Атлант расправил плечи
The Man who belonged on Earth
"
Shedidnotanswer;shesatlookingstraightathimwithafaintsmile,asifaskinghimtolistentothemeaningofhisownwords.
"I’vealwayswantedtoenjoymywealth,"hesaid."Ididn’tknowhowtodoit.Ididn’tevenhavetimetoknowhowmuchIwantedto.
ButIknewthatallthesteelIpouredcamebacktomeasliquidgold,andthegoldwasmeanttohardenintoanyshapeIwished,anditwasIwhohadtoenjoyit.OnlyIcouldn’t.Icouldn’tfindanypurposeforit.I’vefoundit,now.It’sIwho’veproducedthatwealthandit’sIwhoamgoingtoletitbuyformeeverykindofpleasureIwant—includingthepleasureofseeinghowmuchI’mabletopayfor—includingthepreposterousfeatofturningyouintoaluxuryobject."
"ButI’maluxuryobjectthatyou’vepaidforlongago,"shesaid;shewasnotsmiling.
"How?"
"Bymeansofthesamevalueswithwhichyoupaidforyourmills."
Shedidnotknowwhetherheunderstooditwiththatfull,luminousfinalitywhichisathoughtnamedinwords;butsheknewthatwhathefeltinthatmomentwasunderstanding.Shesawtherelaxationofaninvisiblesmileinhiseyes.
"I’veneverdespisedluxury,"hesaid,"yetI’vealwaysdespisedthosewhoenjoyedit.Ilookedatwhattheycalledtheirpleasuresanditseemedsomiserablysenselesstome—afterwhatIfeltatthemills.
