Атлант расправил плечи

           Buttheysawonlyahazemadeofthreedifferentkindsoflightmergingtogether:theriver,theskyandthesun.

           Shekneltonarock,leaningforward,tryingtocatchsomehintofthecity,thewindblowingherhairacrosshereyes.Sheglancedbackoverhershoulder—andsawthatFranciscowasnotlookingatthedistance:hestoodlookingather.Itwasanoddglance,intentandunsmiling.Sheremainedstillforamoment,herhandsspreadflatontherock,herarmstensedtosupporttheweightofherbody;inexplicably,hisglancemadeherawareofherpose,ofhershouldershowingthroughthetornshirt,ofherlong,scratched,sunburnedlegsslantingfromtherocktotheground.Shestoodupangrilyandbackedawayfromhim.Andwhilethrowingherheadup,resentmentinhereyestomeetthesternnessinhis,whilefeelingcertainthathiswasaglanceofcondemnationandhostility,sheheardherselfaskinghim,atoneofsmilingdefianceinhervoice:

           Afterawhile,Mrs.Taggartbegantoworryanddecidedtoinvestigate.Sheneverlearnedhowhehadmanagedtoby-passallthechild-laborlaws,butshefoundFranciscoworking—byanunofficialdealwiththedispatcher—asacallboyforTaggartTranscontinental,atadivisionpointtenmilesaway.Thedispatcherwasstupefiedbyherpersonalvisit;hehadnoideathathiscallboywasahouseguestoftheTaggarts.TheboywasknowntothelocalrailroadcrewsasFrankie,andMrs.Taggartpreferrednottoenlightenthemabouthisfullname.