Атлант расправил плечи
The Climax of the d’Anconias
Nomatterwhatdisciplinewasrequiredofhimbyhisfather’sexactingplanforhiseducation,nomatterwhatsubjecthewasorderedtostudy,Franciscomastereditwitheffortlessamusement.Hisfatheradoredhim,butconcealeditcarefully,asheconcealedtheprideofknowingthathewasbringingupthemostbrilliantphenomenonofabrilliantfamilyline.Francisco,itwassaid,wastobetheclimaxofthed‘Anconias.
"Idon’tknowwhatsortofmottothed‘Anconiashaveontheirfamilycrest,"Mrs.Taggartsaidonce,"butI’msurethatFranciscowillchangeitto’Whatfor?‘"Itwasthefirstquestionheaskedaboutanyactivityproposedtohim—andnothingwouldmakehimact,ifhefoundnovalidanswer.Heflewthroughthedaysofhissummermonthlikearocket,butifonestoppedhiminmid-flight,hecouldalwaysnamethepurposeofhiseveryrandommoment.Twothingswereimpossibletohim:tostandstillortomoveaimlessly.
"Let’sfindout"wasthemotivehegavetoDagnyandEddieforanythingheundertook,or"Let’smakeit."Thesewerehisonlyformsofenjoyment.
"Icandoit,"hesaid,whenhewasbuildinghiselevator,clingingtothesideofacliff,drivingmetalwedgesintorock,hisarmsmovingwithanexpert’srhythm,dropsofbloodslipping,unnoticed,fromunderabandageonhiswrist."No,wecan’ttaketurns,Eddie,you’renotbigenoughyettohandleahammer.Justcarttheweedsoffandkeepthewayclearforme,I’lldotherest....Whatblood?Oh,that’snothing,justacutIgotyesterday.
