Атлант расправил плечи

           "

           "Iknow."

           "And...itistheonlythingthatcounts,infact."

           "Yes,Non-Absolute,infact."

           Theboy’smouthjerkedsuddenlyintothebrief,mirthlesstwistofasmile."IguessI’mtiedworsethananysucker..."

           "Yes.There’snothingyoucandonow,exceptapplytotheUnificationBoardforpermissiontochangeyourjob.I’llsupportyourapplication,ifyouwanttotry—onlyIdon’tthinkthey’llgrantit.Idon’tthinkthey’llletyouworkforme."

           "No.Theywon’t."

           "Ifyoumaneuverenoughandlieenough,theymightpermityoutotransfertoaprivatejob—withsomeothersteelcompany."

           "No!Idon’twanttogoanywhereelse!Idon’twanttoleavethisplace!"Hestoodlookingoffattheinvisiblevaporofrainovertheflameofthefurnaces.Afterawhile,hesaidquietly,"I’dbetterstayput,Iguess.I’dbettergoonbeingadeputylooter.Besides,ifIleft,Godonlyknowswhatsortofbastardthey’dsaddleyouwithinmyplace!"

           Heturned."They’reuptosomething,Mr.Rearden.Idon’tknowwhatitis,butthey’regettingreadytospringsomethingonyou."

           "What?"

           "Idon’tknow.Butthey’vebeenwatchingeveryopeninghere,inthelastfewweeks,everydesertion,andslippingtheirowngangin.