Атлант расправил плечи

           NowIhavetheknowledgeofthesuperlativevalueIhadmissed:ofmyrighttobeproudofmyvision.Therestisminetoreach.

           "And,Dagny,theonethingIwanted,asthefirststepofmyfuture,wastosaythatIloveyou—asI’msayingitnow.Iloveyou,mydearest,withthatblindestpassionofmybodywhichcomesfromtheclearestperceptionofmymind—andmyloveforyouistheonlyattainmentofmypastthatwillbelefttome,unchanged,throughalltheyearsahead.IwantedtosayittoyouwhileIstillhadtherighttosayit.AndbecauseIhadnotsaiditatourbeginning,thisisthewayIhavetosayit—attheend.NowI’lltellyouwhatitwasthatyouwantedtotellme—because,yousee,IknowitandIaccept:somewherewithinthepastmonth,youhavemetthemanyoulove,andiflovemeansone’sfinal,irreplaceablechoice,thenheistheonlymanyou’veeverloved."

           "Yes!"Hervoicewashalf-gasp,half-scream,asunderaphysicalblow,withshockasheronlyawareness."Hank!—howdidyouknowit?"

           Hesmiledandpointedattheradio."Mydarling,youusednothingbutthepasttense."

           "Oh...!"Hervoicewasnowhalf-gasp,half-moan,andsheclosedhereyes.

           "Youneverpronouncedtheonewordyouwouldhaverightfullythrownatthem,wereitotherwise.Yousaid,‘Iwantedhim,’not,‘Ilovehim.’Youtoldmeonthephonetodaythatyoucouldhavereturnedsooner.