Атлант расправил плечи

           Shesawhim,sheapproached,andsheshookhishand;hersmilewaslikeasummationofallthethingstheydidnothavetosay."Well,Eddie,you’reTaggartTranscontinentalnow."

           "Yes,"hesaidsolemnly,hisvoicelow.

           Therewerereportersaskingquestions,andtheydraggedherawayfromhim.Theywereaskinghimquestions,too."Mr.Willers,whatisthepolicyofTaggartTranscontinentalinregardtothisline?""SoTaggartTranscontinentalisjustadisinterestedobserver,isit,Mr.Willers?"

           Heansweredasbesthecould.HewaslookingatthesunonaDieselengine.Butwhathewasseeingwasthesuninaclearingofthewoodsandatwelve-year-oldgirltellinghimthathewouldhelpherruntherailroadsomeday.

           Hewatchedfromadistancewhilethetrain’screwwaslinedupinfrontoftheengine,tofaceafiringsquadofcameras.DagnyandReardenweresmiling,asifposingforsnapshotsofasummervacation.PatLogan,theengineer,ashort,sinewymanwithgrayinghairandacontemptuouslyinscrutableface,posedinamannerofamusedindifference.

           RayMcKim,thefireman,ahuskyyounggiant,grinnedwithanairofembarrassmentandsuperioritytogether.Therestofthecrewlookedasiftheywereabouttowinkatthecameras.Aphotographersaid,laughing,"Can’tyoupeoplelookdoomed,please?Iknowthat’swhattheeditorwants."

           DagnyandReardenwereansweringquestionsforthepress.