Атлант расправил плечи

           Shetriedtodrawawayfromhim,butitwasonlyafaintmovementofherheadonthegrassshefeltunderherhair.Shetriedtorise.

           Ashotofpainacrossherbackthrewherdownagain.

           "Don’tmove,MissTaggart.You’rehurt."

           "Youknowme?"Hervoicewasimpersonalandhard.

           "I’veknownyouformanyyears."

           "HaveIknownyou?"

           "Yes,Ithinkso."

           "Whatisyourname?"

           "JohnGalt."

           Shelookedathim,notmoving.

           "Whyareyoufrightened?"heasked.

           "BecauseIbelieveit."

           Hesmiled,asifgraspingafullconfessionofthemeaningsheattachedtohisname;thesmileheldanadversary’sacceptanceofachallenge—andanadult’samusementattheself-deceptionofachild.

           Shefeltasifshewerereturningtoconsciousnessafteracrashthathadshatteredmorethananairplane.Shecouldnotreassemblethepiecesnow,shecouldnotrecallthethingsshehadknownabouthisname,sheknewonlythatitstoodforadarkvacuumwhichshewouldslowlyhavetofill.Shecouldnotdoitnow,thismanwastooblindingapresence,likeaspotlightthatwouldnotletherseetheshapesstrewnintheouterdarkness.

           "WasityouthatIwasfollowing?"sheasked.

           "Yes."

           Sheglancedslowlyaroundher.