Атлант расправил плечи

           TheywerelookingatGaltandatMouch,asifunabletoperceiveanydifferencebetweenthemortofeelconcernifadifferenceexisted,theirempty,uncritical,unvaluingstaredeclaring:"WhoamItoknow?"Sheshuddered,rememberinghissentence:"Themanwhodeclares,‘WhoamItoknow?’isdeclaring,‘WhoamItolive?’"Didtheycaretolive?—shethought.Theydidnotseemtocareevenfortheeffortofraisingthatquestion...Shesawafewfaceswhoseemedtocare.TheywerelookingatGaltwithadesperateplea,withawistfullytragicadmiration—andwithhandslyinglimplyonthetablesbeforethem.

           Thesewerethemenwhosawwhathewas,wholivedinfrustratedlongingforhisworld—buttomorrow,iftheysawhimbeingmurderedbeforethem,theirhandswouldhangaslimplyandtheireyeswouldlookaway,saying,"WhoamItoact?"

           "Unityofactionandpurpose,"saidMouch,"willbringustoahappierworld..."

           Mr.ThompsonleanedtowardGaltandwhisperedwithanamiablesmile,"You’llhavetosayafewwordstothecountry,lateron,afterme.No,no,notalongspeech,justasentenceortwo,nomore.

           Just‘hello,folks’orsomethinglikethat,sothey’llrecognizeyourvoice."Thefaintlystressedpressureofthe"secretary’s"muzzleagainstGalt’ssideaddedasilentparagraph.Galtdidnotanswer.

           "TheJohnGaltPlan,"WesleyMouchwassaying,"willreconcileallconflicts.