Атлант расправил плечи

           Wesleyisaprettybusyman."

           "AndIknowthatwhenGeneLawsongavethatbigpartytendaysago,practicallyeverybodywasthere,butBuzzyWattswasnotinvited."

           "That’sso,"saidMr.Weatherbypeaceably.

           "SoIwouldn’tbetonMr.BuzzyWatts,Clem.AndIwouldn’tletitworryme."

           "Wesley’sanimpartialman,"saidMr.Weatherby."Amandevotedtopublicduty.It’stheinterestsofthecountryasawholethathe’sgottoconsideraboveeverythingelse."Taggartsatup;ofallthedangersignsheknew,thislineoftalkwastheworst."Nobodycandenyit,Jim,thatWesleyfeelsahighregardforyouasanenlightenedbusinessman,avaluableadviserandoneofhisclosestpersonalfriends."

           Taggart’seyesshottohimswiftly:thiswasstillworse."ButnobodycansaythatWesleywouldhesitatetosacrificehispersonalfeelingsandfriendships—wherethewelfareofthepublicisconcerned."

           Taggart’sfaceremainedblank;histerrorcamefromthingsneverallowedtoreachexpressioninwordsorinfacialmuscles.Theterrorwashisstruggleagainstanunadmittedthought:hehimselfhadbeen"thepublic"forsolongandinsomanydifferentissues,thatheknewwhatitwouldmeanifthatmagictitle,thatsacredtitlenoonedaredtooppose,weretransferred,alongwithits"welfare,"tothepersonofBuzzyWatts.