Атлант расправил плечи
The Sacred and the Profane
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"Wasitanordealforyou?"
"No...Yes,inaway...Ihadreallywantedtoenjoyit."
"ShallIgetyouadrink?"
"Yes,willyou?"
Sheturnedtogo.Hestoppedher,graspinghershouldersfrombehind;hebentherheadbackandkissedhermouth.Whenheraisedhishead,shepulleditdownagainwithademandinggestureofownership,asifstressingherrighttodoit.Thenshesteppedawayfromhim.
"Nevermindthedrink,"hesaid,"Ididn’treallywantit—exceptforseeingyouwaitonme."
"Well,then,letmewaitonyou."
"No."
Hesmiled,stretchinghimselfoutonthecouch,hishandscrossedunderhishead.Hefeltathome;itwasthefirsthomehehadeverfound.
"Youknow,theworstpartofthebanquetwasthattheonlywishofeverypersonpresentwastogetitoverwith,"hesaid."WhatIcan’tunderstandiswhytheywantedtodoitatall.Theydidn’thaveto.Certainlynotformysake."
Shepickedupacigarettebox,extendedittohim,thenheldtheflameofalightertothetipofhiscigarette,inthedeliberatemannerofwaitingonhim.Shesmiledinanswertohischuckle,thensatdownonthearmofachairacrosstheroom.
"Whydidyouaccepttheirinvitation,Hank?"sheasked."You’vealwaysrefusedtojointhem.
