Атлант расправил плечи

           Heflewthroughthedaysofhissummermonthlikearocket,butifonestoppedhiminmid-flight,hecouldalwaysnamethepurposeofhiseveryrandommoment.Twothingswereimpossibletohim:tostandstillortomoveaimlessly.

           "Let’sfindout"wasthemotivehegavetoDagnyandEddieforanythingheundertook,or"Let’smakeit."Thesewerehisonlyformsofenjoyment.

           "Icandoit,"hesaid,whenhewasbuildinghiselevator,clingingtothesideofacliff,drivingmetalwedgesintorock,hisarmsmovingwithanexpert’srhythm,dropsofbloodslipping,unnoticed,fromunderabandageonhiswrist."No,wecan’ttaketurns,Eddie,you’renotbigenoughyettohandleahammer.Justcarttheweedsoffandkeepthewayclearforme,I’lldotherest....Whatblood?Oh,that’snothing,justacutIgotyesterday.Dagny,runtothehouseandbringmeacleanbandage."

           Jimwatchedthem.Theylefthimalone,buttheyoftensawhimstandinginthedistance,watchingFranciscowithapeculiarkindofintensity.

           HeseldomspokeinFrancisco’spresence.ButhewouldcornerDagnyandhewouldsmilederisively,saying,"Allthoseairsyouputon,pretendingthatyou’reanironwomanwithamindofherown!You’reaspinelessdishrag,that’sallyouare.It’sdisgusting,thewayyouletthatconceitedpunkorderyouabout.Hecantwistyouaroundhislittlefinger.Youhaven’tanyprideatall.Thewayyourunwhenhewhistlesandwaitonhim!Whydon’tyoushinehisshoes?""Becausehehasn’ttoldmeto,"sheanswered.