Атлант расправил плечи

           Shelookedathimsilently,shocked."Idon’tthinkyouunderstoodme,"shesaid.

           "Idid."

           "You’rerefusinganopportunityofthiskind?"

           "Yes."

           "Butwhy?"

           "Thatisapersonalmatter."

           "Whyshouldyouworklikethis,whenyoucanhaveabetterjob?"

           "Iamnotlookingforabetterjob."

           "Youdon’twantachancetoriseandmakemoney?"

           "No.Whydoyouinsist?"

           "BecauseIhatetoseeabilitybeingwasted!"

           Hesaidslowly,intently,"SodoI."

           Somethinginthewayhesaiditmadeherfeelthebondofsomeprofoundemotionwhichtheyheldincommon;itbrokethedisciplinethatforbadeherevertocallforhelp."I’msosickofthem!"Hervoicestartledher—itwasaninvoluntarycry."I’msohungryforanysightofanyonewho’sabletodowhateveritishe’sdoing!"

           Shepressedthebackofherhandtohereyes,tryingtodamtheoutbreakofadespairshehadnotpermittedherselftoacknowledge;shehadnotknowntheextentofit,norhowlittleofherendurancethequesthadlefther.

           "I’msorry,"hesaid,hisvoicelow.Itsounded,notasanapology,butasastatementofcompassion.

           Sheglancedupathim.