"Here's a plea signed by ten thousand schoolchildren, begging you to join us and save them. Here's a plea from a home for the crippled.
Here's a petition sent by the ministers of two hundred different faiths-Here's an appeal from the mothers of the country. Read them."
"Is this an order?"
"No!" cried Mr. Thompson. "It's not an order!"
Galt remained motionless, not extending his hand for the papers.
"These are just plain, ordinary people, Mr. Galt," said Chick Morrison in a tone intended to project their abject humility. "They can't tell you what to do. They wouldn't know. They're merely begging you. They may be weak, helpless, blind, ignorant. But you, who are so intelligent and strong, can't you take pity on them? Can't you help them?"
"By dropping my intelligence and following their blindness?"