Атлант расправил плечи
Account Overdrawn
Hesatwithhisheaddrawnintohisshoulders,andhiseyeskeptdartingtoorapidlyfromfacetoface.
AmanfromWashingtonsatatthetableamongthem.Nobodyknewhisexactjobortitle,butitwasnotnecessary:theyknewthathewasthemanfromWashington.HisnamewasMr.Weatherby,hehadgrayingtemples,along,narrowfaceandamouththatlookedasifhehadtostretchhisfacialmusclesinordertokeepitclosed;thisgaveasuggestionofprimnesstoafacethatdisplayednothingelse.TheDirectorsdidnotknowwhetherhewaspresentastheguest,theadviserortheruleroftheBoard;theypreferrednottofindout.
"Itseemstome,"saidthechairman,"thatthetopproblemforustoconsideristhefactthatthetrackofourmainlineappearstobeinadeplorable,nottosaycritical,condition—"Hepaused,thenaddedcautiously,"—whiletheonlygoodrailweownisthatoftheJohnGalt—Imean,theRioNorte—Line."
Inthesamecautioustoneofwaitingforsomeoneelsetopickuptheintendedpurposeofhiswords,anothermansaid,"Ifweconsiderourcriticalshortageofequipment,andifweconsiderthatwearelettingitwearoutintheserviceofabranchlinerunningataloss—"Hestoppedanddidnotstatewhatwouldoccuriftheyconsideredit.
