Атлант расправил плечи

           Shecouldseethemineentrancescutintothehillsides,smallframesofmetalgirders,thatledtoanimmenseundergroundkingdom.Theyseemedprecariouslymodest,lostintheviolentorangeandredofthehills...Underaharshbluesky,inthesunlightoflateOctober,theseaofleaveslookedlikeaseaoffire...likewavesrollingtoswallowthefragilepostsoftheminedoorways.Sheshudderedandlookedaway:shethoughtoftheflamingleavesspreadoverthehillsofWisconsin,ontheroadtoStarnesville.

           Shenoticedthattherewasonlyastubleftofthecigarettebetweenherfingers.Shelightedanother.

           Whensheglancedattheclockonthewalloftheanteroom,shecaughtthesecretaryglancingatitatthesametime.Herappointmentwasforthreeo’clock;thewhitedialsaid:3:12.

           "Pleaseforgiveit,MissTaggart,"saidthesecretary,"Mr.Danaggerwillbethrough,anymomentnow,Mr.Danaggerisextremelypunctualabouthisappointments.Pleasebelievemethatthisisunprecedented."

           "Iknowit."SheknewthatKenDanaggerwasasrigidlyexactabouthisscheduleasarailroadtimetableandthathehadbeenknowntocancelaninterviewifacallerpermittedhimselftoarrivefiveminuteslate.

           Thesecretarywasanelderlyspinsterwithaforbiddingmanner:amannerofeven-tonedcourtesyimpervioustoanyshock,justasherspotlesswhiteblousewasimpervioustoanatmospherefilledwithcoaldust.