Атлант расправил плечи
The Sanction of the Victim
ReardennotedthatifhehadresentedasimpertinenceFrancisco’smannerofproprietorshipinhisoffice,hehimselfwasnowguiltyofthesameattitude—becauseheofferednoexplanationforhisvisit,butcrossedtheroomandsatdowninanarmchair,casually,asifhewereathome.
"Whydidn’tyoucometocontinuewhatyouhadstarted?"heasked.
"Youhavebeencontinuingitbrilliantlywithoutmyhelp."
"Doyoumean,mytrial?"
"Imean,yourtrial."
"Howdoyouknow?Youweren’tthere."
Franciscosmiled,becausethetoneofthevoiceconfessedanaddedsentence:Iwaslookingforyou."Don’tyousupposeIheardeverywordofitontheradio?"
"Youdid?Well,howdidyoulikehearingyourownlinescomeovertheair,withmeasyourstooge?"
"Youweren’t,Mr.Rearden.Theyweren’tmylines.Weren’ttheythethingsyouhadalwayslivedby?"
"Yes."
"Ionlyhelpedyoutoseethatyoushouldhavebeenproudtolivebythem."
"Iamgladyouheardit"
"Itwasgreat,Mr.Rearden—andaboutthreegenerationstoolate."
"Whatdoyoumean?"
"Ifonesinglebusinessmanhadhadthecourage,then,tosaythatheworkedfornothingbuthisownprofit—andtosayitproudly—hewouldhavesavedtheworld.
