Атлант расправил плечи

           "

           Hesawhergropingforherbag,asifsheweretryingtoremembertheautomaticmotionsnecessarytogetup.

           "MissTaggart,"hesaidquietly.Itwasalmostaplea.Shelookedup.

           Herfacewascomposedandempty.

           Hecamecloser;heleanedwithonehandagainstthewallaboveherhead,almostasifhewishedtoholdherinthecircleofhisarm.

           "MissTaggart,"hesaid,atoneofgentle,bitterpersuasivenessinhisvoice,"Iamolderthanyou.Believeme,thereisnootherwaytoliveonearth,Menarenotopentotruthorreason.Theycannotbereachedbyarationalargument.Themindispowerlessagainstthem.Yetwehavetodealwiththem.Ifwewanttoaccomplishanything,wehavetodeceivethemintolettingusaccomplishit.Orforcethem.Theyunderstandnothingelse.Wecannotexpecttheirsupportforanyendeavoroftheintellect,foranygoalofthespirit.Theyarenothingbutviciousanimals.Theyaregreedy,self-indulgent,predatorydollar-chaserswho—"

           "Iamoneofthedollar-chasers,Dr.Stadler,"shesaid,hervoicelow.

           "Youareanunusual,brilliantchildwhohasnotseenenoughoflifetograspthefullmeasureofhumanstupidity.I’vefoughtitallmylife.

           I’mverytired..."Thesincerityofhisvoicewasgenuine.Hewalkedslowlyawayfromher.