Атлант расправил плечи
The Non-commercial
"Why,no,it’snotfromahardwarestore,it’saveryspecialgiftfrommyhusband.Oh,yes,ofcourseit’shideous.Butdon’tyousee?It’ssupposedtobepriceless.Ofcourse,I’dexchangeitforacommondiamondbraceletanytime,butsomehownobodywilloffermeoneforit,eventhoughitissovery,veryvaluable.Why?Mydear,it’sthefirstthingevermadeofReardenMetal."
Dagnydidnotseetheroom.Shedidnothearthemusic.Shefeltthepressureofdeadstillnessagainsthereardrums.Shedidnotknowthemomentthatpreceded,orthemomentsthatweretofollow.Shedidnotknowthoseinvolved,neitherherself,norLillian,norRearden,northemeaningofherownaction.Itwasasingleinstant,blastedoutofcontext.Shehadheard.Shewaslookingatthebraceletofgreen-bluemetal.
Shefeltthemovementofsomethingbeingtornoffherwrist,andsheheardherownvoicesayinginthegreatstillness,verycalmly,avoicecoldasaskeleton,nakedofemotion,"IfyouarenotthecowardthatIthinkyouare,youwillexchangeit."
Onthepalmofherhand,shewasextendingherdiamondbracelettoLillian.
"You’renotserious,MissTaggart?"saidawoman’svoice.
ItwasnotLillian’svoice.Lillian’seyeswerelookingstraightather.Shesawthem.Lillianknewthatshewasserious.
"Givemethatbracelet,"saidDagny,liftingherpalmhigher,thediamondbandglitteringacrossit.
"Thisishorrible!"criedsomewoman.Itwasstrangethatthecrystoodoutsosharply.
