Атлант расправил плечи

           "

           Hishandmoveddownthelineofhersleeve,downafoldofherskirt,withsolightapressurethatitseemedasifthehanddidnotfeelthebodyinsidetheclothes,asifhewereregainingpossession,notofherbody,butonlyofitsvision.

           "You’vetakentoomuch,"hesaid."SohaveI.Letthembatterus.

           There’snoreasonwhyweshouldaddtoit.Nomatterwhatwehavetoface,therecanbenosufferingbetweenthetwoofus.Noaddedpain.

           Letthatcomefromtheirworld.Itwon’tcomefromus.Don’tbeafraid.

           Wewon’thurteachother.Notnow."

           Sheraisedherhead,shakingitwithabittersmile—therewasadesperateviolenceinhermovement,butthesmilewasasignofrecovery:ofthedeterminationtofacethedespair.

           "Hank,thekindofhellIletyougothroughinthelastmonth—"

           Hervoicewastrembling.

           "It’snothing,comparedtothekindofhellIletyougothroughinthelasthour."Hisvoicewassteady.

           Shegotup,topacetheroom,toproveherstrength—herstepslikewordstellinghimthatshewasnottobesparedanylonger.Whenshestoppedandturnedtofacehim,herose,asifheunderstoodhermotive.

           "IknowthatI’vemadeitworseforyou,"shesaid,pointingattheradio.

           Heshookhishead."No."

           "Hank,there’ssomethingIhavetotellyou.