Атлант расправил плечи

           I’mabletoaffordit—orwillbe,afterSeptembersecond.Wantit?"

           "No."

           "Thenwhatdoyouwant?"

           "Idon’twantanything,Jim."

           "Butyou’vegotto!You’vegottowantsomething,damnyou!"

           Shelookedathim,faintlystartled,butotherwiseindifferent.

           "Oh,allright,I’msorry,"hesaid;heseemedastonishedbyhisownoutbreak."Ijustwantedtopleaseyou,"headdedsullenly,"butIguessyoucan’tunderstanditatall.Youdon’tknowhowimportantitis.

           Youdon’tknowhowbigamanyou’remarriedto."

           "I’mtryingtofindout,"shesaidslowly.

           "Doyoustillthink,asyouusedto,thatHankReardenisagreatman?"

           "Yes,Jim,Ido."

           "Well,I’vegothimbeaten.I’mgreaterthananyofthem,greaterthanReardenandgreaterthanthatotherloverofmysister’s,who—"

           Hestopped,asifhehadslidtoofar.

           "Jim,"sheaskedevenly,"whatisgoingtohappenonSeptembersecond?"

           Heglancedupather,fromunderhisforehead—acoldglance,whilehismusclescreasedintoasemi-smile,asifincynicalbreachofsomehallowedrestraint."They’regoingtonationalized’AnconiaCopper,"hesaid.