Атлант расправил плечи

           She’searnedit,it’sapayment,notagift.Buttoloveherforhervicesisarealgift,unearnedandundeserved.Toloveherforhervicesistodefileallvirtueforhersake—andthatisarealtributeoflove,becauseyousacrificeyourconscience,yourreason,yourintegrityandyourinvaluableself-esteem."

           Helookedatherblankly.Itsoundedlikesomesortofmonstrouscorruptionthatprecludedthepossibilityofwonderingwhetheranyonecouldmeanit;hewonderedonlywhatwasthepointofutteringit.

           "What’slove,darling,ifit’snotself-sacrifice?"shewentonlightly,inthetoneofadrawing-roomdiscussion."What’sself-sacrifice,unlessonesacrificesthatwhichisone’smostpreciousandmostimportant?ButIdon’texpectyoutounderstandit.Notastainless-steelPuritanlikeyou.

           That’stheimmenseselfishnessofthePuritan.You’dletthewholeworldperishratherthansoilthatimmaculateselfofyourswithasinglespotofwhichyou’dhavetobeashamed."

           Hesaidslowly,hisvoiceoddlystrainedandsolemn,"Ihaveneverclaimedtobeimmaculate."

           Shelaughed."Andwhatisityou’rebeingrightnow?You’regivingmeanhonestanswer,aren’tyou?"Sheshruggedhernakedshoulders.

           "Oh,darling,don’ttakemeseriously!I’mjusttalking."

           Hegroundhiscigaretteintoanashtray;hedidnotanswer.