Атлант расправил плечи

           Sheshowednosignofexhaustionaftertheparty—nosignoflifetobeexhausted.Theplacewasadecorator’sdisplayofaladygroomedforsleep,nottobedisturbed.

           Hestillworehisdressclothes;histiewasloose,andastrandofhairhungoverhisface.Sheglancedathimwithoutastonishment,asifsheknewwhatthelasthourinhisroomhaddonetohim.

           Helookedathersilently.Hehadnotenteredherroomforalongtime.Hestood,wishinghehadnotentereditnow.

           "Isn’titcustomarytotalk,Henry?"

           "Ifyouwish."

           "Iwishyou’dsendoneofyourbrilliantexpertsfromthemillstotakealookatourfurnace.DoyouknowthatitwentoutduringthepartyandSimonshadaterribletimegettingitstartedagain?...Mrs.Westonsaysthatourbestachievementisourcook—shelovedthehorsd‘oeuvres....BalphEubanksaidaveryfunnythingaboutyou,hesaidyou’reacrusaderwithafactory’schimneysmokeforaplume....I’mgladyoudon’tlikeFranciscod’Anconia.Ican’tstandhim."

           Hedidnotcaretoexplainhispresence,ortodisguisedefeat,ortoadmititbyleaving.Suddenly,itdidnotmattertohimwhatsheguessedorfelt.Hewalkedtothewindowandstood,lookingout.

           Whyhadshemarriedhim?—hethought.Itwasaquestionhehadnotaskedhimselfontheirweddingday,eightyearsago.Sincethen,intorturedloneliness,hehadaskeditmanytimes.Hehadfoundnoanswer.

           Itwasnotforposition,hethought,orformoney.Shecamefromanoldfamilythathadboth.