Атлант расправил плечи
The Sanction of the Victim
Butifyoumeantallthethingsyoutaughtme,ifIamthelastmanleftwhomyourespect,you’llhelpmetosurviveandtobeatthem.I’veneveraskedforanyone’shelp.I’maskingforyours.
Ineedyou.Itrustyou.You’vealwaysprofessedyouradmirationforme.Well,there’smylifeinyourhands—ifyouwantit.Anorderofd’Anconiacopperisbeingshippedtomerightnow.ItleftSanJuanonDecemberfifth."
"What?!"
Itwasascreamofplainshock.Franciscohadshottohisfeet,pastanyattempttohideanything."OnDecemberfifth?"
"Yes,"saidRearden,stupefied.
Franciscoleapedtothetelephone."Itoldyounottodealwithd’AnconiaCopper!"Itwasthehalf-moaning,half-furiouscryofdespair.
Hishandwasreachingforthetelephone,butjerkedback.Hegraspedtheedgeofthetable,asiftostophimselffromliftingthereceiver,andhestood,headdown,forhowlongatimeneitherhenorReardencouldtell.Reardenwasheldnumbbythefactofwatchinganagonizedstrugglewiththemotionlessfigureofamanasitsonlyevidence.Hecouldnotguessthenatureofthestruggle,heknewonlythattherewassomethingwhichFranciscohadthepowertopreventinthatmomentandthatitwasapowerwhichhewouldnotuse
