Атлант расправил плечи
The Non-commercial
WhommayIpresenttoyou?I’mafraidIhavenothingbutwritersandartiststooffer,andtheywouldn’tinterestyou,I’msure."
"I’dliketofindHankandsayhellotohim."
"Butofcourse.James,doyourememberyousaidyouwantedtomeetBalphEubank?—ohyes,he’shere—I’lltellhimthatIheardyouraveabouthislastnovelatMrs.Whitcomb’sdinner!"
Walkingacrosstheroom,DagnywonderedwhyshehadsaidthatshewantedtofindHankRearden,whathadpreventedherfromadmittingthatshehadseenhimthemomentsheentered.
Reardenstoodattheotherendofthelongroom,lookingather.Hewatchedherassheapproached,buthedidnotstepforwardtomeether.
"Hello,Hank."
"Goodevening."
Hebowed,courteously,impersonally,themovementofhisbodymatchingthedistinguishedformalityofhisclothes.Hedidnotsmile.
"Thankyouforinvitingmetonight,"shesaidgaily.
"IcannotclaimthatIknewyouwerecoming."
"Oh?ThenI’mgladthatMrs.Reardenthoughtofme.Iwantedtomakeanexception."
"Anexception?"
"Idon’tgotopartiesveryoften."
"Iampleasedthatyouchosethisoccasionastheexception."Hedidnotadd"MissTaggart,"butitsoundedasifhehad.
Theformalityofhismannerwassounexpectedthatshewasunabletoadjusttoit."Iwantedtocelebrate,"shesaid.
"Tocelebratemyweddinganniversary?"
"Oh,isityourweddinganniversary?Ididn’tknow.Mycongratulations,Hank."
"Whatdidyouwishtocelebrate?"
"IthoughtI’dpermitmyselfarest.
