Атлант расправил плечи

           Shewasbarelyawareofthediningroom;itblendedawayintoasenseofsuperlativecomfort,andtheonlyornamentthatcaughtherattentionwastheglitteroficedbranchesbeyondtheglassofthewindow.

           Shesat,lookingout,thebluefurhalf-slippingoffhernakedarmsandshoulders.Hewatchedherthroughnarrowedeyes,withthesatisfactionofamanstudyinghisownworkmanship.

           "Ilikegivingthingstoyou,"hesaid,"becauseyoudon’tneedthem."

           "No?"

           "Andit’snotthatIwantyoutohavethem.Iwantyoutohavethemfromme."

           "ThatisthewayIdoneedthem,Hank.Fromyou."

           "Doyouunderstandthatit’snothingbutviciousself-indulgenceonmypart?I’mnotdoingitforyourpleasure,butformine."

           "Hank!"Thecrywasinvoluntary;itheldamusement,despair,indignationandpity."Ifyou’dgivenmethosethingsjustformypleasure,notyours,Iwouldhavethrowntheminyourface."

           "Yes...Yes,thenyouwould—andshould."

           "Didyoucallityourviciousself-indulgence?"

           "That’swhattheycallit."

           "Oh,yes!That’swhattheycallit.Whatdoyoucallit,Hank?"

           "Idon’tknow,"hesaidindifferently,andwentonintently."Iknowonlythatifit’svicious,thenletmebedamnedforitbutthat’swhatIwanttodomorethananythingelseonearth.