Атлант расправил плечи

           Sheturnedthecorner,withdeliberatelyresonantsteps,thenstoppedabruptlytolisten:itwashardtotellwhethertheabnormaltightnessinsideherchestwasthesoundofherownheartbeats,andhardtodistinguishitfromthesoundofdistantwheelsandfromtheglassyrustlewhichwastheEastRiversomewherecloseby;butsheheardnosoundofhumanstepsbehindher.Shejerkedhershoulders,itwaspart-shrug,part-shudder,andshewalkedfaster.ArustyclockinsomeunlightedcaverncoughedoutthehouroffourA.M.

           Thefearofbeingfolloweddidnotseemfullyreal,asnofearcouldberealtohernow.Shewonderedwhethertheunnaturallightnessofherbodywasastateoftensionorrelaxation;herbodyseemeddrawnsotightlythatshefeltasifitwerereducedtoasingleattribute:tothepowerofmotion;hermindseemedinaccessiblyrelaxed,likeamotorsettotheautomaticcontrolofanabsolutenolongertobequestioned.

           Ifanakedbulletcouldfeelinmid-flight,thisiswhatitwouldfeel,shethought;justthemotionandthegoal,nothingelse.Shethoughtitvaguely,distantly,asifherownpersonwereunreal;onlytheword"naked"seemedtoreachher:naked...strippedofallconcernbutforthetarget...forthenumber"367,"thenumberofahouseontheEastRiver,whichhermindkeptrepeating,thenumberithadsolongbeenforbiddentoconsider.