Атлант расправил плечи
The Sanction of the Victim
HankReardenmaybegatheredfromthefactthatofallsocialgroups,heseemstobemostunpopularwithhisownfellowbusinessmen.Hisold-fashionedbrandofruthlessnessseemstobetoomuchevenforthosepredatorybaronsofprofit."
OnaneveninginDecember—whenthestreetbeyondhiswindowwaslikeacongestedthroatcoughingwiththehornsofpre-Christmastraffic—ReardensatinhisroomattheWayne-FalklandHotel,fightinganenemymoredangerousthanwearinessorfear:revulsionagainstthethoughtofhavingtodealwithhumanbeings.
Hesat,unwillingtoventureintothestreetsofthecity,unwillingtomove,asifhewerechainedtohischairandtothisroom.Hehadtriedforhourstoignoreanemotionthatfeltlikethepullofhomesickness:hisawarenessthattheonlymanwhomhelongedtosee,washere,inthishotel,justafewfloorsabovehim.
Hehadcaughthimself,inthepastfewweeks,wastingtimeinthelobbywheneverheenteredthehotelorleftit,loiteringunnecessarilyatthemailcounterorthenewsstand,watchingthehurriedcurrentsofpeople,hopingtoseeFranciscod’Anconiaamongthem.HehadcaughthimselfeatingsolitarydinnersintherestaurantoftheWayne-Falkland,withhiseyesonthecurtainsoftheentrancedoorway,Nowhecaughthimselfsittinginhisroom,thinkingthatthedistancewasonlyafewfloors.
