Атлант расправил плечи
The Sign of the Dollar
Shehadnothadtimetobeawareofhim,exceptasofaprovidentialcomrade-in-competence;nowsheglancedathimwithconsciousattention.Hisfacehadtheclear,hardlooksherememberedhavinglikedinthepast.Butthefacehadgrowncalmer,asifmoreserenelyatpeace.Hisclotheswerethreadbare.Heworeanoldleatherjacket,andeveninthedarknessshecoulddistinguishthescuffedblotchesstreakingacrosstheleather.
"WhathaveyoubeendoingsinceyouleftTaggartTranscontinental?"sheasked.
"Oh,manythings."
"Whereareyouworkingnow?"
"Onspecialassignments,moreorless."
"Ofwhatkind?"
"Ofeverykind."
"You’renotworkingforarailroad?"
"No."
Thesharpbrevityofthesoundseemedtoexpanditintoaneloquentstatement.Sheknewthatheknewhermotive."Kellogg,ifItoldyouthatIdon’thaveasinglefirst-ratemanleftontheTaggartsystem,ifIofferedyouanyjob,anyterms,anymoneyyoucaredtoname—wouldyoucomebacktous?"
"No."
"Youwereshockedbyourlossoftraffic.Idon’tthinkyouhaveanyideaofwhatourlossofmenhasdonetous.Ican’ttellyouthesortofagonyIwentthroughthreedaysago,tryingtofindsomebodyabletobuildfivemilesoftemporarytrack.IhavefiftymilestobuildthroughtheRockies.Iseenowaytodoit.
