Атлант расправил плечи
The Top and the Bottom
Andwhereonearthdidyougetthatwood-burninglocomotive?"
"Wood-burning?"
"That’swhatIsaid,wood-burning.Ineversawonebefore,exceptinphotographs.Whatmuseumdidyoudragitoutof?Nowdon’tactasifyoudidn’tknowit,justtellmewhat’sthegag?"
"Yes,ofcourseIknewit,"saidTaggarthastily."Itwasjust...Youjusthappenedtochoosetheoneweekwhenwehadalittletroublewithourmotivepower—ournewenginesareonorder,butthere’sbeenaslightdelay—youknowwhataproblemwe’rehavingwiththemanufacturersoflocomotives—butit’sonlytemporary."
"Ofcourse,"saidBoyle."Delayscan’tbehelped.It’sthestrangesttrainIeverrodeon,though.Nearlyshookmygutsout."
Withinafewminutes,theynoticedthatTaggarthadbecomesilent.Heseemedpreoccupiedwithaproblemofhisown.Whenheroseabruptly,withoutapology,theyrose,too,acceptingitasacommand.
Larkinmuttered,smilingtoostrenuously,"Itwasapleasure,Jim.Apleasure.That’showgreatprojectsareborn—overadrinkwithfriends."
"Socialreformsareslow,"saidTaggartcoldly."Itisadvisabletobepatientandcautious."Forthefirsttime,heturnedtoWesleyMouch."WhatIlikeaboutyou,Mouch,isthatyoudon’ttalktoomuch."
WesleyMouchwasRearden’sWashingtonman.
Therewasstillaremnantofsunsetlightinthesky,whenTaggartandBoyleemergedtogetherintothestreetbelow.Thetransitionwasfaintlyshockingtothem—theenclosedbarroomledonetoexpectmidnightdarkness.
