Атлант расправил плечи

           Haveyouevergivenusanytime?"

           Ifthismeantthatshemissedhim,hethought,thenitmeantaffection,andifitmeantaffection,thenhewasunjusttoexperienceaheavy,murkyfeelingwhichkepthimsilentlesthisvoicebetraythatthefeelingwasdisgust.

           "Youdon’tcare,"hervoicewenthalf-spitting,half-beggingon."Lillianneededyoutodayforaveryimportantproblem,butItoldheritwasnousewaitingtodiscussitwithyou."

           "Oh,Mother,it’snotimportant!"saidLillian."NottoHenry."

           HeturneItoher.Hestoodinthemiddleoftheroom,withhistrenchcoatstillon,asifheweretrappedinanunrealitythatwouldnotbecomerealtohim.

           "It’snotimportantatall,"saidLilliangaily;hecouldnottellwhetherhervoicewasapologeticorboastful."It’snotbusiness.It’spurelynon-commercial."

           "Whatisit?"

           "JustapartyI’mplanningtogive."

           "Aparty?"

           "Oh,don’tlookfrightened,it’snotfortomorrownight.Iknowthatyou’resoverybusy,butit’sforthreemonthsfromnowandIwantittobeaverybig,veryspecialaffair,sowouldyoupromisemetobeherethatnightandnotinMinnesotaorColoradoorCalifornia?"

           Shewaslookingathiminanoddmanner,speakingtoolightlyandtoopurposefullyatonce,hersmileoverstressinganairofinnocenceandsuggestingsomethinglikeahiddentrumpcard.

           "Threemonthsfromnow?"hesaid."ButyouknowthatIcan’ttellwhaturgentbusinessmightcomeuptocallmeoutoftown."