadenodifference:eitherconceptmadethemhappy.

           Thethreeofthemsetouteverymorningonadventuresoftheirownkind.Once,anelderlyprofessorofliterature,Mrs.Taggart’sfriend,sawthemontopofapileinajunkyard,dismantlingthecarcassofanautomobile.Hestopped,shookhisheadandsaidtoFrancisco,"Ayoungmanofyourpositionoughttospendhistimeinlibraries,absorbingthecultureoftheworld.""WhatdoyouthinkI’mdoing?"askedFrancisco.