Атлант расправил плечи
The Man who belonged on Earth
"Hank...why?"
"Nospecialreason.Ijustwantedtoseeyouwearit."
"Oh,no,notathingofthiskind!Whywasteit?Igosorarelytooccasionswhereonehastodress.WhenwouldIeverwearit?"
Helookedather,hisglancemovingslowlyfromherlegstoherface."I’llshowyou,"hesaid.
Heledhertothebedroom,hetookoffherclothes,withoutaword,inthemannerofanownerundressingapersonwhoseconsentisnotrequired.Heclaspedthependantonhershoulders.Shestoodnaked,thestonebetweenherbreasts,likeasparklingdropofblood.
"Doyouthinkamanshouldgivejewelrytohismistressforanypurposebuthisownpleasure?"heasked."ThisisthewayIwantyoutowearit.Onlyforme.Iliketolookatit.It’sbeautiful."
Shelaughed;itwasasoft,low,breathlesssound.Shecouldnotspeakormove,onlynodsilentlyinacceptanceandobedience;shenoddedseveraltimes,herhairswayingwiththewide,circularmovementofherhead,thenhangingstillasshekeptherheadbowedtohim.
Shedroppeddownonthebed.Shelaystretchedlazily,herheadthrownback,herarmsathersides,palmspressedtotheroughtextureofthebedspread,onelegbent,thelonglineoftheotherextendedacrossthedarkbluelinenofthespread,thestoneglowinglikeawoundinthesemi-darkness,throwingastarofraysagainstherskin.
