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\/>\n\u3000\u201cNawsuh\uff1b\u3000Ah\u3000din\u2019\u3000notice\u3000y\u2019all\u3000say\u3000anything\u3000ter\u3000mek\u3000her\u3000mad\u3002\u3000Look\u3000ter\u3000me\u3000lak\u3000she\u3000sho\u3000glad\u3000ter\u3000see\u3000you\u3000an\u2019\u3000sho\u3000had\u3000missed\u3000you\uff1b\u3000an\u2019\u3000she\u3000cheep\u3000along\u3000happy\u3000as\u3000a\u3000bird\uff1b\u3000tell\u3000\u2018bout\u3000de\u3000time\u3000y\u2019all\u3000got\u3000ter\u3000talkin\u2019\u3000\u2018bout\u3000Mist\u2019\u3000Ashley\u3000an\u2019\u3000Miss\u3000Melly\u3000Hamilton\u3000gittin\u2019\u3000mah\u2019ied\u3002\u3000Den\u3000she\u3000quiet\u3000down\u3000lak\u3000a\u3000bird\u3000w\u2019en\u3000de\u3000hawk\u3000fly\u3000ober\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000twins\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000each\u3000other\u3000and\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000but\u3000without\u3000comprehension\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Drill\u3000always\u3000ended\u3000in\u3000the\u3000saloons\u3000of\u3000Jonesboro\uff1b\u3000and\u3000by\u3000nightfall\u3000so\u3000many\u3000fights\u3000had\u3000broken\u3000out\u3000that\u3000the\u3000officers\u3000were\u3000hard\u3000put\u3000to\u3000ward\u3000off\u3000casualties\u3000until\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000could\u3000inflict\u3000them\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000during\u3000one\u3000of\u3000these\u3000brawls\u3000that\u3000Stuart\u3000Tarleton\u3000had\u3000shot\u3000Cade\u3000Calvert\u3000and\u3000Tony\u3000Fontaine\u3000had\u3000shot\u3000Brent\u3002\u3000The\u3000twins\u3000had\u3000been\u3000at\u3000home\uff1b\u3000freshly\u3000expelled\u3000from\u3000the\u3000University\u3000of\u3000Virginia\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000time\u3000the\u3000Troop\u3000was\u3000organized\u3000and\u3000they\u3000had\u3000joined\u3000enthusiastically\uff1b\u3000but\u3000after\u3000the\u3000shooting\u3000episode\uff1b\u3000two\u3000months\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000their\u3000mother\u3000had\u3000packed\u3000them\u3000off\u3000to\u3000the\u3000state\u3000university\uff1b\u3000with\u3000orders\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000there\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000sorely\u3000missed\u3000the\u3000excitement\u3000of\u3000the\u3000drills\u3000while\u3000away\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000counted\u3000education\u3000well\u3000lost\u3000if\u3000only\u3000they\u3000could\u3000ride\u3000and\u3000yell\u3000and\u3000shoot\u3000off\u3000rifles\u3000in\u3000the\u3000company\u3000of\u3000their\u3000friends\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cWell\uff1b\u3000it\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u3000be\u3000right\u3000to\u3000make\u3000Jeems\u3000face\u3000what\u3000we\u3000don\u2019t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000face\u3002\u3000We\u2019ll\u3000have\u3000to\u3000take\u3000him\u3002\u3000But\uff1b\u3000look\uff1b\u3000you\u3000impudent\u3000black\u3000fool\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000put\u3000on\u3000any\u3000airs\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Wynder\u3000darkies\u3000and\u3000hint\u3000that\u3000we\u3000all\u3000the\u3000time\u3000have\u3000fried\u3000chicken\u3000and\u3000ham\uff1b\u3000while\u3000they\u3000don\u2019t\u3000have\u3000nothing\u3000but\u3000rabbit\u3000and\u3000possum\uff1b\u3000I\u2019ll\u2014I\u2019ll\u3000tell\u3000Ma\u3002\u3000And\u3000we\u3000won\u2019t\u3000let\u3000you\u3000go\u3000to\u3000the\u3000war\u3000with\u3000us\uff1b\u3000either\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cAirs\uff1f\u3000Me\u3000put\u3000on\u3000airs\u3000fo\u2019\u3000dem\u3000cheap\u3000niggers\uff1f\u3000Nawsuh\uff1b\u3000Ah\u3000got\u3000better\u3000manners\u3002\u3000Ain\u2019\u3000Miss\u3000Beetriss\u3000taught\u3000me\u3000manners\u3000same\u3000as\u3000she\u3000taught\u3000y\u2019all\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cShe\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000do\u3000a\u3000very\u3000good\u3000job\u3000on\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000three\u3000of\u3000us\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Stuart\u3002\u3000\u201cCome\u3000on\uff1b\u3000let\u2019s\u3000get\u3000going\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000He\u3000backed\u3000his\u3000big\u3000red\u3000horse\u3000and\u3000then\uff1b\u3000putting\u3000spurs\u3000to\u3000his\u3000side\uff1b\u3000lifted\u3000him\u3000easily\u3000over\u3000the\u3000split\u3000rail\u3000fence\u3000into\u3000the\u3000soft\u3000field\u3000of\u3000Gerald\u3000O\u2019Hara\u2019s\u3000plantation\u3002\u3000Brent\u2019s\u3000horse\u3000followed\u3000and\u3000then\u3000Jeems\u2019\uff1b\u3000with\u3000Jeems\u3000clinging\u3000to\u3000pommel\u3000and\u3000mane\u3002\u3000Jeems\u3000did\u3000not\u3000like\u3000to\u3000jump\u3000fences\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000had\u3000jumped\u3000higher\u3000ones\u3000than\u3000this\u3000in\u3000order\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000up\u3000with\u3000his\u3000masters\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000heard\u3000Mammy\u2019s\u3000lumbering\u3000tread\u3000shaking\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hall\u3000and\u3000she\u3000hastily\u3000untucked\u3000her\u3000foot\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000rearrange\u3000her\u3000face\u3000in\u3000more\u3000placid\u3000lines\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000never\u3000do\u3000for\u3000Mammy\u3000to\u3000suspe         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            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\/>\n\u3000\u201cIs\u3000de\u3000gempmum\u3000gone\uff1f\u3000Huccome\u3000you\u3000din\u2019\u3000ast\u3000dem\u3000ter\u3000stay\u3000fer\u3000supper\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Scarlett\uff1f\u3000Ah\u3000done\u3000tole\u3000Poke\u3000ter\u3000lay\u3000two\u3000extry\u3000plates\u3000fer\u3000dem\u3002\u3000Whar\u2019s\u3000yo\u2019\u3000manners\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000I\u3000was\u3000so\u3000tired\u3000of\u3000hearing\u3000them\u3000talk\u3000about\u3000the\u3000war\u3000that\u3000I\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000have\u3000endured\u3000it\u3000through\u3000supper\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000with\u3000Pa\u3000joining\u3000in\u3000and\u3000shouting\u3000about\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Lincoln\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYou\u3000ain\u201d\u3000got\u3000no\u3000mo\u2019\u3000manners\u3000dan\u3000a\u3000fe\u2019el\u3000han\u2019\uff1b\u3000an\u2019\u3000affer\u3000Miss\u3000Ellen\u3000an\u2019\u3000me\u3000done\u3000labored\u3000wid\u3000you\u3002\u3000An\u2019\u3000hyah\u3000you\u3000is\u3000widout\u3000yo\u2019\u3000shawl\uff01\u3000An\u2019\u3000de\u3000night\u3000air\u3000fixin\u2019\u3000ter\u3000set\u3000in\uff01\u3000Ah\u3000done\u3000tole\u3000you\u3000an\u2019\u3000tole\u3000you\u3000\u2018bout\u3000gittin\u2019\u3000fever\u3000frum\u3000settin\u2019\u3000in\u3000de\u3000night\u3000air\u3000wid\u3000nuthin\u2019\u3000on\u3000yo\u2019\u3000shoulders\u3002\u3000Come\u3000on\u3000in\u3000de\u3000house\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Scarlett\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000turned\u3000away\u3000from\u3000Mammy\u3000with\u3000studied\u3000nonchalance\uff1b\u3000thankful\u3000that\u3000her\u3000face\u3000had\u3000been\u3000unnoticed\u3000in\u3000Mammy\u2019s\u3000preoccupation\u3000with\u3000the\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000the\u3000shawl\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cNo\uff1b\u3000I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000here\u3000and\u3000watch\u3000the\u3000sunset\u3002\u3000It\u2019s\u3000so\u3000pretty\u3002\u3000You\u3000run\u3000get\u3000my\u3000shawl\u3002\u3000Please\uff1b\u3000Mammy\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000sit\u3000here\u3000till\u3000Pa\u3000comes\u3000home\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYo\u2019\u3000voice\u3000soun\u2019\u3000lak\u3000you\u3000catchin\u2019\u3000a\u3000cole\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Mammy\u3000suspiciously\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWell\uff1b\u3000I\u2019m\u3000not\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Scarlett\u3000Impatiently\u3002\u3000\u201cYou\u3000fetch\u3000me\u3000my\u3000shawl\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Mammy\u3000waddled\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hall\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\u3000heard\u3000her\u3000call\u3000softly\u3000up\u3000the\u3000stairwell\u3000to\u3000the\u3000upstairs\u3000maid\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYou\uff1b\u3000Rosa\uff01\u3000Drap\u3000me\u3000Miss\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000shawl\u3002\u201d\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000more\u3000loudly\uff1a\u3000\u201cWuthless\u3000nigger\uff01\u3000She\u3000ain\u2019\u3000never\u3000whar\u3000she\u3000does\u3000nobody\u3000no\u3000good\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000Ah\u3000got\u3000ter\u3000climb\u3000up\u3000an\u2019\u3000git\u3000it\u3000mahseff\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3000groan\u3000and\u3000she\u3000got\u3000softly\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\u3002\u3000When\u3000Mammy\u3000returned\u3000she\u3000would\u3000resume\u3000her\u3000lecture\u3000on\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000breach\u3000of\u3000hospitality\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\u3000felt\u3000that\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000endure\u3000prating\u3000about\u3000such\u3000a\u3000trivial\u3000matter\u3000when\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000was\u3000breaking\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000stood\uff1b\u3000hesitant\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000where\u3000she\u3000could\u3000hide\u3000until\u3000the\u3000ache\u3000in\u3000her\u3000breast\u3000subsided\u3000a\u3000little\uff1b\u3000a\u3000thought\u3000came\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000bringing\u3000a\u3000small\u3000ray\u3000of\u3000hope\u3002\u3000Her\u3000father\u3000had\u3000ridden\u3000over\u3000to\u3000Twelve\u3000Oaks\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Wilkes\u3000plantation\uff1b\u3000that\u3000afternoon\u3000to\u3000offer\u3000to\u3000buy\u3000Dilcey\uff1b\u3000the\u3000broad\u3000wife\u3000of\u3000his\u3000valet\uff1b\u3000Pork\u3002\u3000Dilcey\u3000was\u3000head\u3000woman\u3000and\u3000midwife\u3000at\u3000Twelve\u3000Oaks\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000since\u3000the\u3000marriage\u3000six\u3000months\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000Pork\u3000had\u3000deviled\u3000his\u3000master\u3000night\u3000and\u3000day\u3000to\u3000buy\u3000Dilcey\uff1b\u3000so\u3000the\u3000two\u3000could\u3000live\u3000on\u3000the\u3000same\u3000plantation\u3002\u3000That\u3000afternoon\uff1b\u3000Gerald\uff1b\u3000his\u3000resistance\u3000worn\u3000thin\uff1b\u3000had\u3000set\u3000out\u3000to\u3000make\u3000an\u3000offer\u3000for\u3000Dilcey\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000The\u3000dark\u3000cedars\u3000on\u3000either\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000graveled\u3000drive\u3000met\u3000in\u3000an\u3000arch\u3000overhead\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000the\u3000long\u3000avenue\u3000into\u3000a\u3000dim\u3000tunnel\u3002\u3000As\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000she\u3000was\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000gnarled\u3000arms\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cedars\uff1b\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000was\u3000safe\u3000from\u3000observation\u3000from\u3000the\u3000house\u3000and\u3000she\u3000slowed\u3000her\u3000swift\u3000pace\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000panting\uff1b\u3000for\u3000her\u3000stays\u3000were\u3000laced\u3000too\u3000tightly\u3000to\u3000permit\u3000much\u3000running\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000walked\u3000on\u3000as\u3000rapidly\u3000as\u3000she\u3000could\u3002\u3000Soon\u3000she\u3000was\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000driveway\u3000and\u3000out\u3000on\u3000the\u3000main\u3000road\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000did\u3000not\u3000stop\u3000until\u3000she\u3000had\u3000rounded\u3000a\u3000curve\u3000that\u3000put\u3000a\u3000large\u3000clump\u3000of\u3000trees\u3000between\u3000her\u3000and\u3000the\u3000house\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000it\u3000can\u2019t\u3000be\u3000true\uff01\u201d\u3000she\u3000thought\u3002\u3000\u201cWhy\u3000doesn\u2019t\u3000he\u3000come\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Her\u3000eyes\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000winding\u3000road\uff1b\u3000blood\u2026red\u3000now\u3000after\u3000the\u3000morning\u3000rain\u3002\u3000In\u3000her\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000traced\u3000its\u3000course\u3000as\u3000it\u3000ran\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hill\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sluggish\u3000Flint\u3000River\uff1b\u3000through\u3000the\u3000tangled\u3000swampy\u3000bottoms\u3000and\u3000up\u3000the\u3000next\u3000hill\u3000to\u3000Twelve\u3000Oaks\u3000where\u3000Ashley\u3000lived\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000all\u3000the\u3000road\u3000meant\u3000now\u2014a\u3000road\u3000to\u3000Ashley\u3000and\u3000the\u3000beautiful\u3000white\u2026columned\u3000house\u3000that\u3000crowned\u3000the\u3000hill\u3000like\u3000a\u3000Greek\u3000Temple\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000He\u3000was\u3000courteous\u3000always\uff1b\u3000but\u3000aloof\uff1b\u3000remote\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000could\u3000ever\u3000tell\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000thinking\u3000about\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000least\u3000of\u3000all\u3002\u3000In\u3000a\u3000neighborhood\u3000where\u3000everyone\u3000said\u3000exactly\u3000what\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Ashley\u2019s\u3000quality\u3000of\u3000reserve\u3000was\u3000exasperating\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000as\u3000proficient\u3000as\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\u3000young\u3000men\u3000in\u3000the\u3000usual\u3000County\u3000diversions\uff1b\u3000hunting\uff1b\u3000gambling\uff1b\u3000dancing\u3000and\u3000politics\uff1b\u3000and\u3000was\u3000the\u3000best\u3000rider\u3000of\u3000them\u3000all\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000differed\u3000from\u3000all\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000in\u3000that\u3000these\u3000pleasant\u3000activities\u3000were\u3000not\u3000the\u3000end\u3000and\u3000aim\u3000of\u3000life\u3000to\u3000him         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000him\u3002\u3000And\u3000he\u3000stood\u3000alone\u3000in\u3000his\u3000interest\u3000in\u3000books\u3000and\u3000music\u3000and\u3000his\u3000fondness\u3000for\u3000writing\u3000poetry\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000For\u3000Ashley\u3000was\u3000born\u3000of\u3000a\u3000line\u3000of\u3000men\u3000who\u3000used\u3000their\u3000leisure\u3000for\u3000thinking\uff1b\u3000not\u3000doing\uff1b\u3000for\u3000spinning\u3000brightly\u3000colored\u3000dreams\u3000that\u3000had\u3000in\u3000them\u3000no\u3000touch\u3000of\u3000reality\u3002\u3000He\u3000moved\u3000in\u3000an\u3000inner\u3000world\u3000that\u3000was\u3000more\u3000beautiful\u3000than\u3000Georgia\u3000and\u3000came\u3000back\u3000to\u3000reality\u3000with\u3000reluctance\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000on\u3000people\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000neither\u3000liked\u3000nor\u3000disliked\u3000them\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000on\u3000life\u3000and\u3000was\u3000neither\u3000heartened\u3000nor\u3000saddened\u3002\u3000He\u3000accepted\u3000the\u3000universe\u3000and\u3000his\u3000place\u3000in\u3000it\u3000for\u3000what\u3000they\u3000were\u3000and\uff1b\u3000shrugging\uff1b\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000his\u3000music\u3000and\u3000books\u3000and\u3000his\u3000better\u3000world\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Why\u3000he\u3000should\u3000have\u3000captivated\u3000Scarlett\u3000when\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000was\u3000a\u3000stranger\u3000to\u3000hers\u3000she\u3000did\u3000not\u3000know\u3002\u3000The\u3000very\u3000mystery\u3000of\u3000him\u3000excited\u3000her\u3000curiosity\u3000like\u3000a\u3000door\u3000that\u3000had\u3000neither\u3000lock\u3000nor\u3000key\u3002\u3000The\u3000things\u3000about\u3000him\u3000which\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000understand\u3000only\u3000made\u3000her\u3000love\u3000him\u3000more\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000odd\uff1b\u3000restrained\u3000courtship\u3000only\u3000served\u3000to\u3000increase\u3000her\u3000determination\u3000to\u3000have\u3000him\u3000for\u3000her\u3000own\u3002\u3000That\u3000he\u3000would\u3000propose\u3000some\u3000day\u3000she\u3000had\u3000never\u3000doubted\uff1b\u3000for\u3000she\u3000was\u3000too\u3000young\u3000and\u3000too\u3000spoiled\u3000ever\u3000to\u3000have\u3000known\u3000defeat\u3002\u3000And\u3000now\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000thunderclap\uff1b\u3000had\u3000come\u3000this\u3000horrible\u3000news\u3002\u3000Ashley\u3000to\u3000marry\u3000Melanie\uff01\u3000It\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000be\u3000true\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000Why\uff1b\u3000only\u3000last\u3000week\uff1b\u3000when\u3000they\u3000were\u3000riding\u3000home\u3000at\u3000twilight\u3000from\u3000Fairhill\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000said\uff1a\u3000\u201cScarlett\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000something\u3000so\u3000important\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000that\u3000I\u3000hardly\u3000know\u3000how\u3000to\u3000say\u3000it\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000had\u3000cast\u3000down\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000demurely\uff1b\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000beating\u3000with\u3000wild\u3000pleasure\uff1b\u3000thinking\u3000the\u3000happy\u3000moment\u3000had\u3000come\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000had\u3000said\uff1a\u3000\u201cNot\u3000now\uff01\u3000We\u2019re\u3000nearly\u3000home\u3000and\u3000there\u3000isn\u2019t\u3000time\u3002\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000what\u3000a\u3000coward\u3000I\u3000am\uff01\u201d\u3000And\u3000putting\u3000spurs\u3000to\u3000his\u3000horse\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000raced\u3000her\u3000up\u3000the\u3000hill\u3000to\u3000Tara\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000sitting\u3000on\u3000the\u3000stump\uff1b\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000those\u3000words\u3000which\u3000had\u3000made\u3000her\u3000so\u3000happy\uff1b\u3000and\u3000suddenly\u3000they\u3000took\u3000on\u3000another\u3000meaning\uff1b\u3000a\u3000hideous\u3000meaning\u3002\u3000Suppose\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000news\u3000of\u3000his\u3000engagement\u3000he\u3000had\u3000intended\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000her\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000if\u3000Pa\u3000would\u3000only\u3000come\u3000home\uff01\u3000She\u3000could\u3000not\u3000endure\u3000the\u3000suspense\u3000another\u3000moment\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000impatiently\u3000down\u3000the\u3000road\u3000again\uff1b\u3000and\u3000again\u3000she\u3000was\u3000disappointed\u3002\u3000The\u3000sun\u3000was\u3000now\u3000below\u3000the\u3000horizon\u3000and\u3000the\u3000red\u3000glow\u3000at\u3000the\u3000rim\u3000of\u3000the\u3000world\u3000faded\u3000into\u3000pink\u3002\u3000The\u3000sky\u3000above\u3000turned\u3000slowly\u3000from\u3000azure\u3000to\u3000the\u3000delicate\u3000blue\u2026green\u3000of\u3000a\u3000robin\u2019s\u3000egg\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000unearthly\u3000stillness\u3000of\u3000rural\u3000twilight\u3000came\u3000stealthily\u3000down\u3000about\u3000her\u3002\u3000Shadowy\u3000dimness\u3000crept\u3000over\u3000the\u3000countryside\u3002\u3000The\u3000red\u3000furrows\u3000and\u3000the\u3000gashed\u3000red\u3000road\u3000lost\u3000their\u3000magical\u3000blood\u3000color\u3000and\u3000became\u3000plain\u3000brown\u3000earth\u3002\u3000Across\u3000the\u3000road\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000pasture\uff1b\u3000the\u3000horses\uff1b\u3000mules\u3000and\u3000cows\u3000stood\u3000quietly\u3000with\u3000heads\u3000over\u3000the\u3000split\u2026rail\u3000fence\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000to\u3000be\u3000driven\u3000to\u3000the\u3000stables\u3000and\u3000supper\u3002\u3000They\u3000did\u3000not\u3000like\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000shade\u3000of\u3000the\u3000thickets\u3000hedging\u3000the\u3000pasture\u3000creek\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000twitched\u3000their\u3000ears\u3000at\u3000Scarlett\u3000as\u3000if\u3000appreciative\u3000of\u3000human\u3000companionship\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000In\u3000the\u3000strange\u3000half\u2026light\uff1b\u3000the\u3000tall\u3000pines\u3000of\u3000the\u3000river\u3000swamp\uff1b\u3000so\u3000warmly\u3000green\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sunshine\uff1b\u3000were\u3000black\u3000against\u3000the\u3000pastel\u3000sky\uff1b\u3000an\u3000impenetrable\u3000row\u3000of\u3000black\u3000giants\u3000hiding\u3000the\u3000slow\u3000yellow\u3000water\u3000at\u3000their\u3000feet\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000hill\u3000across\u3000the\u3000river\uff1b\u3000the\u3000tall\u3000white\u3000chimneys\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Wilkes\uff1b\u3000home\u3000faded\u3000gradually\u3000into\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3000of\u3000the\u3000thick\u3000oaks\u3000surrounding\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000only\u3000far\u2026off\u3000pin\u3000points\u3000of\u3000supper\u3000lamps\u3000showed\u3000that\u3000a\u3000house\u3000was\u3000here\u3002\u3000The\u3000warm\u3000damp\u3000balminess\u3000of\u3000spring\u3000encompassed\u3000her\u3000sweetly\u3000with\u3000the\u3000moist\u3000smells\u3000of\u3000new\u2026plowed\u3000earth\u3000and\u3000all\u3000the\u3000fresh\u3000green\u3000things\u3000pushing\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000air\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Sunset\u3000and\u3000spring\u3000and\u3000new\u2026fledged\u3000greenery\u3000were\u3000no\u3000miracle\u3000to\u3000Scarlett\u3002\u3000Their\u3000beauty\u3000she\u3000accepted\u3000as\u3000casually\u3000as\u3000the\u3000air\u3000she\u3000breathed\u3000and\u3000the\u3000water\u3000she\u3000drank\uff1b\u3000for\u3000she\u3000had\u3000never\u3000consciously\u3000seen\u3000beauty\u3000in\u3000anything\u3000bat\u3000women\u2019s\u3000faces\uff1b\u3000horses\uff1b\u3000silk\u3000dresses\u3000