Атлант расправил плечи

           "wasallshecouldsay.

           Henodded,asifheknewwhatthewordswereintendedtoexplain.

           Thenhepickedupherhatthathadfallentothefloor,hetookoffhercoatandputitaside,helookedatherslender,tremblingfigure,asparkleofapprovalinhiseyes,hishandmovingoverthetight,highcollared,darkbluesweaterthatgavetoherbodythefragilityofaschoolgirlandthetensionofafighter.

           "ThenexttimeIseeyou,"hesaid,"wearawhiteone.Itwilllookwonderful,too."

           Sherealizedthatshewasdressedassheneverappearedinpublic,asshehadbeendressedathomethroughthesleeplesshoursofthatnight.Shelaughed,rediscoveringtheabilitytolaugh:shehadexpectedhisfirstwordstobeanythingbutthat.

           "Ifthereisanexttime,"headdedcalmly.

           "What...doyoumean?"

           Hewenttothedoorandlockedit."Sitdown,"hesaid.

           Sheremainedstanding,butshetookthetimetoglanceattheroomshehadnotnoticed:along,baregarretwithabedinonecornerandagasstoveinanother,afewpiecesofwoodenfurniture,nakedboardsstressingthelengthofthefloor,asinglelampburningonadesk,acloseddoorintheshadowsbeyondthelamp’scircle—andNewYorkCitybeyondanenormouswindow,thespreadofangularstructuresandscatteredlights,andtheshaftoftheTaggartBuildingfarinthedistance.

           "Nowlistencarefully,"hesaid.