Атлант расправил плечи

           "

           Ittooktwentyseconds—Reardencouldfeelthemmovingpastslowly—attheendofwhichDr.FerrisbecameconvincedthathehadheardRearden’sfinaldecision.

           "Doyouthinkwe’rebluffing?"snappedDr.Ferris;hisvoicesuddenlyhadthequalityoftheanimalshehadspentsomuchtimestudying:itsoundedasifhewerebaringhisteeth.

           "Idon’tknow,"saidRearden."Idon’tcare,onewayortheother."

           "Areyougoingtobeasimpracticalasthat?"

           "Theevaluationofanactionas‘practical,’Dr.Ferris,dependsonwhatitisthatonewishestopractice."

           "Haven’tyoualwaysplacedyourself-interestaboveallelse?"

           "ThatiswhatIamdoingrightnow."

           "Ifyouthinkwe’llletyougetawaywitha—"

           "Youwillnowpleasegetoutofhere."

           "Whomdoyouthinkyou’refooling?"Dr.Ferris’voicehadrisenclosetotheedgeofascream."Thedayofthebaronsofindustryisdone!You’vegotthegoods,butwe’vegotthegoodsonyou,andyou’regoingtoplayitourwayoryou’ll—"

           Reardenhadpressedabutton;MissIvesenteredtheoffice.

           "Dr.Ferrishasbecomeconfusedandhaslosthisway,MissIves,"saidRearden."Willyouescorthimoutplease?"HeturnedtoFerris.