Атлант расправил плечи

           "Whydidyousaythat?Whatmadeyousayit?"

           "Whatmadeyouscream?"askedKinnan.

           "Keepquiet,allofyou!"orderedMr.Thompson."You’refineatfightingoneanother,butwhenitcomestofightingarealman—"

           "Sohe’sgotyou,too?"yelledLawson.

           "Aw,pipedown,"saidMr.Thompsonwearily."He’sthetoughestbastardI’veeverbeenupagainst.Youwouldn’tunderstandthat.He’sashardastheycome..."Thefaintesttingeofadmirationcreptintohisvoice."Ashardastheycome..."

           "Therearewaystopersuadetoughbastards,"drawledDr.Ferriscasually,"asI’veexplainedtoyou."

           "No!"criedMr.Thompson."No!Shutup!Iwon’tlistentoyou!Iwon’thearofit!"Hishandsmovedfrantically,asifstrugglingtodispelsomethinghewouldnotname."Itoldhim...thatthat’snottrue...thatwe’renot...thatI’mnota..."Heshookhisheadviolently,asifhisownwordsweresomeunprecedentedformofdanger."No,look,boys,whatImeanis,we’vegottobepractical...andcautious.Damncautious.We’vegottohandleitpeacefully.

           Wecan’taffordtoantagonizehimor...orharmhim.Wedon’tdaretakeanychanceson...anythinghappeningtohim.Because...because,ifhegoes,wego.He’sourlasthope.Makenomistakeaboutit.Ifhegoes,weperish.Youallknowit."Hiseyessweptoverthefacesaroundhim:theyknewit.