Атлант расправил плечи

           Therewereflashbulbsexplodingaroundthem,andmenwavingtothemfromtheriggingsoftheoilwellsontheslopesofthemountains.Aboveherhead,abovetheheadsofthecrowd,thelettersTTonasilvershieldwerehitbythelastrayofasinkingsun.

           EllisWyatthadtakencharge.Hewasleadinghersomewhere,thesweepofhisarmcuttingapathforthemthroughthecrowd,whenoneofthemenwiththecamerasbrokethroughtoherside."MissTaggart,"hecalled,"willyougiveusamessageforthepublic?"EllisWyattpointedatthelongstringoffreightcars."Shehas."

           Thenshewassittinginthebackseatofanopencar,drivingupthecurvesofamountainroad.ThemanbesideherwasRearden,thedriverwasEllisWyatt.

           Theystoppedatahousethatstoodontheedgeofacliff,withnootherhabitationanywhereinsight,withthewholeoftheoilfieldsspreadontheslopesbelow.

           "Why,ofcourseyou’restayingatmyhouseovernight,bothofyou,"saidEllisWyatt,astheywentin."Wheredidyouexpecttostay?"

           Shelaughed."Idon’tknow,Ihadn’tthoughtofitatall."

           "Thenearesttownisanhour’sdriveaway.That’swhereyourcrewhasgone:yourboysatthedivisionpointaregivingapartyintheirhonor.Soisthewholetown.ButItoldTedNielsenandtheothersthatwe’dhavenobanquetsforyouandnooratory.Unlessyou’dlikeit?"

           "God,no!"shesaid."Thanks,Ellis.