Атлант расправил плечи

           Perhapsyoubelievethatifmyvoicedeliversthefinalblow,itwillmakemethemurdererinvolved—sinceyouknowthatthisisthelastactofalong-drawn-outmurder.Icannotconceivewhatitisyouthinkyoucanaccomplishbyapretenseofthiskind,andIwillnothelpyoutostageit.Thefinalblowwillbedeliveredbyyou,aswerealltheothers."

           Sheturnedtogo.Thechairmanhalf-rose,askinghelplessly,"But,MissTaggart—"

           "Pleaseremainseated.Pleasecontinuethediscussion—andtakethevoteinwhichIshallhavenovoice.Ishallabstainfromvoting.I’llstandby,ifyouwishmeto,butonlyasanemployee.Iwillnotpretendtobeanythingelse."

           Sheturnedawayoncemore,butitwasthevoiceofthegray-hairedmanthatstoppedher."MissTaggart,thisisnotanofficialquestion,itisonlymypersonalcuriosity,butwouldyoutellmeyourviewofthefutureoftheTaggartTranscontinentalsystem?"

           Sheanswered,lookingathiminunderstanding,hervoicegentler,"Ihavestoppedthinkingofafutureorofarailroadsystem.Iintendtocontinuerunningtrainssolongasitisstillpossibletorunthem.Idon’tthinkthatitwillbemuchlonger."

           Shewalkedawayfromthetable,tothewindow,tostandasideandletthemcontinuewithouther.

           Shelookedatthecity.JimhadobtainedthepermitwhichallowedthemtheuseofelectricpowertothetopoftheTaggartBuilding.