Атлант расправил плечи

           "

           Theroughneckwaswatchingthemfromabove,listeningwithcuriosity.Sheglancedupathim,helookedlikeatruckdriver,sosheasked,"Whatwereyououtside?Aprofessorofcomparativephilology,Isuppose?"

           "No,ma’am,"heanswered."Iwasatruckdriver."Headded,"Butthat’snotwhatIwantedtoremain."

           EllisWyattwaslookingattheplacearoundthemwithakindofyouthfulprideeagerforacknowledgment:itwastheprideofahostataformalreceptioninadrawingroom,andtheeagernessofanartistattheopeningofhisshowinagallery.Shesmiledandasked,pointingatthemachinery,"Shaleoil?"

           "Uh-huh."

           "That’stheprocesswhichyouwereworkingtodevelopwhileyouwereonearth?"Shesaiditinvoluntarilyandshegaspedalittleatherownwords.

           Helaughed."WhileIwasinhell—yes.I’monearthnow."

           "Howmuchdoyouproduce?"

           "Twohundredbarrelsaday."

           Anoteofsadnesscamebackintohervoice:"It’stheprocessbywhichyouonceintendedtofillfivetank-trainsaday."

           "Dagny,"hesaidearnestly,pointingathistank,"onegallonofitisworthmorethanatrainfulbackthereinhell—becausethisismine,allofit,everysingledropofit,tobespentonnothingbutmyself.