Атлант расправил плечи

           "

           "Butyouknow,youknewitthismorning,thatit’sabattletothedeath,andit’swe—youwereoneofus—againstthelooters."

           "IfIanswerthatIknowit,butyoudon’t—you’llthinkthatIattachnomeaningtomywords.Sotakeitasyouwish,butthatismyanswer."

           "Willyoutellmethemeaning?"

           "No.It’sforyoutodiscover."

           "You’rewillingtogiveuptheworldtothelooters.Wearen’t."

           "Don’tbetoosureofeither."

           Sheremainedhelplesslysilent.Thestrangenessofhismannerwasitssimplicity;hespokeasifhewerebeingcompletelynaturaland—inthemidstofunansweredquestionsandofatragicmystery—heconveyedtheimpressionthattherewerenosecretsanylonger,andnomysteryneedeverhaveexisted.

           Butasshewatchedhim,shesawthefirstbreakinhisjoyouscalm:shesawhimstrugglingagainstsomethought;hehesitated,thensaid,witheffort,"AboutHankRearden...Willyoudomeafavor?"

           "Ofcourse."

           "WillyoutellhimthatI...Yousee,I’venevercaredforpeople,yethewasalwaysthemanIrespected,butIdidn’tknowuntiltodaythatwhatIfeltwas...thathewastheonlymanIeverloved...

           JusttellhimthisandthatIwishIcould—no,Iguessthat’sallIcantellhim...He’llprobablydamnmeforleaving...still,maybehewon’t.