Атлант расправил плечи

           Galtsatfacingtheovation,neitherignoringitnorresponding.

           "Theapplauseyouarehearing,"aradioannouncerwasyellingintoamicrophoneinacorneroftheroom,"isingreetingtoJohnGalt,whohasjusttakenhisplaceatthespeakers’table!Yes,myfriends,JohnGaltinperson—asthoseofyouwhocanfindatelevisionsetwillhaveachancetoseeforyourselfinashortwhile!"

           ImustrememberwhereIam—thoughtDagny,clenchingherfistsunderthetablecloth,intheobscurityofasidetable.ItwashardtomaintainasenseofdoublerealityinthepresenceofGalt,thirtyfeetawayfromher.Shefeltthatnodangerorpaincouldexistintheworldsolongasshecouldseehisface—and,simultaneously,anicyterror,whenshelookedatthosewhoheldhimintheirpower,whensherememberedtheblindirrationalityoftheeventtheywerestaging.Shefoughttokeepherfacialmusclesrigid,nottobetrayherselfbyasmileofhappinessorbyascreamofpanic.

           Shewonderedhowhiseyeshadbeenabletofindherinthatcrowd.

           Shehadseenthebriefpauseofhisglance,whichnooneelsecouldnotice;theglancehadbeenmorethanakiss,ithadbeenahandshakeofapprovalandsupport.

           Hedidnotglanceagaininherdirection.Shecouldnotforceherselftolookaway.