Атлант расправил плечи
The Concerto of Deliverance
"Whowasitthatsavedmylife?SomebodygrabbedmeasIfell,andfiredatthethugs."
"Didhe!Straightattheirfaces.Blewtheirheadsoff.Thatwasthatnewfurnaceforemanofours.Beenheretwomonths.BestmanI’veeverhad.He’stheonewhogotwisetowhatthegravyboyswereplanningandwarnedme,thisafternoon.Toldmetoarmourmen,asmanyaswecould.Wegotnohelpfromthepoliceorthestatetroopers,theydodgedallovertheplacewiththefanciestdelaysandexcusesIeverheardof,itwasallfixedinadvance,thegoonsweren’texpectinganyarmedresistance.Itwasthatfurnaceforeman—FrankAdamsishisname—whoorganizedourdefense,ranthewholebattle,andstoodonaroof,pickingoffthescumthatcametooclosetothegate.Boy,whatamarksman!Ishuddertothinkhowmanyofourliveshesavedtonight.
Thosebastardswereoutforblood,Mr.Rearden."
"I’dliketoseehim."
"He’swaitingsomewhereoutside.It’shewhobroughtyouhere,andheaskedpermissiontospeaktoyou,whenpossible."
"Sendhimin.Thengobackoutthere,takecharge,finishthejob."
"IsthereanythingelseIcandoforyou,Mr.Rearden?"
"No,nothingelse."
Helaystill,aloneinthesilenceofhisoffice.Heknewthatthemeaningofhismillshadceasedtoexist,andthefullnessoftheknowledgeleftnoroomforthepainofregrettinganillusion.
