Атлант расправил плечи
The Top and the Bottom
He’sneverfailedinaventure—Imean,abusinessventure—andhe’ssunkmillionsofhisownmoneyintothosemines,sowecanrelyonhisjudgment."
"WhenwillyourealizethatFranciscod‘Anconiahasturnedintoaworthlessbum?"
Hechuckled."Ialwaysthoughtthatthat’swhathewas—asfarashispersonalcharacterisconcerned.Butyoudidn’tsharemyopinion.Yourswasopposite.Ohmy,howopposite!Surelyyourememberourquarrelsonthesubject?ShallIquotesomeofthethingsyousaidabouthim?Icanonlysurmiseastosomeofthethingsyoudid."
"DoyouwishtodiscussFranciscod‘Anconia?Isthatwhatyoucameherefor?"
Hisfaceshowedtheangeroffailure—becausehersshowednothing."YouknowdamnwellwhatIcameherefor!"hesnapped."I’veheardsomeincrediblethingsaboutourtrainsinMexico."
"Whatthings?"
"Whatsortofrollingstockareyouusingdownthere?"
"TheworstIcouldfind."
"Youadmitthat?"
"I’vestateditonpaperinthereportsIsentyou."
"Isittruethatyou’reusingwood-burninglocomotives?"
"Eddiefoundthemformeinsomebody’sabandonedroundhousedowninLouisiana.Hecouldn’tevenlearnthenameoftherailroad."
"Andthat’swhatyou’rerunningasTaggarttrains?"
"Yes."
"Whatinhell’sthebigidea?What’sgoingon?Iwanttoknowwhat’sgoingon!"
Shespokeevenly,lookingstraightathim."Ifyouwanttoknow,IhaveleftnothingbutjunkontheSanSebastiánLine,andaslittleofthataspossible.
