Атлант расправил плечи
The Man who belonged on Earth
Stadler,wasn’tityouwhooncepaidmethecomplimentofcallingmethewatchdogofthisInstitute?"saidDr.Ferrispleasantly.
"Isn’tthatmymostessentialduty?"
"Afewofyourdutiesseemtobeaccumulatingrightaroundthisplace.BeforeIforgetit,wouldyoumindtellingmewhat’sgoingonhereaboutthatoilshortagemess?"
HecouldnotunderstandwhyDr.Ferris’facetightenedintoaninjuredlook,"Youwillpermitmetosaythatthisisunexpectedandunwarranted,"saidDr.Ferrisinthattoneofformalitywhichconcealspainandrevealsmartyrdom."Noneoftheauthoritiesinvolvedhavefoundcauseforcriticism.WehavejustsubmittedadetailedreportontheprogressoftheworktodatetotheBureauofEconomicPlanningandNationalResources,andMr.WesleyMouchhasexpressedhimselfassatisfied.Wehavedoneourbestonthatproject.Wehaveheardnooneelsedescribeitasamess.Consideringthedifficultiesoftheterrain,thehazardsofthefireandthefactthatithasbeenonlysixmonthssincewe—"
"Whatareyoutalkingabout?"askedDr.Stadler.
"TheWyattReclamationProject.Isn’tthatwhatyouaskedme?"
"No,"saidDr.Stadler,"no,I...Waitamoment.Letmegetthisstraight.IseemtorecallsomethingaboutthisInstitutetakingchargeofareclamationproject.Whatisitthatyou’rereclaiming?"
"Oil,"saidDr.Ferris."TheWyattoilfields.
