Атлант расправил плечи

           Itseemedasifthereweresomethingwhichhehadwantedtolearn,andnowhelookedasifhehadlearnedit.Hestoodupandsmiledcheerfully.

           "Goahead,Wesley,"hesaid."GoaheadwithNumber10-289.Youwon’thaveanytroubleatall."

           Theyhadallrisentotheirfeet,ingloomilyreluctantdeference.WesleyMouchglanceddownathissheetofpaper,thensaidinapetulanttoneofvoice,"Ifyouwantmetogoahead,you’llhavetodeclareastateoftotalemergency."

           "I’lldeclareitanytimeyou’reready."

           "Therearecertaindifficulties,which—"

           "I’llleaveituptoyou.Workitoutanywayyouwish.It’syourjob.

           Letmeseetheroughdraft,tomorrowornextday,butdon’tbothermeaboutthedetails.I’vegotaspeechtomakeontheradioinhalfanhour."

           "ThechiefdifficultyisthatI’mnotsurewhetherthelawactuallygrantsusthepowertoputintoeffectcertainprovisionsofDirectiveNumber10-289.Ifeartheymightbeopentochallenge."

           "Ohhell,we’vepassedsomanyemergencylawsthatifyouhuntthroughthem,you’resuretodigupsomethingthatwillcoverit."

           Mr.Thompsonturnedtotheotherswithasmileofgoodfellowship.

           "I’llleaveyouboystoironoutthewrinkles,"hesaid."IappreciateyourcomingtoWashingtontohelpusout.Gladtohaveseenyou.