Атлант расправил плечи

           Shejingledthebracelet,makingitsparkleunderthelight."Henry,it’sperfectlywonderful!Whatoriginality!IshallbethesensationofNewYork,wearingjewelrymadeofthesamestuffasbridgegirders,truckmotors,kitchenstoves,typewriters,and—whatwasityouweresayingaboutittheotherday,darling?—soupkettles?"

           "God,Henry,butyou’reconceited!"saidPhilip.

           Lillianlaughed."He’sasentimentalist.Allmenare.But,darling,Idoappreciateit.Itisn’tthegift,it’stheintention,Iknow."

           "Theintention’splainselfishness,ifyouaskme,"saidRearden’smother."Anothermanwouldbringadiamondbracelet,ifhewantedtogivehiswifeapresent,becauseit’s

           her

           pleasurehe’dthinkof,nothisown.ButHenrythinksthatjustbecausehe’smadeanewkindoftin,why,it’sgottobemorepreciousthandiamondstoeverybody,justbecauseit’shethat’smadeit.That’sthewayhe’sbeensincehewasfiveyearsold—themostconceitedbratyoueversaw—andIknewhe’dgrowuptobethemostselfishcreatureonGod’searth."

           "No,it’ssweet,"saidLillian."It’scharming."Shedroppedthebraceletdownonthetable.Shegotup,putherhandsonRearden’sshoulders,andraisingherselfontiptoe,kissedhimonthecheek,saying,"Thankyou,dear."

           Hedidnotmove,didnotbendhisheaddowntoher.

           Afterawhile,heturned,tookoffhiscoatandsatdownbythefire,apartfromtheothers.Hefeltnothingbutanimmenseexhaustion.

           Hedidnotlistentotheirtalk.