Gone with the Wind / Унесённые ветром. Уровень 3

Chapter XV

Nowadays the news was passed from mouth to mouth. The wildest rumors appeared from nowhere and swept through the town. Crowds stormed General Hood’s headquarters demanding information. But no news came. The telegraph wires were still, no trains came in on the one remaining railroad from the south and the mail service was broken.

And it was only four months since the Yankees moved south from Dalton. Only four months! Scarlett thought that it had occurred in another life. Oh, no! Surely not just four months. It had been a lifetime.

Four months ago! Four months ago Dalton, Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain had been to her only names of places on the railroad. Now they were battles. Peachtree Creek, Decatur, Ezra Church, Utoy Creek. Never names of places any more. Names of graves where friends lay buried, names of tangled underbrush and thick woods where bodies rotted unburied.

For a week Scarlett had not heard from Tara. Carreen was very, very sick. There was fighting at Jonesboro. No, the Yankees hadn’t gotten to Tara. The courier who brought the dispatches to General Hood assured Scarlett of that. He had met Gerald in Jonesboro after the battle, and Gerald had begged him to bring a letter to her.

But what was Pa doing in Jonesboro? Gerald was trying to find a doctor to go to Tara with him.

Scarlett opened Gerald’s letter with fingers that trembled.

«Dear Daughter,

Your mother and both girls have the typhoid. They are very ill but we must hope for the best. Under no condition don’t come home and expose yourself and Wade to the disease».

For the next week Scarlett crept about the house like a stricken animal, waiting for news. The mails were still disrupted, no one knew where the Confederates were or what the Yankees were doing.

Scarlett had seen enough typhoid in the Atlanta hospital to know what a week meant in that dread disease. Ellen was ill, perhaps dying, and here was Scarlett helpless in Atlanta with a pregnant woman on her hands. Ellen was ill… But Ellen can’t be ill! She had never been ill. The very thought was incredible. Everyone else got sick, but never Ellen. Ellen looked after sick people and made them well again. She couldn’t be sick. Scarlett wanted to be home. Home!

«Oh, damn Melanie!» she thought a thousand times. «Why didn’t she go to Macon with Aunt Pitty? I’m none of her blood. And I have to wait for her baby! Oh, Mother! Mother! Don’t die! Why doesn’t this baby come? Dear God! What if Melanie is dead? Melanie dead. And Ashley… No, I mustn’t think about that, it isn’t nice. But Ashley… No, I mustn’t think about that because he’s probably dead, anyway. What if Ashley is still alive? No, I mustn’t think about that. It’s sinful. I want to get away from here… get home… get anywhere».

Scarlett hated this ominously still town. Atlanta was no longer the place she had loved. It was a hideous place like a plaguestricken city so quiet, so dreadfully quiet after the din of the siege. There was only horror in the town. The town seemed haunted, haunted with fear and uncertainty and memories.

The last day of August came. Everyone knew now what the soldiers had known two weeks before. If the Macon railroad falls, Atlanta will fall too.

On the morning of the first of September, Scarlett awoke with a suffocating sense of dread upon her. She sat up hastily, rubbing her eyes.

As she stood, looking out of the window, there came to her ears a far-off sound.

«Rain», she thought in the first moment, «we certainly need it». But then: «Rain? No! Not rain! Cannon!»

Cannon to the south! And to the south lay Jonesboro and Tara and Ellen. Yankees perhaps at Tara, now, this minute! From the kitchen below, she heard the rattle of plates. Prissy was preparing and singing. Scarlett shouted: «Shut up that singing, Prissy!»

Scarlett walked to Melanie’s door and opened it, peering into the sunny room. Melanie lay in bed in her nightgown, her eyes closed, her slender body hideous and distorted. She looked worse than any pregnant woman she had ever seen. As she looked, Melanie’s eyes opened and a soft warm smile lit her face.

«Come in», she invited. «Scarlett, there’s something I want to ask you».

Scarlett entered the room and sat down on the bed. Melanie took Scarlett’s hand.

«Dear», she said, «I’m sorry about the cannon. It’s toward Jonesboro, isn’t it?»

Scarlett said «Um».

«I know how worried you are. I know you wanted to go home last week when you heard about your mother. But you stayed because of me?»

«Yes», said Scarlett ungraciously.

«Scarlett, darling. You’ve been so good to me. No sister can be sweeter or braver. And I love you for it. I’m so sorry. I bother you».

