Атлант расправил плечи

           "Iwon’tworkundertheseconditions,myself,"Colbyaddedquietly,"andIwon’thelp,tokeepthemenworking.Theytrustme.Iwon’tbetheJudasgoatleadingthemtothestockyards."

           "Whatareyougoingtodoforaliving?"askedRearden.

           "I’vesavedenoughtolastmeforaboutayear."

           "Andafterthat?"

           Colbyshrugged.

           Reardenthoughtoftheboywiththeangryeyes,whominedcoalatnightasacriminal.Hethoughtofallthedarkroads,thealleys,thebackyardsofthecountry,wherethebestofthecountry’smenwouldnowexchangetheirservicesinjunglebarter,inchancejobs,inunrecordedtransactions.Hethoughtoftheendofthatroad.

           TomColbyseemedtoknowwhathewasthinking."You’reonyourwaytoenduprightalongsideofme,Mr.Rearden,"hesaid."Areyougoingtosignyourbrainsovertothem?"

           "No."

           "Andafterthat?"

           Reardenshrugged.

           Colby’seyeswatchedhimforamoment,pale,shrewdeyesinafurnace-tannedfacewithsoot-engravedwrinkles."They’vebeentellingusforyearsthatit’syouagainstme,Mr.Rearden.Butitisn’t.It’sOrrenBoyleandFredKinnanagainstyouandme."

           "Iknowit."

           TheWetNursehadneverenteredRearden’soffice,asifsensingthatthatwasaplacehehadnorighttoenter.