Атлант расправил плечи
The Man who belonged on Earth
Atrainhasthetwogreatattributesoflife,shethought,motionandpurpose;thishadbeenlikealivingentity,butnowitwasonlyanumberofdeadfreightcarsandengines.Don’tgiveyourselftimetofeel,shethought,dismemberthecarcassasfastaspossible,theenginesareneededalloverthesystem,KenDanaggerinPennsylvanianeedstrains,moretrains,ifonly—
"Dr.RobertStadler,"saidthevoiceoftheinterofficecommunicatoronherdesk.
Hecamein,smiling;thesmileseemedtounderscorehiswords:"MissTaggart,wouldyoucaretobelievehowhelplesslygladIamtoseeyouagain?"
Shedidnotsmile,shelookedgravelycourteousassheanswered,"Itwasverykindofyoutocomehere."Shebowed,herslenderfigurestandingtautlystraightbutfortheslow,formalmovementofherhead.
"WhatifIconfessedthatallIneededwassomeplausibleexcuseinordertocome?Woulditastonishyou?"
"Iwouldtrynottoovertaxyourcourtesy."Shedidnotsmile."Pleasesitdown,Dr.Stadler."
Helookedbrightlyaroundhim."I’veneverseentheofficeofarailroadexecutive.Ididn’tknowitwouldbeso...sosolemnaplace.Isthatinthenatureofthejob?"
"ThematteronwhichI’dliketoaskyouradviceisfarremovedfromthefieldofyourinterests,Dr.Stadler.YoumaythinkitoddthatIshouldcallonyou.Pleaseallowmetoexplainmyreason.
