Атлант расправил плечи

           it’sNatTaggartthatIwouldhavedeliveredtothem.Icouldn’t.Icouldn’tlethisachievement,andmine,endupwiththelootersasourfinalgoal."

           "No,youcouldn’t.Doyoucallthisindifference?Doyouthinkthatyoulovetherailroadlessthanyoudidamonthago?"

           "IthinkthatIwouldgivemylifeforjustonemoreyearontherailroad...ButIcan’tgobacktoit."

           "Thenyouknowwhattheyfelt,allthemenwhoquit,andwhatitwasthattheylovedwhentheygaveup."

           "Francisco,"sheasked,notlookingathim,herheadbent,"whydidyouaskmewhetherIcouldhavegivenituptwelveyearsago?"

           "Don’tyouknowwhatnightIamthinkingof,justasyouare?"

           "Yes..."shewhispered.

           "ThatwasthenightIgaveupd’AnconiaCopper."

           Slowly,withalongeffort,shemovedherheadtoglanceupathim.

           Hisfacehadtheexpressionshehadseenthen,onthatnextmorning,twelveyearsago:thelookofasmile,thoughhewasnotsmiling,thequietlookofvictoryoverpain,thelookofaman’sprideinthepricehepaidandinthatwhichmadeitworthpaying.

           "Butyoudidn’tgiveitup,"shesaid."Youdidn’tquit.You’restillthePresidentofd’AnconiaCopper,onlyitmeansnothingtoyounow."

           "Itmeansasmuchtomenowasitdidthatnight.