Атлант расправил плечи

           Shecouldnotunderstandit:hedidnotgloat,hedidnotusetheopinionsofhisfavoriteauthoritiesagainsther,heseemedtobepleadingforreassurance.

           Acarflashedpastthem;shehadamoment’sglimpseofpower—asmooth,confidentmotionandashiningbody.Sheknewthemakeofthecar:Hammond,Colorado.

           "Dagny,arewe...arewegoingtohavethatlinebuilt...ontime?"

           Itwasstrangetohearanoteofplainemotioninhisvoice,theuncomplicatedsoundofanimalfear.

           "Godhelpthiscity,ifwedon’t!"sheanswered.

           Thecarturnedacorner.Abovetheblackroofsofthecity,shesawthepageofthecalendar,hitbythewhiteglareofaspotlight.Itsaid:January29.

           "DanConwayisabastard!"

           Thewordsbrokeoutsuddenly,asifhecouldnotholdthemanylonger.

           Shelookedathim,bewildered."Why?"

           "HerefusedtosellustheColoradotrackofthePhoenix-Durango."

           "Youdidn’t—"Shehadtostop.Shestartedagain,keepinghervoiceflatinordernottoscream."Youhaven’tapproachedhimaboutit?"

           "OfcourseIhave!"

           "Youdidn’texpecthim...tosellit...toyou?"

           "Whynot?"Hishystericallybelligerentmannerwasback,"Iofferedhimmorethananybodyelsedid.