Атлант расправил плечи

           "IdidnotsayIwasfromanewspaper,"sheanswered,"Ineedsomeinformationonthatmotorfactoryforaprivatepurposeofmyown,notforpublication."

           "Oh."Helookeddisappointed.Hewentonsullenly,asifshewereguiltyofadeliberateoffenseagainsthim."IthoughtmaybeyoucameforanadvanceinterviewbecauseI’mwritingmyautobiography."Hepointedtothepapersonthetable."AndwhatIintendtotellisplenty.

           Iintend—Oh,hell!"hesaidsuddenly,rememberingsomething.

           Herushedtothestove,liftedthelidoffthepotandwentthroughthemotionsofstirringthestew,hatefully,payingnoattentiontohisperformance.Heflungthewetspoondownonthestove,lettingthegreasedripintothegasburners,andcamebacktothetable.

           "Yeah,I’llwritemyautobiographyifanybodyevergivesmeachance,"hesaid."HowcanIconcentrateonseriousworkwhenthisisthesortofthingIhavetodo?"Hejerkedhisheadatthestove.

           "Friends,huh!Thosepeoplethinkthatjustbecausetheytookmein,theycanexploitmelikeaChinesecoolie!JustbecauseIhadnootherplacetogo.Theyhaveiteasy,thosegoodoldfriendsofmine.Heneverliftsafingeraroundthehouse,justsitsinhisstoreallday;alousylittletwo-bitstationerystore—canitcompareinimportancewiththebookI’mwriting?Andshegoesoutshoppingandasksmetowatchherdamnstewforher.