Атлант расправил плечи

           Rearden,theyhavenorighttodoit!"

           "What?"

           "TakeReardenMetalawayfromyou."

           Reardensmiledand,promptedbyadesperatepity,said,"Forgetit,Non-Absolute.Therearenorights."

           "Iknowtherearen’t.ButImean...whatImeanisthattheycan’tdoit."

           "Whynot?"Hecouldnothelpsmiling.

           "Mr.Rearden,don’tsigntheGiftCertificate!Don’tsignit,onprinciple."

           "Iwon’tsignit.Buttherearen’tanyprinciples."

           "Iknowtherearen’t."Hewasrecitingitinfullearnestness,withthehonestyofaconscientiousstudent:"Iknowthateverythingisrelativeandthatnobodycanknowanythingandthatreasonisanillusionandthatthereisn’tanyreality.ButI’mjusttalkingaboutReardenMetal.

           Don’tsign,Mr.Rearden.Moralsornomorals,principlesornoprinciples,justdon’tsignit—becauseitisn’tright!"

           NooneelsementionedthedirectiveinRearden’spresence.Silencewasthenewaspectaboutthemills.Themendidnotspeaktohimwhenheappearedintheworkshops,andhenoticedthattheydidnotspeaktooneanother.Thepersonnelofficereceivednoformalresignations.Buteveryothermorning,oneortwomenfailedtoappearandneverappearedagain.Inquiriesattheirhomesfoundthehomesabandonedandthemengone.