Атлант расправил плечи
Anti-Life
Itwastheknowledgethatneithertheirmarriagenorhisloveforhernorhisinsistenceonholdinghernorhisloveforthatotherwomannorthisgratuitousadulteryhadanymeaningwhatever,thattherewasnoshredofsenseinanyofitandnousetogropeforexplanations.Shehadalwaysthoughtofevilaspurposeful,asameanstosomeend;whatshewasseeingnowwasevilforevil’ssake.
Shedidnotknowhowlongshehadsatthere,whensheheardtheirstepsandvoices,thenthesoundofthefrontdoorclosing.Shegotup,withnopurposeinmind,butimpelledbysomeinstinctfromthepast,asifactinginavacuumwherehonestywasnotrelevantanylonger,butknowingnootherwaytoact.
ShemetJimintheanteroom.Foramoment,theylookedateachotherasifneithercouldbelievetheother’sreality.
"Whendidyoucomeback?"hesnapped."Howlonghaveyoubeenhome?"
"Idon’tknow..."
Hewaslookingatherface."What’sthematterwithyou?"
"Jim,I—"Shestruggled,gaveupandwavedherhandtowardhisbedroom."Jim,Iknow."
"Whatdoyouknow?"
"Youwerethere...withawoman."
Hisfirstactionwastopushherintohisstudyandslamthedoor,asiftohidethemboth,hecouldnolongersayfromwhom.
