Атлант расправил плечи

           "

           "I’lltellhim."

           Hearingthedulled,hiddensoundofpaininhisvoice,shefeltsoclosetohimthatitseemedimpossiblehewoulddelivertheblowhewasdelivering—andshemadeonelasteffort.

           "Mr.Danagger,ifIweretopleadonmyknees,ifIweretofindsomesortofwordsthatIhaven’tfound—wouldtherebe...isthereachancetostopyou?"

           "Thereisn’t."

           Afteramoment,sheaskedtonelessly,"Whenareyouquitting?"

           "Tonight."

           "Whatwillyoudowith"—shepointedatthehillsbeyondthewindow—"theDanaggerCoalCompany?Towhomareyouleavingit?"

           "Idon’tknow—orcare.Tonobodyoreverybody.Towhoeverwantstotakeit."

           "You’renotgoingtodisposeofitorappointasuccessor?"

           "No.Whatfor?"

           "Toleaveitingoodhands.Couldn’tyouatleastnameanheirofyourownchoice?"

           "Ihaven’tanychoice.Itdoesn’tmakeanydifferencetome.Wantmetoleaveitalltoyou?"Hereachedforasheetofpaper."I’llwritealetternamingyousoleheiressrightnow,ifyouwantmeto."

           Sheshookherheadinaninvoluntaryrecoilofhorror."I’mnotalooter!"

           Hechuckled,pushingthepaperaside."Yousee?Yougavetherightanswer,whetheryouknewitornot.Don’tworryaboutDanaggerCoal.