Атлант расправил плечи

           Reardencouldnotdeciphertheexpressionofhisface:itwasonlyalookofpeculiarstillness,asifhiseyeswerefixedonsomesecretvisionofhisownthatdrewhismouthintoalineofdesolate,bitter,hurtingself-mockery.

           Theydidnotspeakuntiltheywerebackintheoffice.

           "Youknow,"saidRearden,"everythingyousaidherewastrue.Butthatwasonlypartofthestory.Theotherpartiswhatwe’vedonetonight.Don’tyousee?We’reabletoact.They’renot.Soit’swewho’llwininthelongrun,nomatterwhattheydotous."

           Franciscodidnotanswer.

           "Listen,"saidRearden,"Iknowwhat’sbeenthetroublewithyou.You’venevercaredtodoarealday’sworkinyourlife.Ithoughtyouwereconceitedenough,butIseethatyouhavenoideaofwhatyou’vegotinyou.Forgetthatfortuneofyoursforawhileandcometoworkforme.I’llstartyouasfurnaceforemananytime.Youdon’tknowwhatitwilldoforyou.Inafewyears,you’llbereadytoappreciateandtorund’AnconiaCopper."

           Heexpectedaburstoflaughterandhewaspreparedtoargue;instead,hesawFranciscoshakinghisheadslowly,asifhecouldnottrusthisvoice,asifhefearedthatwerehetospeak,hewouldaccept.

           Inamoment,hesaid,"Mr.Rearden...IthinkIwouldgivetherestofmylifeforoneyearasyourfurnaceforeman.ButIcan’t