Атлант расправил плечи

           WesleyMouchcamefromafamilythathadknownneitherpovertynorwealthnordistinctionformanygenerations;ithadclung,however,toatraditionofitsown:thatofbeingcollege-bredand,therefore,ofdespisingmenwhowereinbusiness.Thefamily’sdiplomashadalwayshungonthewallinthemannerofareproachtotheworld,becausethediplomashadnotautomaticallyproducedthematerialequivalentsoftheirattestedspiritualvalue.Amongthefamily’snumerousrelatives,therewasonerichuncle.Hehadmarriedhismoneyand,inhiswidowedoldage,hehadpickedWesleyashisfavoritefromamonghismanynephewsandnieces,becauseWesleywastheleastdistinguishedofthelotandtherefore,thoughtUncleJulius,thesafest.UncleJuliusdidnotcareforpeoplewhowerebrilliant.Hedidnotcareforthetroubleofmanaginghismoney,either;soheturnedthejobovertoWesley.BythetimeWesleygraduatedfromcollege,therewasnomoneylefttomanage.UncleJuliusblameditonWesley’scunningandcriedthatWesleywasanunscrupulousschemer.

           Buttherehadbeennoschemeaboutit;Wesleycouldnothavesaidjustwherethemoneyhadgone.Inhighschool,WesleyMouchhadbeenoneoftheworststudentsandhadpassionatelyenviedthosewhowerethebest.Collegetaughthimthathedidnothavetoenvythematall.Aftergraduation,hetookajobintheadvertisingdepartmentofacompanythatmanufacturedaboguscorn-cure.Thecuresoldwellandherosetobetheheadofhisdepartment.