Атлант расправил плечи
The Egoist
Acrossthelongroom,hesawJohnGaltsittingonthewindowsill,atall,slenderfigureinslacksandshirt,onelegslantingdowntothefloor,theotherbent,hishandsclaspinghisknee,hisheadofsun-streakedhairraisedagainstaspreadofgraysky—andsuddenlyDr.Stadlersawthefigureofayoungboysittingontheporch-railingofhishome,nearthecampusofthePatrickHenryUniversity,withthesunonthechestnuthairofaheadliftedagainstaspreadofsummerblue,andheheardthepassionateintensityofhisownvoicesayingtwenty-twoyearsago:"Theonlysacredvalueintheworld,John,isthehumanmind,theinviolatehumanmind..."—andhecriedtothatboy’sfigure,acrosstheroomandacrosstheyears:"Icouldn’thelpit,John!Icouldn’thelpit!"
Hegrippedtheedgeofatablebetweenthem,forsupportandasaprotectivebarrier,eventhoughthefigureonthewindowsillhadnotmoved.
"Ididn’tbringyoutothis!"hecried."Ididn’tmeanto!Icouldn’thelpit!It’snotwhatIintended!...John!I’mnottoblameforit!
I’mnot!Ineverhadachanceagainstthem!Theyowntheworld!Theyleftmenoplaceinit!...
