Атлант расправил плечи
Anti-Life
Well!Havehercomein!"
Heswunghisfeetdowntothefloor,butmadenootherconcession,andwaitedwithhalfasmileofalertedcuriosity,choosingnottoriseuntilamomentafterLillianhadenteredtheroom.
Sheworeawine-coloreddinnergown,animitationofanEmpiretravelingsuit,withaminiaturedouble-breastedjacketgrippingherhighwaistlineoverthelongsweepoftheskirt,andasmallhatclingingtooneear,withafeathersweepingdowntocurlunderherchin.Sheenteredwithabrusque,unrhythmicalmotion,thetrainofherdressandthefeatherofherhatswirling,thenflappingagainstherlegsandthroat,likepennantssignalingnervousness.
"Lillian,mydear,amItobeflattered,delightedorjustplainflabbergasted?"
"Oh,don’tmakeafussaboutit!Ihadtoseeyou,andithadtobeimmediately,that’sall."
Theimpatienttone,theperemptorymovementwithwhichshesatdownwereaconfessionofweakness:bytherulesoftheirunwrittenlanguage,onedidnotassumeademandingmannerunlessonewereseekingafavorandhadnovalue—nothreat—tobarter.
"Whydidn’tyoustayattheGonzalesreception?"sheasked,hercasualsmilefailingtohidethetoneofirritation."Idroppedinonthemafterdinner,justtocatchholdofyou—buttheysaidyouhadn’tbeenfeelingwellandhadgonehome.