and\u3000like\u3000tangible\u3000things\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000the\u3000serene\u3000half\u2026light\u3000over\u3000Tara\u2019s\u3000well\u2026kept\u3000acres\u3000brought\u3000a\u3000measure\u3000of\u3000quiet\u3000to\u3000her\u3000disturbed\u3000mind\u3002\u3000She\u3000loved\u3000this\u3000land\u3000so\u3000much\uff1b\u3000without\u3000even\u3000knowing\u3000she\u3000loved\u3000it\uff1b\u3000loved\u3000it\u3000as\u3000she\u3000loved\u3000her\u3000mother\u2019s\u3000face\u3000under\u3000the\u3000lamp\u3000at\u3000prayer\u3000time\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Still\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000Gerald\u3000on\u3000the\u3000quiet\u3000winding\u3000road\u3002\u3000If\u3000she\u3000had\u3000to\u3000wait\u3000much\u3000longer\uff1b\u3000Mammy\u3000would\u3000certainly\u3000come\u3000in\u3000search\u3000of\u3000her\u3000and\u3000bully\u3000her\u3000into\u3000the\u3000house\u3002\u3000But\u3000even\u3000as\u3000she\u3000strained\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000down\u3000the\u3000darkening\u3000road\uff1b\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000pounding\u3000of\u3000hooves\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pasture\u3000hill\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000horses\u3000and\u3000cows\u3000scatter\u3000in\u3000fright\u3002\u3000Gerald\u3000O\u2019Hara\u3000was\u3000coming\u3000home\u3000across\u3000country\u3000and\u3000at\u3000top\u3000speed\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000wonder\u3000why\u3000he\u3000always\u3000wants\u3000to\u3000jump\u3000fences\u3000when\u3000he\u2019s\u3000had\u3000a\u3000few\u3000drinks\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000thought\u3002\u3000\u201cAnd\u3000after\u3000that\u3000fall\u3000he\u3000had\u3000right\u3000here\u3000last\u3000year\u3000when\u3000he\u3000broke\u3000his\u3000knee\u3002\u3000You\u2019d\u3000think\u3000he\u2019d\u3000learn\u3002\u3000Especially\u3000when\u3000he\u3000promised\u3000Mother\u3000on\u3000oath\u3000he\u2019d\u3000never\u3000jump\u3000again\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000There\u3000was\u3000indignation\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hoarse\u3000bass\u3000voice\u3000but\u3000also\u3000a\u3000wheedling\u3000note\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\u3000teasingly\u3000clicked\u3000her\u3000tongue\u3000against\u3000her\u3000teeth\u3000as\u3000she\u3000reached\u3000out\u3000to\u3000pull\u3000his\u3000cravat\u3000into\u3000place\u3002\u3000His\u3000breath\u3000in\u3000her\u3000face\u3000was\u3000strong\u3000with\u3000Bourbon\u3000whisky\u3000mingled\u3000with\u3000a\u3000faint\u3000fragrance\u3000of\u3000mint\u3002\u3000Accompanying\u3000him\u3000also\u3000were\u3000the\u3000smells\u3000of\u3000chewing\u3000tobacco\uff1b\u3000well\u2026oiled\u3000leather\u3000and\u3000horses\u2014a\u3000combination\u3000of\u3000odors\u3000that\u3000she\u3000always\u3000associated\u3000with\u3000her\u3000father\u3000and\u3000instinctively\u3000liked\u3000in\u3000other\u3000men\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Gerald\u3000was\u3000a\u3000small\u3000man\uff1b\u3000little\u3000more\u3000than\u3000five\u3000feet\u3000tall\uff1b\u3000but\u3000so\u3000heavy\u3000of\u3000barrel\u3000and\u3000thick\u3000of\u3000neck\u3000that\u3000his\u3000appearance\uff1b\u3000when\u3000seated\uff1b\u3000led\u3000strangers\u3000to\u3000think\u3000him\u3000a\u3000larger\u3000man\u3002\u3000His\u3000thickset\u3000torso\u3000was\u3000supported\u3000by\u3000short\u3000sturdy\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000always\u3000incased\u3000in\u3000the\u3000finest\u3000leather\u3000boots\u3000procurable\u3000and\u3000always\u3000planted\u3000wide\u3000apart\u3000like\u3000a\u3000swaggering\u3000small\u3000boy\u2019s\u3002\u3000Most\u3000small\u3000people\u3000who\u3000take\u3000themselves\u3000seriously\u3000are\u3000a\u3000little\u3000ridiculous\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000bantam\u3000cock\u3000is\u3000respected\u3000in\u3000the\u3000barnyard\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000it\u3000was\u3000with\u3000Gerald\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000would\u3000ever\u3000have\u3000the\u3000temerity\u3000to\u3000think\u3000of\u3000Gerald\u3000O\u2019Hara\u3000as\u3000a\u3000ridiculous\u3000little\u3000figure\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000He\u3000was\u3000sixty\u3000years\u3000old\u3000and\u3000his\u3000crisp\u3000curly\u3000hair\u3000was\u3000silver\u2026white\uff1b\u3000but\u3000his\u3000shrewd\u3000face\u3000was\u3000unlined\u3000and\u3000his\u3000hard\u3000little\u3000blue\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000young\u3000with\u3000the\u3000unworried\u3000youthfulness\u3000of\u3000one\u3000who\u3000has\u3000never\u3000taxed\u3000his\u3000brain\u3000with\u3000problems\u3000more\u3000abstract\u3000than\u3000how\u3000many\u3000cards\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000in\u3000a\u3000poker\u3000game\u3002\u3000His\u3000was\u3000as\u3000Irish\u3000a\u3000face\u3000as\u3000could\u3000be\u3000found\u3000in\u3000the\u3000length\u3000and\u3000breadth\u3000of\u3000the\u3000homeland\u3000he\u3000had\u3000left\u3000so\u3000long\u3000ago\u2014round\uff1b\u3000high\u3000colored\uff1b\u3000short\u3000nosed\uff1b\u3000wide\u3000mouthed\u3000and\u3000belligerent\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Beneath\u3000his\u3000choleric\u3000exterior\u3000Gerald\u3000O\u2019Hara\u3000had\u3000the\u3000tenderest\u3000of\u3000hearts\u3002\u201d\u3000He\u3000could\u3000not\u3000bear\u3000to\u3000see\u3000a\u3000slave\u3000pouting\u3000under\u3000a\u3000re         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000Beneath\u3000his\u3000choleric\u3000exterior\u3000Gerald\u3000O\u2019Hara\u3000had\u3000the\u3000tenderest\u3000of\u3000hearts\u3002\u201d\u3000He\u3000could\u3000not\u3000bear\u3000to\u3000see\u3000a\u3000slave\u3000pouting\u3000under\u3000a\u3000reprimand\uff1b\u3000ho\u3000matter\u3000how\u3000well\u3000deserved\uff1b\u3000or\u3000hear\u3000a\u3000kitten\u3000mewing\u3000or\u3000a\u3000child\u3000crying\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000had\u3000a\u3000horror\u3000of\u3000having\u3000this\u3000weakness\u3000discovered\u3002\u3000That\u3000everyone\u3000who\u3000met\u3000him\u3000did\u3000discover\u3000his\u3000kindly\u3000heart\u3000within\u3000five\u3000minutes\u3000was\u3000unknown\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000vanity\u3000would\u3000have\u3000suffered\u3000tremendously\u3000if\u3000he\u3000had\u3000found\u3000it\u3000out\uff1b\u3000for\u3000he\u3000liked\u3000to\u3000think\u3000that\u3000when\u3000he\u3000bawled\u3000orders\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000everyone\u3000trembled\u3000and\u3000obeyed\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000never\u3000occurred\u3000to\u3000him\u3000that\u3000only\u3000one\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000obeyed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000plantation\u2014the\u3000soft\u3000voice\u3000of\u3000his\u3000wife\u3000Ellen\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000he\u3000would\u3000never\u3000learn\uff1b\u3000for\u3000everyone\u3000from\u3000Ellen\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000stupidest\u3000field\u3000hand\u3000was\u3000in\u3000a\u3000tacit\u3000and\u3000kindly\u3000conspiracy\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000him\u3000believing\u3000that\u3000his\u3000word\u3000was\u3000law\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Moreover\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000and\u3000her\u3000father\u3000were\u3000bound\u3000together\u3000by\u3000a\u3000mutual\u3000suppression\u3000agreement\u3002\u3000If\u3000Gerald\u3000caught\u3000her\u3000climbing\u3000a\u3000fence\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000walking\u3000half\u3000a\u3000mile\u3000to\u3000a\u3000gate\uff1b\u3000or\u3000sitting\u3000too\u3000late\u3000on\u3000the\u3000front\u3000steps\u3000with\u3000a\u3000beau\uff1b\u3000he\u3000castigated\u3000her\u3000personally\u3000and\u3000with\u3000vehemence\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000did\u3000not\u3000mention\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000to\u3000Ellen\u3000or\u3000to\u3000Mammy\u3002\u3000And\u3000when\u3000Scarlett\u3000discovered\u3000him\u3000jumping\u3000fences\u3000after\u3000his\u3000solemn\u3000promise\u3000to\u3000his\u3000wife\uff1b\u3000or\u3000learned\u3000the\u3000exact\u3000amount\u3000of\u3000his\u3000losses\u3000at\u3000poker\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000always\u3000did\u3000from\u3000County\u3000gossip\uff1b\u3000she\u3000refrained\u3000from\u3000mentioning\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000at\u3000the\u3000supper\u3000table\u3000in\u3000the\u3000artfully\u3000artless\u3000manner\u3000Suellen\u3000had\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000and\u3000her\u3000father\u3000each\u3000assured\u3000the\u3000other\u3000solemnly\u3000that\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000such\u3000matters\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ears\u3000of\u3000Ellen\u3000would\u3000only\u3000hurt\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000nothing\u3000would\u3000induce\u3000them\u3000to\u3000wound\u3000her\u3000gentleness\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000her\u3000father\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fading\u3000light\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000without\u3000knowing\u3000why\uff1b\u3000she\u3000found\u3000it\u3000comforting\u3000to\u3000be\u3000in\u3000his\u3000presence\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000something\u3000vital\u3000and\u3000earthy\u3000and\u3000coarse\u3000about\u3000him\u3000that\u3000appealed\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000Being\u3000the\u3000least\u3000analytic\u3000of\u3000people\uff1b\u3000she\u3000did\u3000not\u3000realize\u3000that\u3000this\u3000was\u3000because\u3000she\u3000possessed\u3000in\u3000some\u3000degree\u3000these\u3000same\u3000qualities\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000sixteen\u3000years\u3000of\u3000effort\u3000on\u3000the\u3000part\u3000of\u3000Ellen\u3000and\u3000Mammy\u3000to\u3000obliterate\u3000them\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYou\u3000look\u3000very\u3000presentable\u3000now\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u201cand\u3000I\u3000don\u2019t\u3000think\u3000anyone\u3000will\u3000suspect\u3000you\u2019ve\u3000been\u3000up\u3000to\u3000your\u3000tricks\u3000unless\u3000you\u3000brag\u3000about\u3000them\u3002\u3000But\u3000it\u3000does\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000me\u3000that\u3000after\u3000you\u3000broke\u3000your\u3000knee\u3000last\u3000year\uff1b\u3000jumping\u3000that\u3000same\u3000fence\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWell\uff1b\u3000may\u3000I\u3000be\u3000damned\u3000if\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000have\u3000me\u3000own\u3000daughter\u3000telling\u3000me\u3000what\u3000I\u3000shall\u3000jump\u3000and\u3000not\u3000jump\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000her\u3000cheek\u3000another\u3000pinch\u3002\u3000\u201cIt\u2019s\u3000me\u3000own\u3000neck\uff1b\u3000so\u3000it\u3000is\u3002\u3000And\u3000besides\uff1b\u3000Missy\uff1b\u3000what\u3000are\u3000you\u3000doing\u3000out\u3000here\u3000without\u3000your\u3000shawl\uff1f\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cBought\u3000her\u3000I\u3000did\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000price\u3000has\u3000ruined\u3000me\u3002\u3000Bought\u3000her\u3000and\u3000her\u3000little\u3000wench\uff1b\u3000Prissy\u3002\u3000John\u3000Wilkes\u3000was\u3000for\u3000almost\u3000giving\u3000them\u3000away\uff1b\u3000but\u3000never\u3000will\u3000I\u3000have\u3000it\u3000said\u3000that\u3000Gerald\u3000O\u2019Hara\u3000used\u3000friendship\u3000in\u3000a\u3000trade\u3002\u3000I\u3000made\u3000him\u3000take\u3000three\u3000thousand\u3000for\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cIn\u3000the\u3000name\u3000of\u3000Heaven\uff1b\u3000Pa\uff1b\u3000three\u3000thousand\uff01\u3000And\u3000you\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000need\u3000to\u3000buy\u3000Prissy\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cHas\u3000the\u3000time\u3000come\u3000when\u3000me\u3000own\u3000daughters\u3000sit\u3000in\u3000judgment\u3000on\u3000me\uff1f\u201d\u3000shouted\u3000Gerald\u3000rhetorically\u3002\u3000\u201cPrissy\u3000is\u3000a\u3000likely\u3000little\u3000wench\u3000and\u3000so\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000know\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u2019s\u3000a\u3000sly\uff1b\u3000stupid\u3000creature\uff1b\u201d\u3000Scarlett\u3000rejoined\u3000calmly\uff1b\u3000unimpressed\u3000by\u3000his\u3000uproar\u3002\u3000\u201cAnd\u3000the\u3000only\u3000reason\u3000you\u3000bought\u3000her\u3000was\u3000because\u3000Dilcey\u3000asked\u3000you\u3000to\u3000buy\u3000her\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Gerald\u3000looked\u3000crestfallen\u3000and\u3000embarrassed\uff1b\u3000as\u3000always\u3000when\u3000caught\u3000in\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000deed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\u3000laughed\u3000outright\u3000at\u3000his\u3000transparency\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cWe\u2019ll\u3000be\u3000going\u3000in\u3000to\u3000supper\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000all\u3000this\u3000is\u3000between\u3000us\u3002\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000not\u3000be\u3000worrying\u3000your\u3000mother\u3000with\u3000this\u2014nor\u3000do\u3000you\u3000do\u3000it\u3000either\u3002\u3000Blow\u3000your\u3000nose\uff1b\u3000daughter\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cMr\u3002\u3000O\u2019Hara\uff1b\u201d\u3000called\u3000Ellen\u3000as\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000two\u3000coming\u3000up\u3000the\u3000driveway\u2014Ellen\u3000belonged\u3000to\u3000a\u3000generation\u3000that\u3000was\u3000formal\u3000even\u3000after\u3000seventeen\u3000years\u3000of\u3000wedlock\u3000and\u3000the\u3000bearing\u3000of\u3000six\u3000children\u2014\u201dMr\u3002\u3000O\u2019Hara\uff1b\u3000there\u3000is\u3000illness\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Slattery\u3000house\u3002\u3000Emmie\u2019s\u3000baby\u3000has\u3000been\u3000born\u3000and\u3000is\u3000dying\u3000and\u3000must\u3000be\u3000baptized\u3002\u3000I\u3000am\u3000going\u3000there\u3000with\u3000Mammy\u3000to\u3000see\u3000what\u3000I\u3000can\u3000do\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Her\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000raised\u3000questioningly\uff1b\u3000as\u3000though\u3000she\u3000hung\u3000on\u3000Gerald\u2019s\u3000assent\u3000to\u3000her\u3000plan\uff1b\u3000a\u3000mere\u3000formality\u3000but\u3000one\u3000dear\u3000to\u3000the\u3000heart\u3000of\u3000Gerald\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cIn\u3000the\u3000name\u3000of\u3000God\uff01\u201d\u3000blustered\u3000Gerald\u3002\u3000\u201cWhy\u3000should\u3000those\u3000white\u3000trash\u3000take\u3000you\u3000away\u3000just\u3000at\u3000your\u3000supper\u3000hour\u3000and\u3000just\u3000when\u3000I\u2019m\u3000wanting\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000about\u3000the\u3000war\u3000talk\u3000that\u2019s\u3000going\u3000on\u3000in\u3000Atlanta\uff01\u3000Go\uff1b\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000O\u2019Hara\u3002\u3000You\u2019d\u3000not\u3000rest\u3000easy\u3000on\u3000your\u3000pillow\u3000the\u3000night\u3000if\u3000there\u3000was\u3000trouble\u3000abroad\u3000and\u3000you\u3000not\u3000there\u3000to\u3000help\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000In\u3000spite\u3000of\u3000her\u3000choked\u2026back\u3000tears\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000thrilled\u3000to\u3000the\u3000never\u2026failing\u3000magic\u3000of\u3000her\u3000mother\u2019s\u3000touch\uff1b\u3000to\u3000the\u3000faint\u3000fragrance\u3000of\u3000lemon\u3000verbena\u3000sachet\u3000that\u3000came\u3000from\u3000her\u3000rustling\u3000silk\u3000dress\u3002\u3000To\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000something\u3000breath\u2026taking\u3000about\u3000Ellen\u3000O\u2019Hara\uff1b\u3000a\u3000miracle\u3000that\u3000lived\u3000in\u3000the\u3000house\u3000with\u3000her\u3000and\u3000awed\u3000her\u3000and\u3000charmed\u3000and\u3000soothed\u3000her\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cIf\u3000I\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000do\u3000so\u3000much\u3000for\u3000those\u3000trashy\u3000Slatterys\u3000that\u3000they\u2019d\u3000have\u3000to\u3000pay\u3000money\u3000for\u3000elsewhere\uff1b\u201d\u3000fumed\u3000Gerald\uff1b\u3000\u201cthey\u2019d\u3000be\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000sell\u3000me\u3000their\u3000miserable\u3000few\u3000acres\u3000of\u3000swamp\u3000bottom\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000County\u3000would\u3000be\u3000well\u3000rid\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u201d\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000brightening\uff1b\u3000in\u3000anticipation\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000practical\u3000jokes\uff1a\u3000\u201cCome\u3000daughter\uff1b\u3000let\u2019s\u3000go\u3000tell\u3000Pork\u3000that\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000buying\u3000Dilcey\uff1b\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000sold\u3000him\u3000to\u3000John\u3000Wilkes\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000It\u3000had\u3000always\u3000been\u3000so\u3000soothing\u3000to\u3000Scarlett\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000her\u3000mother\u3000whisper\uff1b\u3000firmly\u3000but\u3000compassionately\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000tiptoed\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hall\uff1a\u3000\u201cHush\uff1b\u3000not\u3000so\u3000loudly\u3002\u3000You\u3000will\u3000wake\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000O\u2019Hara\u3002\u3000They\u3000are\u3000not\u3000sick\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000die\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000good\u3000to\u3000creep\u3000back\u3000into\u3000bed\u3000and\u3000know\u3000that\u3000Ellen\u3000was\u3000abroad\u3000in\u3000the\u3000night\u3000and\u3000everything\u3000was\u3000right\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000But\u3000that\u3000was\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000Gerald\uff1b\u3000overwhelmed\u3000at\u3000his\u3000unbelievable\u3000luck\u3000in\u3000actually\u3000marrying\u3000her\u3002\u3000And\u3000if\u3000anything\u3000was\u3000gone\u3000from\u3000her\uff1b\u3000he\u3000never\u3000missed\u3000it\u3002\u3000Shrewd\u3000man\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000no\u3000less\u3000than\u3000a\u3000miracle\u3000that\u3000he\uff1b\u3000an\u3000Irishman\u3000with\u3000nothing\u3000of\u3000family\u3000and\u3000wealth\u3000to\u3000recommend\u3000him\uff1b\u3000should\u3000win\u3000the\u3000daughter\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wealthies         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000with\u3000nothing\u3000of\u3000family\u3000and\u3000wealth\u3000to\u3000recommend\u3000him\uff1b\u3000should\u3000win\u3000the\u3000daughter\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wealthiest\u3000and\u3000proudest\u3000families\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Coast\u3002\u3000For\u3000Gerald\u3000was\u3000a\u3000self\u2026made\u3000man\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000<br 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\/>\n\u3000For\u3000this\u3000and\u3000other\u3000reasons\uff1b\u3000Gerald\u2019s\u3000family\u3000was\u3000not\u3000inclined\u3000to\u3000view\u3000the\u3000fatal\u3000outcome\u3000of\u3000this\u3000quarrel\u3000as\u3000anything\u3000very\u3000serious\uff1b\u3000except\u3000for\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000charged\u3000with\u3000serious\u3000consequences\u3002\u3000For\u3000years\uff1b\u3000the\u3000O\u2019Haras\u3000had\u3000been\u3000in\u3000bad\u3000odor\u3000with\u3000the\u3000English\u3000constabulary\u3000on\u3000account\u3000of\u3000suspected\u3000activities\u3000against\u3000the\u3000government\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Gerald\u3000was\u3000not\u3000the\u3000first\u3000O\u2019Hara\u3000to\u3000take\u3000his\u3000foot\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000quit\u3000Ireland\u3000between\u3000dawn\u3000and\u3000morning\u3002\u3000His\u3000two\u3000oldest\u3000brothers\uff1b\u3000James\u3000and\u3000Andrew\uff1b\u3000he\u3000hardly\u3000remembered\uff1b\u3000save\u3000as\u3000close\u2026lipped\u3000youths\u3000who\u3000came\u3000and\u3000went\u3000at\u3000odd\u3000hours\u3000of\u3000the\u3000night\u3000on\u3000mysterious\u3000errands\u3000or\u3000disappeared\u3000for\u3000weeks\u3000at\u3000a\u3000time\uff1b\u3000to\u3000their\u3000mother\u2019s\u3000gnawing\u3000anxiety\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000come\u3000to\u3000America\u3000years\u3000before\uff1b\u3000after\u3000the\u3000discovery\u3000of\u3000a\u3000small\u3000arsenal\u3000of\u3000rifles\u3000buried\u3000under\u3000the\u3000O\u2019Hara\u3000pigsty\u3002\u3000Now\u3000they\u3000were\u3000successful\u3000merchants\u3000in\u3000Savannah\uff1b\u3000\u201cthough\u3000the\u3000dear\u3000God\u3000alone\u3000knows\u3000where\u3000that\u3000may\u3000be\uff1b\u201d\u3000as\u3000their\u3000mother\u3000always\u3000interpolated\u3000when\u3000mentioning\u3000the\u3000two\u3000oldest\u3000of\u3000her\u3000male\u3000brood\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000to\u3000them\u3000that\u3000young\u3000Gerald\u3000was\u3000sent\u3002<br 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        <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            ut\u3000having\u3000that\u3000ambition\u3000and\u3000bringing\u3000it\u3000to\u3000realization\u3000were\u3000two\u3000different\u3000matters\uff1b\u3000he\u3000discovered\u3000as\u3000time\u3000went\u3000by\u3002\u3000Coastal\u3000Georgia\u3000was\u3000too\u3000firmly\u3000held\u3000by\u3000an\u3000entrenched\u3000aristocracy\u3000for\u3000him\u3000ever\u3000to\u3000hope\u3000to\u3000win\u3000the\u3000place\u3000he\u3000intended\u3000to\u3000have\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000The\u3000Slatterys\u3000were\u3000another\u3000affair\u3002\u3000Being\u3000poor\u3000white\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000not\u3000even\u3000accorded\u3000the\u201d\u3000grudging\u3000respect\u3000that\u3000Angus\u3000Macintosh\u2019s\u3000dour\u3000independence\u3000wrung\u3000from\u3000neighboring\u3000families\u3002\u3000Old\u3000Slattery\uff1b\u3000who\u3000clung\u3000persistently\u3000to\u3000his\u3000few\u3000acres\uff1b\u3000in\u3000spite\u3000of\u3000repeated\u3000offers\u3000from\u3000Gerald\u3000and\u3000John\u3000Wilkes\uff1b\u3000was\u3000shiftless\u3000and\u3000whining\u3002\u3000His\u3000wife\u3000was\u3000a\u3000snarly\u2026haired\u3000woman\uff1b\u3000sickly\u3000and\u3000washed\u2026out\u3000of\u3000appearance\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mother\u3000of\u3000a\u3000brood\u3000of\u3000sullen\u3000and\u3000rabbity\u2026looking\u3000children\u2014a\u3000brood\u3000which\u3000was\u3000increased\u3000regularly\u3000every\u3000year\u3002\u3000Tom\u3000Slattery\u3000owned\u3000no\u3000slaves\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000and\u3000his\u3000two\u3000oldest\u3000boys\u3000spasmodically\u3000worked\u3000their\u3000few\u3000acres\u3000of\u3000cotton\uff1b\u3000while\u3000the\u3000wife\u3000and\u3000younger\u3000children\u3000tended\u3000what\u3000was\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000vegetable\u3000garden\u3002\u3000But\uff1b\u3000somehow\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cotton\u3000always\u3000failed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000garden\uff1b\u3000due\u3000to\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Slattery\u2019s\u3000constant\u3000childbea         