Атлант расправил плечи
By our love
Thentherestofhisyearscamebacktoher,withastabofthepainofknowingthatthegreaterhisperson,themoreterriblehisguiltindestroyingit.Shepulledherselfawayfromhim,sheshookherhead,shesaid,inanswertobothofthem,"No."
Hestoodlookingather,disarmedandsmiling."Notyet.Youhaveagreatdealtoforgiveme,first.ButIcantellyoueverythingnow."
Shehadneverheardthatlow,breathlessqualityofhelplessnessinhisvoice.Hewasfightingtoregaincontrol,therewasalmostatouchofapologyinhissmile,theapologyofachildpleadingforindulgence,buttherewasalsoanadult’samusement,thelaughingdeclarationthathedidnothavetohidehisstruggle,sinceitwashappinessthathewaswrestlingwith,notpain.
Shebackedawayfromhim;shefeltasifemotionhadflungheraheadofherownconsciousness,andquestionswerenowcatchingupwithher,gropingtowardtheformofwords.
"Dagny,thattortureyou’vebeengoingthrough,here,forthelastmonth...answermeashonestlyasyoucan...doyouthinkyoucouldhaveborneittwelveyearsago?"
"No,"sheanswered;hesmiled."Whydoyouaskthat?"
"Toredeemtwelveyearsofmylife,whichIwon’thavetoregret.