Scarlett stared. Loved her, did she? The fool!

«And Scarlett, I want to ask a very great favor of you. If I die, will you take my baby?»

Melanie’s eyes were wide and bright.

«Will you?»

Scarlett jerked away her hand as fear swamped her.

«Oh, don’t be a goose, Melly. You won’t die. Every woman thinks she’s going to die with her first baby. I know I did».

«No, you didn’t. You’ve never been afraid of anything. You are just saying that to try to cheer me up. I’m not afraid to die but I’m so afraid to leave the baby, if Ashley is… Scarlett, promise me that you’ll take my baby if I die. Then I won’t be afraid. Aunt Pittypat is too old to raise a child and Honey and India are sweet but… I want you to have my baby. Promise me, Scarlett».

«Damn it!» cried Scarlett. «Why do you talk about dying?»

«I’m sorry, dear. But promise me. I think it’ll be today. I’m sure it’ll be today. Please promise me».

«Oh, all right, I promise», said Scarlett, looking down at her in bewilderment.

Was Melanie such a fool she really didn’t know how she loved Ashley? Or did she know everything? Scarlett wanted to ask these questions, but they died on her lips as Melanie took her hand and held it for an instant against her cheek.

«Why do you think it will be today, Melly?»

«I have pains… but not very bad ones».

«You have? Well, why didn’t you call me? I’ll send Prissy for Dr. Meade».

«No, don’t do that yet, Scarlett. You know how busy he is, how busy they all are. Just send word to him that we’ll need him some time today. Send over to Mrs. Meade’s and tell her and ask her to come over and sit with me. She’ll know when to send for him».

«Oh, stop it. You know you need a doctor as much as anybody in the hospital. I’ll send for him right away».

«No, please don’t. Just send for Mrs. Meade. She’ll know».

«All right», said Scarlett.

Chapter XVI

Scarlett dispatched Prissy for Mrs. Meade and sat down with Wade to eat breakfast. But she had no appetite. Coffee was repulsive. Without sugar or cream it was bitter. After one swallow she pushed her cup away. She hated the Yankees because they kept her from real coffee with sugar and cream in it.

Wade was quieter than usual. He ate silently. When he had finished she sent him off to the back yard to play with great relief. She arose and stood irresolutely at the foot of the stairs. She should go up and sit with Melanie but she did not want it.

She sat down on the bottom step of the stairs and tried to compose herself. Why didn’t Mrs. Meade come? And where was Prissy?

She went out onto the front porch and looked for them impatiently. Finally Prissy came into view.

«You’re as slow as molasses in January», snapped Scarlett as Prissy opened the gate. «What did Mrs. Meade say? How soon will she be over here?»

«She wasn’t there», said Prissy.

«Where is she? When will she be home?»

«Well», answered Prissy. «The Cookie says Miss Meade went away early this morning. She won’t come».

Scarlett stared at her and wanted to shake her. Negroes are always proud to bring some evil news.

«Well, don’t stand there like a ninny. Go down to Mrs. Merriwether’s and ask her to come up or send her mammy. Now, hurry».

«They aren’ there, Miss Scarlett. I met Mammy on my way home. I passed some time with her. They all have gone away. The house is locked up. They are in the hospital».

«So that’s where you were so long! Whenever I send you somewhere you go where I tell you and don’t stop to ‘pass some time’ with anybody. Go!»

Who was left in town among their friends who could be helpful? There was Mrs. Elsing. Of course, Mrs. Elsing didn’t like her at all these days but she had always been fond of Melanie.

«Go to Mrs. Elsing’s, and explain everything very carefully and tell her to please come up here. And, Prissy, listen to me. Miss Melly’s baby may come soon and she may need you any minute now. Now hurry!».

«Yes, ma’am», said Prissy and sauntered down the walk at snail’s gait.

«Hurry, you slow poke^[19]!»

«Yes, ma’am».

Prissy quickened her gait infinitesimally and Scarlett went back into the house. She entered Melanie’s room and saw that the breakfast tray was untouched. Melanie lay on her side, her face white.

«Mrs. Meade’s over at the hospital», said Scarlett. «But Mrs. Elsing is coming. Do you feel bad?»

«Not very», lied Melanie. «Scarlett, how long did it take Wade to get born?»

«Less than no time», answered Scarlett. «I was out in the yard and I didn’t hardly have time to get into the house. Mammy said it was scandalous… just like one of the darkies. It’s not really so bad».

