Атлант расправил плечи

           Dagnythoughtitstrangethatahardened,well-trainedwomanofthistypeshouldappeartobenervous:shevolunteerednoconversation,shesatstill,bentoversomepagesofpaperonherdesk.HalfofDagny’scigarettehadgoneinsmoke,whilethewomanstillsatlookingatthesamepage.

           Whensheraisedherheadtoglanceattheclock,thedialsaid:3:30.

           "Iknowthatthisisinexcusable,MissTaggart."Thenoteofapprehensionwasobviousinhervoicenow."Iamunabletounderstandit."

           "WouldyoumindtellingMr.DanaggerthatI’mhere?"

           "Ican’t!"Itwasalmostacry;shesawDagny’sastonishedglanceandfeltobligedtoexplain:"Mr.Danaggercalledme,ontheinterofficecommunicator,andtoldmethathewasnottobeinterruptedunderanycircumstancesorforanyreasonwhatever."

           "Whendidhedothat?"

           Themoment’spausewaslikeasmallaircushionfortheanswer:"Twohoursago."

           DagnylookedatthecloseddoorofDanagger’soffice.Shecouldhearthesoundofavoicebeyondthedoor,butsofaintlythatshecouldnottellwhetheritwasthevoiceofonemanortheconversationoftwo;shecouldnotdistinguishthewordsortheemotionalqualityofthetone:itwasonlyalow,evenprogressionofsoundsthatseemednormalanddidnotconveythepitchofraisedvoices.

           "HowlonghasMr.Danaggerbeeninconference?"sheasked.