Атлант расправил плечи
Account Overdrawn
Hewasseeing,inthenightsbehindhim,Dagny’sfaceinthosemomentswhen,hisbodyleavinghers,shelaystillwithalookofradiancethatwasmorethanasmile,alookofyouth,ofearlymorning,ofgratitudetothefactofone’sownexistence.AndhewasseeingLillian’sface,ashehadseenitinbedbesidehim,alifelessfacewithevasiveeyes,withsomefeeblesneeronitslipsandthelookofsharingsomesmuttyguilt.Hesawwhowastheaccuserandwhotheaccused—hesawtheobscenityoflettingimpotenceholditselfasvirtueanddamnthepoweroflivingasasin—hesaw,withtheclarityofdirectperception,intheshockofasingleinstant,theterribleuglinessofthatwhichhadoncebeenhisownbelief.
Itwasonlyaninstant,aconvictionwithoutwords,aknowledgegraspedasafeeling,leftunsealedbyhismind.TheshockbroughthimbacktothesightofLillianandtothesoundofherwords.Sheappearedtohimsuddenlyassomeinconsequentialpresencethathadtobedealtwithatthemoment.
"Lillian,"hesaid,inanunstressedvoicethatdidnotgranthereventhehonorofanger,"youarenottospeakofhertome.Ifyoueverdoitagain,IwillansweryouasIwouldanswerahoodlum:Iwillbeatyouup.Neitheryounoranyoneelseistodiscussher."
Sheglancedathim."Really?"shesaid.Ithadanodd,casualsound—asifthewordweretossedaway,leavingsomehookimplantedinhermind.Sheseemedtobeconsideringsomesuddenvisionofherown.