«Oh, I know it isn’t. I’m afraid I’m a little coward. Is… is Mrs. Elsing coming right away?»

«Yes, right away», said Scarlett. «I’ll go down and get some fresh water. It’s so hot today».

When an hour had passed she saw Prissy returning slowly.

«Little wench», thought Scarlett savagely.

«Miss Elsing is at the hospital. A lot of wounded soldiers arrived. She says…»

«Never mind what she said», interrupted Scarlett. «Put on a clean apron and go to the hospital. I’m going to give you a note to Dr. Meade, and if he isn’t there, give it to Dr. Jones or any of the other doctors».

«Yes, ma’am».

«And ask any of the gentlemen for news of the fighting. If they don’t know, ask the engineers who brought the wounded in. Ask if they are fighting at Jonesboro or near there».

«God Almighty, Miss Scarlett! The Yankees aren’t at Tara, are they?»

«I don’t know. I’m telling you to ask for news».

«God Almighty, Miss Scarlett! My Ma!»

Prissy began to bawl suddenly, loudly.

«Stop bawling! Miss Melanie will hear you. Now go change your apron, quick».

Melanie asked no questions. She lay upon her back, her face tranquil and sweet. She said,

«It isn’t very bad, really», and Scarlett knew she was lying.

Scarlett looked sharply at the pain-twisted face. She should be here with Melanie at this time. She who had nothing in common with her, who hated her!

«Don’t talk, dear. I know how worried you are. I’m so sorry I’m so much trouble», said Melanie.

Scarlett could not sit still. She walked to the window and looked down the street and came back and sat down again. Then she rose and looked out of the window on the other side of the room.

An hour went by and then another. Melanie’s pains were harder now. Where was Prissy? Why didn’t she come? Why didn’t the doctor come? She went to the window and looked again. At last she saw Prissy. Prissy was coming down the street at a quick trot. Her mouth opened to yell. Scarlett hastily put her finger to her lips.

«I’ll get some cooler water», she said. Then she hastily left the room, closing the door carefully behind her.

Prissy was sitting on the bottom step in the hall.

«They are fighting at Jonesboro, Miss Scarlett! Oh, God, Miss Scarlett! What will happen to Ma? Oh, God, Miss Scarlett! What will happen to us? Oh, God!»

«For God’s sake, hush!» cried Scarlett. «Where’s Dr. Meade? When’s he coming?»

«I did not see him, Miss Scarlett».

«What!»

«No ma’am, he isn’ at the hospital. Miss Merriwether and Miss Elsing aren’t there. A man told me that the doctor was at the depot, but Miss Scarlett, I’m scared to go there».

«What about the other doctors?»

«Miss Scarlett, they did not read the note. They say they have to be with the wounded. They tell me to get some woman to help».

«You say Dr. Meade’s at the depot?»

«Yes, ma’am».

«Now, listen sharp to me. I’m going to get Dr. Meade and I want you to sit by Miss Melanie and do anything she says. Do you hear?»

«Yes, ma’am».

«Wipe your eyes and get a fresh pitcher of water and go on up. Tell her I’ve gone for Dr. Meade».

Scarlett hurried out of the house and into the heat of the sun. The roar of noise grew louder. From the Leyden house down to Five Points, the street seethed with activity. Negroes were running up and down the street, panic in their faces; and on porches, white children sat crying untended. The street was crowded with army wagons and ambulances filled with wounded. In front of the Bonnell house, old Amos stood and he greeted Scarlett.

«Haven’t you gone yet, Miss Scarlett? We are going now. Old Miss is packing her bag».

«Going? Where?»

«God knows, Miss. Somewhere. The Yankees are coming!»

The Yankees were coming! She saw an officer and waved at him.

«Oh, stop! Please, stop!»

«Madam?»

«Tell me, is it true? Are the Yankees coming?»

«I’m afraid so».

«Do you know so?»

«Yes, I know so».

«Are you sure?»

«I’m sure».

«My God! Oh, sir, please, just a minute. What shall we do?»

«Madam, I can’t say. The army is leaving Atlanta soon».

«Going off and leaving us to the Yankees?»

«I’m afraid so».

The Yankees were coming. The army was leaving. The Yankees were coming. What should she do? Where should she run? No, she couldn’t run. There was Melanie back there in the bed expecting that baby. Oh, why did women have babies? She must find Dr. Meade and make him come home with her.

