Атлант расправил плечи

           Hehadbeensilentforalongtime,whensheroseabruptlyandtoldhimthatshehadtogo.Hedidnottrytostopher;heleanedback,hiselbowsinthegrass,andlookedatherwithoutmoving;hisglanceseemedtosaythatheknewhermotive.Hurryingangrilyuptheslopetothehouse,shewonderedwhathadmadeherleave;shedidnotknow;ithadbeenasuddenrestlessnessthatcamefromafeelingshedidnotidentifytillnow:afeelingofexpectation.

           Eachnight,shedrovethefivemilesfromthecountryhousetoRockdale.Shecamebackatdawn,sleptafewhoursandgotupwiththerestofthehousehold.Shefeltnodesiretosleep.Undressingforbedinthefirstraysofthesun,shefeltatense,joyous,causelessimpatiencetofacethedaythatwasstarting.

           ShesawFrancisco’smockingglanceagain,acrossthenetofatenniscourt.Shedidnotrememberthebeginningofthatgame;theyhadoftenplayedtennistogetherandhehadalwayswon.Shedidnotknowatwhatmomentshedecidedthatshewouldwin,thistime.Whenshebecameawareofit,itwasnolongeradecisionorawish,butaquietfuryrisingwithinher.Shedidnotknowwhyshehadtowin;shedidnotknowwhyitseemedsocrucially,urgentlynecessary;sheknewonlythatshehadtoandthatshewould.

           Itseemedeasytoplay;itwasasifherwillhadvanishedandsomeone’spowerwereplayingforher.ShewatchedFrancisco’sfigure-atall,swiftfigure,thesuntanofhisarmsstressedbyhisshortwhiteshirtsleeves.