Атлант расправил плечи

           "

           "Foundany?"

           Hisfacesuddenlyearnest,Franciscoansweredgravely,almostsolemnly,"Yes—whatIthinkisgoingtobemybestandgreatest."

           Rearden’sangerwasinvoluntary,thecry,notofreproach,butofdespair:"Howcanyouwasteyourselfthatway?"

           Thefaintsuggestionofasmile,liketheriseofadistantlight,cameintoFrancisco’seyesasheasked,"Doyoucaretoadmitthatyoucareaboutit?"

           "You’regoingtohearafewmoreadmissions,ifthat’swhatyou’reafter.BeforeImetyou,Iusedtowonderhowyoucouldwasteafortunesuchasyours.Nowit’sworse,becauseIcan’tdespiseyouasIdid,asI’dliketo,yetthequestionismuchmoreterrible:Howcanyouwasteamindsuchasyours?"

           "Idon’tthinkI’mwastingitrightnow."

           "Idon’tknowwhetherthere’severbeenanythingthatmeantadamntoyou—butI’mgoingtotellyouwhatI’veneversaidtoanyonebefore.WhenImetyou,doyourememberthatyousaidyouwantedtooffermeyourgratitude?"

           TherewasnotraceofamusementleftinFrancisco’seyes;Reardenhadneverfacedsosolemnalookofrespect,"Yes,Mr.Rearden,"heansweredquietly.

           "ItoldyouthatIdidn’tneeditandIinsultedyouforit.Allright,you’vewon.Thatspeechyoumadetonight—thatwaswhatyouwereofferingme,wasn’tit?"

           "Yes,Mr.Rearden.