Атлант расправил плечи

           Itwashissudden,angry"soyoudon’ttrustme?"snappedinanswertoherfirst,innocentquestionsthatmadeherrealizethatshedidnot—whenthedoubthadnotyetformedinhermindandshehadfullyexpectedthathisanswerswouldreassureher.Shehadlearned,intheslumsofherchildhood,thathonestpeoplewerenevertouchyaboutthematterofbeingtrusted,"Idon’tcaretotalkshop,"washisanswerwhenevershementionedtherailroad.Shetriedtopleadwithhimonce."Jim,youknowwhatIthinkofyourworkandhowmuchIadmireyouforit.""Oh,really?

           Whatisityoumarried,amanorarailroadpresident?""I...Ineverthoughtofseparatingthetwo.""Well,itisnotveryflatteringtome."Shelookedathim,baffled:shehadthoughtitwas."I’dliketobelieve,"hesaid,"thatyoulovemeformyself,andnotformyrailroad.""OhGod,Jim,"shegasped,"youdidn’tthinkthatI—!""No,"hesaid,withasadlygeneroussmile,"Ididn’tthinkthatyoumarriedmeformymoneyormyposition.Ihaveneverdoubtedyou."Realizing,instunnedconfusionandintorturedfairness,thatshemighthavegivenhimgroundtomisinterpretherfeeling,thatshehadforgottenhowmanybitterdisappointmentshemusthavesufferedatthehandsoffortune-huntingwomen,shecoulddonothingbutshakeherheadandmoan,"Oh,Jim,that’snotwhatImeant!"Hechuckledsoftly,asatachild,andslippedhisarmaroundher."Doyouloveme?"heasked."Yes,"shewhispered.