Атлант расправил плечи
The Man who belonged on Earth
WesleyMouchispleasedwithourwork.
SoareMr.BalchoftheEmergencyCommission,Mr.AndersonofCrucialSuppliesandMr.PettiboneofConsumers’Protection.Idonotseewhatmorecouldbeexpectedofus.Theprojectisfullysuccessful."
"Haveyouproducedanyoil?"
"No,butwehavesucceededinforcingaflowfromoneofthewells,totheextentofsixandahalfgallons.This,ofcourse,ismerelyofexperimentalsignificance,butyoumusttakeintoconsiderationthefactthatwehadtospendthreefullmonthsjusttoputoutthefire,whichhasnowbeentotally—almosttotally—extinguished.WehaveamuchtougherproblemthanWyatteverhad,becausehestartedfromscratchwhilewehavetodealwiththedisfiguredwreckageofanactofvicious,anti-socialsabotagewhich...Imeantosay,itisadifficultproblem,butthereisnodoubtthatwewillbeabletosolveit."
"Well,whatIreallyaskedyouaboutwastheoilshortagehere,intheInstitute.Theleveloftemperaturemaintainedinthisbuildingallwinterwasoutrageous.Theytoldmethattheyhadtoconserveoil.
Surelyyoucouldhaveseentoitthatthematterofkeepingthisplaceadequatelysuppliedwithsuchthingsasoilwashandledmoreefficiently."
"Oh,isthatwhatyouhadinmind,Dr.Stadler?Oh,butIamsosorry!"ThewordscamewithabrightsmileofreliefonDr.Ferris’face;hissolicitousmannerreturned.
