Атлант расправил плечи
The Concerto of Deliverance
Withitscostlyfurnitureandtheabsenceofallpersonalbelongings,theroomhadthatairofdrearyluxurywhichpertainstotransientoccupancy,asdismalastheairofaflophouse.Fivefiguresroseinthefogathisentrance:WesleyMouch,EugeneLawson,JamesTaggart,Dr.FloydFerrisandaslim,slouchingmanwholookedlikearat-facedtennisplayerandwasintroducedtohimasTinkyHolloway.
"Allright,"saidRearden,cuttingoffthegreetings,thesmiles,theoffersofdrinksandthecommentsonthenationalemergency,"whatdidyouwant?"
"We’rehereasyourfriends,Mr.Rearden,"saidTinkyHolloway,"purelyasyourfriends,foraninformalconversationwithaviewtoclosermutualteamwork."
"We’reanxioustoavailourselvesofyouroutstandingability,"saidLawson,"andyourexpertadviceonthecountry’sindustrialproblems."
"It’smenlikeyouthatweneedinWashington,"saidDr.Ferris.
"There’snoreasonwhyyoushouldhaveremainedanoutsiderforsolong,whenyourvoiceisneededatthetoplevelofnationalleadership."
Thesickeningthingaboutit,thoughtRearden,wasthatthespeecheswereonlyhalf-lies;theotherhalf,intheirtoneofhystericalurgency,wastheunstatedwishtohaveitsomehowbetrue."Whatdidyouwant?"heasked.
"Why...tolistentoyou,Mr.
