Атлант расправил плечи

           Theyhadlookedateachotherforthespanofasecond,abovetheheadsofthegasping,screamingcrowd—abovethecrashofthemicrophonesbeingshattered,thoughallstationshadbeeninstantlycutoff—abovetheburstsofbreakingglassonfallingtables,assomepeoplewentstampedingtothedoors.

           ThenshehadheardMr.Thompsoncry,wavinghisarmatGalt,"Takehimbacktohisroom,butguardhimwithyourlives!"—andthecrowdhadpartedasthreemenledhimout.Mr.Thompsonseemedtocollapseforamoment,droppinghisforeheadonhisarm,butherallied,jumpedtohisfeet,wavedvaguelyathishenchmentofollowandrushedout,throughaprivatesideexit.Nooneaddressedorinstructedtheguests:somewererunningblindlytoescape,otherssatstill,notdaringtomove.Theballroomwaslikeashipwithoutcaptain.Shecutthroughthecrowdandfollowedtheclique.Noonetriedtostopher.

           Shefoundthemhuddledinasmall,privatestudy:Mr.Thompsonwasslumpedinanarmchair,clutchinghisheadwithbothhands,WesleyMouchwasmoaning,EugeneLawsonwassobbingwiththesoundofanastychild’srage,Jimwaswatchingtheotherswithanoddlyexpectantintensity."Itoldyouso!"Dr.Ferriswasshouting."Itoldyouso,didn’tI?That’swhereyougetwithyour‘peacefulpersuasion’!"

           Sheremainedstandingbythedoor.Theyseemedtonoticeherpresence,buttheydidnotseemtocare.

           "Iresign!"yelledChickMorrison.