Атлант расправил плечи
Their Brothers’ Keepers
Onecouldtellthemembersoftheconferencewhentheybeganfilingout,bytheirclothesandtheirmanner—ostentatiouslyprosperousclothesandamannerofoverbearingtimidity,asiftheywereguiltilytryingtopretendthattheywerewhattheyappearedtobeforthatmoment.Therewerechauffeursdrivinguptheircars,therewereafewreportersdelayingthemforquestionsandhangers-ontryingtocatchawordfromthem.Theywerewornmen,thoseindustrialists,aging,flabby,franticwiththeefforttodisguiseuncertainty.AndthenIsawhim.Heworeanexpensivetrenchcoatandahatslantingacrosshiseyes.Hewalkedswiftly,withthekindofassurancethathastobeearned,ashe’dearnedit.Someofhisfellowindustrialistspouncedonhimwithquestions,andthosetycoonswereactinglikehangers-onaroundhim.Icaughtaglimpseofhimashestoodwithhishandonthedoorofhiscar,hisheadlifted,Isawthebriefflareofasmileundertheslantingbrim,aconfidentsmile,impatientandalittleamused.