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            n\u3002\u3000But\uff1b\u3000somehow\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cotton\u3000always\u3000failed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000garden\uff1b\u3000due\u3000to\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Slattery\u2019s\u3000constant\u3000childbearing\uff1b\u3000seldom\u3000furnished\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000feed\u3000her\u3000flock\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cAnd\u3000me\u3000in\u3000me\u3000prime\uff01\u201d\u3000cried\u3000Gerald\u3000stung\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000James\u3000spoke\u3000gently\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cJerry\uff1b\u3000there\u2019s\u3000no\u3000girl\u3000in\u3000Savannah\u3000you\u2019d\u3000have\u3000less\u3000chance\u3000of\u3000marrying\u3002\u3000Her\u3000father\u3000is\u3000a\u3000Robillard\uff1b\u3000and\u3000those\u3000Fren         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000\u201cAnd\u3000me\u3000in\u3000me\u3000prime\uff01\u201d\u3000cried\u3000Gerald\u3000stung\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000James\u3000spoke\u3000gently\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000She\u3000had\u3000left\u3000not\u3000only\u3000that\u3000graceful\u3000dwelling\u3000but\u3000also\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000civilization\u3000that\u3000was\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000building\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000found\u3000herself\u3000in\u3000a\u3000world\u3000that\u3000was\u3000as\u3000strange\u3000and\u3000different\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she\u3000had\u3000crossed\u3000a\u3000continent\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Ellen\u3000never\u3000would\uff1b\u3000or\u3000could\uff1b\u3000quite\u3000become\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u2014she\u3000had\u3000left\u3000too\u3000much\u3000of\u3000herself\u3000in\u3000Savannah\u2014but\u3000she\u3000respected\u3000them\u3000and\uff1b\u3000in\u3000time\uff1b\u3000learned\u3000to\u3000admire\u3000the\u3000frankness\u3000and\u3000forthrightness\u3000of\u3000these\u3000people\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000few\u3000reticences\u3000and\u3000who\u3000valued\u3000a\u3000man\u3000for\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000When\u3000Scarlett\u3000was\u3000a\u3000year\u3000old\uff1b\u3000and\u3000more\u3000healthy\u3000and\u3000vigorous\u3000than\u3000a\u3000girl\u3000baby\u3000had\u3000any\u3000right\u3000to\u3000be\uff1b\u3000in\u3000Mammy\u2019s\u3000opinion\uff1b\u3000Ellen\u2019s\u3000second\u3000child\uff1b\u3000named\u3000Susan\u3000Elinor\uff1b\u3000but\u3000always\u3000called\u3000Suellen\uff1b\u3000was\u3000born\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000due\u3000time\u3000came\u3000Carreen\uff1b\u3000listed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000family\u3000Bible\u3000as\u3000Caroline\u3000Irene\u3002\u3000Then\u3000followed\u3000three\u3000little\u3000boys\uff1b\u3000each\u3000of\u3000whom\u3000died\u3000before\u3000he\u3000had\u3000learned\u3000to\u3000walk\u2014three\u3000little\u3000boys\u3000who\u3000now\u3000lay\u3000under\u3000the\u3000twisted\u3000cedars\u3000in\u3000the\u3000burying\u3000ground\u3000a\u3000hundred\u3000yards\u3000from\u3000the\u3000house\uff1b\u3000beneath\u3000three\u3000stones\uff1b\u3000each\u3000bearing\u3000the\u3000name\u3000of\u3000\u201cGerald\u3000O\u2019Hara\uff1b\u3000Jr\u3002\u201d<br 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l\uff1b\u3000but\uff1b\u3000after\u3000marriage\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000expected\u3000to\u3000manage\u3000households\u3000that\u3000numbered\u3000a\u3000hundred\u3000people\u3000or\u3000more\uff1b\u3000white\u3000and\u3000black\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000were\u3000trained\u3000with\u3000that\u3000in\u3000view\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Ellen\u3000had\u3000been\u3000given\u3000this\u3000preparation\u3000for\u3000marriage\u3000which\u3000any\u3000well\u2026brought\u2026up\u3000young\u3000lady\u3000received\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000also\u3000had\u3000Mammy\uff1b\u3000who\u3000could\u3000galvanize\u3000the\u3000most\u3000shiftless\u3000negro\u3000into\u3000energy\u3002\u3000She\u3000quickly\u3000brought\u3000order\uff1b\u3000dignity\u3000and\u3000grace\u3000into\u3000Gerald\u2019s\u3000household\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000gave\u3000Tara\u3000a\u3000beauty\u3000it\u3000had\u3000never\u3000had\u3000before\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Ellen\u3000closed\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000began\u3000praying\uff1b\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000rising\u3000and\u3000falling\uff1b\u3000lulling\u3000and\u3000soothing\u3002\u3000Heads\u3000bowed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000circle\u3000of\u3000yellow\u3000light\u3000as\u3000Ellen\u3000thanked\u3000God\u3000for\u3000the\u3000health\u3000and\u3000happiness\u3000of\u3000her\u3000home\uff1b\u3000her\u3000family\u3000and\u3000her\u3000negroes\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000When\u3000she\u3000had\u3000finished\u3000her\u3000prayers\u3000for\u3000those\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000roof\u3000of\u3000Tara\uff1b\u3000her\u3000father\uff1b\u3000mother\uff1b\u3000sisters\uff1b\u3000three\u3000dead\u3000babies\u3000and\u3000\u201call\u3000the\u3000poor\u3000souls\u3000in\u3000Purgatory\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000clasped\u3000her\u3000white\u3000beads\u3000between\u3000         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            e\u3000poor\u3000souls\u3000in\u3000Purgatory\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000clasped\u3000her\u3000white\u3000beads\u3000between\u3000long\u3000fingers\u3000and\u3000began\u3000the\u3000Rosary\uff1b\u3000like\u3000the\u3000rushing\u3000of\u3000a\u3000soft\u3000wind\uff1b\u3000the\u3000responses\u3000from\u3000black\u3000throats\u3000and\u3000white\u3000throats\u3000rolled\u3000back\uff1a<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cHoly\u3000Mary\uff1b\u3000Mother\u3000of\u3000God\uff1b\u3000pray\u3000for\u3000us\u3000sinners\uff1b\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000at\u3000the\u3000hour\u3000of\u3000our\u3000death\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Despite\u3000her\u3000heartache\u3000and\u3000the\u3000pain\u3000of\u3000unshed\u3000tears\uff1b\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000quiet\u3000and\u3000peace\u3000fell\u3000upon\u3000Scarlett\u3000as\u3000it\u3000always\u3000did\u3000at\u3000this\u3000hour\u3002\u3000Some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000disappointment\u3000of\u3000the\u3000day\u3000and\u3000the\u3000dread\u3000of\u3000the\u3000morrow\u3000departed\u3000from\u3000her\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000a\u3000feeling\u3000of\u3000hope\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000not\u3000the\u3000lifting\u3000up\u3000of\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000to\u3000God\u3000that\u3000brought\u3000this\u3000balm\uff1b\u3000for\u3000religion\u3000went\u3000no\u3000more\u3000than\u3000lip\u3000deep\u3000with\u3000her\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000her\u3000mother\u2019s\u3000serene\u3000face\u3000upturned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000throne\u3000of\u3000God\u3000and\u3000His\u3000saints\u3000and\u3000angels\uff1b\u3000praying\u3000for\u3000blessings\u3000on\u3000those\u3000whom\u3000she\u3000loved\u3002\u3000When\u3000Ellen\u3000intervened\u3000with\u3000Heaven\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000felt\u3000certain\u3000that\u3000Heaven\u3000heard\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000She\u3000almost\u3000gasped\u3000aloud\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shock\u3000of\u3000its\u3000unexpectedness\u3002\u3000Her\u3000mind\u3000stood\u3000still\u3000as\u3000if\u3000paralyzed\u3000for\u3000a\u3000long\uff1b\u3000breathless\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000raced\u3000forward\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cHow\u3000could\u3000he\u3000know\uff1f\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000always\u3000acted\u3000so\u3000prissy\u3000and\u3000ladylike\u3000and\u3000touch\u2026me\u2026not\u3000around\u3000him\u3000he\u3000probably\u3000thinks\u3000I\u3000don\u2019t\u3000care\u3000a\u3000thing\u3000about\u3000him\u3000except\u3000as\u3000a\u3000friend\u3002\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000that\u2019s\u3000why\u3000he\u2019s\u3000never\u3000spoken\uff01\u3000He\u3000thinks\u3000his\u3000love\u3000is\u3000hopeless\u3002\u3000And\u3000that\u2019s\u3000why\u3000he\u2019s\u3000looked\u3000so\u2014\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000Her\u3000volatile\u3000spirits\u3000shot\u3000up\u3000from\u3000deepest\u3000depression\u3000to\u3000excited\u3000happiness\u3002\u3000This\u3000was\u3000the\u3000answer\u3000to\u3000Ashley\u2019s\u3000reticence\uff1b\u3000to\u3000his\u3000strange\u3000conduct\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000know\uff01\u3000Her\u3000vanity\u3000leaped\u3000to\u3000the\u3000aid\u3000of\u3000her\u3000desire\u3000to\u3000believe\uff1b\u3000making\u3000belief\u3000a\u3000certainty\u3002\u3000If\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000loved\u3000him\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000hasten\u3000to\u3000her\u3000side\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000only\u3000to\u2014<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff01\u201d\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000rapturously\uff1b\u3000digging\u3000her\u3000fingers\u3000into\u3000her\u3000lowered\u3000brow\u3002\u3000\u201cWhat\u3000a\u3000fool\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000been\u3000not\u3000to\u3000think\u3000of\u3000this\u3000till\u3000now\uff01\u3000I\u3000must\u3000think\u3000of\u3000some\u3000way\u3000to\u3000let\u3000him\u3000know\u3002\u3000He\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u3000marry\u3000her\u3000if\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000I\u3000loved\u3000him\uff01\u3000How\u3000could\u3000he\uff1f\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000Even\u3000now\uff1b\u3000it\u3000wasn\u2019t\u3000too\u3000late\uff01\u3000Too\u3000often\u3000the\u3000County\u3000had\u3000been\u3000scandalized\u3000by\u3000elopements\u3000when\u3000one\u3000or\u3000the\u3000other\u3000of\u3000the\u3000participating\u3000parties\u3000was\u3000practically\u3000at\u3000the\u3000altar\u3000with\u3000a\u3000third\u3002\u3000And\u3000Ashley\u2019s\u3000engagement\u3000had\u3000not\u3000even\u3000been\u3000announced\u3000yet\uff01\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000plenty\u3000of\u3000time\uff01<br 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\/>\n\u3000When\u3000the\u3000last\u3000\u201cAmen\u201d\u3000sounded\uff1b\u3000they\u3000all\u3000rose\uff1b\u3000somewhat\u3000stiffly\uff1b\u3000Mammy\u3000being\u3000hauled\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000by\u3000the\u3000combined\u3000efforts\u3000of\u3000Teena\u3000and\u3000Rosa\u3002\u3000Pork\u3000took\u3000a\u3000long\u3000spiller\u3000from\u3000the\u3000mantelpiece\uff1b\u3000lit\u3000it\u3000from\u3000the\u3000lamp\u3000flame\u3000and\u3000went\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hall\u3002\u3000Opposite\u3000the\u3000winding\u3000stair\u3000stood\u3000a\u3000walnut\u3000sideboard\uff1b\u3000too\u3000large\u3000for\u3000use\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dining\u3000room\uff1b\u3000bearing\u3000on\u3000its\u3000wide\u3000top\u3000several\u3000lamps\u3000and\u3000a\u3000long\u3000row\u3000of\u3000candles\u3000in\u3000candlesticks\u3002\u3000Pork\u3000lit\u3000one\u3000lamp\u3000and\u3000three\u3000candles\u3000and\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000pompous\u3000dignity\u3000of\u3000a\u3000first\u3000chamberlain\u3000of\u3000the\u3000royal\u3000bedchamber\u3000lighting\u3000a\u3000king\u3000and\u3000queen\u3000to\u3000their\u3000rooms\uff1b\u3000he\u3000led\u3000the\u3000procession\u3000up\u3000the\u3000stairs\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000light\u3000high\u3000above\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000Ellen\uff1b\u3000on\u3000Gerald\u2019s\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000followed\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000girls\uff1b\u3000each\u3000taking\u3000her\u3000own\u3000candlestick\uff1b\u3000mounted\u3000after\u3000them\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Gerald\u3000exploded\uff1b\u3000\u201cAnd\u3000where\u3000will\u3000I\u3000be\u3000getting\u3000another\u3000overseer\u3000who\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u3000be\u3000cheating\u3000me\u3000out\u3000of\u3000my\u3000eye\u2026teeth\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cHe\u3000must\u3000be\u3000dismissed\uff1b\u3000immediately\uff1b\u3000tomorrow\u3000morning\u3002\u3000Big\u3000Sam\u3000is\u3000a\u3000good\u3000foreman\u3000and\u3000he\u3000can\u3000take\u3000over\u3000the\u3000duties\u3000until\u3000you\u3000can\u3000hire\u3000another\u3000overseer\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cAh\uff1b\u3000ha\uff01\u201d\u3000came\u3000Gerald\u2019s\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u201cSo\uff1b\u3000I\u3000understand\uff01\u3000Then\u3000the\u3000worthy\u3000Jonas\u3000sired\u3000the\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cHe\u3000must\u3000be\u3000dismissed\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cSo\uff1b\u3000he\u3000is\u3000the\u3000father\u3000of\u3000Emmie\u3000Slattery\u2019s\u3000baby\uff1b\u201d\u3000thought\u3000Scarlett\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000well\u3002\u3000What\u3000else\u3000can\u3000you\u3000expect\u3000from\u3000a\u3000Yankee\u3000man\u3000and\u3000a\u3000white\u2026trash\u3000girl\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000after\u3000a\u3000discreet\u3000pause\u3000which\u3000gave\u3000Gerald\u2019s\u3000splutterings\u3000time\u3000to\u3000die\u3000away\uff1b\u3000she\u3000knocked\u3000on\u3000the\u3000door\u3000and\u3000handed\u3000the\u3000dress\u3000to\u3000her\u3000mother\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000First\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000be\u3000\u201cprideful\uff1b\u201d\u3000as\u3000Gerald\u3000had\u3000commanded\u3002\u3000From\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000she\u3000arrived\u3000at\u3000Twelve\u3000Oaks\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000be\u3000her\u3000gayest\uff1b\u3000most\u3000spirited\u3000self\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000would\u3000suspect\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000been\u3000downhearted\u3000because\u3000of\u3000Ashley\u3000and\u3000Melanie\u3002\u3000And\u3000she\u3000would\u3000flirt\u3000with\u3000every\u3000man\u3000there\u3002\u3000That\u3000would\u3000be\u3000cruel\u3000to\u3000Ashley\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000would\u3000make\u3000him\u3000yearn\u3000for\u3000her\u3000all\u3000the\u3000more\u3002\u3000She\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u3000overlook\u3000a\u3000man\u3000of\u3000marriageable\u3000age\uff1b\u3000from\u3000ginger\u2026whiskered\u3000old\u3000Frank\u3000Kennedy\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000Suellen\u2019s\u3000beau\uff1b\u3000on\u3000down\u3000to\u3000shy\uff1b\u3000quiet\uff1b\u3000blushing\u3000Charles\u3000Hamilton\uff1b\u3000Melanie\u2019s\u3000brother\u3002\u3000They\u3000would\u3000swarm\u3000around\u3000her\u3000like\u3000bees\u3000around\u3000a\u3000hive\uff1b\u3000and\u3000certainly\u3000Ashley\u3000would\u3000be\u3000drawn\u3000from\u3000Melanie\u3000to\u3000join\u3000the\u3000circle\u3000of\u3000her\u3000admirers\u3002\u3000Then\u3000somehow\u3000she\u3000would\u3000maneuver\u3000to\u3000get\u3000a\u3000few\u3000minutes\u3000alone\u3000with\u3000him\uff1b\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3002\u3000She\u3000hoped\u3000everything\u3000would\u3000work\u3000out\u3000that\u3000way\uff1b\u3000because\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000more\u3000difficult\u3000otherwise\u3002\u3000But\u3000if\u3000Ashley\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000make\u3000the\u3000first\u3000move\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000simply\u3000have\u3000to\u3000do\u3000it\u3000herself\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000When\u3000they\u3000were\u3000finally\u3000alone\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000fresh\u3000in\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000the\u3000picture\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\u3000men\u3000thronging\u3000about\u3000her\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000newly\u3000impressed\u3000with\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000every\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000wanted\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000look\u3000of\u3000sadness\u3000and\u3000despair\u3000would\u3000be\u3000in\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000would\u3000make\u3000him\u3000happy\u3000again\u3000by\u3000letting\u3000him\u3000discover\u3000that\u3000popular\u3000though\u3000she\u3000was\uff1b\u3000she\u3000preferred\u3000him\u3000above\u3000any\u3000other\u3000man\u3000in\u3000all\u3000the\u3000world\u3002\u3000And\u3000w         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000discover\u3000that\u3000popular\u3000though\u3000she\u3000was\uff1b\u3000she\u3000preferred\u3000him\u3000above\u3000any\u3000other\u3000man\u3000in\u3000all\u3000the\u3000world\u3002\u3000And\u3000when\u3000she\u3000admitted\u3000it\uff1b\u3000modestly\u3000and\u3000sweetly\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000look\u3000a\u3000thousand\u3000things\u3000more\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000do\u3000it\u3000all\u3000in\u3000a\u3000ladylike\u3000way\u3002\u3000She\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u3000even\u3000dream\u3000of\u3000saying\u3000to\u3000him\u3000boldly\u3000that\u3000she\u3000loved\u3000him\u2014that\u3000would\u3000never\u3000do\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000manner\u3000of\u3000telling\u3000him\u3000was\u3000a\u3000detail\u3000that\u3000troubled\u3000her\u3000not\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000managed\u3000such\u3000situations\u3000before\u3000and\u3000she\u3000could\u3000do\u3000it\u3000again\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Lying\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bed\u3000with\u3000the\u3000moonlight\u3000streaming\u3000dimly\u3000over\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000pictured\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000scene\u3000in\u3000her\u3000mind\u3002\u3000She\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000look\u3000of\u3000surprise\u3000and\u3000happiness\u3000that\u3000would\u3000come\u3000over\u3000his\u3000face\u3000when\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000she\u3000really\u3000loved\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000words\u3000he\u3000would\u3000say\u3000asking\u3000her\u3000to\u3000be\u3000his\u3000wife\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Naturally\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000say\u3000then\u3000that\u3000she\u3000simply\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000think\u3000of\u3000marrying\u3000a\u3000man\u3000when\u3000he\u3000was\u3000engaged\u3000to\u3000another\u3000girl\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000would\u3000insist\u3000and\u3000finally\u3000she\u3000would\u3000let\u3000herself\u3000be\u3000persuaded\u3002\u3000Then\u3000they\u3000would\u3000decide\u3000to\u3000run\u3000off\u3000to\u3000Jonesboro\u3000that\u3000very\u3000afternoon\u3000and\u2014<br \/>\n\u3000Why\uff1b\u3000by\u3000this\u3000time\u3000tomorrow\u3000night\uff1b\u3000she\u3000might\u3000be\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Ashley\u3000Wilkes\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000sat\u3000up\u3000in\u3000bed\uff1b\u3000hugging\u3000her\u3000knees\uff1b\u3000and\u3000for\u3000a\u3000long\u3000happy\u3000moment\u3000she\u3000was\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Ashley\u3000Wilkes\u2014Ashley\u2019s\u3000bride\uff01\u3000Then\u3000a\u3000slight\u3000chill\u3000entered\u3000her\u3000heart\u3002\u3000Suppose\u3000it\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000work\u3000out\u3000this\u3000way\uff1f\u3000Suppose\u3000Ashley\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000beg\u3000her\u3000to\u3000run\u3000away\u3000with\u3000him\uff1f\u3000Resolutely\u3000she\u3000pushed\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000from\u3000her\u3000mind\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000won\u2019t\u3000think\u3000of\u3000that\u3000now\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000said\u3000firmly\u3002\u3000\u201cIf\u3000I\u3000think\u3000of\u3000it\u3000now\uff1b\u3000it\u3000will\u3000upset\u3000me\u3002\u3000There\u2019s\u3000no\u3000reason\u3000why\u3000things\u3000won\u2019t\u3000come\u3000out\u3000the\u3000way\u3000I\u3000want\u3000them\u2014if\u3000he\u3000loves\u3000me\u3002\u3000And\u3000I\u3000know\u3000he\u3000does\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000raised\u3000her\u3000chin\u3000and\u3000her\u3000pale\uff1b\u3000black\u2026fringed\u3000eyes\u3000sparkled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000moonlight\u3002\u3000Ellen\u3000had\u3000never\u3000told\u3000her\u3000that\u3000desire\u3000and\u3000attainment\u3000were\u3000two\u3000different\u3000matters\uff1b\u3000life\u3000had\u3000not\u3000taught\u3000her\u3000that\u3000the\u3000race\u3000was\u3000not\u3000to\u3000the\u3000swift\u3002\u3000She\u3000lay\u3000in\u3000the\u3000silvery\u3000shadows\u3000with\u3000courage\u3000rising\u3000and\u3000made\u3000the\u3000plans\u3000that\u3000a\u3000sixteen\u2026year\u2026old\u3000makes\u3000when\u3000life\u3000has\u3000been\u3000so\u3000pleasant\u3000that\u3000defeat\u3000is\u3000an\u3000impossibility\u3000and\u3000a\u3000pretty\u3000dress\u3000and\u3000a\u3000clear\u3000complexion\u3000are\u3000weapons\u3000to\u3000vanquish\u3000fate\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000CHAPTER\u3000V<br 