Атлант расправил плечи
The Aristocracy of pull
Shehadnotknownwhathethought.Buthehadknownthatshewasstunned,notbytheplace,butbyhisbringingherthere,thatshebarelytouchedthecostlyfood,thatshetookthedinner,notasbootyfromarichsucker—asallthegirlsheknewwouldhavetakenit—butassomeshiningawardshehadneverexpectedtodeserve.
Hehadcomebacktohertwoweekslater,andthentheirdateshadgrownprogressivelymorefrequent.Hewoulddriveuptothedimestoreattheclosinghour,andshewouldseeherfellowsalesgirlsgapingather,athislimousine,attheuniformedchauffeurwhoopenedthedoorforher.Hewouldtakehertothebestnightclubs,andwhenheintroducedhertohisfriends,hewouldsay,"MissBrooksworksinthedimestoreinMadisonSquare."ShewouldseethestrangeexpressionsontheirfacesandJimwatchingthemwithahintofmockeryinhiseyes.Hewantedtosparehertheneedofpretenseorembarrassment,shethoughtwithgratitude.Hehadthestrengthtobehonestandnottocarewhetherothersapprovedofhimornot,shethoughtwithadmiration.Butshefeltanodd,burningpain,newtoher,thenightsheheardsomewoman,whoworkedforahighbrowpoliticalmagazine,saytohercompanionatthenexttable,"HowgenerousofJim!"
Hadhewished,shewouldhavegivenhimtheonlykindofpaymentshecouldofferinreturn.Shewasgratefulthathedidnotseekit.
