Атлант расправил плечи

           "

           Reardenshookhisheadslowly;itwasjustamovementofhisneckmuscles;hisfacelookedimmovable,asifhewerespeakingtoastranger.

           "No!"hesaid."EitherIownapropertyorIdon’t."

           "But...butyouknowthatyoucantrustme.Youdon’thavetoworryaboutyoursupplyofore.We’vemadeanagreement.Youknowthatyoucancountonme."

           "Idon’tknowit.IhopeIcan."

           "ButI’vegivenyoumyword."

           "Ihaveneverbeenatthemercyofanyone’swordbefore."

           "Why...whydoyousaythat?We’refriends.I’lldoanythingyouwish.You’llgetmyentireoutput.Theminesarestillyours—justasgoodasyours.Youhavenothingtofear.I’ll...Hank,what’sthematter?"

           "Don’ttalk."

           "But...butwhat’sthematter?"

           "Idon’tlikeassurances.Idon’twantanypretenseabouthowsafeIam.I’mnot.WehavemadeanagreementwhichIcan’tenforce.IwantyoutoknowthatIunderstandmypositionfully.Ifyouintendtokeepyourword,don’ttalkaboutit,justdoit."

           "Whydoyoulookatmeasifitweremyfault?YouknowhowbadlyIfeelaboutit.IboughttheminesonlybecauseIthoughtitwouldhelpyouout—Imean,Ithoughtyou’drathersellthemtoafriendthantosometotalstranger.It’snotmyfault.