Атлант расправил плечи

           Ithadbeeneasy,thatfirstmorning,toreporttoMr.ThompsonhowshehadtracedJohnGalttohishome.IthadbeeneasytowatchMr.Thompson’sgulpingsmilesandhisrepeatedcriesof"That’smygirl!"utteredwithglancesoftriumphathisassistants,thetriumphofamanwhosejudgmentintrustingherhadbeenvindicated.IthadbeeneasytoexpressanangryhatredforGalt—"Iusedtoagreewithhisideas,butIwon’tlethimdestroymyrailroad!"—andtohearMr.Thompsonsay,"Don’tyouworry,MissTaggart!We’llprotectyoufromhim!"

           IthadbeeneasytoassumealookofcoldshrewdnessandtoremindMr.Thompsonofthefive-hundred-thousand-dollarreward,hervoiceclearandcutting,likethesoundofanaddingmachinepunchingoutthesumofabill.Shehadseenaninstant’spauseinMr.Thompson’sfacialmuscles,thenabrighter,broadersmile—likeasilentspeechdeclaringthathehadnotexpectedit,butwasdelightedtoknowwhatmadehertickandthatitwasthekindoftickingheunderstood.