Атлант расправил плечи
The Aristocracy of pull
"Lillian,Ithinkyouknow,"hesaid,"thathumorofthiskindismorethanIcanstand."
"Oh,you’resoserious!"shelaughed."Ikeepforgettingit.You’resoseriousabouteverything—particularlyyourself."
Thenshewhirledtohimsuddenly,hersmilegone.Shehadthestrange,pleadinglookwhichhehadseeninherfaceattimes,alookthatseemedmadeofsincerityandcourage:"Youprefertobeserious,Henry?Allright.Howlongdoyouwishmetoexistsomewhereinthebasementofyourlife?Howlonelydoyouwantmetobecome?I’veaskednothingofyou.I’veletyouliveyourlifeasyoupleased.Can’tyougivemeoneevening?Oh,Iknowyouhatepartiesandyou’llbebored.Butitmeansagreatdealtome.Callitempty,socialvanity—Iwanttoappear,foronce,withmyhusband.Isupposeyouneverthinkofitinsuchterms,butyou’reanimportantman,you’reenvied,hated,respectedandfeared,you’reamanwhomanywomanwouldbeproudtoshowoffasherhusband.
Youmaysayit’salowformoffeminineostentation,butthat’stheformofanywoman’shappiness.Youdon’tlivebysuchstandards,butIdo.
