Атлант расправил плечи
The Face without Pain or Fear or Guilt
"Whydon’tyoudefendyourself,ifyouhavenothingtohide?Whyareyouhere?Whywereyoustunnedtoseemeenter?"
"Hank,stopit!"Dagny’svoicewasacry,andshedrewback,knowingthatviolencewasthemostdangerouselementtointroduceintothismoment.
Bothmenturnedtoher."Pleaseletmebetheonetoanswer,"Franciscosaidquietly.
"ItoldyouthatIhopedI’dneverseehimagain,"saidRearden.
"I’msorryifithastobehere.Itdoesn’tconcernyou,butthere’ssomethinghemustbepaidfor."
"Ifthatis...yourpurpose,"Franciscosaidwitheffort,"haven’tyou...achieveditalready?"
"What’sthematter?"Rearden’sfacewasfrozen,hislipsbarelymoving,buthisvoicehadthesoundofachuckle."Isthisyourwayofaskingformercy?"
TheinstantofsilencewasFrancisco’sstraintoagreatereffort.
"Yes...ifyouwish,"heanswered.
"Didyougrantitwhenyouheldmyfutureinyourhands?"
"Youarejustifiedinanythingyouwishtothinkofme.Butsinceitdoesn’tconcernMissTaggart...wouldyounowpermitmetoleave?"
"No!Doyouwanttoevadeit,likeallthoseothercowards?Doyouwanttoescape?"
"Iwillcomeanywhereyourequireanytimeyouwish.ButIwouldratheritwerenotinMissTaggart’spresence.