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\/>\n\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000one\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000Scarlett\u3000that\u3000her\u3000own\u3000personality\uff1b\u3000frighteningly\u3000vital\u3000though\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000was\u3000more\u3000attractive\u3000than\u3000any\u3000masquerade\u3000she\u3000might\u3000adopt\u3002\u3000Had\u3000she\u3000been\uff1b\u3000told\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000pleased\u3000but\u3000unbelieving\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000civilization\u3000of\u3000which\u3000she\u3000was\u3000a\u3000part\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000unbelieving\u3000too\uff1b\u3000for\u3000at\u3000no\u3000time\uff1b\u3000before\u3000or\u3000since\uff1b\u3000had\u3000so\u3000low\u3000a\u3000premium\u3000been\u3000placed\u3000on\u3000feminine\u3000naturalness\u3002<br \/>\n         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            ng\u3000too\uff1b\u3000for\u3000at\u3000no\u3000time\uff1b\u3000before\u3000or\u3000since\uff1b\u3000had\u3000so\u3000low\u3000a\u3000premium\u3000been\u3000placed\u3000on\u3000feminine\u3000naturalness\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000<br 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\/>\n\u3000Gerald\uff1b\u3000primed\u3000with\u3000brandy\uff1b\u3000had\u3000given\u3000Jonas\u3000Wilkerson\u3000his\u3000dismissal\u3000that\u3000morning\u3000and\u3000Ellen\u3000had\u3000remained\u3000at\u3000Tara\u3000to\u3000go\u3000over\u3000the\u3000accounts\u3000of\u3000the\u3000plantation\u3000before\u3000he\u3000took\u3000his\u3000departure\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000kissed\u3000her\u3000mother\u3000good\u2026by\u3000in\u3000the\u3000little\u3000office\u3000where\u3000she\u3000sat\u3000before\u3000the\u3000tall\u3000secretary\u3000with\u3000its\u3000paper\u2026stuffed\u3000pigeonholes\u3002\u3000Jonas\u3000Wilkerson\uff1b\u3000hat\u3000in\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000stood\u3000beside\u3000her\uff1b\u3000his\u3000sallow\u3000tight\u2026skinned\u3000face\u3000hardly\u3000concealing\u3000the\u3000fury\u3000of\u3000hate\u3000that\u3000possessed\u3000him\u3000at\u3000being\u3000so\u3000unceremoniously\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000best\u3000overseer\u2019s\u3000job\u3000in\u3000the\u3000County\u3002\u3000And\u3000all\u3000because\u3000of\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000minor\u3000philandering\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000told\u3000Gerald\u3000over\u3000and\u3000over\u3000that\u3000Emmie\u3000Slattery\u2019s\u3000baby\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000fathered\u3000by\u3000any\u3000one\u3000of\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000men\u3000as\u3000easily\u3000as\u3000himself\u2014an\u3000idea\u3000in\u3000which\u3000Gerald\u3000concurred\u2014but\u3000that\u3000had\u3000not\u3000altered\u3000his\u3000case\u3000so\u3000far\u3000as\u3000Ellen\u3000was\u3000concerned\u3002\u3000Jonas\u3000hated\u3000all\u3000Southerners\u3002\u3000He\u3000hated\u3000their\u3000cool\u3000courtesy\u3000to\u3000him\u3000and\u3000their\u3000contempt\u3000for\u3000his\u3000social\u3000status\uff1b\u3000so\u3000inadequately\u3000covered\u3000by\u3000their\u3000courtesy\u3002\u3000He\u3000hated\u3000Ellen\u3000O\u2019Hara\u3000above\u3000anyone\u3000else\uff1b\u3000for\u3000she\u3000was\u3000the\u3000epitome\u3000of\u3000all\u3000that\u3000he\u3000hated\u3000in\u3000Southerners\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Mammy\uff1b\u3000as\u3000head\u3000woman\u3000of\u3000the\u3000plantation\uff1b\u3000had\u3000remained\u3000to\u3000help\u3000Ellen\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000Dilcey\u3000who\u3000rode\u3000on\u3000the\u3000driver\u2019s\u3000seat\u3000beside\u3000Toby\uff1b\u3000the\u3000girls\u2019\u3000dancing\u3000dresses\u3000in\u3000a\u3000long\u3000box\u3000across\u3000her\u3000lap\u3002\u3000Gerald\u3000rode\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000carriage\u3000on\u3000his\u3000big\u3000hunter\uff1b\u3000warm\u3000with\u3000brandy\u3000and\u3000pleased\u3000with\u3000himself\u3000for\u3000having\u3000gotten\u3000through\u3000with\u3000the\u3000unpleasant\u3000business\u3000of\u3000Wilkerson\u3000so\u3000speedily\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000shoved\u3000the\u3000responsibility\u3000onto\u3000Ellen\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000disappointment\u3000at\u3000missing\u3000the\u3000barbecue\u3000and\u3000the\u3000gathering\u3000of\u3000her\u3000friends\u3000did\u3000not\u3000enter\u3000his\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000for\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000fine\u3000spring\u3000day\u3000and\u3000his\u3000fields\u3000were\u3000beautiful\u3000and\u3000the\u3000birds\u3000were\u3000singing\u3000and\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000too\u3000young\u3000and\u3000frolicsome\u3000to\u3000think\u3000of\u3000anyone\u3000else\u3002\u3000Occasionally\u3000he\u3000burst\u3000out\u3000with\u3000\u201cPeg\u3000in\u3000a\u3000Low\u2026backed\u3000Car\u201d\u3000and\u3000other\u3000Irish\u3000ditties\u3000or\u3000the\u3000more\u3000lugubrious\u3000lament\u3000for\u3000Robert\u3000Emmet\uff1b\u3000\u201cShe\u3000is\u3000far\u3000from\u3000the\u3000land\u3000where\u3000her\u3000young\u3000hero\u3000sleeps\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201c\u3000\u2018Tis\u3000the\u3000Tarleton\u3000ladies\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000announced\u3000to\u3000his\u3000daughters\uff1b\u3000his\u3000florid\u3000face\u3000abeam\uff1b\u3000for\u3000excepting\u3000Ellen\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000lady\u3000in\u3000the\u3000County\u3000he\u3000liked\u3000more\u3000than\u3000the\u3000red\u2026haired\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Tarleton\u3002\u3000\u201cAnd\u3000\u2018t         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000\u201c\u3000\u2018Tis\u3000the\u3000Tarleton\u3000ladies\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000announced\u3000to\u3000his\u3000daughters\uff1b\u3000his\u3000florid\u3000face\u3000abeam\uff1b\u3000for\u3000excepting\u3000Ellen\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000lady\u3000in\u3000the\u3000County\u3000he\u3000liked\u3000more\u3000than\u3000the\u3000red\u2026haired\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Tarleton\u3002\u3000\u201cAnd\u3000\u2018tis\u3000herself\u3000at\u3000the\u3000reins\u3002\u3000Ah\uff1b\u3000there\u2019s\u3000a\u3000woman\u3000with\u3000fine\u3000hands\u3000for\u3000a\u3000horse\uff01\u3000Feather\u3000light\u3000and\u3000strong\u3000as\u3000rawhide\uff1b\u3000and\u3000pretty\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000kiss\u3000for\u3000all\u3000that\u3002\u3000More\u2019s\u3000the\u3000pity\u3000none\u3000of\u3000you\u3000have\u3000such\u3000hands\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000added\uff1b\u3000casting\u3000fond\u3000but\u3000reproving\u3000glances\u3000at\u3000his\u3000girls\u3002\u3000\u201cWith\u3000Carreen\u3000afraid\u3000of\u3000the\u3000poor\u3000beasts\u3000and\u3000Sue\u3000with\u3000hands\u3000tike\u3000sadirons\u3000when\u3000it\u3000comes\u3000to\u3000reins\u3000and\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Puss\u2014\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cNo\uff1b\u3000a\u3000fine\u3000little\u3000stallion\u3000with\u3000legs\u3000two\u3000yards\u3000long\u3002\u3000You\u3000must\u3000ride\u3000over\u3000and\u3000see\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000O\u2019Hara\u3002\u3000He\u2019s\u3000a\u3000real\u3000Tarleton\u3000horse\u3002\u3000He\u2019s\u3000as\u3000red\u3000as\u3000Hetty\u2019s\u3000curls\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cAnd\u3000looks\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000like\u3000He         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            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\/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000did\u3000not\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000laughing\u3000words\u3002\u3000For\u3000one\u3000short\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000as\u3000though\u3000the\u3000sun\u3000had\u3000ducked\u3000behind\u3000a\u3000cool\u3000cloud\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000the\u3000world\u3000in\u3000shadow\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000the\u3000color\u3000out\u3000of\u3000things\u3002\u3000The\u3000freshly\u3000green\u3000foliage\u3000looked\u3000sickly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000dogwood\u3000pallid\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000flowering\u3000crab\uff1b\u3000so\u3000beautifully\u3000pink\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000faded\u3000and\u3000dreary\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000dug\u3000her\u3000fingers\u3000into\u3000the\u3000upholstery\u3000of\u3000the\u3000carriage\u3000and\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000her\u3000parasol\u3000wavered\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000one\u3000thing\u3000to\u3000know\u3000that\u3000Ashley\u3000was\u3000engaged\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000another\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000people\u3000talk\u3000about\u3000it\u3000so\u3000casually\u3002\u3000Then\u3000her\u3000courage\u3000flowed\u3000strongly\u3000back\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sun\u3000came\u3000out\u3000again\u3000and\u3000the\u3000landscape\u3000glowed\u3000anew\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000Ashley\u3000loved\u3000her\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000certain\u3002\u3000And\u3000she\u3000smiled\u3000as\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000how\u3000surprised\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Tarleton\u3000would\u3000be\u3000when\u3000no\u3000engagement\u3000was\u3000announced\u3000that\u3000night\u2014how\u3000surprised\u3000if\u3000there\u3000were\u3000an\u3000elopement\u3002\u3000And\u3000she\u2019d\u3000tell\u3000neighbors\u3000what\u3000a\u3000sly\u3000boots\u3000Scarlett\u3000was\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000there\u3000and\u3000listen\u3000to\u3000her\u3000talk\u3000about\u3000Melanie\u3000when\u3000all\u3000the\u3000time\u3000she\u3000and\u3000Ashley\u2014She\u3000dimpled\u3000at\u3000her\u3000own\u3000thoughts\u3000and\u3000Hetty\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000watching\u3000sharply\u3000the\u3000effect\u3000of\u3000her\u3000mother\u2019s\u3000words\uff1b\u3000sank\u3000back\u3000with\u3000a\u3000small\u3000puzzled\u3000frown\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000don\u2019t\u3000care\u3000what\u3000you\u3000say\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000O\u2019Hara\uff1b\u201d\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Tarleton\u3000was\u3000saying\u3000emphatically\u3002\u3000\u201cIt\u2019s\u3000all\u3000wrong\uff1b\u3000this\u3000marrying\u3000of\u3000cousins\u3002\u3000It\u2019s\u3000bad\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000Ashley\u3000to\u3000be\u3000marrying\u3000the\u3000Hamilton\u3000child\uff1b\u3000but\u3000for\u3000Honey\u3000to\u3000be\u3000marrying\u3000that\u3000pale\u2026looking\u3000Charles\u3000Hamilton\u2014\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cThat\u2019s\u3000a\u3000fine\u3000woman\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Gerald\uff1b\u3000putting\u3000on\u3000his\u3000hat\u3000and\u3000taking\u3000his\u3000place\u3000beside\u3000his\u3000own\u3000carriage\u3002\u3000\u201cDrive\u3000on\uff1b\u3000Toby\u3002\u3000We\u2019ll\u3000wear\u3000her\u3000down\u3000and\u3000get\u3000the\u3000horses\u3000yet\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000she\u2019s\u3000right\u3002\u3000She\u2019s\u3000right\u3002\u3000If\u3000a\u3000man\u2019s\u3000not\u3000a\u3000gentleman\uff1b\u3000he\u2019s\u3000no\u3000business\u3000on\u3000a\u3000horse\u3002\u3000The\u3000infantry\u3000is\u3000the\u3000place\u3000for\u3000him\u3002\u3000But         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            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\/>\n\u3000Through\u3000the\u3000open\u3000French\u3000windows\uff1b\u3000she\u3000caught\u3000glimpses\u3000of\u3000the\u3000older\u3000women\u3000seated\u3000in\u3000the\u3000drawing\u3000room\uff1b\u3000sedate\u3000in\u3000dark\u3000silks\u3000as\u3000they\u3000sat\u3000fanning\u3000themselves\u3000and\u3000talking\u3000of\u3000babies\u3000and\u3000sicknesses\u3000and\u3000who\u3000had\u3000married\u3000whom\u3000and\u3000why\u3002\u3000The\u3000Wilkes\u3000butler\uff1b\u3000Tom\uff1b\u3000was\u3000hurrying\u3000through\u3000the\u3000halls\uff1b\u3000a\u3000silver\u3000tray\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000bowing\u3000and\u3000grinning\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000offered\u3000tall\u3000glasses\u3000to\u3000young\u3000men\u3000in\u3000fawn\u3000and\u3000gray\u3000trousers\u3000and\u3000fine\u3000ruffled\u3000linen\u3000shirts\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000On\u3000the\u3000porch\u3000steps\u3000stood\u3000John\u3000Wilkes\uff1b\u3000silver\u2026haired\uff1b\u3000erect\uff1b\u3000radiating\u3000the\u3000quiet\u3000charm\u3000and\u3000hospitality\u3000that\u3000was\u3000as\u3000warm\u3000and\u3000never\u3000failing\u3000as\u3000the\u3000sun\u3000of\u3000Georgia\u3000summer\u3002\u3000Beside\u3000him\u3000Honey\u3000Wilkes\uff1b\u3000so\u3000called\u3000because\u3000she\u3000indiscriminately\u3000addressed\u3000everyone\u3000from\u3000her\u3000father\u3000to\u3000the\u3000field\u3000hands\u3000by\u3000that\u3000endearment\uff1b\u3000fidgeted\u3000and\u3000giggled\u3000as\u3000she\u3000called\u3000greetings\u3000to\u3000the\u3000arriving\u3000guests\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Honey\u2019s\u3000nervously\u3000obvious\u3000desire\u3000to\u3000be\u3000attractive\u3000to\u3000every\u3000man\u3000in\u3000sight\u3000contrasted\u3000sharply\u3000with\u3000her\u3000father\u2019s\u3000poise\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000perhaps\u3000there\u3000was\u3000something\u3000in\u3000what\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Tarleton\u3000said\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\u3002\u3000Certainly\u3000the\u3000Wilkes\u3000men\u3000got\u3000the\u3000family\u3000looks\u3002\u3000The\u3000thick\u3000deep\u2026gold\u3000lashes\u3000that\u3000set\u3000off\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000eyes\u3000of\u3000John\u3000Wilkes\u3000and\u3000Ashley\u3000were\u3000sparse\u3000and\u3000colorless\u3000in\u3000the\u3000faces\u3000of\u3000Honey\u3000and\u3000her\u3000sister\u3000India\u3002\u3000Honey\u3000had\u3000the\u3000odd\u3000lashless\u3000look\u3000of\u3000a\u3000rabbit\uff1b\u3000and\u3000India\u3000could\u3000be\u3000described\u3000by\u3000no\u3000other\u3000word\u3000than\u3000plain\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000India\u3000was\u3000nowhere\u3000to\u3000be\u3000seen\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Scarlett\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000probably\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000kitchen\u3000giving\u3000final\u3000instructions\u3000to\u3000the\u3000servants\u3002\u3000Poor\u3000India\uff1b\u3000thought\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000she\u2019s\u3000had\u3000so\u3000much\u3000trouble\u3000keeping\u3000house\u3000since\u3000her\u3000mother\u3000died\u3000that\u3000she\u2019s\u3000never\u3000had\u3000the\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000any\u3000beau\u3000except\u3000Stuart\u3000Tarleton\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000certainly\u3000wasn\u2019t\u3000my\u3000fault\u3000if\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000I\u3000was\u3000prettier\u3000than\u3000she\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000John\u3000Wilkes\u3000came\u3000down\u3000the\u3000steps\u3000to\u3000offer\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000to\u3000Scarlett\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000descended\u3000from\u3000the\u3000carriage\uff1b\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000Suellen\u3000smirk\u3000and\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000she\u3000must\u3000have\u3000picked\u3000out\u3000Frank\u3000Kennedy\u3000in\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000If\u3000I\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000catch\u3000a\u3000better\u3000beau\u3000than\u3000that\u3000old\u3000maid\u3000in\u3000britches\uff01\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000contemptuously\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000stepped\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000smiled\u3000her\u3000thanks\u3000to\u3000John\u3000Wilkes\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Frank\u3000Kennedy\u3000was\u3000hurrying\u3000to\u3000the\u3000carriage\u3000to\u3000assist\u3000Suellen\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Suellen\u3000was\u3000bridling\u3000in\u3000a\u3000way\u3000that\u3000made\u3000Scarlett\u3000want\u3000to\u3000slap\u3000her\u3002\u3000Frank\u3000Kennedy\u3000might\u3000own\u3000more\u3000land\u3000than\u3000anyone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000County\u3000and\u3000he\u3000might\u3000have\u3000a\u3000very\u3000kind\u3000heart\uff1b\u3000but\u3000these\u3000things\u3000counted\u3000for\u3000nothing\u3000against\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000forty\uff1b\u3000slight\u3000and\u3000nervous\u3000and\u3000had\u3000a\u3000thin\u3000ginger\u2026colored\u3000beard\u3000and\u3000an\u3000old\u2026maidish\uff1b\u3000fussy\u3000way\u3000about\u3000him\u3002\u3000However\uff1b\u3000remembering\u3000her\u3000plan\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000smothered\u3000her\u3000contempt\u3000and\u3000cast\u3000such\u3000a\u3000flashing\u3000smile\u3000of\u3000greeting\u3000at\u3000him\u3000that\u3000he\u3000stopped\u3000short\uff1b\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000outheld\u3000to\u3000Suellen\u3000and\u3000goggled\u3000at\u3000Scarlett\u3000in\u3000pleased\u3000bewilderment\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000eyes\u3000searched\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000for\u3000Ashley\uff1b\u3000even\u3000while\u3000she\u3000made\u3000pleasant\u3000small\u3000talk\u3000with\u3000John\u3000Wilkes\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000not\u3000on\u3000the\u3000porch\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000cries\u3000of\u3000greeting\u3000from\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000voices\u3000and\u3000Stuart\u3000and\u3000Brent\u3000Tarleton\u3000moved\u3000toward\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000Munroe\u3000girls\u3000rushed\u3000up\u3000to\u3000exclaim\u3000over\u3000her\u3000dress\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000speedily\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000a\u3000circle\u3000of\u3000voices\u3000that\u3000rose\u3000higher\u3000and\u3000higher\u3000in\u3000efforts\u3000to\u3000be\u3000heard\u3000above\u3000the\u3000din\u3002\u3000But\u3000where\u3000was\u3000Ashley\uff1f\u3000And\u3000Melanie\u3000and\u3000Charles\uff1f\u3000She\u3000tried\u3000not\u3000to\u3000be\u3000obvious\u3000as\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000about\u3000and\u3000peered\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hall\u3000into\u3000the\u3000laughing\u3000group\u3000inside\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000As\u3000she\u3000chattered\u3000and\u3000laughed\u3000and\u3000cast\u3000quick\u3000glances\u3000into\u3000the\u3000house\u3000and\u3000the\u3000yard\uff1b\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000fell\u3000on\u3000a\u3000stranger\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000alone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hall\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000her\u3000in\u3000a\u3000cool\u3000impertinent\u3000way\u3000that\u3000brought\u3000her\u3000up\u3000sharply\u3000with\u3000a\u3000mingled\u3000feeling\u3000of\u3000feminine\u3000pleasure\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000attracted\u3000a\u3000man\u3000and\u3000an\u3000embarrassed\u3000sensation\u3000that\u3000her\u3000dress\u3000was\u3000too\u3000low\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bosom\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000quite\u3000old\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000thirty\u2026five\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000a\u3000tall\u3000man\u3000and\u3000powerfully\u3000built\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000had\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000a\u3000man\u3000with\u3000such\u3000wide\u3000shoulders\uff1b\u3000so\u3000heavy\u3000with\u3000muscles\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000too\u3000heavy\u3000for\u3000gentility\u3002\u3000When\u3000her\u3000eye\u3000caught\u3000his\uff1b\u3000he\u3000smiled\uff1b\u3000showing\u3000animal\u2026white\u3000teeth\u3000below\u3000a\u3000close\u2026clipped\u3000black\u3000mustache\u3002\u3000He\u3000was 