Атлант расправил плечи
By our love
Hissmilehadtobedeserved,itwasintendedforanadversarywhotradedherstrengthagainsthis,notforapain-beatenwretchwhowouldseekreliefinthatsmileandthusdestroyitsmeaning.Hecouldhelphertolive;hecouldnothelphertodecideforwhatpurposeshewishedtogoonliving.
Shehadfeltafainttouchofanxietysincethemorningwhenshemarked"May15"onhercalendar.Shehadforcedherselftolistentonewsbroadcasts,onceinawhile;shehadheardnomentionofhisname.Herfearforhimwasherlastlinktothecity;itkeptdrawinghereyestothehorizonatthesouthanddowntotheroadatthefootofthehill.Shefoundherselfwaitingforhimtocome.Shefoundherselflisteningforthesoundofamotor.Buttheonlysoundtogiveherafutilestartofhopeattimes,wasthesuddencrackleofsomelargebird’swingshurtlingthroughthebranchesintothesky.
Therewasanotherlinktothepast,thatstillremainedasanunsolvedquestion:QuentinDanielsandthemotorthathewastryingtorebuild.
ByJune1,shewouldowehimhismonthlycheck.Shouldshetellhimthatshehadquit,thatshewouldneverneedthatmotorandneitherwouldtheworld?Shouldshetellhimtostopandtolettheremnantofthemotorvanishinrustonsomesuchjunkpileastheonewhereshehadfoundit?Shecouldnotforceherselftodoit.Itseemedharderthanleavingtherailroad.Thatmotor,shethought,wasnotalinktothepast:itwasherlastlinktothefuture.
