Атлант расправил плечи
The Man who belonged on Earth
Stadlercouldhaveregardedthesentenceasconceivable,haditbeenutteredwithhatred,envyormalice;buttheabsenceofanysuchemotion,thecasualeaseofthevoice,aneasesuggestingachuckle,hithimlikeamoment’sglimpseofarealmthatcouldnotbetakenaspartofreality;thethingspreadingdowntohisstomachwascoldterror.
"Didyouobservethereactionstomybook,Dr.Stadler?Itwasreceivedwithconsiderablefavor."
"Yes—andthatiswhatIfindimpossibletobelieve."Hehadtospeak,hehadtospeakasifthiswereacivilizeddiscussion,hecouldnotallowhimselftimetoknowwhatitwashehadfeltforamoment.
"Iamunabletounderstandtheattentionyoureceivedinallthereputableacademicmagazinesandhowtheycouldpermitthemselvestodiscussyourbookseriously.IfHughAkstonwerearound,noacademicpublicationwouldhavedaredtotreatthisasaworkadmissibleintotherealmofphilosophy."
"Heisnotaround."
Dr.Stadlerfeltthattherewerewordswhichhewasnowcalledupontopronounce—andhewishedhecouldendthisconversationbeforehediscoveredwhattheywere.
"Ontheotherhand,"saidDr.Ferris,"theadsformybook—oh,I’msureyouwouldn’tnoticesuchthingsasads—quotealetterofhighpraisewhichIreceivedfromMr.WesleyMouch."
"WhothehellisMr.WesleyMouch?"
Dr.Ferrissmiled.
