Атлант расправил плечи

           They’veissuedorderstoallthenewsbroadcasters,who’vebeenannouncingitallday,alloverthecountry,tellingpeopletolistentoyoutonightonBertramScudder’shour."

           Helookedatherasifheweredemandingbothananswerandtherecognitionthatheranswerwastheelementofleastimportanceinthesecircumstances.Shesaid,"YouknowwhatIthinkoftheWashingtonpoliciesandofDirective10-289."

           "Atatimelikethis,wecan’taffordtheluxuryofthinking!"

           Shelaughedaloud.

           "Butdon’tyouseethatyoucan’trefusethemnow?"heyelled."Ifyoudon’tappearafterallthoseannouncements,itwillsupporttherumors,itwillamounttoanopendeclarationofdisloyalty!"

           "Thetrapwon’twork,Jim."

           "Whattrap?"

           "Theoneyou’realwayssettingup."

           "Idon’tknowwhatyoumean!"

           "Yes,youdo.Youknew—allofyouknewit—thatIwouldrefuse.

           Soyoupushedmeintoapublictrap,wheremyrefusalwouldbecomeanembarrassingscandalforyou,moreembarrassingthanyouthoughtI’ddaretocause.Youwerecountingonmetosaveyourfacesandthenecksyoustuckout.Iwon’tsavethem."

           "ButIpromisedit!"

           "Ididn’t.