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ld\u3000show\u3000and\u3000still\u3000remain\u3000a\u3000lady\u2014peeping\u3000from\u3000beneath\u3000them\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000scarcely\u3000touched\u3000plate\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000seven\u3000cavaliers\u3000about\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000barbecue\u3000had\u3000reached\u3000its\u3000peak\u3000and\u3000the\u3000warm\u3000air\u3000was\u3000full\u3000of\u3000laughter\u3000and\u3000talk\uff1b\u3000the\u3000click\u3000of\u3000silver\u3000on\u3000porcelain\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rich\u3000heavy\u3000smells\u3000of\u3000roasting\u3000meats\u3000and\u3000redolent\u3000gravies\u3002\u3000Occasionally\u3000when\u3000the\u3000slight\u3000breeze\u3000veered\uff1b\u3000puffs\u3000of\u3000smoke\u3000from\u3000the\u3000long\u3000barbecue\u3000pits\u3000floated\u3000over\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000and\u3000were\u3000greeted\u3000with\u3000squeals\u3000of\u3000mock\u3000dismay\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ladies\u3000and\u3000violent\u3000flappings\u3000of\u3000palmetto\u3000fans\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Casting\u3000contemptuous\u3000glances\u3000at\u3000them\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000they\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000a\u3000clump\u3000of\u3000fat\u3000crows\u3002\u3000Married\u3000women\u3000never\u3000had\u3000any\u3000fun\u3002\u3000It\u3000did\u3000not\u3000occur\u3000to\u3000her\u3000that\u3000if\u3000she\u3000married\u3000Ashley\u3000she\u3000would\u3000automatically\u3000be\u3000relegated\u3000to\u3000arbors\u3000and\u3000front\u3000parlors\u3000with\u3000staid\u3000matrons\u3000in\u3000dull\u3000silks\uff1b\u3000as\u3000staid\u3000and\u3000dull\u3000as\u3000they\u3000and\u3000not\u3000a\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fun\u3000and\u3000frolicking\u3002\u3000Like\u3000most\u3000girls\uff1b\u3000her\u3000imagination\u3000carried\u3000her\u3000just\u3000as\u3000far\u3000as\u3000the\u3000altar\u3000and\u3000no\u3000further\u3002\u3000Besides\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000too\u3000unhappy\u3000now\u3000to\u3000pursue\u3000an\u3000abstraction\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000dropped\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000to\u3000her\u3000plate\u3000and\u3000nibbled\u3000daintily\u3000on\u3000a\u3000beaten\u3000biscuit\u3000with\u3000an\u3000elegance\u3000and\u3000an\u3000utter\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000appetite\u3000that\u3000would\u3000have\u3000won\u3000Mammy\u2019s\u3000approval\u3002\u3000For\u3000all\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000a\u3000superfluity\u3000of\u3000beaux\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000never\u3000been\u3000more\u3000miserable\u3000in\u3000her\u3000life\u3002\u3000In\u3000some\u3000way\u3000that\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000understand\uff1b\u3000her\u3000plans\u3000of\u3000last\u3000night\u3000had\u3000failed\u3000utterly\u3000so\u3000far\u3000as\u3000Ashley\u3000was\u3000concerned\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000attracted\u3000other\u3000beaux\u3000by\u3000the\u3000dozens\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000Ashley\uff1b\u3000and\u3000all\u3000the\u3000fears\u3000of\u3000yesterday\u3000afternoon\u3000were\u3000sweeping\u3000back\u3000upon\u3000her\uff1b\u3000making\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000beat\u3000fast\u3000and\u3000then\u3000slow\uff1b\u3000and\u3000color\u3000flame\u3000and\u3000whiten\u3000in\u3000her\u3000cheeks\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Her\u3000gray\u3000organdie\u3000dress\uff1b\u3000with\u3000its\u3000cherry\u2026colored\u3000satin\u3000sash\uff1b\u3000disguised\u3000with\u3000its\u3000billows\u3000and\u3000ruffles\u3000how\u3000childishly\u3000undeveloped\u3000her\u3000body\u3000was\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000yellow\u3000hat\u3000with\u3000long\u3000cherry\u3000streamers\u3000made\u3000her\u3000creamy\u3000skin\u3000glow\u3002\u3000Her\u3000heavy\u3000earbobs\u3000with\u3000their\u3000long\u3000gold\u3000fringe\u3000hung\u3000down\u3000from\u3000loops\u3000of\u3000tidily\u3000netted\u3000hair\uff1b\u3000swinging\u3000close\u3000to\u3000her\u3000brown\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000that\u3000had\u3000the\u3000still\u3000gleam\u3000of\u3000a\u3000forest\u3000pool\u3000in\u3000winter\u3000when\u3000brown\u3000leaves\u3000shine\u3000up\u3000through\u3000quiet\u3000water\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000had\u3000smiled\u3000with\u3000timid\u3000liking\u3000when\u3000she\u3000greeted\u3000Scarlett\u3000and\u3000told\u3000her\u3000how\u3000pretty\u3000her\u3000green\u3000dress\u3000was\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000been\u3000hard\u3000put\u3000to\u3000be\u3000even\u3000civil\u3000in\u3000reply\uff1b\u3000so\u3000violently\u3000did\u3000she\u3000want\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000alone\u3000with\u3000Ashley\u3002\u3000Since\u3000then\uff1b\u3000Ashley\u3000had\u3000sat\u3000on\u3000a\u3000stool\u3000at\u3000Melanie\u2019s\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000apart\u3000from\u3000the\u3000other\u3000guests\uff1b\u3000and\u3000talked\u3000quietly\u3000with\u3000her\uff1b\u3000smiling\u3000the\u3000slow\u3000drowsy\u3000smile\u3000that\u3000Scarlett\u3000loved\u3002\u3000What\u3000made\u3000matters\u3000worse\u3000was\u3000that\u3000under\u3000his\u3000smile\u3000a\u3000little\u3000sparkle\u3000had\u3000come\u3000into\u3000Melanie\u2019s\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000so\u3000that\u3000even\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000to\u3000admit\u3000that\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000almost\u3000pretty\u3002\u3000As\u3000Melanie\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000Ashley\uff1b\u3000her\u3000plain\u3000face\u3000lit\u3000up\u3000as\u3000with\u3000an\u3000inner\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000for\u3000if\u3000ever\u3000a\u3000loving\u3000heart\u3000showed\u3000itself\u3000upon\u3000a\u3000face\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000showing\u3000now\u3000on\u3000Melanie\u3000Hamilton\u2019s\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000from\u3000these\u3000two\u3000but\u3000could\u3000not\uff1b\u3000and\u3000after\u3000each\u3000glance\u3000she\u3000redoubled\u3000her\u3000gaiety\u3000with\u3000her\u3000cavaliers\uff1b\u3000laughing\uff1b\u3000saying\u3000daring\u3000things\uff1b\u3000teasing\uff1b\u3000tossing\u3000her\u3000head\u3000at\u3000their\u3000compliments\u3000until\u3000her\u3000earrings\u3000danced\u3002\u3000She\u3000said\u3000\u201cfiddle\u2026dee\u2026dee\u201d\u3000many\u3000times\uff1b\u3000declared\u3000that\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000wasn\u2019t\u3000in\u3000any\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000vowed\u3000that\u3000she\u2019d\u3000never\u3000believe\u3000anything\u3000any\u3000man\u3000told\u3000her\u3002\u3000But\u3000Ashley\u3000did\u3000not\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000notice\u3000her\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000He\u3000only\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000Melanie\u3000and\u3000talked\u3000on\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Melanie\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000at\u3000him\u3000with\u3000an\u3000expression\u3000that\u3000radiated\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000she\u3000belonged\u3000to\u3000him\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000So\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000was\u3000miserable\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000To\u3000the\u3000outward\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000never\u3000had\u3000a\u3000girl\u3000less\u3000cause\u3000to\u3000he\u3000miserable\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000undoubtedly\u3000the\u3000belle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000barbecue\uff1b\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000attention\u3002\u3000The\u3000furore\u3000she\u3000was\u3000causing\u3000among\u3000the\u3000men\uff1b\u3000coupled\u3000with\u3000the\u3000heart\u3000burnings\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\u3000girls\uff1b\u3000would\u3000have\u3000pleased\u3000her\u3000enormously\u3000at\u3000any\u3000other\u3000time\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000She\u3000took\u3000new\u3000courage\u3000at\u3000this\u3000thought\u3000and\u3000redoubled\u3000her\u3000efforts\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000of\u3000Charles\uff1b\u3000whose\u3000brown\u3000eyes\u3000glowed\u3000down\u3000eagerly\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000I         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            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\/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000hush\uff01\u201d\u3000she\u3000hissed\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000pinching\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000not\u3000even\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000him\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Startled\uff1b\u3000at\u3000first\u3000abashed\uff1b\u3000Charles\u3000blushed\u3000at\u3000th         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000hush\uff01\u201d\u3000she\u3000hissed\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000pinching\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000not\u3000even\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000him\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Stuart\u3000Tarleton\uff1b\u3000brows\u3000lowering\uff1b\u3000came\u3000forw         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            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\/>\n\u3000Suddenly\u3000she\u3000found\u3000her\u3000tongue\u3000and\u3000just\u3000as\u3000suddenly\u3000all\u3000the\u3000years\u3000of\u3000Ellen\u2019s\u3000teachings\u3000fell\u3000away\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000forthright\u3000Irish\u3000blood\u3000of\u3000Gerald\u3000spoke\u3000from\u3000his\u3000daughter\u2019s\u3000lips\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYes\u2014a\u3000secret\u3000I\u3000love\u3000you\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000For\u3000an\u3000instance\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000silence\u3000so\u3000acute\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000that\u3000neither\u3000of\u3000them\u3000even\u3000breathed\u3002\u3000Then\u3000the\u3000trembling\u3000fell\u3000away\u3000from\u3000her\uff1b\u3000as\u3000happiness\u3000and\u3000pride\u3000surged\u3000through\u3000her\u3002\u3000Why\u3000hadn\u2019t\u3000she\u3000done\u3000this\u3000before\uff1f\u3000How\u3000much\u3000simpler\u3000than\u3000all\u3000the\u3000ladylike\u3000maneuverings\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000taught\u3002\u3000And\u3000then\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000sought\u3000his\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000look\u3000of\u3000consternation\u3000in\u3000them\uff1b\u3000of\u3000incredulity\u3000and\u3000something\u3000more\u2014what\u3000was\u3000it\uff1f\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000Gerald\u3000had\u3000looked\u3000that\u3000way\u3000the\u3000day\u3000his\u3000pet\u3000hunter\u3000had\u3000broken\u3000his\u3000leg\u3000and\u3000he\u3000had\u3000had\u3000to\u3000shoot\u3000him         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            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\/>\n\u3000Melanie\u2019s\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000measured\u3000and\u3000peaceful\uff1b\u3000a\u3000little\u3000reproving\uff1b\u3000rose\u3000above\u3000the\u3000others\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cHoney\uff1b\u3000you\u3000know\u3000that\u3000isn\u2019t\u3000so\u3002\u3000And\u3000it\u2019s\u3000so\u3000unkind\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cIt\u3000is\u3000too\uff1b\u3000Melly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000you\u3000weren\u2019t\u3000always\u3000so\u3000busy\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000the\u3000good\u3000in\u3000people\u3000that\u3000haven\u2019t\u3000got\u3000any\u3000good\u3000in\u3000them\uff1b\u3000you\u2019d\u3000see\u3000it\u3002\u3000And\u3000I\u2019m\u3000glad\u3000it\u2019s\u3000so\u3002\u3000It\u3000serves\u3000her\u3000right\u3002\u3000All\u3000Scarlett\u3000O\u2019Hara\u3000has\u3000ever\u3000done\u3000has\u3000been\u3000to\u3000stir\u3000up\u3000trouble\u3000and\u3000try\u3000to\u3000get\u3000other\u3000girls\u2019\u3000beaux\u3002\u3000You\u3000know\u3000mighty\u3000well\u3000she\u3000took\u3000Stuart\u3000from\u3000India\u3000and\u3000she\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000want\u3000him\u3002\u3000And\u3000today\u3000she\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000take\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000took\u3000Stuart\u3000from\u3000India\u3000and\u3000she\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000want\u3000him\u3002\u3000And\u3000today\u3000she\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000take\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Kennedy\u3000and\u3000Ashley\u3000and\u3000Charles\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000must\u3000get\u3000home\uff01\u201d\u3000thought\u3000Scarlett\u3000\u201cI\u3000must\u3000get\u3000home\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000If\u3000she\u3000could\u3000only\u3000be\u3000transferred\u3000by\u3000magic\u3000to\u3000Tara\u3000and\u3000to\u3000safety\u3002\u3000If\u3000she\u3000could\u3000only\u3000be\u3000with\u3000Ellen\uff1b\u3000just\u3000to\u3000see\u3000her\uff1b\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000onto\u3000her\u3000skirt\uff1b\u3000to\u3000cry\u3000and\u3000pour\u3000out\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000story\u3000in\u3000her\u3000lap\u3002\u3000If\u3000she\u3000had\u3000to\u3000listen\u3000to\u3000another\u3000word\uff1b\u3000she\u2019d\u3000rush\u3000in\u3000and\u3000pull\u3000out\u3000Honey\u2019s\u3000straggly\u3000pale\u3000hair\u3000in\u3000big\u3000handfuls\u3000and\u3000spit\u3000on\u3000Melanie\u3000Hamilton\u3000to\u3000show\u3000her\u3000just\u3000what\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000her\u3000charity\u3002\u3000But\u3000she\u2019d\u3000already\u3000acted\u3000common\u3000enough\u3000today\uff1b\u3000enough\u3000like\u3000white\u3000trash\u2014that\u3000was\u3000where\u3000all\u3000her\u3000trouble\u3000lay\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000pressed\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000hard\u3000against\u3000her\u3000skirts\uff1b\u3000so\u3000they\u3000would\u3000not\u3000rustle\u3000and\u3000backed\u3000out\u3000as\u3000stealthily\u3000as\u3000an\u3000animal\u3002\u3000Home\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000sped\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hall\uff1b\u3000past\u3000the\u3000closed\u3000doors\u3000and\u3000still\u3000rooms\uff1b\u3000I\u3000must\u3000go\u3000home\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000was\u3000already\u3000on\u3000the\u3000front\u3000porch\u3000when\u3000a\u3000new\u3000thought\u3000brought\u3000her\u3000up\u3000sharply\u2014she\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000go\u3000home\uff01\u3000She\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000run\u3000away\uff01\u3000She\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000see\u3000it\u3000through\uff1b\u3000bear\u3000all\u3000the\u3000malice\u3000of\u3000the\u3000girls\u3000and\u3000her\u3000own\u3000humiliation\u3000and\u3000heartbreak\u3002\u3000To\u3000run\u3000away\u3000would\u3000only\u3000give\u3000them\u3000more\u3000ammunition\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000pounded\u3000her\u3000clenched\u3000fist\u3000against\u3000the\u3000tall\u3000white\u3000pillar\u3000beside\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000wished\u3000that\u3000she\u3000were\u3000Samson\uff1b\u3000so\u3000that\u3000she\u3000could\u3000pull\u3000down\u3000all\u3000of\u3000Twelve\u3000Oaks\u3000and\u3000destroy\u3000every\u3000person\u3000in\u3000it\u3002\u3000She\u2019d\u3000make\u3000them\u3000sorry\u3002\u3000She\u2019d\u3000show\u3000them\u3002\u3000She\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000quite\u3000see\u3000how\u3000she\u2019d\u3000show\u3000them\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u2019d\u3000do\u3000it\u3000all\u3000the\u3000same\u3002\u3000She\u2019d\u3000hurt\u3000them\u3000worse\u3000than\u3000they\u3000hurt\u3000her\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000For\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Ashley\u3000as\u3000Ashley\u3000was\u3000forgotten\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000not\u3000the\u3000tall\u3000drowsy\u3000boy\u3000she\u3000loved\u3000but\u3000part\u3000and\u3000parcel\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Wilkeses\uff1b\u3000Twelve\u3000Oaks\uff1b\u3000the\u3000County\u2014and\u3000she\u3000hated\u3000them\u3000all\u3000because\u3000they\u3000laughed\u3002\u3000Vanity\u3000was\u3000stronger\u3000than\u3000love\u3000at\u3000sixteen\u3000and\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000room\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hot\u3000heart\u3000now\u3000for\u3000anything\u3000but\u3000hate\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000won\u2019t\u3000go\u3000home\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000thought\u3002\u3000\u201cI\u2019ll\u3000stay\u3000here\u3000and\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000make\u3000them\u3000sorry\u3002\u3000And\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000never\u3000tell\u3000Mother\u3002\u3000No\uff1b\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000never\u3000tell\u3000anybody\u3002\u201d\u3000She\u3000braced\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000go\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000house\uff1b\u3000to\u3000reclimb\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3000and\u3000go\u3000into\u3000another\u3000bedroom\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000As\u3000she\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000Charles\u3000coming\u3000into\u3000the\u3000house\u3000from\u3000the\u3000other\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000long\u3000hall\u3002\u3000When\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000her\uff1b\u3000he\u3000hurried\u3000toward\u3000her\u3002\u3000His\u3000hair\u3000was\u3000tousled\u3000and\u3000his\u3000face\u3000near\u3000geranium\u3000with\u3000excitement\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cDo\u3000you\u3000know\u3000what\u2019s\u3000happened\uff1f\u201d\u3000he\u3000cried\uff1b\u3000even\u3000before\u3000he\u3000reached\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u201cHave\u3000you\u3000heard\uff1f\u3000Paul\u3000Wilson\u3000just\u3000rode\u3000over\u3000from\u3000Jonesboro\u3000with\u3000the\u3000news\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000He\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000breathless\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000came\u3000up\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000said\u3000nothing\u3000and\u3000only\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000him\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cMr\u3002\u3000Lincoln\u3000has\u3000called\u3000for\u3000men\uff1b\u3000soldiers\u2014I\u3000mean\u3000volunteers\u2014seventy\u2026five\u3000thousand\u3000of\u3000them\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Lincoln\u3000again\uff01\u3000Didn\u2019t\u3000men\u3000ever\u3000think\u3000about\u3000anything\u3000that\u3000really\u3000mattered\uff1f\u3000Here\u3000was\u3000this\u3000fool\u3000expecting\u3000her\u3000to\u3000be\u3000excited\u3000about\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Lincoln\u2019s\u3000didoes\u3000when\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000was\u3000broken\u3000and\u3000her\u3000reputation\u3000as\u3000good\u3000as\u3000ruined\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Charles\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000Her\u3000face\u3000was\u3000paper\u3000white\u3000and\u3000her\u3000narrow\u3000eyes\u3000blazing\u3000like\u3000emeralds\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000such\u3000fire\u3000in\u3000any\u3000girl\u2019s\u3000face\uff1b\u3000such\u3000a\u3000glow\u3000in\u3000anyone\u2019s\u3000eyes\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u2019m\u3000so\u3000clumsy\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u201cI\u3000should\u3000have\u3000told\u3000you\u3000more\u3000gently\u3002\u3000I\u3000forgot\u3000how\u3000delicate\u3000ladies\u3000are\u3002\u3000I\u2019m\u3000sorry\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000upset\u3000you\u3000so\u3002\u3000You\u3000don\u2019t\u3000feel\u3000faint\uff1b\u3000do\u3000you\uff1f\u3000Can\u3000I\u3000get\u3000you\u3000a\u3000glass\u3000of\u3000water\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cNo\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000and\u3000managed\u3000a\u3000crooked\u3000smile\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cShall\u3000we\u3000go\u3000sit\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bench\uff1f\u201d\u3000he\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000her\u3000arm\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000He\u3000went\u3000off\u3000across\u3000the\u3000lawn\u3000and\u3000disappeared\u3000around\u3000the\u3000house\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000alone\u3000under\u3000the\u3000rustling\u3000oak\u3002\u3000From\u3000the\u3000stables\uff1b\u3000men\u3000were\u3000streaming\u3000out\u3000on\u3000horseback\uff1b\u3000negro\u3000servants\u3000riding\u3000hard\u3000behind\u3000their\u3000masters\u3002\u3000The\u3000Munroe\u3000boys\u3000tore\u3000past\u3000waving\u3000their\u3000hats\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Fontaines\u3000and\u3000Calverts\u3000went\u3000down\u3000the\u3000road\u3000yelling\u3002\u3000The\u3000four\u3000Tarletons\u3000charged\u3000across\u3000the\u3000lawn\u3000by\u3000her\u3000and\u3000Brent\u3000shouted\uff1a\u3000\u201cMother\u2019s\u3000going\u3000to\u3000give\u3000us\u3000the\u3000horses\uff01\u3000Yee\u2026aay\u2026ee\uff01\u201d\u3000Turf\u3000flew\u3000and\u3000they\u3000were\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000her\u3000alone\u3000again\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000white\u3000house\u3000reared\u3000its\u3000tall\u3000columns\u3000before\u3000her\uff1b\u3000seeming\u3000to\u3000withdraw\u3000with\u3000dignified\u3000aloofness\u3000from\u3000her\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000ne         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000The\u3000white\u3000house\u3000reared\u3000its\u3000tall\u3000columns\u3000before\u3000her\uff1b\u3000seeming\u3000to\u3000withdraw\u3000with\u3000dignified\u3000aloofness\u3000from\u3000her\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000never\u3000be\u3000her\u3000house\u3000now\u3002\u3000Ashley\u3000would\u3000never\u3000carry\u3000her\u3000over\u3000the\u3000threshold\u3000as\u3000his\u3000bride\u3002\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000Ashley\uff1b\u3000Ashley\uff01\u3000What\u3000have\u3000I\u3000done\uff1f\u3000Deep\u3000in\u3000her\uff1b\u3000under\u3000layers\u3000of\u3000hurt\u3000pride\u3000and\u3000cold\u3000practicality\uff1b\u3000something\u3000stirred\u3000hurtingly\u3002\u3000An\u3000adult\u3000emotion\u3000was\u3000being\u3000born\uff1b\u3000stronger\u3000than\u3000her\u3000vanity\u3000or\u3000her\u3000willful\u3000selfishness\u3002\u3000She\u3000loved\u3000Ashley\u3000and\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000loved\u3000him\u3000and\u3000she\u3000had\u3000never\u3000cared\u3000so\u3000much\u3000as\u3000in\u3000that\u3000instant\u3000when\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000Charles\u3000disappearing\u3000around\u3000the\u3000curved\u3000graveled\u3000walk\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000CHAPTER\u3000VII<br \/>\n\u3000WITHIN\u3000TWO\u3000WEEKS\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000become\u3000a\u3000wife\uff1b\u3000and\u3000within\u3000two\u3000months\u3000more\u3000she\u3000was\u3000a\u3000widow\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000soon\u3000released\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bonds\u3000she\u3000had\u3000assumed\u3000with\u3000so\u3000much\u3000haste\u3000and\u3000so\u3000little\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000never\u3000again\u3000to\u3000know\u3000the\u3000careless\u3000freedom\u3000of\u3000her\u3000unmarried\u3000days\u3002\u3000Widowhood\u3000had\u3000crowded\u3000closely\u3000on\u3000the\u3000heels\u3000of\u3000marriage\u3000but\uff1b\u3000to\u3000her\u3000dismay\uff1b\u3000motherhood\u3000soon\u3000followed\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000That\u3000night\u3000after\u3000Mammy\u3000had\u3000helped\u3000her\u3000undress\u3000and\u3000had\u3000departed\u3000and\u3000Charles\u3000had\u3000emerged\u3000shyly\u3000from\u3000the\u3000dressing\u3000room\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000if\u3000he\u3000was\u3000to\u3000spend\u3000a\u3000second\u3000night\u3000in\u3000the\u3000horsehair\u3000chair\uff1b\u3000she\u3000burst\u3000into\u3000tears\u3002\u3000She\u3000cried\u3000until\u3000Charles\u3000climbed\u3000into\u3000bed\u3000beside\u3000her\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000comfort\u3000her\uff1b\u3000cried\u3000without\u3000words\u3000until\u3000no\u3000more\u3000tears\u3000would\u3000come\u3000and\u3000at\u3000last\u3000she\u3000lay\u3000sobbing\u3000quietly\u3000on\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000It\u3000was\u3000this\u3000refusal\u3000of\u3000food\u3000that\u3000worried\u3000Ellen\u3000and\u3000Mammy\u3000more\u3000than\u3000anything\u3000else\u3002\u3000Mammy\u3000brought\u3000up\u3000tempting\u3000trays\uff1b\u3000insinuating\u3000that\u3000now\u3000she\u3000was\u3000a\u3000widow\u3000she\u3000might\u3000eat\u3000as\u3000much\u3000as\u3000she\u3000pleased\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000no\u3000appetite\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000When\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Fontaine\u3000told\u3000Ellen\u3000gravely\u3000that\u3000heartbreak\u3000frequently\u3000led\u3000to\u3000a\u3000decline\u3000and\u3000women\u3000pined\u3000away\u3000into\u3000the\u3000grave\uff1b\u3000Ellen\u3000went\u3000white\uff1b\u3000for\u3000that\u3000fear\u3000was\u3000what\u3000she\u3000had\u3000carried\u3000in\u3000her\u3000heart\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cIsn\u2019t\u3000there\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000be\u3000done\uff1b\u3000Doctor\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cA\u3000change\u3000of\u3000scene\u3000will\u3000be\u3000the\u3000best\u3000thing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3000for\u3000her\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000the\u3000doctor\uff1b\u3000only\u3000too\u3000anxious\u3000to\u3000be\u3000rid\u3000of\u3000         