Атлант расправил плечи
The Aristocracy of pull
Iknowwhatyou’vedonetoJimandhowyou’vemadehimmiserableallhislife.I’mgoingtoprotecthimagainstyou.I’llputyouinyourplace.I’mMrs.Taggart.I’mthewomaninthisfamilynow."
"That’squiteallright,"saidDagny."I’mtheman."
Cherrylwatchedherwalkaway,andthoughtthatJimhadbeenright:thissisterofhiswasacreatureofcoldevilwhohadgivenhernoresponse,noacknowledgment,noemotionofanykindexceptatouchofsomethingthatlookedlikeanastonished,indifferentamusement.
ReardenstoodbyLillian’ssideandfollowedherwhenshemoved.
Shewishedtobeseenwithherhusband;hewascomplying.Hedidnotknowwhetheranyonelookedathimornot;hewasawareofnoonearoundthem,exceptthepersonwhomhecouldnotpermithimselftosee.
TheimagestillholdinghisconsciousnesswasthemomentwhenhehadenteredthisroomwithLillianandhadseenDagnylookingatthem.Hehadlookedstraightather,preparedtoacceptanyblowhereyeswouldchoosetogivehim.WhatevertheconsequencestoLillian,hewouldhaveconfessedhisadulterypublicly,thereandinthatmoment,ratherthancommittheunspeakableactofevadingDagny’seyes,ofclosinghisfaceintoacoward’sblankness,ofpretendingtoherthathedidnotknowthenatureofhisaction.
Buttherehadbeennoblow.
