Атлант расправил плечи
The Man who belonged on Earth
Ofwhat?Idon’tknow—publicopinionwasjusthisnameforit,butit’snotthefullname.Whyshouldhehavebeenscared?Hehastheguns,thejails,thelaws—hecouldhaveseizedthewholeofmymills,ifhewished,andnobodywouldhaverisentodefendme,andheknewit—sowhyshouldhehavecaredwhatIthought?Buthedid.
ItwasIwhohadtotellhimthathewasn’talooter,butmycustomerandfriend.That’swhatheneededfromme.Andthat’swhatDr.Stadlerneededfromyou—itwasyouwhohadtoactasifhewereagreatmanwhohadnevertriedtodestroyyourrailandmyMetal.Idon’tknowwhatitisthattheythinktheyaccomplish—buttheywantustopretendthatweseetheworldastheypretendtheyseeit.Theyneedsomesortofsanctionfromus.Idon’tknowthenatureofthatsanction—but.Dagny,Iknowthatifwevalueourlives,wemustnotgiveittothem.Iftheyputyouonatorturerack,don’tgiveittothem.Letthemdestroyyourrailroadandmymills,butdon’tgiveittothem.BecauseIknowthismuch:Iknowthatthat’souronlychance."
Shehadremainedstandingstillbeforehim,lookingattentivelyatthefaintoutlineofsomeshapeshe,too,hadtriedtograsp.
"Yes..."shesaid,"yes,Iknowwhatyou’veseeninthem...
I’vefeltit,too—butit’sonlylikesomethingbrushingpastthat’sgonebeforeIknowI’veseenit,likeatouchofcoldair,andwhat’sleftisalwaysthefeelingthatIshouldhavestoppedit...
