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           "

           Tautlikeastringpulledbyangeragainsttheimpertinenceatoneendandbyadmirationforthefranknessattheother,Reardenanswered,"I’lladmitit,ifyouwish.Whatshoulditmattertome,thatyouknowit?"

           "ThatIknowandcare,Mr.Rearden.I’mtheonlymanaroundyouwhodoes."

           "Whyshouldyoucare?AndwhyshouldIneedyourhelptonight?"

           "Becauseit’snoteasytohavetodamnthemanwhomeantmosttoyou."

           "Iwouldn’tdamnyouifyou’donlystayawayfromme."

           Francisco’seyeswidenedalittle,thenhegrinnedandsaid,"IwasspeakingofMr.Danagger."

           Foraninstant,Reardenlookedasifhewantedtoslaphisownface,thenhelaughedsoftlyandsaid,"Allright.Sitdown."

           HewaitedtoseewhatadvantageFranciscowouldtakeofitnow,butFranciscoobeyedhiminsilence,withasmilethathadanoddlyboyishquality:alookoftriumphandgratitude,together.

           "Idon’tdamnKenDanagger,"saidRearden.

           "Youdon’t?"Thetwowordsseemedtofallwithasingularemphasis;theywerepronouncedveryquietly,almostcautiously,withnoremnantofasmileonFrancisco’sface.

           "No.Idon’ttrytoprescribehowmuchamanshouldhavetobear.

           Ifhebroke,it’snotformetojudgehim."

           "Ifhebroke...