Атлант расправил плечи

           Thereweregreenlightsbetweenthetracks,lowovertheground,droppingoffintothedistancewheretherailsturnedandagreenlightstoodatthecurve,againstleavesofasummergreenthatlookedasifthey,too,werelights.

           Twomenheldawhitesilkribbonstretchedacrossthetrackinfrontoftheengine.TheywerethesuperintendentoftheColoradoDivisionandNealy’schiefengineer,whohadremainedonthejob.EddieWillerswastocuttheribbontheyheldandthustoopenthenewline.

           Thephotographersposedhimcarefully,scissorsinhand,hisbacktotheengine.Hewouldrepeattheceremonytwoorthreetimes,theyexplained,togivethemachoiceofshots;theyhadafreshboltofribbonready.Hewasabouttocomply,thenstopped."No,"hesaidsuddenly.

           "It’snotgoingtobeaphony."

           Inavoiceofquietauthority,thevoiceofavice-President,heordered,pointingatthecameras,"Standback—wayback.TakeoneshotwhenIcutit,thengetoutoftheway,fast."

           Theyobeyed,movinghastilyfartherdownthetrack.Therewasonlyoneminuteleft.Eddieturnedhisbacktothecamerasandstoodbetweentherails,facingtheengine.Heheldthescissorsreadyoverthewhiteribbon.Hetookhishatoffandtosseditaside.Hewaslookingupattheengine.Afaintwindstirredhisblondhair.TheenginewasagreatsilvershieldbearingtheemblemofNatTaggart.