Атлант расправил плечи
The Exploiters and the Exploited
Wardlookedquicklyawayfromhim,butReardenhadcaughtaglimpseofhisface.It’ssomuchforhim,thoughtRearden,andsolittleforme!
Heliftedthetelephonereceiver,buthehadtodropit,becausethedoorofhisofficeflewopenandGwenIvesrushedin.
ItseemedimpossiblethatMissIvesshouldpermitherselfabreachofthatkind,orthatthecalmofherfaceshouldlooklikeanunnaturaldistortion,orthathereyesshouldseemblinded,orthatherstepsshouldsoundashredofdisciplineawayfromstaggering.Shesaid,"Excusemeforinterrupting,Mr.Rearden,"butheknewthatshedidnotseetheoffice,didnotseeMr.Ward,sawnothingbuthim."IthoughtImusttellyouthattheLegislaturehasjustpassedtheEqualizationofOpportunityBill."
ItwasthestolidMr.Wardwhoscreamed,"OhGod,no!Oh,no!"—staringatRearden.
Reardenhadleapedtohisfeet.Hestoodunnaturallybent,oneshoulderdroopingforward.Itwasonlyaninstant.Thenhelookedaroundhim,asifregainingeyesight,said,"Excuseme,"hisglanceincludingbothMissIvesandMr.Ward,andsatdownagain.
"WewerenotinformedthattheBillhadbeenbroughttothefloor,werewe?"heasked,hisvoicecontrolledanddry.
"No,Mr.Rearden.Apparently,itwasasurprisemoveandittookthemjustforty-fiveminutes."
"HaveyouheardfromMouch?"
"No,Mr.Rearden."Shestressedtheno.
