Атлант расправил плечи
Their Brothers’ Keepers
Shecouldbarelydistinguishthefacesofthemenwhentheygatheredatthefootofthetower.Theycamestreamingsilentlythroughthedarknessandstoodwithoutmovinginthebluishmurk,withbluebulbsonthewallsbehindthemandpatchesoflightfallingontheirshouldersfromthetower’swindows.Shecouldseethegreasygarments,theslack,muscularbodies,thelimplyhangingarmsofmendrainedbytheunrewardingexhaustionofalaborthatrequirednothought.Thesewerethedregsoftherailroad,theyoungermenwhocouldnowseeknochancetoriseandtheoldermenwhohadneverwantedtoseekit.
Theystoodinsilence,notwiththeapprehensivecuriosityofworkmen,butwiththeheavyindifferenceofconvicts.
"Theorderswhichyouareabouttoreceivehavecomefromme,"shesaid,standingabovethemontheironstairs,speakingwithresonantclarity."Themenwho’llissuethemareactingundermyinstructions.
Theinterlockingcontrolsystemhasbrokendown.Itwillnowbereplacedbyhumanlabor.Trainservicewillberesumedatonce."
Shenoticedsomefacesinthecrowdstaringatherwithapeculiarlook:withaveiledresentmentandthekindofinsolentcuriositythatmadehersuddenlyconsciousofbeingawoman.
