Атлант расправил плечи

           Hehadcontinuedplayingwithhismarbles,absently,indifferently,takingashotonceinawhile.Shenoticedsuddenlythefaultlessaccuracyofhisaim,theskillofhishands.Hemerelyflickedhiswristandsentadropofstoneshootingacrossthecarpettoclicksharplyagainstanotherdrop.Shethoughtofhischildhoodandofthepredictionsthatanythinghedidwouldbedonesuperlatively.

           "No,"hesaid,"Idon’tfinditamusing.YourbrotherJamesandhisfriendsknewnothingaboutthecopper-miningindustry.Theyknewnothingaboutmakingmoney.Theydidnotthinkitnecessarytolearn.Theyconsideredknowledgesuperfluousandjudgmentinessential.TheyobservedthatthereIwasintheworldandthatImadeitmyhonortoknow.Theythoughttheycouldtrustmyhonor.Onedoesnotbetrayatrustofthiskind,doesone?"

           "Thenyoudidbetrayitintentionally?"

           "That’sforyoutodecide.Itwasyouwhospokeabouttheirtrustandmyhonor.Idon’tthinkinsuchtermsanylonger...."Heshrugged,adding,"Idon’tgiveadamnaboutyourbrotherJamesandhisfriends.Theirtheorywasnotnew,ithasworkedforcenturies.Butitwasn’tfoolproof.Thereisjustonepointthattheyoverlooked.Theythoughtitwassafetorideonmybrain,becausetheyassumedthatthegoalofmyjourneywaswealth.AlltheircalculationsrestedonthepremisethatIwantedtomakemoney.WhatifIdidn’t?"

           "Ifyoudidn‘t,whatdidyouwant?"

           "Theyneveraskedmethat.