Атлант расправил плечи

           Hewasholdingherhalf-stretchedacrossthebed,hewastearingherclothesoffwhileherfacewaspressedagainsthim,hermouth,movingdownthelineofhisneck,downhisshoulder.Sheknewthateverygestureofherdesireforhimstruckhimlikeablow,thattherewassomeshudderofincredulousangerwithinhim—yetthatnogesturewouldsatisfyhisgreedforeveryevidenceofherdesire.

           Hestoodlookingdownathernakedbody,heleanedover,sheheardhisvoice—itwasmoreastatementofcontemptuoustriumphthanaquestion:"Youwantit?"Heranswerwasmoreagaspthanaword,hereyesclosed,hermouthopen:"Yes."

           Sheknewthatwhatshefeltwiththeskinofherarmswastheclothofhisshirt,sheknewthatthelipsshefeltonhermouthwerehis,butintherestofhertherewasnodistinctionbetweenhisbeingandherown,astherewasnodivisionbetweenbodyandspirit.Throughallthestepsoftheyearsbehindthem,thestepsdownacoursechoseninthecourageofasingleloyalty:theirloveofexistence—chosenintheknowledgethatnothingwillbegiven,thatonemustmakeone’sowndesireandeveryshapeofitsfulfillment—throughthestepsofshapingmetal,railsandmotors—theyhadmovedbythepowerofthethoughtthatoneremakestheearthforone’senjoyment,thatman’sspiritgivesmeaningtoinsentientmatterbymoldingittoserveone’schosengoal