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000\u201cIsn\u2019t\u3000there\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000be\u3000done\uff1b\u3000Doctor\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cA\u3000change\u3000of\u3000scene\u3000will\u3000be\u3000the\u3000best\u3000thing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3000for\u3000her\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000the\u3000doctor\uff1b\u3000only\u3000too\u3000anxious\u3000to\u3000be\u3000rid\u3000of\u3000an\u3000unsatisfactory\u3000patient\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Eulalie\uff1b\u3000hidden\u3000behind\u3000a\u3000high\u2026walled\u3000garden\u3000in\u3000a\u3000great\u3000house\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Battery\u3000in\u3000Charleston\uff1b\u3000was\u3000no\u3000more\u3000entertaining\u3002\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000accustomed\u3000to\u3000wide\u3000vistas\u3000of\u3000rolling\u3000red\u3000hills\uff1b\u3000felt\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000in\u3000prison\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000more\u3000social\u3000life\u3000here\u3000than\u3000at\u3000Aunt\u3000Pauline\u2019s\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Scarlett\u3000did\u3000not\u3000like\u3000the\u3000people\u3000who\u3000called\uff1b\u3000with\u3000their\u3000airs\u3000and\u3000their\u3000traditions\u3000and\u3000their\u3000emphasis\u3000on\u3000family\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000very\u3000well\u3000they\u3000all\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000was\u3000a\u3000child\u3000of\u3000a\u3000m\u00e9salliance\u3000and\u3000wondered\u3000how\u3000a\u3000Robillard\u3000ever\u3000married\u3000a\u3000newly\u3000come\u3000Irishman\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000felt\u3000that\u3000Aunt\u3000Eulalie\u3000apologized\u3000for\u3000her\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000back\u3002\u3000This\u3000aroused\u3000her\u3000temper\uff1b\u3000for\u3000she\u3000cared\u3000no\u3000more\u3000about\u3000family\u3000than\u3000her\u3000father\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000proud\u3000of\u3000Gerald\u3000and\u3000what\u3000he\u3000had\u3000accomplished\u3000unaided\u3000except\u3000by\u3000his\u3000shrewd\u3000Irish\u3000brain\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000And\u3000the\u3000Charlestonians\u3000took\u3000so\u3000much\u3000upon\u3000themselves\u3000about\u3000Fort\u3000Sumter\uff01\u3000Good\u3000Heavens\uff1b\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000they\u3000realize\u3000that\u3000if\u3000they\u3000hadn\u2019t\u3000been\u3000silly\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000fire\u3000the\u3000shot\u3000that\u3000started\u3000the\u3000war\u3000some\u3000other\u3000fools\u3000would\u3000have\u3000done\u3000it\uff1f\u3000Accustomed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000brisk\u3000voices\u3000of\u3000upland\u3000Georgia\uff1b\u3000the\u3000drawling\u3000flat\u3000voices\u3000of\u3000the\u3000low\u3000country\u3000seemed\u3000affected\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000thought\u3000if\u3000she\u3000ever\u3000again\u3000heard\u3000voices\u3000that\u3000said\u3000\u201cpaams\u201d\u3000for\u3000\u201cpalms\u201d\u3000and\u3000\u201choose\u201d\u3000for\u3000\u201chouse\u201d\u3000and\u3000\u201cwoon\u2019t\u201d\u3000for\u3000\u201cwon\u2019t\u201d\u3000and\u3000\u201cMaa\u3000and\u3000Paa\u201d\u3000for\u3000\u201cMa\u3000and\u3000Pa\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000would\u3000scream\u3002\u3000It\u3000irritated\u3000her\u3000so\u3000much\u3000that\u3000during\u3000one\u3000formal\u3000call\u3000she\u3000aped\u3000Gerald\u2019s\u3000brogue\u3000to\u3000her\u3000aunt\u2019s\u3000distress\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000went\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Tara\u3002\u3000Better\u3000to\u3000be\u3000tormented\u3000with\u3000memories\u3000of\u3000Ashley\u3000than\u3000Charleston\u3000accents\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Ellen\uff1b\u3000busy\u3000night\u3000and\u3000day\uff1b\u3000doubling\u3000the\u3000productiveness\u3000of\u3000Tara\u3000to\u3000aid\u3000the\u3000Confederacy\uff1b\u3000was\u3000terrified\u3000when\u3000her\u3000eldest\u3000daughter\u3000came\u3000home\u3000from\u3000Charleston\u3000thin\uff1b\u3000white\u3000and\u3000sharp\u3000tongued\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000known\u3000heartbreak\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000and\u3000night\u3000after\u3000night\u3000she\u3000lay\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000snoring\u3000Gerald\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000think\u3000of\u3000some\u3000way\u3000to\u3000lessen\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000distress\u3002\u3000Charles\u2019\u3000aunt\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Pittypat\u3000Hamilton\uff1b\u3000had\u3000written\u3000her\u3000several\u3000times\uff1b\u3000urging\u3000her\u3000to\u3000permit\u3000Scarlett\u3000to\u3000come\u3000to\u3000Atlanta\u3000for\u3000a\u3000long\u3000visit\uff1b\u3000and\u3000now\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000Ellen\u3000considered\u3000it\u3000seriously\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000and\u3000Melanie\u3000were\u3000alone\u3000in\u3000a\u3000big\u3000house\u3000\u201cand\u3000without\u3000male\u3000protection\uff1b\u201d\u3000wrote\u3000Miss\u3000Pittypat\uff1b\u3000\u201cnow\u3000that\u3000dear\u3000Charlie\u3000has\u3000gone\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000there\u3000is\u3000my\u3000brother\u3000Henry\u3000but\u3000he\u3000does\u3000not\u3000make\u3000his\u3000home\u3000with\u3000us\u3002\u3000But\u3000perhaps\u3000Scarlett\u3000has\u3000told\u3000you\u3000of\u3000Henry\u3002\u3000Delicacy\u3000forbids\u3000my\u3000putting\u3000more\u3000concerning\u3000him\u3000on\u3000paper\u3002\u3000Melly\u3000and\u3000I\u3000would\u3000feel\u3000so\u3000much\u3000easier\u3000and\u3000safer\u3000if\u3000Scarlett\u3000were\u3000with\u3000us\u3002\u3000Three\u3000lonely\u3000women\u3000are\u3000better\u3000than\u3000two\u3002\u3000And\u3000perhaps\u3000dear\u3000Scarlett\u3000could\u3000find\u3000some\u3000ease\u3000for\u3000her\u3000sorrow\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Melly\u3000is\u3000doing\uff1b\u3000by\u3000nursing\u3000our\u3000brave\u3000boys\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hospitals\u3000here\u2014and\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000Melly\u3000and\u3000I\u3000are\u3000longing\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000dear\u3000baby\u3002\u3000\u2026\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000So\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000trunk\u3000was\u3000packed\u3000again\u3000with\u3000her\u3000mourning\u3000clothes\u3000and\u3000off\u3000she\u3000went\u3000to\u3000Atlanta\u3000with\u3000Wade\u3000Hampton\u3000and\u3000his\u3000nurse\u3000Prissy\uff1b\u3000a\u3000headful\u3000of\u3000admonitions\u3000as\u3000to\u3000her\u3000conduct\u3000from\u3000Ellen\u3000and\u3000Mammy\u3000and\u3000a\u3000hundred\u3000dollars\u3000in\u3000Confederate\u3000bills\u3000from\u3000Gerald\u3002\u3000She\u3000did\u3000not\u3000especially\u3000want\u3000to\u3000go\u3000to\u3000Atlanta\u3002\u3000She\u3000thought\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\u3000the\u3000silliest\u3000of\u3000old\u3000ladies\u3000and\u3000the\u3000very\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000living\u3000under\u3000the\u3000same\u3000roof\u3000with\u3000Ashley\u2019s\u3000wife\u3000was\u3000abhorrent\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000County\u3000with\u3000its\u3000memories\u3000was\u3000impossible\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000any\u3000change\u3000was\u3000welcome\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000Part\u3000Two<br \/>\n\u3000CHAPTER\u3000VIII<br \/>\n\u3000AS\u3000THE\u3000TRAIN\u3000carried\u3000Scarlett\u3000northward\u3000that\u3000May\u3000morning\u3000in\u30001862\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000Atlanta\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000possibly\u3000be\u3000so\u3000boring\u3000as\u3000Charleston\u3000and\u3000Savannah\u3000had\u3000been\u3000and\uff1b\u3000in\u3000spite\u3000of\u3000her\u3000distaste\u3000for\u3000Miss\u3000Pittypat\u3000and\u3000Melanie\uff1b\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000forward\u3000with\u3000some\u3000curiosity\u3000toward\u3000seeing\u3000how\u3000the\u3000town\u3000had\u3000fared\u3000since\u3000her\u3000last\u3000visit\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000winter\u3000before\u3000the\u3000war\u3000began\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Atlanta\u3000had\u3000always\u3000interested\u3000her\u3000more\u3000than\u3000any\u3000other\u3000town\u3000because\u3000when\u3000she\u3000was\u3000a\u3000child\u3000Gerald\u3000had\u3000told\u3000her\u3000that\u3000she\u3000and\u3000Atlanta\u3000were\u3000exactly\u3000the\u3000same\u3000age\u3002\u3000She\u3000discovered\u3000when\u3000she\u3000grew\u3000older\u3000that\u3000Gerald\u3000had\u3000stretched\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000somewhat\uff1b\u3000as\u3000was\u3000his\u3000habit\u3000when\u3000a\u3000little\u3000stretching\u3000would\u3000improve\u3000a\u3000story\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Atlanta\u3000was\u3000only\u3000nine\u3000years\u3000older\u3000than\u3000she\u3000was\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000still\u3000left\u3000the\u3000place\u3000amazingly\u3000young\u3000by\u3000comparison\u3000with\u3000any\u3000other\u3000town\u3000she\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000heard\u3000of\u3002\u3000Savannah\u3000and\u3000Charleston\u3000had\u3000the\u3000dignity\u3000of\u3000their\u3000years\uff1b\u3000one\u3000being\u3000well\u3000along\u3000in\u3000its\u3000second\u3000century\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000entering\u3000its\u3000third\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000her\u3000young\u3000eyes\u3000they\u3000had\u3000always\u3000seemed\u3000like\u3000aged\u3000grandmothers\u3000fanning\u3000themselves\u3000placidly\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sun\u3002\u3000But\u3000Atlanta\u3000was\u3000of\u3000her\u3000own\u3000generation\uff1b\u3000crude\u3000with\u3000the\u3000crudities\u3000of\u3000youth\u3000and\u3000as\u3000headstrong\u3000and\u3000impetuous\u3000as\u3000herself\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000He\u3000picked\u3000Scarlett\u3000up\u3000with\u3000ease\u3000despite\u3000his\u3000apparent\u3000frailness\u3000and\u3000age\u3000and\uff1b\u3000observing\u3000Prissy\u3000standing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000platform\u3000of\u3000the\u3000train\uff1b\u3000the\u3000baby\u3000in\u3000her\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000he\u3000paused\uff1a\u3000\u201cIs\u3000dat\u3000air\u3000chile\u3000yo\u2019\u3000nuss\uff1f\u3000Miss\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000she\u3000too\u3000young\u3000ter\u3000be\u3000handlin\u2019\u3000Mist\u2019\u3000Charles\u2019\u3000onlies\u2019\u3000baby\uff01\u3000But\u3000we\u3000ten\u2019\u3000to\u3000dat\u3000later\u3002\u3000You\u3000gal\uff1b\u3000foller\u3000me\uff1b\u3000an\u2019\u3000doan\u3000you\u3000go\u3000drappin\u2019\u3000dat\u3000baby\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000submitted\u3000meekly\u3000to\u3000being\u3000carried\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000carriage\u3000and\u3000also\u3000to\u3000the\u3000peremptory\u3000manner\u3000in\u3000which\u3000Uncle\u3000Peter\u3000criticized\u3000her\u3000and\u3000Prissy\u3002\u3000As\u3000they\u3000went\u3000through\u3000the\u3000mud\u3000with\u3000Prissy\u3000sloshing\uff1b\u3000pouting\uff1b\u3000after\u3000them\uff1b\u3000she\u3000recalled\u3000what\u3000Charles\u3000had\u3000said\u3000about\u3000Uncle\u3000Peter\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000Prissy\u3000and\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000Prissy\u3000was\u3000not\u3000the\u3000most\u3000adequate\u3000of\u3000nurses\u3002\u3000Her\u3000recent\u3000graduation\u3000from\u3000a\u3000skinny\u3000pickaninny\u3000with\u3000brief\u3000skirts\u3000and\u3000stiffly\u3000wrapped\u3000braids\u3000into\u3000the\u3000dignity\u3000of\u3000a\u3000calico\u3000dress\u3000and\u3000starched\u3000white\u3000turban\u3000was\u3000an\u3000intoxicating\u3000affair\u3002\u3000She\u3000would\u3000never\u3000have\u3000arrived\u3000at\u3000this\u3000eminence\u3000so\u3000early\u3000in\u3000life\u3000had\u3000not\u3000the\u3000exigencies\u3000of\u3000war\u3000and\u3000the\u3000demands\u3000of\u3000the\u3000commissary\u3000department\u3000on\u3000Tara\u3000made\u3000it\u3000impossible\u3000for\u3000Ellen\u3000to\u3000spare\u3000Mammy\u3000or\u3000Dilcey\u3000or\u3000even\u3000Rosa\u3000or\u3000Teena\u3002\u3000Prissy\u3000had\u3000never\u3000been\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000mile\u3000away\u3000from\u3000Twelve\u3000Oaks\u3000or\u3000Tara\u3000before\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000trip\u3000on\u3000the\u3000train\u3000plus\u3000her\u3000elevation\u3000to\u3000nurse\u3000was\u3000almost\u3000more\u3000than\u3000the\u3000brain\u3000in\u3000her\u3000little\u3000black\u3000skull\u3000could\u3000bear\u3002\u3000The\u3000twenty\u2026mile\u3000journey\u3000from\u3000Jonesboro\u3000to\u3000Atlanta\u3000had\u3000so\u3000excited\u3000her\u3000that\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000been\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000the\u3000baby\u3000all\u3000the\u3000way\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000so\u3000many\u3000buildings\u3000and\u3000people\u3000completed\u3000Prissy\u2019s\u3000demoralization\u3002\u3000She\u3000twisted\u3000from\u3000side\u3000to\u3000side\uff1b\u3000pointed\uff1b\u3000bounced\u3000about\u3000and\u3000so\u3000jounced\u3000the\u3000baby\u3000that\u3000he\u3000wailed\u3000miserably\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000For\u3000the\u3000past\u3000year\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000so\u3000engrossed\u3000in\u3000her\u3000own\u3000woes\uff1b\u3000so\u3000bored\u3000by\u3000any\u3000mention\u3000of\u3000war\uff1b\u3000she\u3000did\u3000not\u3000know\u3000that\u3000from\u3000the\u3000minute\u3000the\u3000fighting\u3000first\u3000began\uff1b\u3000Atlanta\u3000had\u3000been\u3000transformed\u3002\u3000The\u3000same\u3000railroads\u3000which\u3000had\u3000made\u3000the\u3000town\u3000the\u3000crossroads\u3000of\u3000commerce\u3000in\u3000time\u3000of\u3000peace\u3000were\u3000now\u3000of\u3000vital\u3000strategic\u3000importance\u3000in\u3000time\u3000of\u3000war\u3002\u3000Far\u3000from\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000lines\uff1b\u3000the\u3000town\u3000and\u3000its\u3000railroads\u3000provided\u3000the\u3000connecting\u3000link\u3000between\u3000the\u3000two\u3000armies\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Confederacy\uff1b\u3000the\u3000army\u3000in\u3000Virginia\u3000and\u3000the\u3000army\u3000in\u3000Tennessee\u3000and\u3000the\u3000West\u3000And\u3000Atlanta\u3000likewise\u3000linked\u3000both\u3000of\u3000the\u3000armies\u3000with\u3000the\u3000deeper\u3000South\u3000from\u3000which\u3000they\u3000drew\u3000their\u3000supplies\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000in\u3000response\u3000to\u3000the\u3000needs\u3000of\u3000war\uff1b\u3000Atlanta\u3000had\u3000become\u3000a\u3000manufacturing\u3000center\uff1b\u3000a\u3000hospital\u3000base\u3000and\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000South\u2019s\u3000chief\u3000depots\u3000for\u3000the\u3000collecting\u3000of\u3000food\u3000and\u3000supplies\u3000for\u3000the\u3000armies\u3000in\u3000the\u3000field\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000looked\u3000about\u3000her\u3000for\u3000the\u3000little\u3000town\u3000she\u3000remembered\u3000so\u3000well\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002\u3000The\u3000town\u3000she\u3000was\u3000now\u3000seeing\u3000was\u3000like\u3000a\u3000baby\u3000grown\u3000overnight\u3000into\u3000a\u3000busy\uff1b\u3000sprawling\u3000giant\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Atlanta\u3000was\u3000humming\u3000like\u3000a\u3000beehive\uff1b\u3000proudly\u3000conscious\u3000of\u3000its\u3000importance\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Confederacy\uff1b\u3000and\u3000work\u3000was\u3000going\u3000forward\u3000night\u3000and\u3000day\u3000toward\u3000turning\u3000an\u3000agricultural\u3000section\u3000into\u3000an\u3000industrial\u3000one\u3002\u3000Before\u3000the\u3000war\u3000there\u3000had\u3000been\u3000few\u3000cotton\u3000factories\uff1b\u3000woolen\u3000mills\uff1b\u3000arsenals\u3000and\u3000machine\u3000shops\u3000south\u3000of\u3000Maryland\u2014a\u3000fact\u3000of\u3000which\u3000all\u3000Southerners\u3000were\u3000proud\u3002\u3000The\u3000South\u3000produced\u3000statesmen\u3000and\u3000soldiers\uff1b\u3000planters\u3000and\u3000doctors\uff1b\u3000lawyers\u3000and\u3000poets\uff1b\u3000but\u3000certainly\u3000not\u3000engineers\u3000or\u3000mechanics\u3002\u3000Let\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000adopt\u3000such\u3000low\u3000callings\u3002\u3000But\u3000now\u3000the\u3000Confederate\u3000ports\u3000were\u3000stoppered\u3000with\u3000Yankee\u3000gunboats\uff1b\u3000only\u3000a\u3000trickle\u3000of\u3000blockade\u2026run\u3000goods\u3000was\u3000slipping\u3000in\u3000from\u3000Europe\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000South\u3000was\u3000desperately\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000manufacture\u3000her\u3000own\u3000war\u3000materials\u3002\u3000The\u3000North\u3000could\u3000call\u3000on\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000world\u3000for\u3000supplies\u3000and\u3000for\u3000soldiers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000thousands\u3000of\u3000Irish\u3000and\u3000Germans\u3000were\u3000pouring\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Union\u3000Army\uff1b\u3000lured\u3000by\u3000the\u3000bounty\u3000money\u3000offered\u3000by\u3000the\u3000North\u3002\u3000The\u3000South\u3000could\u3000only\u3000turn\u3000in\u3000upon\u3000itself\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000In\u3000Atlanta\uff1b\u3000there\u3000were\u3000machine\u3000factories\u3000tediously\u3000turning\u3000out\u3000machinery\u3000to\u3000manufacture\u3000war\u3000materials\u2014tediously\uff1b\u3000because\u3000there\u3000were\u3000few\u3000machines\u3000in\u3000the\u3000South\u3000from\u3000which\u3000they\u3000could\u3000model\u3000and\u3000nearly\u3000every\u3000wheel\u3000and\u3000cog\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000made\u3000from\u3000drawings\u3000that\u3000came\u3000through\u3000the\u3000blockade\u3000from\u3000England\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000strange\u3000faces\u3000on\u3000the\u3000streets\u3000of\u3000Atlanta\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000citizens\u3000who\u3000a\u3000year\u3000ago\u3000would\u3000have\u3000pricked\u3000op\u3000their\u3000ears\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000even\u3000a\u3000Western\u3000accent\u3000paid\u3000no\u3000heed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000foreign\u3000tongues\u3000of\u3000Europeans\u3000who\u3000had\u3000run\u3000the\u3000blockade\u3000to\u3000build\u3000machines\u3000and\u3000turn\u3000out\u3000Confederate\u3000munitions\u3002\u3000Skilled\u3000men\u3000these\uff1b\u3000without\u3000whom\u3000the\u3000Confederacy\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000hard\u3000put\u3000to\u3000make\u3000pistols\uff1b\u3000rifles\uff1b\u3000cannon\u3000and\u3000powder\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Almost\u3000the\u3000poising\u3000of\u3000the\u3000town\u2019s\u3000heart\u3000could\u3000be\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000the\u3000work\u3000went\u3000forward\u3000night\u3000and\u3000day\uff1b\u3000pumping\u3000the\u3000materials\u3000of\u3000war\u3000up\u3000the\u3000railway\u3000arteries\u3000to\u3000the\u3000two\u3000battle\u3000fronts\u3002\u3000Trains\u3000roared\u3000in\u3000and\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000town\u3000at\u3000all\u3000hours\u3002\u3000Soot\u3000from\u3000the\u3000newly\u3000erected\u3000factories\u3000fell\u3000in\u3000showers\u3000on\u3000the\u3000white\u3000houses\u3002\u3000By\u3000night\uff1b\u3000the\u3000furnaces\u3000glowed\u3000and\u3000the\u3000hammers\u3000clanged\u3000long\u3000after\u3000townsfolk\u3000were\u3000abed\u3002\u3000Where\u3000vacant\u3000lots\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000year\u3000before\uff1b\u3000there\u3000were\u3000now\u3000factories\u3000turning\u3000out\u3000harness\uff1b\u3000saddl         