Атлант расправил плечи
The Non-commercial
Buttonightsheworeanostentatiousdisplay:adiamondnecklace,earrings,ringsandbrooches.Herarmslookedconspicuouslybarebycontrast.Onherrightwrist,assoleornament,sheworethebraceletofReardenMetal.Theglitteringgemsmadeitlooklikeanuglypieceofdime-storejewelry.
Whenhemovedhisglancefromherwristtoherface,hefoundherlookingathim.Hereyeswerenarrowedandhecouldnotdefinetheirexpression;itwasalookthatseemedbothveiledandpurposeful,thelookofsomethinghiddenthatflaunteditssecurityfromdetection.
Hewantedtotearthebraceletoffherwrist.Instead,inobediencetohervoicegailypronouncinganintroduction,hebowedtothedowagerwhostoodbesideher,hisfaceexpressionless.
"Man?Whatisman?He’sjustacollectionofchemicalswithdelusionsofgrandeur,"saidDr.Pritchetttoagroupofguestsacrosstheroom.
Dr.Pritchettpickedacanapeoffacrystaldish,helditspearedbetweentwostraightfingersanddepositeditwholeintohismouth.
"Man’smetaphysicalpretensions,"hesaid,"arepreposterous.Amiserablebitofprotoplasm,fullofuglylittleconceptsandmeanlittleemotions—anditimaginesitselfimportant!Really,youknow,thatistherootofallthetroublesintheworld."
"Butwhichconceptsarenotuglyormean,Professor?"askedanearnestmatronwhosehusbandownedanautomobilefactory.
"None,"saidDr.Pritchett."Nonewithintherangeofman’scapacity."
