Атлант расправил плечи
The Egoist
wouldyoutrytospeaktohimoncemore?"
Shefeltasifsheheardherownvoice,manylight-yearsaway,cryingthatshewouldgiveherlifetoseehim—butinthisroom,sheheardthevoiceofameaninglessstrangersayingcoldly,"No,Mr.Thompson,Iwouldn’t.IhopeI’llneverhavetoseehimagain."
"Iknowthatyoucan’tstandhim,andIcan’tsayIblameyou,butcouldn’tyoujusttryto—"
"Itriedtoreasonwithhim,thenightIfoundhim.Iheardnothingbutinsultsinreturn.Ithinkheresentsmemorethanhe’dresentanyoneelse.Hewon’tforgivemethefactthatitwasIwhotrappedhim.
I’dbethelastpersontowhomhewouldsurrender."
"Yeah...yeah,that’strue...Doyouthinkhewilleversurrender?"
Theneedlewithinherwaveredforamoment,burningitsoscillatingwaybetweentwocourses:shouldshesaythathewouldnot,andseethemkillhim?—shouldshesaythathewould,andseethemholdontotheirpowertilltheydestroyedtheworld?
"Hewill,"shesaidfirmly."He’llgivein,ifyoutreathimright.
He’stooambitioustorefusepower.Don’tlethimescape,butdon’tthreatenhim—orharmhim.Fearwon’twork.He’simpervioustofear."
"Butwhatif...Imean,withthewaythingsarecollapsing...whatifheholdsouttoolong?"
"Hewon’t.He’stoopracticalforthat.