Ayn Rand, worst aunt EVER: Read her letter to her 17-year-old niece

It’s easy to imagine Ayn Rand as the product of a laboratory—an unholy robotic experiment intended to merge cultural capitalism with particularly dour and sanctimonious soap operas; but little Alisa Zinov’yevna Rosenbaum was actually born to human parents, and even had living family with whom she corresponded, as dutifully compiled in Letters of Ayn Rand. Should you be curious as to whether or not the woman had a soft (or at least a sentimental) side, I invite you to read this letter she sent to her 17-year-old niece, Connie, who had recently asked to borrow $25 for a dress. I have bolded the very best/worst lines for my own emphasis. To Connie Papurt, AR’s niece, a daughter of Frank’s sister, Agnes Papurt May 22, 1949 Dear Connie: You are very young, so I don’t know whether you realize the seriousness of your action in writing to me for money. Since I don’t know you at all, I am going to put you to a test. If you really want to borrow $25 from me, I will take a chance on finding out what kind of person you are. You want to borrow the money until...