She pushed her way swiftly through the crowds, past the hysterical mob, toward the depot. As she walked, feverish hands plucked at her skirt and voices croaked: «Lady… water! Please, lady, water! For Christ’s sake, water!»

She stepped over dead men, over men who lay with hands clutched to bellies.

«Water! Water!»

She looked at the group of men and cried as loudly as she could:

«Dr. Meade! Is Dr. Meade there?»

From the group one man came toward her. It was the doctor. He was coatless and his sleeves were rolled up to his shoulders. His shirt and trousers were as red as a butcher’s. But his voice was calm and decisive.

«Thank God, you are here. I can use every pair of hands. Hurry, child! Come here».

She picked up her skirts and went to him.

«Oh, Doctor!» she cried. «You must come. Melanie is having her baby».

He looked at her calmly. She shook the doctor’s arm.

«It’s Melanie. The baby. Doctor, you must come. She… the… Please, Doctor!»

«A baby? Great God!» thundered the doctor. «Are you crazy? I can’t leave these men. They are dying, hundreds of them. I can’t leave them for a damned baby. Get some woman to help you».

«No, you must come, Doctor! She’ll die if you don’t come!»

He shook off her hand roughly.

«Die? Yes, they’ll all die… all these men. No bandages, no salves, no quinine, no chloroform. Oh, God! Just a little morphia for the worst ones. Just a little chloroform. God damn the Yankees! God damn the Yankees!»

Scarlett began to cry. The doctor isn’t coming with her. Melanie will die. The doctor isn’t coming.

«Doctor! Please!»

Dr. Meade bit his lip.

«Child, I’ll try. I can’t promise you. But I’ll try. The Yankees are coming and the troops are moving out of town. I don’t know what they’ll do with the wounded. There aren’t any trains. The Macon line has been captured. But I’ll try. Don’t bother me. It’snot difficult: just tie up the cord”.

The man at her feet looked up at Scarlett compassionately. She turned away, for the doctor had forgotten her.

She went back. Home! She wanted to be at home, Yankees or no Yankees. Home, even if Ellen was sick.

When she came in sight of the house, she saw Wade. When he saw her, he began to cry.

«Hurt!» he sobbed and showed her the hurt finger. «Hurt!»

«Hush! Hush! Hush! Or I’ll spank you».

«Wade is hungry», he sobbed and put the hurt finger in his mouth.

«I don’t care. Go in the back yard».

Prissy came down the stairs.

«Will he come?»

«No. He can’t come».

«God, Miss Scarlett! Miss Melly is very bad!»

«The doctor can’t come. Nobody can come. You’ll bring the baby and I’ll help you».

Prissy’s mouth opened and her tongue wagged wordlessly. She looked at Scarlett.

«Don’t look so simple minded!» cried Scarlett. «What’s the matter?»

«Miss Scarlett… «Fright and shame were in her eyes.

«Well?»

«For God, Miss Scarlett! We need a doctor. Ah… Ah… Miss Scarlett, I don’t know anything about babies».

«You black liar… what do you mean? You said you knew everything about them! What is the truth? Tell me!»

«I was lying, Miss Scarlett! I don’t know why».

Scarlett glared at Prissy and she slapped the black cheek with all the force in her tired arm. Prissy screamed, and began to dance up and down. As she screamed, Melanie’s voice, weak and trembling, called:

«Scarlett? Is it you? Please come! Please!»

Scarlett tried to think of all the things Mammy and Ellen had done for her when Wade was born. She spoke to Prissy rapidly,

«Build a fire in the stove and keep hot water boiling in the kettle. And bring up all the towels you can find. And get me the scissors. Get them and get them quick. Now hurry».

Chapter XVII

It was all over. Melanie was not dead and the small baby boy who made noises like a young kitten was receiving his first bath at Prissy’s hands. Melanie was asleep. How could she sleep after that nightmare? Why wasn’t she dead? When it was over, Melanie whispered weakly: «Thank you». And then she went to sleep. How could she go to sleep?

Scarlett forgot everything. Her mind was a vacuum; the world was a vacuum. She heard her own breath. She heard sounds of feet upstairs and thought «May the Lord damn Prissy», before her eyes closed and something like sleep descended upon her.

«We did it, Miss Scarlett. Ma couldn’t do better».

From the shadows, Scarlett glared at her. And the Yankees wanted to free the negroes! Well, the Yankees were welcome to them.

