Атлант расправил плечи
The Sanction of the Victim
AndthisiswhatIfindinconceivable:nomatterwhatyou’vegivenup,solongasyouchosetoremainalive,howcanyoufindanypleasureinspendingalifeasvaluableasyoursonrunningaftercheapwomenandonanimbecile’sideaofdiversions?"
Franciscolookedathimwithafinesmileofamusement,asifsaying:No?Youdidn’twanttotalkaboutyourself?Andwhatisitthatyou’reconfessingbutthedesperatelonelinesswhichmakesthequestionofmycharactermoreimportanttoyouthananyotherquestionrightnow?
Thesmilemergedintoasoft,good-naturedchuckle,asifthequestioninvolvednoproblemforhim,nopainfulsecrettoreveal."There’sawaytosolveeverydilemmaofthatkind,Mr.Rearden.Checkyourpremises."Hesatdownonthefloor,settlinghimselfgaily,informally,foraconversationhewouldenjoy."Isityourownfirst-handconclusionthatIamamanofhighmind?"
"Yes."
"Doyouknowofyourownfirst-handknowledgethatIspendmyliferunningafterwomen?"
"You’veneverdeniedit."
"Deniedit?I’vegonetoalotoftroubletocreatethatimpression."
"Doyoumeantosaythatitisn’ttrue?"
"DoIstrikeyouasamanwithamiserableinferioritycomplex?"
"GoodGod,no!"
"Onlythatkindofmanspendshisliferunningafterwomen.
