Атлант расправил плечи

           "

           "ThinkwhatafavorIreceivedwithoutanyeffortonmypart.Iwasn’tconsulted,Iwasn’tinformed,Iwasn’tthoughtabout,everythingwasarrangedwithoutme—andallIhavetodonowisproducethecopper.Thatwasagreatfavor,James—andyoumaybesurethatIwillrepayit."

           Franciscoturnedabruptly,notwaitingforananswer,andstartedaway.Taggartdidnotfollow;hestood,feelingthatanythingwaspreferabletoonemoreminuteoftheirconversation.

           FranciscostoppedwhenhecametoDagny.Helookedatherforasilentinstant,withoutgreeting,hissmileacknowledgingthatshehadbeenthefirstpersonhesawandthefirstonetoseehimathisentranceintotheballroom.

           Againsteverydoubtandwarninginhermind,shefeltnothingbutajoyousconfidence;inexplicably,shefeltasifhisfigureinthatcrowdwasapointofindestructiblesecurity.Butinthemomentwhenthebeginningofasmiletoldhimhowgladshewastoseehim,heasked,"Don’tyouwanttotellmewhatabrilliantachievementtheJohnGaltLineturnedouttobe?"

           Shefeltherlipstremblingandtighteningatonce,assheanswered,"I’msorryifIshowthatI’mstillopentobehurt.Itshouldn’tshockmethatyou’vecometothestagewhereyoudespiseachievement."

           "Yes;don’tI?IdespisedthatLinesomuchthatIdidn’twanttoseeitreachthekindofendithasreached.