Атлант расправил плечи

           Theyhadbeenmeetingwheneverhecametothecity,spendingabrief,rareeveningtogether—withtheirpaststillaliveintheirsilentacknowledgment—withnofutureintheirworkandintheircommonstruggle,butwiththeknowledgethattheywerealliesgainingsupportfromthefactofeachother’sexistence.

           Hedidnotwanttomentiontoday’sevent,hedidnotwanttospeakofFrancisco,butshenoticed,astheysatatthetable,thatthestrainofaresistedsmilekeptpullingatthehollowsofhischeeks.Sheknewwhomhemeant,whenhesaidsuddenly,hisvoicesoftandlowwiththeweightofadmiration,"Hedidkeephisoath,didn’the?"

           "Hisoath?"sheasked,startled,thinkingoftheinscriptiononthetempleofAtlantis.

           "Hesaidtome,‘Iswear—bythewomanIlove—thatIamyourfriend,’Hewas."

           "Heis."

           Heshookhishead."Ihavenorighttothinkofhim.Ihavenorighttoacceptwhathe’sdoneasanactinmydefense.Andyet..."

           Hestopped.

           "Butitwas,Hank.Indefenseofallofus—andofyou,mostofall."

           Helookedaway,outatthecity.Theysatatthesideoftheroom,withasheetofglassasaninvisibleprotectionagainstthesweepofspaceandstreetssixtyfloorsbelow.Thecityseemedabnormallydistant:itlayflatteneddowntothepoolofitsloweststories.