Атлант расправил плечи

           Shemerelyexplainedthathewasworkingwithouthisparents’permissionandhadtoquitatonce.Thedispatcherwassorrytolosehim;Frankie,hesaid,wasthebestcallboytheyhadeverhad."I’dsureliketokeephimon.Maybewecouldmakeadealwithhisparents?"hesuggested."I’mafraidnot,"saidMrs.Taggartfaintly.

           "Francisco,"sheasked,whenshebroughthimhome,"whatwouldyourfathersayaboutthis,ifheknew?"

           "MyfatherwouldaskwhetherIwasgoodatthejobornot.That’sallhe’dwanttoknow."

           "Comenow,I’mserious."

           Franciscowaslookingatherpolitely,hiscourteousmannersuggestingcenturiesofbreedinganddrawingrooms;butsomethinginhiseyesmadeherfeeluncertainaboutthepoliteness."Lastwinter,"heanswered,"Ishippedoutascabinboyonacargosteamerthatcarriedd‘Anconiacopper.Myfatherlookedformeforthreemonths,butthat’sallheaskedmewhenIcameback."

           "Sothat’showyouspendyourwinters?"saidJimTaggart.Jim’ssmilehadatouchoftriumph,thetriumphoffindingcausetofeelcontempt.

           "Thatwaslastwinter,"Franciscoansweredpleasantly,withnochangeintheinnocent,casualtoneofhisvoice."ThewinterbeforelastIspentinMadrid,atthehomeoftheDukeofAlba."

           "Whydidyouwanttoworkonarailroad?"askedDagny.

           Theystoodlookingateachother:herswasaglanceofadmiration,hisofmockery;butitwasnotthemockeryofmalice—itwasthelaughterofasalute.