Атлант расправил плечи

           Idon’tknowwhattheyofferedtotheboysinWashington,orwhotradedwhatandtowhom—butIknowthatyoucameinonitsomewhere,becauseyoudoholdasizablechunkofd’AnconiaCopperstock.Anditsurelydidn’tdispleaseyou—thatmorning,fourmonthsago,thedayafterthedirectiveswereissued—toseethekindofsoaringleapthatd’AnconiaCopperperformedontheStockExchange.Why,itpracticallyleapedoffthetickertapeandintoyourface."

           "Whogaveyouanygroundstoinventanoutrageousstoryofthiskind?"

           "Nobody.Iknewnothingaboutit.Ijustsawtheleaponthetickertapethatmorning.Thattoldthewholestory,didn’tit?Besides,theboysinSantiagoslappedanewtaxoncopperthefollowingweek—andtheytoldmethatIshouldn’tmindit,notwiththatsuddenriseofmystock.Theywereworkingformybestinterests,theysaid.Theysaid,whyshouldIcare—takingthetwoeventstogether,IwasricherthanIhadbeenbefore.Trueenough.Iwas."

           "Whydoyouwishtotellmethis?"

           "Whydon’tyouwishtotakeanycreditforit,James?That’soutofcharacterandoutofthepolicyatwhichyou’resuchanexpert.Inanagewhenmenexist,notbyright,butbyfavor,onedoesnotrejectagratefulperson,onetriestotrapintogratitudeasmanypeopleaspossible.Don’tyouwanttohavemeasoneofyourmenunderobligation?"

           "Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout.