Атлант расправил плечи
Their Brothers’ Keepers
Thelusterofthecloth,streamingandshiftingwithhermovements,madeitlookasifthelightoftheroomsheenteredwereherpersonalproperty,sensitivelyobedienttothemotionsofherbody,wrappingherinasheetofradiancemoreluxuriousthanthetextureofbrocade,underscoringthepliantfragilityofherfigure,givingheranairofsonaturalanelegancethatitcouldaffordtobescornfullycasual.Sheworeasinglepieceofjewelry,adiamondclipattheedgeoftheblackneckline,thatkeptflashingwiththeimperceptiblemotionofherbreath,likeatransformerconvertingaflickerintofire,makingoneconscious,notofthegems,butofthelivingbeatbehindthem;itflashedlikeamilitarydecoration,likewealthwornasabadgeofhonor.Sheworenootherornament,onlythesweepofablackvelvetcape,morearrogantly,ostentatiouslypatricianthananyspreadofsables.
Sheregretteditnow,asshelookedatthemenbeforeher;shefelttheembarrassingguiltofpointlessness,asifshehadtriedtodefythefiguresinawaxworks.Shesawamindlessresentmentintheireyesandasneakingtraceofthelifeless,sexless,smuttyleerwithwhichmenlookataposteradvertisingburlesque.
"It’sagreatresponsibility,"saidEugeneLawson,"toholdthedecisionoflifeordeathoverthousandsofpeopleandtosacrificethemwhennecessary,butwemasthavethecouragetodoit."Hissoftlipsseemedtotwistintoasmile.
