Атлант расправил плечи

           Butthen,whatthey’reaimingatisthefuture.ThePeople’sStateofMexicohasagreatfuture.They’llbeatusallinafewyears."

           "DidyougodowntotheSanSebastiánMines?"

           Thefourfiguresatthetablesatupstraighterandtighter;allofthemhadinvestedheavilyinthestockoftheSanSebastiánMines.

           Boyledidnotansweratonce,sothathisvoiceseemedunexpectedandunnaturallyloudwhenitburstforth:"Oh,sure,certainly,that’swhatIwantedtoseemost."

           "And?"

           "Andwhat?"

           "Howarethingsgoing?"

           "Great.Great.Theymustcertainlyhavethebiggestdepositsofcopperonearth,downinsidethatmountain!"

           "Didtheyseemtobebusy?"

           "Neversawsuchabusyplaceinmylife."

           "Whatweretheybusydoing?"

           "Well,youknow,withthekindofSpicsuperintendenttheyhavedownthere,Icouldn’tunderstandhalfofwhathewastalkingabout,butthey’recertainlybusy."

           "Any...troubleofanykind?"

           "Trouble?NotatSanSebastián.It’sprivateproperty,thelastpieceofitleftinMexico,andthatdoesseemtomakeadifference."

           "Orren,"Taggartaskedcautiously,"whataboutthoserumorsthatthey’replanningtonationalizetheSanSebastiánMines?"

           "Slander,"saidBoyleangrily,"plain,viciousslander.Iknowitforcertain.IhaddinnerwiththeMinisterofCultureandluncheswithalltherestoftheboys."

           "Thereoughttobealawagainstirresponsiblegossip,"saidTaggartsullenly."Let’shaveanotherdrink."

           Hewavedirritablyatawaiter.