Атлант расправил плечи
The Man who belonged on Earth
Reardenreaditandglancedupatthesuperintendentofhismillswhostoodbeforehimwithoutmoving.Thesuperintendenthadcomeinandputtheorderdownonhisdeskwithoutaword.
"Ithoughtyou’dwanttoseeit,"hesaid,inanswertoRearden’sglance.
Reardenpressedabutton,summoningMissIves.Hehandedtheordertoherandsaid,"Sendthisbacktowhereveritcamefrom.TellthemthatIwillnotsellanyReardenMetaltotheStateScienceInstitute."
GwenIvesandthesuperintendentlookedathim,ateachotherandbackathimagain;whathesawintheireyeswascongratulation.
"Yes,Mr.Rearden,"GwenIvessaidformally,takingtheslipasifitwereanyotherkindofbusinesspaper.Shebowedandlefttheroom.Thesuperintendentfollowed.
Reardensmiledfaintly,ingreetingtowhattheyfelt.Hefeltnothingaboutthatpaperoritspossibleconsequences.
Byasortofinnerconvulsion—whichhadbeenliketearingaplugouttocutoffthecurrentofhisemotions—hehadtoldhimselfsixmonthsago:Actfirst,keepthemillsgoing,feellater.IthadmadehimabletowatchdispassionatelytheworkingoftheFairShareLaw.
Nobodyhadknownhowthatlawwastobeobserved.First,hehadbeentoldthathecouldnotproduceReardenMetalinanamountgreaterthanthetonnageofthebestspecialalloy,otherthansteel,producedbyOrrenBoyle.
