Атлант расправил плечи

           "

           Hisvoicetensewiththeangerofcompassion,Franciscosaid,"It’sbeentwelveyearsandyetI’mstillunabletoseeitindifferently!"Thesentencesoundedinvoluntary,asif,tryingtosuppressthesoundofemotion,hehadutteredsuppressedwords.

           "Twelveyears—sincewhat?"askedRearden.

           Therewasaninstant’spause,butFranciscoansweredcalmly,"SinceIunderstoodwhatthosemenweredoing,"Headded,"Iknowwhatyou’regoingthroughrightnow...andwhat’sstillahead."

           "Thanks,"saidRearden.

           "Forwhat?"

           "Forwhatyou’retryingsohardnottoshow.Butdon’tworryaboutme.I’mstillabletostandit...Youknow,Ididn’tcomeherebecauseIwantedtotalkaboutmyselforevenaboutthetrial."

           "I’llagreetoanysubjectyouchoose—inordertohaveyouhere."

           Hesaiditinthetoneofacourteousjoke;butthetonecouldnotdisguiseit;hemeantit."Whatdidyouwanttotalkabout?"

           "You."

           Franciscostopped.HelookedatReardenforamoment,thenansweredquietly,"Allright.