She lay back against the pillar in silence. Scarlett heard the sound of faint voices from up the road. Soldiers! She sat up slowly and called to them.

«Oh, please!»

A shadow came to the gate.

«Are you going? Are you leaving us?»

«Yes, Ma’am. That’s what we’re doing».

«Are you… is the army really retreating?»

«Yes, Ma’am. You see, the Yankees are coming».

The Yankees are coming! She had forgotten that. Her throat suddenly contracted and she could say nothing more. The Yankees are coming! The Yankees are coming!

«The Yankees are coming!» bawled Prissy. «Oh, Miss Scarlett, they’ll kill us all! They’ll…»

«Oh, hush!»

What to do? How to escape? Suddenly she thought of Rhett Butler. She hated him, but he was strong and smart and he wasn’t afraid of the Yankees. And he was still in town. Of course, she was mad at him. But he had a horse and carriage, too. He can take them all away from this doomed place, away from the Yankees, somewhere, anywhere.

She turned to Prissy.

«You know where Captain Butler lives… at the Atlanta Hotel?»

«Yes ma’am, but…»

«Well, go there, now, as quick as you can run and tell him I want him. I want him to come quickly and bring his horse and carriage. Tell him about the baby. Tell him I want him to take us out of here. Go, now. Hurry!»

«God Almighty, Miss Scarlett! I’m scared to go in the dark! The Yankees can catch me. And if Captain Butler isn’t at the hotel?»

«Then ask where he is. Haven’t you any gumption? If he isn’t at the hotel, go to the barrooms on Decatur Street and ask for him. Go to Belle Watling’s house. You fool, don’t you see that if you don’t hurry and find him the Yankees will surely get us all?»

«Miss Scarlett!»

Scarlett pushed her.

«You can stand outside in the street and yell for him, can’t you? Or ask somebody if he’s inside. Go».

Scarlett gave her another push.

«You’ll go or I’ll sell you. You’ll never see your mother again or anybody you know. Hurry!»

«God Almighty, Miss Scarlett…»

«Run, you goose!» Scarlett cried.

She knew she should go upstairs and sit beside Melanie. Melanie is very weak. But this idea was repulsive to her. She never wanted to see that room again. She sat down on the steps in the circle of faint light.

Suddenly she saw a faint glow above the trees. It puzzled her. It grew brighter. The dark sky became pink and then dull red, and suddenly above the trees, she saw a huge tongue of flame. She jumped to her feet.

The Yankees have come! They are burning the town. The world became an inferno of noise and flame. Torrents of sparks shot to the sky and descended slowly, lazily. She had no time for Melanie now.

Prissy entered the room.

«The Yankees… «cried Scarlett.

«No ma’am, its our gentlemen!» yelled Prissy. «They are burning the depots and the factory, Miss Scarlett, Jesus, what to do?»

She began yelping again. The Yankees haven’t come yet! There is still time to get away!

Scarlett took Prissy by the shoulders and shook her.

«Shut up. The Yankees haven’t come, you fool! Did you see Captain Butler? What did he say? Is he coming?»

«Yes ma’am. But he doesn’t have a horse at the moment».

«Dear God in Heaven!»

«But he will come».

«What did he say?»

«He will find a horse somewhere and bring it here».

«He is coming? He’s going to bring a horse?»

«So he says».

A smart man, Rhett. She will forgive him everything if he gets them out of this mess. Escape! And with Rhett she will have no fear. Rhett will protect them. Thank God for Rhett!

«Wake Wade up and dress him and pack some clothes for all of us. Put them in the small trunk. And don’t tell Miss Mellie we’re going. Not yet. But wrap the baby in a couple of thick towels and pack his clothes».

Soon she saw Rhett as he came toward her. His dress was debonaire, well-tailored white linen coat and trousers, embroidered gray watered-silk waistcoat.

«Good evening», he said, in his drawling voice, as he removed his hat. «Fine weather, isn’t it? I hear you’re going to take a trip».

«If you make any jokes, I shall never speak to you again», Scarlett said.

«Don’t tell me you are frightened!» He smiled.

«Yes, I am! I’m frightened to death and you’ll be frightened too. We must get out of here».

«At your service, Madam. But where do you want to go? You can’t go north or east or south or west. The Yankees are all around. There’s just one road out of town which the Yankees haven’t got yet and the army is retreating by that road. And that road won’t be open long. If you follow the army down the McDonough road, they’ll take the horse away from you. I had a lot of trouble stealing it. Where are you going?»

