Атлант расправил плечи
The Sacred and the Profane
I’veneverbeensoclosetoanythingimportant,Imeantoanynewspapernews."
Hehadneverhadtheexperienceofseeinghispresencegivecolortoaplaceheentered:thegirllookedasifshewasnottiredanylonger,asifthedimestorehadbecomeasceneofdramaandwonder.
"Mr.Taggart,isittrue,whattheysaidaboutyouinthepaper?"
"Whatdidtheysay?"
"Aboutyoursecret."
"Whatsecret?"
"Well,theysaidthatwheneverybodywasfightingaboutyourbridge,whetheritwouldstandornot,youdidn’targuewiththem,youjustwentahead,becauseyouknewitwouldstand,whennobodyelsewassureofit—sotheLinewasaTaggartprojectandyouweretheguidingspiritbehindthescenes,butyoukeptitsecret,becauseyoudidn’tcarewhetheryougotcreditforitornot."
HehadseenthemimeographedreleaseofhisPublicRelationsDepartment."Yes,"hesaid,"it’strue."Thewayshelookedathimmadehimfeelasifitwere.
"Itwaswonderfulofyou,Mr.Taggart."
"Doyoualwaysrememberwhatyoureadinthenewspapers,sowell,insuchdetail?"
"Why,yes,Iguessso—alltheinterestingthings.Thebigthings.Iliketoreadaboutthem.Nothingbigeverhappenstome."
Shesaiditgaily,withoutself-pity.Therewasayoung,determinedbrusquenessinhervoiceandmovements.
