Атлант расправил плечи

           "Ididn’twanttophoneDagnylongdistanceaboutthisparticularmatter,"saidRearden."Shehasenoughtodo.Wecansettleitinafewminutes,youandI."

           "IfIhavetheauthoritytodoit."

           Reardensmiled."Youhave."Heleanedforwardacrossthetable.

           "Eddie,what’sthefinancialstateofTaggartTranscontinentalatthemoment?Desperate?"

           "Worsethanthat,Mr.Rearden."

           "Areyouabletomeetpayrolls?"

           "Notquite.We’vekeptitoutofthenewspapers,butIthinkeverybodyknowsit.We’reinarrearsalloverthesystemandJimisrunningoutofexcuses."

           "DoyouknowthatyourfirstpaymentfortheReardenMetalrailisduenextweek?"

           "Yes,Iknowit."

           "Well,let’sagreeonamoratorium.I’mgoingtogiveyouanextension—youwon’thavetopaymeanythinguntilsixmonthsaftertheopeningoftheJohnGaltLine."

           EddieWillersputdownhiscupofcoffeewithasharpthud.Hecouldnotsayaword.

           Reardenchuckled."What’sthematter?Youdohavetheauthoritytoaccept,don’tyou?"

           "Mr.Rearden...Idon’tknow...whattosaytoyou."

           "Why,just‘okay’isallthat’snecessary."

           "Okay,Mr.Rearden."Eddie’svoicewasbarelyaudible.