Атлант расправил плечи
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OnhislasttriptoWashington,hehadpleadedwithMr.Weatherbythatacutintheratesoftherailroadswouldbeadeathblow;thewageraiseshadbeengranted,butthedemandsforthecutinrateswerestillheardinthepress—andTaggarthadknownwhatitmeant,ifMr.Mouchstillpermittedthemtobeheard;hehadknownthattheknifewasstillpoisedathisthroat.Mr.Weatherbyhadnotansweredhispleas,buthadsaid,inatoneofidlyirrelevantspeculation,"Wesleyhassomanytoughproblems.Ifheistogiveeverybodyabreathingspell,financiallyspeaking,he’sgottoputintooperationacertainemergencyprogramofwhichyouhavesomeinkling.Butyouknowwhathelltheunprogressiveelementsofthecountrywouldraiseaboutit.AmanlikeRearden,forinstance.Wedon’twantanymorestuntsofthesorthe’sliabletopull.WesleywouldgivealotforsomebodywhocouldkeepReardeninline.ButIguessthat’ssomethingnobodycandeliver.
ThoughImaybewrong.Youmayknowbetter,Jim,sinceReardenisasortoffriendofyours,whocomestoyourpartiesandallthat."
LookingatLillianacrossthetable,Taggartsaid,"Friendship,Ifind,isthemostvaluablethinginlife—andIwouldbeamissifIdidn’tgiveyouproofofmine."
"ButI’veneverdoubtedit.
