Атлант расправил плечи
Their Brothers’ Keepers
HehadneverspokentoheragainaboutCherryl,buthehadstartedcomingtoherofficemoreoftenthanusual,hehadstoppedherinthehallsforsnatchesofpointlessdiscussions—andsuchmomentshadgrownintoasumthatgaveheranincomprehensiblesensation:asif,whileclingingtoherforsupportandprotectionagainstsomenamelessterror,hisarmswereslidingtoembraceherandtoplungeaknifeintoherback.
"Iameagertoknowyourviews,"hewassayinginsistently,asshelookedaway."Itismosturgentthatwediscussthesituationand...andyouhaven’tsaidanything."Shedidnotturn."It’snotasiftherewerenomoneytobehadoutoftherailroadbusiness,but—"
Sheglancedathimsharply;hiseyesscurriedaway.
"WhatImeanis,someconstructivepolicyhastobedevised,"hedronedonhastily."Somethinghastobedone...bysomebody.Intimesofemergency—"
Sheknewwhatthoughthehadscurriedtoavoid,whathinthehadgivenher,yetdidnotwanthertoacknowledgeordiscuss.Sheknewthatnotrainschedulescouldbemaintainedanylonger,nopromiseskept,nocontractsobserved,thatregulartrainswerecancelledatamoment’snoticeandtransformedintoemergencyspecialssentbyunexplainedorderstounexpecteddestinations—andthattheorderscamefromCuffyMeigs,solejudgeofemergenciesandofthepublicwelfare.
