Атлант расправил плечи
The Chain
HehadclungtoReardenforyears,inawedadmiration.Hecameforadvice,heaskedforloansattimes,butnotoften;theloansweremodestandwerealwaysrepaid,thoughnotalwaysontime.Hismotiveintherelationshipseemedtoresembletheneedofananemicpersonwhoreceivesakindoflivingtransfusionfromthemeresightofasavagelyoverabundantvitality.
WatchingLarkin’sefforts,Reardenfeltwhathedidwhenhewatchedanantstrugglingundertheloadofamatchstick.It’ssohardforhim,thoughtRearden,andsoeasyforme.Sohegaveadvice,attentionandatactful,patientinterest,wheneverhecould.
"I’myourfriend,Hank."
Reardenlookedathiminquiringly.
Larkinglancedaway,asifdebatingsomethinginhismind.Afterawhile,heaskedcautiously,"HowisyourmaninWashington?"
"Okay,Iguess."
"Yououghttobesureofit.It’simportant."HelookedupatRearden,andrepeatedwithakindofstressedinsistence,asifdischargingapainfulmoralduty,"Hank,it’sveryimportant."
"Isupposeso."
"Infact,that’swhatIcameheretotellyou."
"Foranyspecialreason?"
Larkinconsidereditanddecidedthatthedutywasdischarged."No,"hesaid.
Reardendislikedthesubject.Heknewthatitwasnecessarytohaveamantoprotecthimfromthelegislature;allindustrialistshadtoemploysuchmen.Buthehadnevergivenmuchattentiontothisaspectofhisbusiness;hecouldnotquiteconvincehimselfthatitwasnecessary.