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000abed\u3002\u3000Where\u3000vacant\u3000lots\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000year\u3000before\uff1b\u3000there\u3000were\u3000now\u3000factories\u3000turning\u3000out\u3000harness\uff1b\u3000saddles\u3000and\u3000shoes\uff1b\u3000ordnance\u2026supply\u3000plants\u3000making\u3000rifles\u3000and\u3000cannon\uff1b\u3000rolling\u3000mills\u3000and\u3000foundries\u3000producing\u3000iron\u3000rails\u3000and\u3000freight\u3000cars\u3000to\u3000replace\u3000those\u3000destroyed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Yankees\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000variety\u3000of\u3000industries\u3000manufacturing\u3000spurs\uff1b\u3000bridle\u3000bits\uff1b\u3000buckles\uff1b\u3000tents\uff1b\u3000buttons\uff1b\u3000pistols\u3000and\u3000swords\u3002\u3000Already\u3000the\u3000foundries\u3000were\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000iron\uff1b\u3000for\u3000little\u3000or\u3000none\u3000came\u3000through\u3000the\u3000blockade\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000mines\u3000in\u3000Alabama\u3000were\u3000standing\u3000almost\u3000idle\u3000while\u3000the\u3000miners\u3000were\u3000at\u3000the\u3000front\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000no\u3000iron\u3000picket\u3000fences\uff1b\u3000iron\u3000summerhouses\uff1b\u3000iron\u3000gates\u3000or\u3000even\u3000iron\u3000statuary\u3000on\u3000the\u3000lawns\u3000of\u3000Atlanta\u3000now\uff1b\u3000for\u3000they\u3000had\u3000early\u3000found\u3000their\u3000way\u3000into\u3000the\u3000melting\u3000pots\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rolling\u3000mills\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Here\u3000along\u3000Peachtree\u3000Street\u3000and\u3000near\u2026by\u3000streets\u3000were\u3000the\u3000headquarters\u3000of\u3000the\u3000various\u3000army\u3000departments\uff1b\u3000each\u3000office\u3000swarming\u3000with\u3000uniformed\u3000men\uff1b\u3000the\u3000commissary\uff1b\u3000the\u3000signal\u3000corps\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mail\u3000service\uff1b\u3000the\u3000railway\u3000transport\uff1b\u3000the\u3000provost\u3000marshal\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000outskirts\u3000of\u3000town\u3000were\u3000the\u3000remount\u3000depots\u3000where\u3000horses\u3000and\u3000mules\u3000milled\u3000about\u3000in\u3000large\u3000corrals\uff1b\u3000and\u3000along\u3000side\u3000streets\u3000were\u3000the\u3000hospitals\u3002\u3000As\u3000Uncle\u3000Peter\u3000told\u3000her\u3000about\u3000them\uff1b\u3000Scarlet\u3000felt\u3000that\u3000Atlanta\u3000must\u3000be\u3000a\u3000city\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wounded\uff1b\u3000for\u3000there\u3000were\u3000general\u3000hospitals\uff1b\u3000contagious\u3000hospitals\uff1b\u3000convalescent\u3000hospitals\u3000without\u3000number\u3002\u3000And\u3000every\u3000day\u3000the\u3000trains\u3000just\u3000below\u3000Five\u3000Points\u3000disgorged\u3000more\u3000sick\u3000and\u3000more\u3000wounded\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000little\u3000town\u3000was\u3000gone\u3000and\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rapidly\u3000growing\u3000city\u3000was\u3000animated\u3000with\u3000never\u2026ceasing\u3000energy\u3000and\u3000bustle\u3002\u3000The\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000so\u3000much\u3000hurrying\u3000made\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000fresh\u3000from\u3000rural\u3000leisure\u3000and\u3000quiet\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000breathless\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000liked\u3000it\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000an\u3000exciting\u3000atmosphere\u3000about\u3000the\u3000place\u3000that\u3000uplifted\u3000her\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she\u3000could\u3000actually\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000accelerated\u3000steady\u3000pulse\u3000of\u3000the\u3000town\u2019s\u3000heart\u3000beating\u3000in\u3000time\u3000with\u3000her\u3000own\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000As\u3000they\u3000slowly\u3000made\u3000their\u3000way\u3000through\u3000the\u3000mudholes\u3000of\u3000the\u3000town\u2019s\u3000chief\u3000street\uff1b\u3000she\u3000noted\u3000with\u3000interest\u3000all\u3000the\u3000new\u3000buildings\u3000and\u3000the\u3000new\u3000faces\u3002\u3000The\u3000sidewalks\u3000were\u3000crowded\u3000with\u3000men\u3000in\u3000uniform\uff1b\u3000bearing\u3000the\u3000insignia\u3000of\u3000all\u3000ranks\u3000and\u3000all\u3000service\u3000branches\uff1b\u3000the\u3000narrow\u3000street\u3000was\u3000jammed\u3000with\u3000vehicles\u2014carriages\uff1b\u3000buggies\uff1b\u3000ambulances\uff1b\u3000covered\u3000army\u3000wagons\u3000with\u3000profane\u3000drivers\u3000swearing\u3000as\u3000the\u3000mules\u3000struggled\u3000through\u3000the\u3000ruts\uff1b\u3000gray\u2026clad\u3000couriers\u3000dashed\u3000spattering\u3000through\u3000the\u3000streets\u3000from\u3000one\u3000headquarters\u3000to\u3000another\uff1b\u3000bearing\u3000orders\u3000and\u3000telegraphic\u3000dispatches\uff1b\u3000convalescents\u3000limped\u3000about\u3000on\u3000crutches\uff1b\u3000usually\u3000with\u3000a\u3000solicitous\u3000lady\u3000at\u3000either\u3000elbow\uff1b\u3000bugle\u3000and\u3000drum\u3000and\u3000barked\u3000orders\u3000sounded\u3000from\u3000the\u3000drill\u3000fields\u3000where\u3000the\u3000recruits\u3000were\u3000being\u3000turned\u3000into\u3000soldiers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000with\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000in\u3000her\u3000throat\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000her\u3000first\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000Yankee\u3000uniforms\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Uncle\u3000Peter\u3000pointed\u3000with\u3000his\u3000whip\u3000to\u3000a\u3000detachment\u3000of\u3000dejected\u2026looking\u3000bluecoats\u3000being\u3000shepherded\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000depot\u3000by\u3000a\u3000squad\u3000of\u3000Confederates\u3000with\u3000fixed\u3000bayonets\uff1b\u3000to\u3000entrain\u3000for\u3000the\u3000prison\u3000camp\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u201d\u3000thought\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000first\u3000feeling\u3000of\u3000real\u3000pleasure\u3000she\u3000had\u3000experienced\u3000since\u3000the\u3000day\u3000of\u3000the\u3000barbecue\uff1b\u3000I\u2019m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000like\u3000it\u3000here\uff01\u3000It\u2019s\u3000so\u3000alive\u3000and\u3000exciting\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000town\u3000was\u3000even\u3000more\u3000alive\u3000than\u3000she\u3000realized\uff1b\u3000for\u3000there\u3000were\u3000new\u3000barrooms\u3000by\u3000the\u3000dozens\uff1b\u3000prostitutes\uff1b\u3000following\u3000the\u3000army\uff1b\u3000swarmed\u3000the\u3000town\u3000and\u3000bawdy\u3000houses\u3000were\u3000blossoming\u3000with\u3000women\u3000to\u3000the\u3000consternation\u3000of\u3000the\u3000church\u3000people\u3002\u3000Every\u3000hotel\uff1b\u3000boarding\u3000house\u3000and\u3000private\u3000residence\u3000was\u3000crammed\u3000with\u3000visitors\u3000who\u3000had\u3000come\u3000to\u3000be\u3000near\u3000wounded\u3000relatives\u3000in\u3000the\u3000big\u3000Atlanta\u3000hospitals\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000parties\u3000and\u3000balls\u3000and\u3000bazaars\u3000every\u3000week\u3000and\u3000war\u3000weddings\u3000without\u3000number\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000grooms\u3000on\u3000furlough\u3000in\u3000bright\u3000gray\u3000and\u3000gold\u3000braid\u3000and\u3000the\u3000brides\u3000in\u3000blockade\u2026run\u3000finery\uff1b\u3000aisles\u3000of\u3000crossed\u3000swords\uff1b\u3000toasts\u3000drunk\u3000in\u3000blockaded\u3000champagne\u3000and\u3000tearful\u3000farewells\u3002\u3000Nightly\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000tree\u2026lined\u3000streets\u3000resounded\u3000with\u3000dancing\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000and\u3000from\u3000parlors\u3000tinkled\u3000pianos\u3000where\u3000soprano\u3000voices\u3000blended\u3000with\u3000those\u3000of\u3000soldier\u3000guests\u3000in\u3000the\u3000pleasing\u3000melancholy\u3000of\u3000\u201cThe\u3000Bugles\u3000Sang\u3000Truce\u201d\u3000and\u3000\u201cYour\u3000Letter\u3000Came\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Came\u3000Too\u3000Late\u201d\u2014plaintive\u3000ballads\u3000that\u3000brought\u3000exciting\u3000tears\u3000to\u3000soft\u3000eyes\u3000which\u3000had\u3000never\u3000known\u3000the\u3000tears\u3000of\u3000real\u3000grief\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000When\u3000a\u3000Southerner\u3000took\u3000the\u3000trouble\u3000to\u3000pack\u3000a\u3000trunk\u3000and\u3000travel\u3000twenty\u3000miles\u3000for\u3000a\u3000visit\uff1b\u3000the\u3000visit\u3000was\u3000seldom\u3000of\u3000shorter\u3000duration\u3000than\u3000a\u3000month\uff1b\u3000usually\u3000much\u3000longer\u3002\u3000Southerners\u3000were\u3000as\u3000enthusiastic\u3000visitors\u3000as\u3000they\u3000were\u3000hosts\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000unusual\u3000in\u3000relatives\u3000coming\u3000to\u3000spend\u3000the\u3000Christmas\u3000holidays\u3000and\u3000remaining\u3000until\u3000July\u3002\u3000Often\u3000when\u3000newly\u3000married\u3000couples\u3000went\u3000on\u3000the\u3000usual\u3000round\u3000of\u3000honeymoon\u3000visits\uff1b\u3000they\u3000lingered\u3000in\u3000some\u3000pleasant\u3000home\u3000until\u3000the\u3000birth\u3000of\u3000their\u3000second\u3000child\u3002\u3000Frequently\u3000elderly\u3000aunts\u3000and\u3000uncles\u3000came\u3000to\u3000Sunday\u3000dinner\u3000and\u3000remained\u3000until\u3000they\u3000were\u3000buried\u3000years\u3000later\u3002\u3000Visitors\u3000presented\u3000no\u3000problem\uff1b\u3000for\u3000houses\u3000were\u3000large\uff1b\u3000servants\u3000numerous\u3000and\u3000the\u3000feeding\u3000of\u3000several\u3000extra\u3000mouths\u3000a\u3000minor\u3000matter\u3000in\u3000that\u3000land\u3000of\u3000plenty\u3002\u3000All\u3000ages\u3000and\u3000sexes\u3000went\u3000visiting\uff1b\u3000honeymooners\uff1b\u3000young\u3000mothers\u3000showing\u3000off\u3000new\u3000babies\uff1b\u3000convalescents\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bereaved\uff1b\u3000girls\u3000whose\u3000parents\u3000were\u3000anxious\u3000to\u3000remove\u3000them\u3000from\u3000the\u3000dangers\u3000of\u3000unwise\u3000matches\uff1b\u3000girls\u3000who\u3000had\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000danger\u3000age\u3000without\u3000becoming\u3000engaged\u3000and\u3000who\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000hoped\uff1b\u3000would\u3000make\u3000suitable\u3000matches\u3000under\u3000the\u3000guidance\u3000of\u3000relatives\u3000in\u3000other\u3000places\u3002\u3000Visitors\u3000added\u3000excitement\u3000and\u3000variety\u3000to\u3000the\u3000slow\u2026moving\u3000Southern\u3000life\u3000and\u3000they\u3000were\u3000always\u3000welcome\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000So\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000come\u3000to\u3000Atlanta\u3000with\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000as\u3000to\u3000how\u3000long\u3000she\u3000would\u3000remain\u3002\u3000If\u3000her\u3000visit\u3000proved\u3000as\u3000dull\u3000as\u3000those\u3000in\u3000Savannah\u3000and\u3000Charleston\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000return\u3000home\u3000in\u3000a\u3000month\u3002\u3000If\u3000her\u3000stay\u3000was\u3000pleasant\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000remain\u3000indefinitely\u3002\u3000But\u3000no\u3000sooner\u3000had\u3000she\u3000arrived\u3000than\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\u3000and\u3000Melanie\u3000began\u3000a\u3000campaign\u3000to\u3000induce\u3000her\u3000to\u3000make\u3000her\u3000home\u3000permanently\u3000with\u3000them\u3002\u3000They\u3000brought\u3000up\u3000every\u3000possible\u3000argument\u3002\u3000They\u3000wanted\u3000her\u3000for\u3000her\u3000own\u3000self\u3000because\u3000they\u3000loved\u3000her\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000lonely\u3000and\u3000often\u3000frightened\u3000at\u3000night\u3000in\u3000the\u3000big\u3000house\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000so\u3000brave\u3000she\u3000gave\u3000them\u3000courage\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000so\u3000charming\u3000that\u3000she\u3000cheered\u3000them\u3000in\u3000their\u3000sorrow\u3002\u3000Now\u3000that\u3000Charles\u3000was\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000her\u3000place\u3000and\u3000her\u3000son\u2019s\u3000place\u3000were\u3000with\u3000his\u3000kindred\u3002\u3000Besides\uff1b\u3000half\u3000the\u3000house\u3000now\u3000belonged\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000through\u3000Charles\u2019\u3000will\u3002\u3000Last\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Confederacy\u3000needed\u3000every\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000hands\u3000for\u3000sewing\uff1b\u3000knitting\uff1b\u3000bandage\u3000rolling\u3000and\u3000nursing\u3000the\u3000wounded\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Charles\u2019\u3000Uncle\u3000Henry\u3000Hamilton\uff1b\u3000who\u3000lived\u3000in\u3000bachelor\u3000state\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Atlanta\u3000Hotel\u3000near\u3000the\u3000depot\uff1b\u3000also\u3000talked\u3000seriously\u3000to\u3000her\u3000on\u3000this\u3000subject\u3002\u3000Uncle\u3000Henry\u3000was\u3000a\u3000short\uff1b\u3000pot\u2026bellied\uff1b\u3000irascible\u3000old\u3000gentleman\u3000with\u3000a\u3000pink\u3000face\uff1b\u3000a\u3000shock\u3000of\u3000long\u3000silver\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000an\u3000utter\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000patience\u3000with\u3000feminine\u3000timidities\u3000and\u3000vaporings\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000for\u3000the\u3000latter\u3000reason\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000barely\u3000on\u3000speaking\u3000terms\u3000with\u3000his\u3000sister\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Pittypat\u3000From\u3000childhood\uff1b\u3000they\u3000had\u3000been\u3000exact\u3000opposites\u3000in\u3000temperament\u3000and\u3000they\u3000had\u3000been\u3000further\u3000estranged\u3000by\u3000his\u3000objections\u3000to\u3000the\u3000manner\u3000in\u3000which\u3000she\u3000had\u3000reared\u3000Charles\u2014\u201dMaking\u3000a\u3000damn\u3000sissy\u3000out\u3000of\u3000a\u3000soldier\u2019s\u3000son\uff01\u201d\u3000Years\u3000before\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000so\u3000insulted\u3000her\u3000that\u3000now\u3000Miss\u3000Pitty\u3000never\u3000spoke\u3000of\u3000him\u3000except\u3000in\u3000guarded\u3000whispers\u3000and\u3000with\u3000so\u3000great\u3000reticence\u3000that\u3000a\u3000stranger\u3000would\u3000have\u3000thought\u3000the\u3000honest\u3000old\u3000lawyer\u3000a\u3000murderer\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000least\u3002\u3000The\u3000insult\u3000had\u3000occurred\u3000on\u3000a\u3000day\u3000when\u3000Pitty\u3000wished\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000five\u3000hundred\u3000dollars\u3000from\u3000her\u3000estate\uff1b\u3000of\u3000which\u3000he\u3000was\u3000trustee\uff1b\u3000to\u3000invest\u3000in\u3000a\u3000non\u2026exis         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            ished\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000five\u3000hundred\u3000dollars\u3000from\u3000her\u3000estate\uff1b\u3000of\u3000which\u3000he\u3000was\u3000trustee\uff1b\u3000to\u3000invest\u3000in\u3000a\u3000non\u2026existent\u3000gold\u3000mine\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000refused\u3000to\u3000permit\u3000it\u3000and\u3000stated\u3000heatedly\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000no\u3000more\u3000sense\u3000than\u3000a\u3000June\u3000bug\u3000and\u3000furthermore\u3000it\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000the\u3000fidgets\u3000to\u3000be\u3000around\u3000her\u3000longer\u3000than\u3000five\u3000minutes\u3002\u3000Since\u3000that\u3000day\uff1b\u3000she\u3000only\u3000saw\u3000him\u3000formally\uff1b\u3000once\u3000a\u3000month\uff1b\u3000when\u3000Uncle\u3000Peter\u3000drove\u3000her\u3000to\u3000his\u3000office\u3000to\u3000get\u3000the\u3000housekeeping\u3000money\u3002\u3000After\u3000these\u3000brief\u3000visits\uff1b\u3000Pitty\u3000always\u3000took\u3000to\u3000her\u3000bed\u3000for\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000day\u3000with\u3000tears\u3000and\u3000smelling\u3000salts\u3002\u3000Melanie\u3000and\u3000Charles\uff1b\u3000who\u3000were\u3000on\u3000excellent\u3000terms\u3000with\u3000their\u3000uncle\uff1b\u3000had\u3000frequently\u3000offered\u3000to\u3000relieve\u3000her\u3000of\u3000this\u3000ordeal\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Pitty\u3000always\u3000set\u3000her\u3000babyish\u3000mouth\u3000firmly\u3000and\u3000refused\u3002\u3000Henry\u3000was\u3000her\u3000cross\u3000and\u3000she\u3000must\u3000bear\u3000him\u3002\u3000From\u3000this\uff1b\u3000Charles\u3000and\u3000Melanie\u3000could\u3000only\u3000infer\u3000that\u3000she\u3000took\u3000a\u3000profound\u3000pleasure\u3000in\u3000this\u3000occasional\u3000excitement\uff1b\u3000the\u3000only\u3000excitement\u3000in\u3000her\u3000sheltered\u3000life\u3002<br 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        <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            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\/>\n\u3000Not\u3000all\u3000the\u3000Sowers\u3000of\u3000the\u3000town\u3000were\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000tribute\u3000to\u3000the\u3000leaders\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Confederacy\u3002\u3000The\u3000smallest\uff1b\u3000the\u3000most\u3000fragrant\u3000blossoms\u3000bedecked\u3000the\u3000girls\u3002\u3000Tea\u3000roses\u3000tucked\u3000behind\u3000pink\u3000ears\uff1b\u3000cape\u3000jessamine\u3000and\u3000bud\u3000roses\u3000in\u3000round\u3000little\u3000garlands\u3000over\u3000cascades\u3000of\u3000side\u3000curls\uff1b\u3000blossoms\u3000thrust\u3000demurely\u3000into\u3000satin\u3000sashes\uff1b\u3000flowers\u3000that\u3000before\u3000the\u3000night\u3000was\u3000over\u3000would\u3000find\u3000their\u3000way\u3000into\u3000the\u3000breast\u3000pockets\u3000of\u3000gray\u3000uniforms\u3000as\u3000treasured\u3000souvenirs\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000There\u3000were\u3000so\u3000many\u3000uniforms\u3000in\u3000the\u3000crowd\u2014so\u3000many\u3000uniforms\u3000on\u3000so\u3000many\u3000men\u3000whom\u3000Scarlett\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000men\u3000she\u3000had\u3000met\u3000on\u3000hospital\u3000cots\uff1b\u3000on\u3000the\u3000streets\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000drill\u3000ground\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000such\u3000resplendent\u3000uniforms\uff1b\u3000brave\u3000with\u3000shining\u3000buttons\u3000and\u3000dazzling\u3000with\u3000twined\u3000gold\u3000braid\u3000on\u3000cuffs\u3000and\u3000collars\uff1b\u3000the\u3000red\u3000and\u3000yellow\u3000and\u3000blue\u3000stripes\u3000on\u3000the\u3000trousers\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000different\u3000branches\u3000of\u3000the\u3000service\uff1b\u3000setting\u3000off\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000to\u3000perfection\u3002\u3000Scarlet\u3000and\u3000gold\u3000sashes\u3000swung\u3000to\u3000and\u3000fro\uff1b\u3000sabers\u3000glittered\u3000and\u3000banged\u3000against\u3000shining\u3000boots\uff1b\u3000spurs\u3000rattled\u3000and\u3000jingled\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Such\u3000handsome\u3000men\uff1b\u3000thought\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000swell\u3000of\u3000pride\u3000in\u3000her\u3000heart\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000men\u3000called\u3000greetings\uff1b\u3000waved\u3000to\u3000friends\uff1b\u3000bent\u3000low\u3000over\u3000the\u3000hands\u3000of\u3000elderly\u3000ladies\u3002\u3000All\u3000of\u3000them\u3000were\u3000so\u3000young\u3000looking\uff1b\u3000even\u3000with\u3000their\u3000sweeping\u3000yellow\u3000mustaches\u3000and\u3000full\u3000black\u3000and\u3000brown\u3000beards\uff1b\u3000so\u3000handsome\uff1b\u3000so\u3000reckless\uff1b\u3000with\u3000their\u3000arms\u3000in\u3000slings\uff1b\u3000with\u3000head\u3000bandages\u3000startlingly\u3000white\u3000across\u3000sun\u2026browned\u3000faces\u3002\u3000Some\u3000of\u3000them\u3000were\u3000on\u3000crutches\u3000and\u3000how\u3000proud\u3000were\u3000the\u3000girls\u3000who\u3000solicitously\u3000slowed\u3000their\u3000steps\u3000to\u3000their\u3000escorts\u2019\u3000hopping\u3000pace\uff01\u3000There\u3000was\u3000one\u3000gaudy\u3000splash\u3000of\u3000color\u3000among\u3000the\u3000uniforms\u3000that\u3000put\u3000the\u3000girls\u2019\u3000bright\u3000finery\u3000to\u3000shame\u3000and\u3000stood\u3000out\u3000in\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000like\u3000a\u3000tropical\u3000bird\u2014a\u3000Louisiana\u3000Zouave\uff1b\u3000with\u3000baggy\u3000blue\u3000and\u3000white\u3000striped\u3000pants\uff1b\u3000cream\u3000gaiters\u3000and\u3000tight\u3000little\u3000red\u3000jacket\uff1b\u3000a\u3000dark\uff1b\u3000grinning\u3000little\u3000monkey\u3000of\u3000a\u3000man\uff1b\u3000with\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000in\u3000a\u3000black\u3000silk\u3000sling\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000Maybelle\u3000Merriwether\u2019s\u3000especial\u3000beau\uff1b\u3000Ren\u00e9\u3000Picard\u3002\u3000The\u3000whole\u3000hospital\u3000must\u3000have\u3000turned\u3000out\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000everybody\u3000who\u3000could\u3000walk\uff1b\u3000and\u3000all\u3000the\u3000men\u3000on\u3000furlough\u3000and\u3000sick\u3000leave\u3000and\u3000all\u3000the\u3000railroad\u3000and\u3000mail\u3000service\u3000and\u3000hospital\u3000and\u3000commissary\u3000departments\u3000between\u3000here\u3000and\u3000Macon\u3002\u3000How\u3000pleased\u3000the\u3000ladies\u3000would\u3000be\uff01\u3000The\u3000hospital\u3000should\u3000make\u3000a\u3000mint\u3000of\u3000money\u3000tonight\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000ruffle\u3000of\u3000drums\u3000from\u3000the\u3000street\u3000below\uff1b\u3000the\u3000tramp\u3000of\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000the\u3000admiring\u3000cries\u3000of\u3000coachmen\u3002\u3000A\u3000bugle\u3000blared\u3000and\u3000a\u3000bass\u3000voice\u3000shouted\u3000the\u3000command\u3000to\u3000break\u3000ranks\u3002\u3000In\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Home\u3000Guard\u3000and\u3000the\u3000militia\u3000unit\u3000in\u3000their\u3000bright\u3000uniforms\u3000shook\u3000the\u3000narrow\u3000stairs\u3000and\u3000crowded\u3000into\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000bowing\uff1b\u3000saluting\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000hands\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000boys\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Home\u3000Guard\uff1b\u3000proud\u3000to\u3000be\u3000playing\u3000at\u3000war\uff1b\u3000promising\u3000themselves\u3000they\u3000would\u3000be\u3000in\u3000Virginia\u3000this\u3000time\u3000next\u3000y         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            