Атлант расправил плечи

           "

           Hepaused,withanairofsuggestingthattheformulanowcalledforananswer.

           "Goon,"saidRearden."Iamlistening."

           "Yes,IsupposeIshouldexplain,"saidDr.Ferris,"thatwewishtogetyoursignatureearlyinthedayinordertoannouncethefactonanationalnewsbroadcast.Althoughthegiftprogramhasgonethroughquitesmoothly,therearestillafewstubbornindividualistsleft,whohavefailedtosign—smallfry,really,whosepatentsareofnocrucialvalue,butwecannotletthemremainunbound,asamatterofprinciple,youunderstand.Theyare,webelieve,waitingtofollowyourlead.Youhaveagreatpopularfollowing,Mr.Rearden,muchgreaterthanyoususpectedorknewhowtouse.Therefore,theannouncementthatyouhavesignedwillremovethelasthopesofresistanceand,bymidnight,willbringinthelastsignatures,thuscompletingtheprogramonschedule."

           Reardenknewthatofallpossiblespeeches,thiswasthelastDr.Ferriswouldmakeifanydoubtofhissurrenderremainedintheman’smind.

           "Goon,"saidReardenevenly."Youhaven’tfinished."

           "Youknow—asyouhavedemonstratedatyourtrial—howimportantitis,andwhy,thatweobtainallthatpropertywiththevoluntaryconsentofthevictims."Dr.Ferrisopenedhisbriefcase."HereistheGiftCertificate,Mr.Rearden.Wehavefilleditoutandallyouhavetodoistosignyournameatthebottom.