Атлант расправил плечи
The Non-commercial
Hehadalwaysknownthatbusinesswasregardedassomesortofsecret,shamefulcult,whichonedidnotimposeoninnocentlaymen,thatpeoplethoughtofitasofanuglynecessity,tobeperformedbutnevermentioned,thattotalkshopwasanoffenseagainsthighersensibilities,thatjustasonewashedmachinegreaseoffone’shandsbeforecominghome,soonewassupposedtowashthestainofbusinessoffone’smindbeforeenteringadrawingroom.Hehadneverheldthatcreed,buthehadaccepteditasnaturalthathisfamilyshouldholdit.Hetookitforgranted—wordlessly,inthemannerofafeelingabsorbedinchildhood,leftunquestionedandunnamed—thathehaddedicatedhimself,likethemartyrofsomedarkreligion,totheserviceofafaithwhichwashispassionatelove,butwhichmadehimanoutcastamongmen,whosesympathyhewasnottoexpect.
Hehadacceptedthetenetthatitwashisdutytogivehiswifesomeformofexistenceunrelatedtobusiness.Buthehadneverfoundthecapacitytodoitoreventoexperienceasenseofguilt.Hecouldneitherforcehimselftochangenorblameherifshechosetocondemnhim.
HehadgivenLilliannoneofhistimeformonths—no,hethought,foryears;fortheeightyearsoftheirmarriage.Hehadnointeresttospareforherinterests,notevenenoughtolearnjustwhattheywere.
