Атлант расправил плечи

           Intheclear,monotonousvoiceofamilitaryreport,consultingnopapers,lookingstraightatthemen,DagnyrecitedthetechnologicalfactsabouttheJohnGaltLine,givingexactfiguresonthenatureoftherail,thecapacityofthebridge,themethodofconstruction,thecosts.Then,inthedrytoneofabanker,sheexplainedthefinancialprospectsoftheLineandnamedthelargeprofitssheexpectedtomake."Thatisall,"shesaid.

           "All?"saidoneofthereporters."Aren’tyougoingtogiveusamessageforthepublic?"

           "Thatwasmymessage."

           "Buthell—Imean,aren’tyougoingtodefendyourself?"

           "Againstwhat?"

           "Don’tyouwanttotellussomethingtojustifyyourLine?"

           "Ihave."

           Amanwithamouthshapedasapermanentsneerasked,"Well,whatIwanttoknow,asBertramScudderstated,iswhatprotectiondowehaveagainstyourLinebeingnogood?"

           "Don’trideonit."

           Anotherasked,"Aren’tyougoingtotellusyourmotiveforbuildingthatLine?"

           "Ihavetoldyou:theprofitwhichIexpecttomake."

           "Oh,MissTaggart,don’tsaythat!"criedayoungboy.Hewasnew,hewasstillhonestabouthisjob,andhefeltthathelikedDagnyTaggart,withoutknowingwhy."That’sthewrongthingtosay.That’swhatthey’reallsayingaboutyou.