Атлант расправил плечи
The Sanction of the Victim
Thefactthatit’smymoney."
"Don’tyouwanttoconsideranyhi..."—hewasgoingtosay"higher,"butchangedhismind—"anyotheraspects?"
"No."
"ButI’mnotyourslave."
"AmIyours?"
"Idon’tknowwhatyou—"Hestopped;heknewwhatwasmeant.
"No,"saidRearden,"you’renotmyslave.You’refreetowalkoutofhereanytimeyouchoose."
"I...I’mnotspeakingofthat."
"Iam."
"Idon’tunderstandit..."
"Don’tyou?"
"You’vealwaysknownmypoliticalviews.You’veneverobjectedbefore."
"That’strue,"saidReardengravely."PerhapsIoweyouanexplanation,ifIhavemisledyou.I’vetriednevertoremindyouthatyou’relivingonmycharity.Ithoughtthatitwasyourplacetorememberit.Ithoughtthatanyhumanbeingwhoacceptsthehelpofanother,knowsthatgoodwillisthegiver’sonlymotiveandthatgoodwillisthepaymentheowesinreturn.ButIseethatIwaswrong.Youweregettingyourfoodunearnedandyouconcludedthataffectiondidnothavetobeearned,either.YouconcludedthatIwasthesafestpersonintheworldforyoutospiton,preciselybecauseIheldyoubythethroat.YouconcludedthatIwouldn’twanttoremindyouofitandthatIwouldbetiedbythefearofhurtingyourfeelings.
