Атлант расправил плечи

           "

           Buttherewasapeculiardifference,thoughtRearden,betweenthemannerofaplainblackmailerandthatofDr.Ferris.Ablackmailerwouldshowsignsofgloatingoverhisvictim’ssinandofacknowledgingitsevil,hewouldsuggestathreattothevictimandasenseofdangertothemboth.Dr.Ferrisconveyednoneofit.Hismannerwasthatofdealingwiththenormalandthenatural,itsuggestedasenseofsafety,itheldnotoneofcondemnation,butahintofcomradeship,acomradeshipbased—forbothofthem—onself-contempt.ThesuddenfeelingthatmadeReardenleanforwardinapostureofeagerattentiveness,wasthefeelingthathewasabouttodiscoveranotherstepalonghishalfglimpsedtrail.

           SeeingRearden’slookofinterest,Dr.Ferrissmiledandcongratulatedhimselfonhavingcaughttherightkey.Thegamewascleartohimnow,themarkingsofthepatternwerefallingintherightorder;somemen,thoughtDr.Ferris,woulddoanythingsolongasitwasleftunnamed,butthismanwantedfrankness,thiswasthetoughrealisthehadexpectedtofind.

           "You’reapracticalman,Mr.Rearden,"saidDr.Ferrisamiably."Ican’tunderstandwhyyoushouldwanttostaybehindthetimes.Whydon’tyouadjustyourselfandplayitright?You’resmarterthanmostofthem.You’reavaluableperson,we’vewantedyouforalongtime,andwhenIheardthatyouweretryingtostringalongwithJimTaggart,Iknewyoucouldbehad.