Атлант расправил плечи

           Whatevertherestofhim—thoughtRearden—themanwhocouldexperiencethiswasagiant.

           Itwasonlyamoment.Franciscoturnedtohim,hisfacenormal,andsaidveryquietly,"I’vechangedmymind,Mr.Rearden.I’mgladthatyoucametothisparty.Iwantyoutoseethis."

           Then,raisinghisvoice,Franciscosaidsuddenly,inthegay,loose,piercingtoneofamanofcompleteirresponsibility,"Youwon’tgrantmethatloan,Mr.Rearden?Itputsmeonaterriblespot.Imustgetthemoney—Imustraiseittonight—ImustraiseitbeforetheStockExchangeopensinthemorning,becauseotherwise—"

           Hedidnothavetocontinue,becausethelittlemanwiththemustachewasclutchingathisarm.

           Reardenhadneverbelievedthatahumanbodycouldchangedimensionswithinone’ssight,buthesawthemanshrinkinginweight,inposture,inform,asiftheairwereletoutofhislumps,andwhathadbeenanarrogantrulerwassuddenlyapieceofscrapthatcouldnotbeathreattoanyone.

           "Is...istheresomethingwrong,Senord’Anconia?Imean,on...ontheStockExchange?"

           Franciscojerkedhisfingertohislips,withafrightenedglance.

           "Keepquiet,"hewhispered."ForGod’ssake,keepquiet!"

           Themanwasshaking."Something’s...wrong?"

           "Youdon’thappentoownanyd’AnconiaCopperstock,doyou?"

           Themannodded,unabletospeak.