Атлант расправил плечи

           Ourownteacher,Dr.Akston,wasnext.Hejoineduswithinoneevening’sconversation.WilliamHastings,whohadbeenmybossintheresearchlaboratoryofTwentiethCenturyMotors,hadahardtime,fightingitoutwithhimself.Ittookhimayear.Buthejoined.ThenRichardHalley.ThenMidasMulligan."

           "—whotookfifteenminutes,"saidMulligan.

           Sheturnedtohim."Itwasyouwhoestablishedthisvalley?"

           "Yes,"saidMulligan."Itwasjustmyownprivateretreat,atfirst.Iboughtityearsago,Iboughtmilesofthesemountains,sectionbysection,fromranchersandcattlemenwhodidn’tknowwhattheyowned.Thevalleyisnotlistedonanymap.Ibuiltthishouse,whenIdecidedtoquit.Icutoffallpossibleavenuesofapproach,exceptoneroad—andit’scamouflagedbeyondanyone’spowertodiscover—andIstockedthisplacetobeself-supporting,sothatIcouldliveherefortherestofmylifeandneverhavetoseethefaceofalooter.WhenIheardthatJohnhadgotJudgeNarragansett,too,IinvitedtheJudgetocomehere.ThenweaskedRichardHalleytojoinus.Theothersremainedoutside,atfirst."

           "Wehadnorulesofanykind,"saidGalt,"exceptone.Whenamantookouroath,itmeantasinglecommitment:nottoworkinhisownprofession,nottogivetotheworldthebenefitofhismind.Eachofuscarrieditoutinanymannerhechose.Thosewhohadmoney,retiredtoliveontheirsavings.