Атлант расправил плечи
The Egoist
"Allthis,"sheasked,pointingatthelaboratory,"onthesalaryof—shepointedatthegarret—"ofanunskilledlaborer?"
"Oh,no!OntheroyaltiesMidasMulliganpaysmeforhispowerhouse,fortherayscreen,fortheradiotransmitterandafewotherjobsofthatkind."
"Then...thenwhydidyouhavetoworkasatracklaborer?"
"Becausenomoneyearnedinthevalleyisevertobespentoutside."
"Wheredidyougetthisequipment?"
"Idesignedit.AndrewStockton’sfoundrymadeit."Hepointedtoanunobtrusiveobjectthesizeofaradiocabinetinacorneroftheroom:"There’sthemotoryouwanted,"andchuckledathergasp,attheinvoluntaryjoltthatthrewherforward,"Don’tbotherstudyingit,youwon’tgiveitawaytothemnow."
Shewasstaringattheshiningmetalcylindersandtheglisteningcoilsofwirethatsuggestedtherustedshaperesting,likeasacredrelic,inaglasscoffininavaultoftheTaggartTerminal.
"Itsuppliesmyownelectricpowerforthelaboratory,"hesaid."Noonehashadtowonderwhyatracklaborerisusingsuchexorbitantamountsofelectricity."
"Butiftheyeverfoundthisplace—"
Hegaveanodd,briefchuckle."Theywon’t.
