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           Thenhelookedatherandshesawalookoftortureforthefirsttime."That’swhatI’vebeensittingheretryingtounderstand.IknowthatIoughttothinkit’sright—butIcan’t.It’sasifmytonguewouldn’tturntosayit.Ikeepseeingeverytieofthetrackdownthere,everysignallight,everybridge,everynightthatIspentwhen..."Hisheaddroppeddownonhisarms."OhGod,it’ssodamnunjust!"

           "Dan,"shesaidthroughherteeth,"fightit."

           Heraisedhishead.Hiseyeswereempty."No,"hesaid."Itwouldbewrong.I’mjustselfish."

           "Oh,damnthatrottentripe!Youknowbetterthanthat!"

           "Idon’tknow..."Hisvoicewasverytired."I’vebeensittinghere,tryingtothinkaboutit...Idon’tknowwhatisrightanymore...."Headded,"Idon’tthinkIcare."

           SheknewsuddenlythatallfurtherwordswereuselessandthatDanConwaywouldneverbeamanofactionagain.Shedidnotknowwhatmadehercertainofit.Shesaid,wondering,"You’venevergivenupinthefaceofabattlebefore."

           "No,IguessIhaven’t...."Hespokewithaquiet,indifferentastonishment."I’vefoughtstormsandfloodsandrockslidesandrailfissure....Iknewhowtodoit,andIlikeddoingit....Butthiskindofbattle—it’soneIcan’tfight."

           "Why?"

           "Idon’tknow.Whoknowswhytheworldiswhatitis?Oh,whoisJohnGalt?"

           Shewinced."Thenwhatareyougoingtodo?"

           "Idon’tknow..."

           "Imean—"Shestopped.

           Heknewwhatshemeant.