Атлант расправил плечи

           "Ifyoustillwantmetoexplainit,Mother,"hesaidveryquietly,"ifyou’restillhopingthatIwon’tbecruelenoughtonamewhatyou’repretendingnottoknow,thenhere’swhat’swrongwithyourideaofforgiveness:Youregretthatyou’vehurtmeand,asyouratonementforit,youaskthatIoffermyselftototalimmolation."

           "Logic!"shescreamed."Thereyougoagainwithyourdamnlogic!

           It’spitythatweneed,pity,notlogic!"

           Herosetohisfeet.

           "Wait!Don’tgo!Henry,don’tabandonus!Don’tsentenceustoperish!Whateverweare,we’rehuman!Wewanttolive!"

           "Why,no—"hestartedinquietastonishmentandendedinquiethorror,asthethoughtstruckhimfully,"Idon’tthinkyoudo.Ifyoudid,youwouldhaveknownhowtovalueme."

           Asifinsilentproofandanswer,Philip’sfacewentslowlyintoanexpressionintendedasasmileofamusement,yetholdingnothingbutfearandmalice."Youwon’tbeabletoquitandrunaway,"saidPhilip."Youcan’trunawaywithoutmoney."

           Itseemedtostrikeitsgoal;Reardenstoppedshort,thenchuckled,"Thanks,Philip,"hesaid.

           "Uh?"Philipgaveanervousjerkofbewilderment.

           "Sothat’sthepurposeoftheattachmentorder.That’swhatyourfriendsareafraidof.Iknewtheyweregettingsettospringsomethingonmetoday.