Атлант расправил плечи

           "

           "Itwasmorethangratitude,andIneededthegratitude;itwasmorethanadmiration,andIneededthat,too;itwasmuchmorethananywordIcanfind,itwilltakemedaystothinkofallthatit’sgivenme—butonethingIdoknow:Ineededit.I’venevermadeanadmissionofthiskind,becauseI’venevercriedforanyone’shelp.IfitamusedyoutoguessthatIwasgladtoseeyou,youhavesomethingrealtolaughaboutnow,ifyouwish."

           "Itmighttakemeafewyears,butIwillprovetoyouthatthesearethethingsIdonotlaughabout."

           "Proveitnow—byansweringonequestion:Whydon’tyoupracticewhatyoupreach?"

           "AreyousurethatIdon’t?"

           "Ifthethingsyousaidaretrue,ifyouhavethegreatnesstoknowit,youshouldhavebeentheleadingindustrialistoftheworldbynow."

           Franciscosaidgravely,ashehadsaidtotheportlyman,butwithanoddnoteofgentlenessinhisvoice,"Isuggestthatyouthinktwice,Mr.Rearden."

           "I’vethoughtaboutyoumorethanIcaretoadmit.Ihavefoundnoanswer."

           "Letmegiveyouahint:IfthethingsIsaidaretrue,whoistheguiltiestmaninthisroomtonight?"

           "Isuppose—JamesTaggart?"

           "No,Mr.Rearden,itisnotJamesTaggart.Butyoumustdefinetheguiltandchoosethemanyourself."

           "Afewyearsago,Iwouldhavesaidthatit’syou.