Атлант расправил плечи

           Herplaingraysuitwaslikeathincoatingofmetaloveraslenderbodyagainstthespreadofsun-floodedspaceandsky.Herposturehadthelightnessandunself-consciousprecisionofanarrogantlypureself-confidence.Shewaswatchingthework,herglanceintentandpurposeful,theglanceofcompetenceenjoyingitsownfunction.Shelookedasifthiswereherplace,hermomentandherworld,shelookedasifenjoymentwerehernaturalstate,herfacewasthelivingformofanactive,livingintelligence,ayounggirl’sfacewithawoman’smouth,sheseemedunawareofherbodyexceptasofatautinstrumentreadytoserveherpurposeinanymannershewished.

           Hadheaskedhimselfamomentearlierwhetherhecarriedinhismindanimageofwhathewantedawomantolooklike,hewouldhaveansweredthathedidnot;yet,seeingher,heknewthatthiswastheimageandthatithadbeenforyears.Buthewasnotlookingatherasatawoman.Hehadforgottenwherehewasandonwhaterrand,hewasheldbyachild’ssensationofjoyintheimmediatemoment,bythedelightoftheunexpectedandundiscovered,hewasheldbytheastonishmentofrealizinghowseldomhecameuponasighthetrulyliked,likedincompleteacceptanceandforitsownsake,hewaslookingupatherwithafaintsmile,ashewouldhavelookedatastatueoralandscape,andwhathefeltwasthesheerpleasureofthesight,thepurestestheticpleasurehehadeverexperienced.