Атлант расправил плечи

           Thesideyourepresent—whatisthatsloganyouallusesomuch,themottoyou’resupposedtostandfor?‘Thesanctityofcontract’—isthatit?"

           Shesawhisswiftglance,theintentnessofhiseyes,thefirstresponseofsomethingshehadstruck,andshelaughedaloud.

           "Goon,"hesaid;hisvoicewaslow;ithadthesoundofathreat.

           "Darling,whatfor?—sinceyouunderstoodmequitewell."

           "Whatwasityouintendedtosay?"Hisvoicewasharshlypreciseandwithoutanycoloroffeeling.

           "Doyoureallywishtobringmetothehumiliationofcomplaining?

           It’ssotriteandsuchacommoncomplaint—althoughIdidthinkIhadahusbandwhoprideshimselfonbeingdifferentfromlessermen.Doyouwantmetoremindyouthatyouoncesworetomakemyhappinesstheaimofyourlife?Andthatyoucan’treallysayinallhonestywhetherI’mhappyorunhappy,becauseyouhaven’teveninquiredwhetherIexist?"

           Hefeltthemasaphysicalpain—allthethingsthatcametearingathimimpossiblytogether.Herwordswereaplea,hethought—andhefeltthedark,hotflowofguilt.Hefeltpity—thecolduglinessofpitywithoutaffection.