Атлант расправил плечи

           Hejerkedhisthumbatafigureacrossthestreet:itwasawhite-hairedcharwoman,movingpainfullyonherknees,scrubbingthestepsofahouse.

           "Seethatwoman,forinstance?Theyusedtobesolid,respectablefolks.Herhusbandownedthedry-goodsstore.Heworkedallhislifetoprovideforherinheroldage,andhedid,too,bythetimehedied—onlythemoneywasintheCommunityNationalBank."

           "Whooperatedthefactorywhenitfailed?"

           "Oh,thatwassomequickycorporationcalledAmalgamatedService,Inc.Justapuff-ball.Cameupoutofnothingandwentbacktoit."

           "Whereareitsmembers?"

           "Wherearethepiecesofapuff-ballwhenitbursts?TryandtracethemallovertheUnitedStates.Tryit."

           "WhereisEugeneLawson?"

           "Oh,him?He’sdoneallright.He’sgotajobinWashington—intheBureauofEconomicPlanningandNationalResources."

           Reardenrosetoofast,throwntohisfeetbyajoltofanger,thensaid,controllinghimself,"Thankyoufortheinformation."

           "You’rewelcome,friend,you’rewelcome,"saidMayorBascomplacidly."Idon’tknowwhatitisyou’reafter,buttakemywordforit,giveitup.There’snothingmoretobehadoutofthatfactory."

           "Itoldyouthatwearelookingforafriendofours."

           "Well,haveityourway.