Атлант расправил плечи

           "

           "Hetoldyounothingaboutit?"

           "No."Shesawhimsmilingstrangely,asmileofsadness,gratitudeandlonging."Iwarnedhimthatyouwouldhurthim—whenhetoldmethatyouweretheonlymanheliked."

           Hiswordscamelikeasuddenexplosion:"Hewastheonlyman—withoneexception—towhomIcouldhavegivenmylife!"

           "Whoistheexception?"

           "ThemantowhomIhave."

           "Whatdoyoumean?"

           Heshookhishead,asifhehadsaidmorethanheintended,anddidnotanswer.

           "WhatdidyoudotoRearden?"

           "I’lltellyousometime.Notnow."

           "Isthatwhatyoualwaysdotothosewho...meanagreatdealtoyou?"

           Helookedatherwithasmilethathadtheluminoussincerityofinnocenceandpain."Youknow,"hesaidgently,"Icouldsaythatthatiswhattheyalwaysdotome."Headded,"ButIwon’t.Theactions—andtheknowledge—weremine."

           Hestoodup."Shallwego?I’lltakeyouhome."

           Sheroseandheheldhercoatforher;itwasawide,loosegarment,andhishandsguidedittoenfoldherbody.Shefelthisarmremainabouthershouldersamomentlongerthanheintendedhertonotice.

           Sheglancedbackathim.Buthewasstandingoddlystill,staringintentlydownatthetable.