Атлант расправил плечи

           "Sinceoneo’clock,"saidthesecretarygrimly,thenaddedinapology,"Itwasanunscheduledcaller,orMr.Danaggerwouldneverhavepermittedthistohappen."

           Thedoorwasnotlocked,thoughtDagny;shefeltanunreasoningdesiretotearitopenandwalkin—itwasonlyafewwoodenboardswithabrassknob,itwouldrequireonlyasmallmuscularcontractionofherarm—butshelookedaway,knowingthatthepowerofacivilizedorderandofKenDanagger’srightwasmoreimpregnableabarrierthananylock.

           Shefoundherselfstaringatthestubsofhercigarettesintheashtraystandbesideher,andwonderedwhyitgaveherasharperfeelingofapprehension.ThensherealizedthatshewasthinkingofHughAkston:shehadwrittentohim,athisdinerinWyoming,askinghimtotellherwherehehadobtainedthecigarettewiththedollarsign;herletterhadcomeback,withapostalinscriptiontoinformherthathehadmovedaway,leavingnoforwardingaddress.

           Shetoldherselfangrilythatthishadnoconnectionwiththepresentmomentandthatshehadtocontrolhernerves.Butherhandjerkedtopressthebuttonoftheashtrayandmakethecigarettestubsvanishinsidethestand.

           Asshelookedup,hereyesmettheglanceofthesecretarywatchingher."Iamsorry,MissTaggart.Idon’tknowwhattodoaboutit."

           Itwasanopenlydesperateplea."Idon’tdareinterrupt.