Атлант расправил плечи

           Sheknewthatshewouldhavekilledanyotherpersonwhostruckher;shefelttheviolentfurywhichwouldhavegivenherthestrengthforit—andasviolentapleasurethatFranciscohaddoneit.Shefeltpleasurefromthedull,hotpaininhercheekandfromthetasteofbloodinthecornerofhermouth.Shefeltpleasureinwhatshesuddenlygraspedabouthim,aboutherselfandabouthismotive.

           Shebracedherfeettostopthedizziness,sheheldherheadstraightandstoodfacinghimintheconsciousnessofanewpower,feelingherselfhisequalforthefirsttime,lookingathimwithamockingsmileoftriumph.

           "DidIhurtyouasmuchasthat?"sheasked.

           Helookedastonished;thequestionandthesmilewerenotthoseofachild.Heanswered,"Yes—ifitpleasesyou."

           "Itdoes."

           "Don’teverdothatagain.Don’tcrackjokesofthatkind."

           "Don’tbeafool.WhatevermadeyouthinkthatIcaredaboutbeingpopular?"

           "Whenyougrowup,you’llunderstandwhatsortofunspeakablethingyousaid."

           "Iunderstanditnow."

           Heturnedabruptly,tookouthishandkerchiefanddippeditinthewateroftheriver."Comehere,"heordered.

           Shelaughed,steppingback."Ohno.Iwanttokeepitasitis.Ihopeitswellsterribly.Ilikeit."

           Helookedatherforalongmoment.Hesaidslowly,veryearnestly,"Dagny,you’rewonderful."

           "Ithoughtthatyoualwaysthoughtso,"sheanswered,hervoiceinsolentlycasual.

           Whenshecamehome,shetoldhermotherthatshehadcutherlipbyfallingagainstarock.