Атлант расправил плечи
The Face without Pain or Fear or Guilt
Sheknewalsothatthiswashisrebellionagainsttheworldaroundthem,againstitsworshipofdegradation,againstthelongtormentofhiswasteddaysandlightlessstruggle—thiswaswhathewishedtoassertand,alonewithherinthehalf-darknesshighinspaceaboveacityofruins,toholdasthelastofhisproperty.
Afterwards,theylaystill,hisfaceonhershoulder.Thereflectionofadistantelectricsignkeptbeatinginfaintflashesontheceilingaboveherhead.
Hereachedforherhandandslippedherfingersunderhisfacetolethismouthrestagainstherpalmforamoment,sogentlythatshefelthismotivemorethanhistouch.
Afterawhile,shegotup,shereachedforacigarette,lightedit,thenhelditouttohimwithaslight,questioningliftofherhand;henodded,stillsittinghalf-stretchedonthecouch;sheplacedthecigarettebetweenhislipsandlightedanotherforherself.Shefeltagreatsenseofpeacebetweenthem,andtheintimacyoftheunimportantgesturesunderscoredtheimportanceofthethingstheywerenotsayingtoeachother.Everythingwassaid,shethought—butknewthatitwaitedtobeacknowledged.
Shesawhiseyesmovetotheentrancedooronceinawhileandremainonitforlongmoments,asifhewerestillseeingthemanwhohadleft.
Hesaidquietly,"Hecouldhavebeatenmebylettingmehavethetruth,anytimehewished.
