Атлант расправил плечи

           "

           Hewassilentforamoment,thensaid,lookingstraightather,underscoringhisfirstrejectionoftheprivacyshehadalwaysgrantedhim,"There’sonethingIwantyoutoknow:Ihavenottouchedhersince...EllisWyatt’shouse."

           "I’mglad."

           "DidyouthinkIcould?"

           "I’veneverpermittedmyselftowonderaboutthat."

           "Dagny,doyoumeanthatifIhad,you...you’dacceptthat,too?"

           "Yes."

           "Youwouldn’thateit?"

           "I’dhateitmorethanIcantellyou.Butifthatwereyourchoice,Iwouldacceptit.Iwantyou,Hank."

           Hetookherhandandraisedittohislips,shefeltthemoment’sstruggleinhisbody,inthesuddenmovementwithwhichhecamedown,half-collapsing,andlethismouthclingtohershoulder.Thenhepulledherforward,hepulledthelengthofherbodyinthepalebluenightgowntoliestretchedacrosshisknees,hehelditwithanunsmilingviolence,asifinhatredforherwordsandasiftheywerethewordshehadmostwantedtohear.

           Hebenthisfacedowntohersandsheheardthequestionthathadcomeagainandagaininthenightsoftheyearbehindthem,alwaystornoutofhiminvoluntarily,alwaysasasuddenbreakthatbetrayedhisconstant,secrettorture:"Whowasyourfirstman?"

           Shestrainedback,tryingtodrawawayfromhim,butheheldher.