Атлант расправил плечи
By our love
Sheknewthatherdesperatelongingfortherailroadwouldvanish,wereshetoconvinceherselfthatitwasimpossibleorimproper.Butthelongingcamefromthecertaintythatthetruthandtherightwerehers—thattheenemywastheirrationalandtheunreal—thatshecouldnotsetherselfanothergoalorsummonthelovetoachieveit,whileherrightfulachievementhadbeenlost,nottosomesuperiorpower,buttoaloathsomeevilthatconqueredbymeansofimpotence.
Shecouldrenouncetherailroad,shethought;shecouldfindcontentmenthere,inthisforest;butshewouldbuildthepath,thenreachtheroadbelow,thenrebuildtheroad—andthenshewouldreachthestorekeeperofWoodstockandthatwouldbetheend,andtheemptywhitefacestaringattheuniverseinstagnantapathywouldbethelimitplacedonhereffort.Why?—sheheardherselfscreamingaloud.Therewasnoanswer.
Thenstayhereuntilyouanswerit,shethought.Youhavenoplacetogo,youcan’tmove,youcan’tstartgradingaright-of-wayuntil...untilyouknowenoughtochooseaterminal.
Therewerelong,silenteveningswhentheemotionthatmadehersitstillandlookattheunattainabledistancebeyondthefadinglighttothesouth,waslonelinessforHankRearden.Shewantedthesightofhisunyieldingface,theconfidentfacelookingatherwiththehintofasmile.Butsheknewthatshecouldnotseehimuntilherbattlewaswon.