«I’m going home», she said.

«Home? You mean to Tara?»

«Yes, yes! To Tara! Oh, Rhett, we must hurry!»

He looked at her.

«Tara? God Almighty, Scarlett! Don’t you know they fought all day at Jonesboro? You can’t go home! You can’t go right through the Yankee army!»

«I will go home!» she cried. «I will! I will!»

«You little fool», and his voice was swift and rough. «You can’t go that way. Our troops are retreating from Jonesboro. They’ll take the horse away from you as quickly as the Yankees will. Your only chance is to follow the troops down the McDonough road and pray that they won’t see you in the dark. You can’t go to Tara. I won’t let you go home. It’s insanity».

«I will go home!» she cried. «I will go home! You can’t stop me! I will go home! I want my mother! I’ll kill you if you try to stop me! I will go home!»

She beat on his chest with her fists and screamed again:

«I will! I will!»

«Darling», he said softly. «Don’t cry. You’ll go home, my brave little girl. Don’t cry. Now, be a good child and tell me what to do. Where is the heroic young woman who assured me she feared neither God nor man?»

He suddenly burst into laughter.

«I’m not afraid», she said.

Melanie lay quietly. Her face was deathly white.

«We are going home, to Tara», Scarlett explained rapidly. «The Yankees are coming. Rhett is going to take us. It’s the only way, Melly».

With all the speed the horse could summon, they jolted and bounced across the street. As they dashed down the street and bumped over the railroad tracks, Rhett applied the whip automatically. His face looked set and absent.

They pulled into a side street, then another, then turned and twisted from one narrow street to another. Still Rhett did not speak. The red glow in the sky was fading now and the road became dark and frightening. But he did not speak.

Scarlett thanked Heaven. It was so good to have a man beside her.

«Oh, Rhett», she whispered, «what would we do without you? I’m so glad you aren’t in the army!»

Finally Rhett turned the horse right and after a while they were on a wider, smoother road.

«We’re out of town now», said Rhett briefly, «and on the main road to Rough and Ready».

«Hurry. Don’t stop!»

«Let the animal breathe a bit». Then turning to her, he asked slowly: «Scarlett, do you still want to try to get through to Tara? It’s suicidal. Steve Lee’s cavalry and the Yankee Army are between you and Tara».

They left the wagon.

«Oh, yes! Yes! Please, Rhett, let’s hurry. The horse isn’t tired».

«Just a minute. You can’t go down to Jonesboro on this road. You can’t follow the train tracks. Do you know any other roads don’t go through Rough and Ready or Jonesboro?»

«Oh, yes», cried Scarlett in relief. «I know a wagon trace. Pa and I used to ride it. It is only a mile from Tara».

«Good. Maybe you can get through there».

«I can get through?»

«Yes, you». His voice was rough.

«But Rhett… And you?»

«No. I’m leaving you here».

She looked around wildly. Had she gone crazy? Was she not hearing right?

He was grinning now. She could just see his white teeth.

«Leaving us? Where… where are you going?»

«I am going, dear girl, with the army».

She sighed with relief and irritation. Why did he joke at this time? Rhett in the army!

«Don’t joke! Let’s get on».

«I’m not joking, my dear. Scarlett, where is your patriotism, your love for Our Glorious Cause?».

He was jeering at her and, somehow, she knew he was jeering at himself too. What was he talking about? Patriotism? It wasn’t possible that he meant what he was saying.

«Rhett, you are joking!»

She grabbed his arm. He raised her hand and kissed it arily.

«Oh, Rhett», she wailed, «how can you do this to me? Why are you leaving me?»

«Why?» he laughed jauntily. «Because, perhaps, of the sentimentality that lurks in all of us Southerners. Perhaps… perhaps because I am ashamed. Who knows? I’m off to the wars».

He kissed her and his mustache tickled her mouth. Charles had never kissed her like this. He bent her body backward and his lips traveled down her throat.

«Sweet», he whispered. «Sweet».

«Oh, you cad!» she cried. «You low-down, cowardly, nasty, stinking man!»

«Ah», he said quietly.

«They were right! Everybody was right! You aren’t a gentleman!»

«My dear girl», he said, «how inadequate».

She knew he was laughing.

«Go on! Go on now! I want you to hurry. I don’t want to ever see you again!»

«Good-bye, Scarlett».

He was gone. She could hear the sound of his feet for a while and then they died away. She came slowly back to the wagon.