Атлант расправил плечи
Their Brothers’ Keepers
Itwasnotanattempttodeludeherintobelievingthattheywereconsultingher,butworse:anattempttodeludethemselvesintobelievingthatshehadagreed.Theyaskedherquestionsattimesandinterruptedherbeforeshehadcompletedthefirstsentenceoftheanswer.Theyseemedtowantherapproval,withouthavingtoknowwhethersheapprovedornot.
Somecrudelychildishformofself-deceptionhadmadethemchoosetogivetothisoccasionthedecoroussettingofaformaldinner.Theyactedasiftheyhopedtogain,fromtheobjectsofgraciousluxury,thepowerandthehonorofwhichthoseobjectshadoncebeentheproductandsymbol—theyacted,shethought,likethosesavageswhodevourthecorpseofanadversaryinthehopeofacquiringhisstrengthandhisvirtue.
Sheregrettedthatshewasdressedasshewas."It’sformal,"Jimhadtoldher,"butdon’toverdoit...whatImeanis,don’tlooktoorich...businesspeopleshouldavoidanyappearanceofarrogancethesedays...notthatyoushouldlookshabby,butifyoucouldjustseemtosuggest...well,humility...itwouldpleasethem,youknow,itwouldmakethemfeelbig.""Really?"shehadsaid,turningaway.
SheworeablackdressthatlookedasifitwerenomorethanapieceofclothcrossedoverherbreastsandfallingtoherfeetinthesoftfoldsofaGreciantunic;itwasmadeofsatin,asatinsolightandthinthatitcouldhaveservedasthestuffofanightgown.
