Атлант расправил плечи
The Man who belonged on Earth
"Sorry,"hesaid,"butmycarbrokedownagainonthewayfromWashingtonandIhadahellofatimetryingtofindsomebodytofixit—there’sgettingtobesodamnfewcarsoutontheroadthathalftheservicestationsareclosed."
Therewasmoreannoyancethanapologyinhisvoice.Hesatdownwithoutwaitingforaninvitationtodoso.
Dr.FloydFerriswouldnothavebeennoticedasparticularlyhandsomeinanyotherprofession,butintheonehehadchosenhewasalwaysdescribedas"thatgood-lookingscientist."Hewassixfeettallandforty-fiveyearsold,buthemanagedtolooktallerandyounger.
Hehadanairofimmaculategroomingandaballroomgraceofmotion,buthisclothesweresevere,hissuitsbeingusuallyblackormidnightblue.Hehadafinelytracedmustache,andhissmoothblackhairmadetheInstituteofficeboyssaythatheusedthesameshoepolishonbothendsofhim.Hedidnotmindrepeating,inthetoneofajokeonhimself,thatamovieproduceroncesaidhewouldcasthimforthepartofatitledEuropeangigolo.Hehadbegunhiscareerasabiologist,butthatwasforgottenlongago;hewasfamousastheTopCo-ordinatoroftheStateScienceInstitute.
Dr.Stadlerglancedathimwithastonishment—thelackofapologywasunprecedented—andsaiddryly,"ItseemstomethatyouarespendingagreatdealofyourtimeinWashington."
"But,Dr.
