Атлант расправил плечи
The Sanction of the Victim
Werealizethatyouwerepromptedtodisregardlegaltechnicalitiesbythecriticalsituationofthecoalminesandthecrucialimportanceoffueltothepublicwelfare."
"No.Iwaspromptedbymyownprofitandmyowninterests.
Whateffectithadonthecoalminesandthepublicwelfareisforyoutoestimate.Thatwasnotmymotive."
Mr.MowenstareddazedlyabouthimandwhisperedtoPaulLarkin,"Something’sgonescrewyhere."
"Oh,shutup!"snappedLarkin.
"Iamsure,Mr.Rearden,"saidtheeldestjudge,"thatyoudonotreallybelieve—nordoesthepublic—thatwewishtotreatyouasasacrificialvictim.Ifanyonehasbeenlaboringundersuchamisapprehension,weareanxioustoprovethatitisnottrue."
Thejudgesretiredtoconsidertheirverdict.Theydidnotstayoutlong.Theyreturnedtoanominouslysilentcourtroom—andannouncedthatafineof$5,000wasimposedonHenryRearden,butthatthesentencewassuspended.
Streaksofjeeringlaughterranthroughtheapplausethatsweptthecourtroom.TheapplausewasaimedatRearden,thelaughter—atthejudges.
Reardenstoodmotionless,notturningtothecrowd,barelyhearingtheapplause.Hestoodlookingatthejudges.Therewasnotriumphinhisface,noelation,onlythestillintensityofcontemplatingavisionwithabitterwonderthatwasalmostfear.