e\u3000Guard\uff1b\u3000proud\u3000to\u3000be\u3000playing\u3000at\u3000war\uff1b\u3000promising\u3000themselves\u3000they\u3000would\u3000be\u3000in\u3000Virginia\u3000this\u3000time\u3000next\u3000year\uff1b\u3000if\u3000the\u3000war\u3000would\u3000just\u3000last\u3000that\u3000long\uff1b\u3000old\u3000men\u3000with\u3000white\u3000beards\uff1b\u3000wishing\u3000they\u3000were\u3000younger\uff1b\u3000proud\u3000to\u3000march\u3000in\u3000uniform\u3000in\u3000the\u3000reflected\u3000glory\u3000of\u3000sons\u3000at\u3000the\u3000front\u3000In\u3000the\u3000militia\uff1b\u3000there\u3000were\u3000many\u3000middle\u2026aged\u3000men\u3000and\u3000some\u3000older\u3000men\u3000but\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000fair\u3000sprinkling\u3000of\u3000men\u3000of\u3000military\u3000age\u3000who\u3000did\u3000not\u3000carry\u3000themselves\u3000quite\u3000so\u3000jauntily\u3000as\u3000their\u3000elders\u3000or\u3000their\u3000juniors\u3002\u3000Already\u3000people\u3000were\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000whisper\uff1b\u3000asking\u3000why\u3000they\u3000were\u3000not\u3000with\u3000Lee\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000How\u3000would\u3000they\u3000all\u3000get\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hall\uff01\u3000It\u3000had\u3000seemed\u3000such\u3000a\u3000large\u3000place\u3000a\u3000few\u3000minutes\u3000before\uff1b\u3000and\u3000now\u3000it\u3000was\u3000packed\uff1b\u3000warm\u3000with\u3000summer\u2026night\u3000odors\u3000of\u3000sachet\u3000and\u3000cologne\u3000water\u3000and\u3000hair\u3000pomade\u3000and\u3000burning\u3000bayberry\u3000candles\uff1b\u3000fragrant\u3000with\u3000flowers\uff1b\u3000faintly\u3000dusty\u3000as\u3000many\u3000feet\u3000trod\u3000the\u3000old\u3000drill\u3000floors\u3002\u3000The\u3000din\u3000and\u3000hubbub\u3000of\u3000voices\u3000made\u3000it\u3000almost\u3000impossible\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000anything\u3000and\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000feeling\u3000the\u3000joy\u3000and\u3000excitement\u3000of\u3000the\u3000occasion\uff1b\u3000old\u3000Levi\u3000choked\u3000off\u3000\u201cLorena\u201d\u3000in\u3000mid\u2026bar\uff1b\u3000rapped\u3000sharply\u3000with\u3000his\u3000bow\u3000and\uff1b\u3000sawing\u3000away\u3000for\u3000dear\u3000life\uff1b\u3000the\u3000orchestra\u3000burst\u3000into\u3000\u201cBonnie\u3000Blue\u3000Flag\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000A\u3000hundred\u3000voices\u3000took\u3000it\u3000up\uff1b\u3000sang\u3000it\u3000shouted\u3000it\u3000like\u3000a\u3000cheer\u3002\u3000The\u3000Home\u3000Guard\u3000bugler\uff1b\u3000climbing\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000platform\uff1b\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000with\u3000the\u3000music\u3000just\u3000as\u3000the\u3000chorus\u3000began\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000high\u3000silver\u3000notes\u3000soared\u3000out\u3000thrillingly\u3000above\u3000the\u3000massed\u3000singing\uff1b\u3000causing\u3000goose\u3000bumps\u3000to\u3000break\u3000out\u3000on\u3000bare\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000cold\u3000chills\u3000of\u3000deeply\u3000felt\u3000emotion\u3000to\u3000fly\u3000down\u3000spines\uff1a<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cHurrah\uff01\u3000Hurrah\uff01\u3000For\u3000the\u3000Southern\u3000Rights\uff1b\u3000hurrah\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000Hurrah\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Bonnie\u3000Blue\u3000Flag<br \/>\n\u3000That\u3000bears\u3000a\u3000single\u3000star\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000They\u3000crashed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000second\u3000verse\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000singing\u3000with\u3000the\u3000rest\uff1b\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000high\u3000sweet\u3000soprano\u3000of\u3000Melanie\u3000mounting\u3000behind\u3000her\uff1b\u3000clear\u3000and\u3000true\u3000and\u3000thrilling\u3000as\u3000the\u3000bugle\u3000notes\u3002\u3000Turning\uff1b\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000Melly\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000with\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000clasped\u3000to\u3000her\u3000breast\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000closed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000tiny\u3000tears\u3000oozing\u3000from\u3000the\u3000corners\u3002\u3000She\u3000smiled\u3000at\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000whimsically\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000music\u3000ended\uff1b\u3000making\u3000a\u3000little\u3000moue\u3000of\u3000apology\u3000as\u3000she\u3000dabbed\u3000with\u3000her\u3000handkerchief\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u2019m\u3000so\u3000happy\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000\u201cand\u3000so\u3000proud\u3000of\u3000the\u3000soldiers\u3000that\u3000I\u3000just\u3000can\u2019t\u3000help\u3000crying\u3000about\u3000it\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000deep\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000fanatic\u3000glow\u3000in\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000that\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000lit\u3000up\u3000her\u3000plain\u3000little\u3000face\u3000and\u3000made\u3000it\u3000beautiful\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000same\u3000look\u3000was\u3000on\u3000the\u3000faces\u3000of\u3000all\u3000the\u3000women\u3000as\u3000the\u3000song\u3000ended\uff1b\u3000tears\u3000of\u3000pride\u3000on\u3000cheeks\uff1b\u3000pink\u3000or\u3000wrinkled\uff1b\u3000smiles\u3000on\u3000lips\uff1b\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000hot\u3000glow\u3000in\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000as\u3000they\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000their\u3000men\uff1b\u3000sweetheart\u3000to\u3000lover\uff1b\u3000mother\u3000to\u3000son\uff1b\u3000wife\u3000to\u3000husband\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000all\u3000beautiful\u3000with\u3000the\u3000blinding\u3000beauty\u3000that\u3000transfigures\u3000even\u3000the\u3000plainest\u3000woman\u3000when\u3000she\u3000is\u3000utterly\u3000protected\u3000and\u3000utterly\u3000loved\u3000and\u3000is\u3000giving\u3000back\u3000that\u3000love\u3000a\u3000thousandfold\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000They\u3000loved\u3000their\u3000men\uff1b\u3000they\u3000believed\u3000in\u3000them\uff1b\u3000they\u3000trusted\u3000them\u3000to\u3000the\u3000last\u3000breaths\u3000of\u3000their\u3000bodies\u3002\u3000How\u3000could\u3000disaster\u3000ever\u3000come\u3000to\u3000women\u3000such\u3000as\u3000they\u3000when\u3000their\u3000stalwart\u3000gray\u3000line\u3000stood\u3000between\u3000them\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Yankees\uff1f\u3000Had\u3000there\u3000ever\u3000been\u3000such\u3000men\u3000as\u3000these\u3000since\u3000the\u3000first\u3000dawn\u3000of\u3000the\u3000world\uff1b\u3000so\u3000heroic\uff1b\u3000so\u3000reckless\uff1b\u3000so\u3000gallant\uff1b\u3000so\u3000tender\uff1f\u3000How\u3000could\u3000anything\u3000but\u3000overwhelming\u3000victory\u3000come\u3000to\u3000a\u3000Cause\u3000as\u3000just\u3000and\u3000right\u3000as\u3000theirs\uff1f\u3000A\u3000Cause\u3000they\u3000loved\u3000as\u3000much\u3000as\u3000they\u3000loved\u3000their\u3000men\uff1b\u3000a\u3000Cause\u3000they\u3000served\u3000with\u3000their\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000their\u3000hearts\uff1b\u3000a\u3000Cause\u3000they\u3000talked\u3000about\uff1b\u3000thought\u3000about\uff1b\u3000dreamed\u3000about\u2014a\u3000Cause\u3000to\u3000which\u3000they\u3000would\u3000sacrifice\u3000these\u3000men\u3000if\u3000need\u3000be\uff1b\u3000and\u3000bear\u3000their\u3000loss\u3000as\u3000proudly\u3000as\u3000the\u3000men\u3000bore\u3000their\u3000battle\u3000flags\u3002<br 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        <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            und\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000Even\u3000the\u3000banked\u3000flowers\u3000below\u3000the\u3000pictures\u3000of\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Davis\u3000and\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Stephens\u3000displeased\u3000her\u3002<br 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        <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            lett\u3000clapped\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000dutifully\u3000with\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000and\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000soldiers\u3000pushed\u3000forward\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000punch\u3000and\u3000lemonade\u3000booths\u3000after\u3000they\u3000were\u3000dismissed\uff1b\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Melanie\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000better\u3000begin\u3000her\u3000deception\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Cause\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000possible\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cThey\u3000looked\u3000fine\uff1b\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000they\uff1f\u201d\u3000she\u3000said\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Melanie\u3000was\u3000fussing\u3000about\u3000with\u3000the\u3000knitted\u3000things\u3000on\u3000the\u3000counter\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cHe\u3000died\u3000in\u3000camp\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Scarlett\u3000flatly\u3002\u3000         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000\u201cMy\u3000husband\u3000is\u3000in\u3000Virginia\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Melly\u3000with\u3000a\u3000proud\u3000lift\u3000of\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u201cBut\u3000Charles\u2014\u201d\u3000Her\u3000voice\u3000broke\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cHe\u3000died\u3000in\u3000camp\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Scarlett\u3000flatly\u3002\u3000She\u3000almost\u3000snapped\u3000the\u3000words\u3002\u3000Would\u3000this\u3000creature\u3000never\u3000go\u3000away\uff1f\u3000Melly\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000startled\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Captain\u3000made\u3000a\u3000gesture\u3000of\u3000self\u2026reproach\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Though\u3000caught\u3000unawares\uff1b\u3000the\u3000blockader\u3000made\u3000a\u3000graceful\u3000bow\u2014too\u3000graceful\uff1b\u3000thought\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000analyze\u3000it\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000almost\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000overdid\u3000his\u3000courtesy\u3000because\u3000his\u3000contempt\u3000for\u3000everybody\u3000present\u3000was\u3000so\u3000great\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000loud\u3000burst\u3000of\u3000applause\u3000as\u3000he\u3000bowed\u3000and\u3000a\u3000craning\u3000of\u3000necks\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ladies\u3000in\u3000the\u3000corner\u3002\u3000So\u3000that\u3000was\u3000who\u3000poor\u3000Charles\u3000Hamilton\u2019s\u3000widow\u3000was\u3000carrying\u3000on\u3000with\uff01\u3000And\u3000Charlie\u3000hardly\u3000dead\u3000a\u3000year\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWe\u3000need\u3000more\u3000gold\u3000and\u3000I\u3000         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            y\u3000dead\u3000a\u3000year\uff01<br 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        <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            uld\u3000get\u3000along\u3000without\u3000the\u3000old\u3000cats\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000too\u3000many\u3000nice\u3000officers\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3000for\u3000her\u3000to\u3000bother\u3000about\u3000what\u3000old\u3000women\u3000said\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Pittypat\u3000was\u3000dabbing\u3000at\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000under\u3000Melanie\u2019s\u3000soothing\u3000words\u3000when\u3000Prissy\u3000entered\u3000with\u3000a\u3000bulky\u3000letter\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cFer\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Melly\u3002\u3000A\u3000lil\u3000nigger\u3000boy\u3000brung\u3000it\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cFor\u3000me\uff1f\u201d\u3000said\u3000Melly\uff1b\u3000wondering\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000ripped\u3000open\u3000the\u3000envelope\u3002<br 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    \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000Scarlett\u3000arose\u3000at\u3000five\u2026thirty\uff1b\u3000before\u3000the\u3000servants\u3000had\u3000come\u3000in\u3000from\u3000the\u3000back\u3000yard\u3000to\u3000start\u3000breakfast\uff1b\u3000and\u3000slipped\u3000down\u3000the\u3000steps\u3000to\u3000the\u3000quiet\u3000lower\u3000floor\u3002\u3000Gerald\u3000was\u3000awake\uff1b\u3000sitting\u3000on\u3000the\u3000sofa\uff1b\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000gripping\u3000his\u3000bullet\u3000head\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000wished\u3000to\u3000crush\u3000it\u3000between\u3000his\u3000palms\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000furtively\u3000as\u3000she\u3000entered\u3002\u3000The\u3000pain\u3000of\u3000moving\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000was\u3000too\u3000excruciating\u3000to\u3000be\u3000borne\u3000and\u3000he\u3000groaned\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWurra\u3000the\u3000day\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cIt\u2019s\u3000a\u3000fine\u3000way\u3000you\u2019ve\u3000acted\uff1b\u3000Pa\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000began\u3000in\u3000a\u3000furious\u3000whisper\u3002\u3000\u201cComing\u3000home\u3000at\u3000such\u3000an\u3000hour\u3000and\u3000waking\u3000all\u3000the\u3000neighbors\u3000with\u3000your\u3000singing\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000sang\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cSang\uff01\u3000You\u3000woke\u3000the\u3000echoes\u3000singing\u3000the\u3000\u2018Lament\u3002\u2019\u3000\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201c\u3000\u2018Tis\u3000nothing\u3000I\u2019m\u3000remembering\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cThe\u3000neighbors\u3000will\u3000remember\u3000it\u3000till\u3000their\u3000dying\u3000day\u3000and\u3000so\u3000will\u3000Miss\u3000Pittypat\u3000and\u3000Melanie\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000As\u3000if\u3000every\u3000movement\u3000was\u3000agony\uff1b\u3000Gerald\u3000removed\u3000his\u3000wallet\u3000from\u3000his\u3000coat\u3000and\u3000opened\u3000it\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000empty\u3000and\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000it\u3000in\u3000forlorn\u3000bewilderment\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cFive\u3000hundred\u3000dollars\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u201cAnd\u3000\u2018twas\u3000to\u3000buy\u3000things\u3000from\u3000the\u3000blockaders\u3000for\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000O\u2019Hara\uff1b\u3000and\u3000now\u3000not\u3000even\u3000fare\u3000left\u3000to\u3000Tara\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000As\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000indignantly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000empty\u3000purse\uff1b\u3000an\u3000idea\u3000took\u3000form\u3000in\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000mind\u3000and\u3000grew\u3000swiftly\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000in\u3000sudden\u3000anguished\u3000apprehension\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYou\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u3000be\u3000telling\u3000your\u3000mother\u3000a\u3000word\u3000and\u3000upsetting\u3000her\uff1b\u3000now\u3000would\u3000you\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000said\u3000nothing\u3000but\u3000pursed\u3000her\u3000lips\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cThink\u3000now\u3000how\u3000\u2018twould\u3000hurt\u3000her\u3000and\u3000her\u3000so\u3000gentle\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cAnd\u3000to\u3000think\uff1b\u3000Pa\uff1b\u3000that\u3000you\u3000said\u3000only\u3000last\u3000night\u3000I\u3000had\u3000disgraced\u3000the\u3000family\uff01\u3000Me\uff1b\u3000with\u3000my\u3000poor\u3000little\u3000dance\u3000to\u3000make\u3000money\u3000for\u3000the\u3000soldiers\u3002\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000I\u3000could\u3000cry\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWell\uff1b\u3000don\u2019t\uff1b\u201d\u3000pleaded\u3000Gerald\u3002\u3000\u201c\u3000\u2018Twould\u3000be\u3000more\u3000than\u3000me\u3000poor\u3000head\u3000could\u3000stand\u3000and\u3000sure\u3000\u2018tis\u3000bursting\u3000now\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cAnd\u3000you\u3000said\u3000that\u3000I\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cNow\u3000Puss\uff1b\u3000now\u3000Puss\uff1b\u3000don\u2019t\u3000you\u3000be\u3000hurt\u3000at\u3000what\u3000your\u3000poor\u3000old\u3000father\u3000said\u3000and\u3000him\u3000not\u3000meaning\u3000a\u3000thing\u3000and\u3000not\u3000understanding\u3000a\u3000thing\uff01\u3000Sure\uff1b\u3000you\u2019re\u3000a\u3000fine\u3000well\u2026meaning\u3000girl\uff1b\u3000I\u2019m\u3000sure\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cAnd\u3000wanting\u3000to\u3000take\u3000me\u3000home\u3000in\u3000disgrace\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000tiptoed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000silent\u3000hall\u3000into\u3000the\u3000dining\u3000room\u3000to\u3000get\u3000the\u3000brandy\u3000bottle\u3000that\u3000she\u3000and\u3000Melly\u3000privately\u3000called\u3000the\u3000\u201cswoon\u3000bottle\u201d\u3000because\u3000Pittypat\u3000always\u3000took\u3000a\u3000sip\u3000from\u3000it\u3000when\u3000her\u3000fluttering\u3000heart\u3000made\u3000her\u3000faint\u2014or\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000faint\u3002\u3000Triumph\u3000was\u3000written\u3000on\u3000her\u3000face\u3000and\u3000no\u3000trace\u3000of\u3000shame\u3000for\u3000her\u3000unfilial\u3000treatment\u3000of\u3000Gerald\u3002\u3000Now\u3000Ellen\u3000would\u3000be\u3000soothed\u3000with\u3000lies\u3000if\u3000any\u3000other\u3000busybody\u3000wrote\u3000her\u3002\u3000Now\u3000she\u3000could\u3000stay\u3000in\u3000Atlanta\u3002\u3000Now\u3000she\u3000could\u3000do\u3000almost\u3000as\u3000she\u3000pleased\uff1b\u3000Pittypat\u3000being\u3000the\u3000weak\u3000vessel\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3002\u3000She\u3000unlocked\u3000the\u3000cellaret\u3000and\u3000stood\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000with\u3000the\u3000bottle\u3000and\u3000glass\u3000pressed\u3000to\u3000her\u3000bosom\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000She\u3000unlocked\u3000the\u3000door\u3000and\u3000went\u3000down\u3000the\u3000dim\u3000winding\u3000stair\u3000with\u3000a\u3000light\u3000heart\u3002\u3000Halfway\u3000down\u3000she\u3000began\u3000singing\u3000\u201cWhen\u3000This\u3000Cruel\u3000War\u3000Is\u3000Over\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000CHAPTER\u3000XII<br 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\/>\n\u3000But\u3000to\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000newly\u3000emerged\u3000from\u3000the\u3000chrysalis\u3000of\u3000widowhood\uff1b\u3000all\u3000the\u3000war\u3000meant\u3000was\u3000a\u3000time\u3000of\u3000gaiety\u3000and\u3000excitement\u3002\u3000Even\u3000the\u3000small\u3000privations\u3000of\u3000clothing\u3000and\u3000food\u3000did\u3000not\u3000annoy\u3000her\uff1b\u3000so\u3000happy\u3000was\u3000she\u3000to\u3000be\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3000again\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000When\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dull\u3000times\u3000of\u3000the\u3000past\u3000year\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000days\u3000going\u3000by\u3000one\u3000very\u3000much\u3000like\u3000another\uff1b\u3000life\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000quickened\u3000to\u3000an\u3000incredible\u3000speed\u3002\u3000Every\u3000day\u3000dawned\u3000as\u3000an\u3000exciting\u3000adventure\uff1b\u3000a\u3000day\u3000in\u3000which\u3000she\u3000would\u3000meet\u3000new\u3000men\u3000who\u3000would\u3000ask\u3000to\u3000call\u3000on\u3000her\uff1b\u3000tell\u3000her\u3000how\u3000pretty\u3000she\u3000was\uff1b\u3000and\u3000how\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000privilege\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000and\uff1b\u3000perhaps\uff1b\u3000to\u3000die\u3000for\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000and\u3000did\u3000love\u3000Ashley\u3000with\u3000the\u3000last\u3000breath\u3000in\u3000her\u3000body\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000did\u3000not\u3000prevent\u3000her\u3000from\u3000inveigling\u3000other\u3000men\u3000into\u3000asking\u3000to\u3000marry\u3000her\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000ever\u2026present\u3000war\u3000in\u3000the\u3000background\u3000lent\u3000a\u3000pleasant\u3000informality\u3000to\u3000social\u3000relations\uff1b\u3000an\u3000informality\u3000which\u3000older\u3000people\u3000viewed\u3000with\u3000alarm\u3002\u3000Mothers\u3000found\u3000strange\u3000men\u3000calling\u3000on\u3000their\u3000daughters\uff1b\u3000men\u3000who\u3000came\u3000without\u3000letters\u3000of\u3000introduction\u3000and\u3000whose\u3000antecedents\u3000were\u3000unknown\u3002\u3000To\u3000their\u3000horror\uff1b\u3000mothers\u3000found\u3000their\u3000daughters\u3000holding\u3000hands\u3000with\u3000these\u3000men\u3002\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Merriwether\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000never\u3000kissed\u3000her\u3000husband\u3000until\u3000after\u3000the\u3000wedding\u3000ceremony\uff1b\u3000could\u3000scarcely\u3000believe\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000when\u3000she\u3000caught\u3000Maybelle\u3000kissing\u3000the\u3000little\u3000Zouave\uff1b\u3000Ren\u00e9\u3000Picard\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000consternation\u3000was\u3000even\u3000greater\u3000when\u3000Maybelle\u3000refused\u3000to\u3000be\u3000ashamed\u3002\u3000Even\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000Ren\u00e9\u3000immediately\u3000asked\u3000for\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000did\u3000not\u3000improve\u3000matters\u3002\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Merriwether\u3000felt\u3000that\u3000the\u3000South\u3000was\u3000heading\u3000for\u3000a\u3000complete\u3000moral\u3000collapse\u3000and\u3000frequently\u3000said\u3000so\u3002\u3000Other\u3000mothers\u3000concurred\u3000heartily\u3000with\u3000her\u3000and\u3000blamed\u3000it\u3000on\u3000the\u3000war\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000But\u3000men\u3000who\u3000expected\u3000to\u3000die\u3000within\u3000a\u3000week\u3000or\u3000a\u3000month\u3000could\u3000not\u3000wait\u3000a\u3000year\u3000before\u3000they\u3000begged\u3000to\u3000call\u3000a\u3000girl\u3000by\u3000her\u3000first\u3000name\uff1b\u3000with\u3000\u201cMiss\uff1b\u201d\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000preceding\u3000it\u3002\u3000Nor\u3000would\u3000they\u3000go\u3000through\u3000the\u3000formal\u3000and\u3000protracted\u3000courtships\u3000which\u3000good\u3000manners\u3000had\u3000prescribed\u3000before\u3000the\u3000war\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000likely\u3000to\u3000propose\u3000in\u3000three\u3000or\u3000four\u3000months\u3002\u3000And\u3000girls\u3000who\u3000knew\u3000very\u3000well\u3000that\u3000a\u3000lady\u3000always\u3000refused\u3000a\u3000gentleman\u3000the\u3000first\u3000three\u3000times\u3000he\u3000proposed\u3000rushed\u3000headlong\u3000to\u3000accept\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000This\u3000informality\u3000made\u3000the\u3000war\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000fun\u3000for\u3000Scarlett\u3002\u3000Except\u3000for\u3000the\u3000messy\u3000business\u3000of\u3000nursing\u3000and\u3000the\u3000bore\u3000of\u3000bandage\u3000rolling\uff1b\u3000she\u3000did\u3000not\u3000care\u3000if\u3000the\u3000war\u3000lasted\u3000forever\u3002\u3000In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000endure\u3000the\u3000hospital\u3000with\u3000equanimity\u3000now\u3000because\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000perfect\u3000happy\u3000hunting\u3000ground\u3002\u3000The\u3000helpless\u3000wounded\u3000succumbed\u3000to\u3000her\u3000charms\u3000without\u3000a\u3000struggle\u3002\u3000Renew\u3000their\u3000bandages\uff1b\u3000wash\u3000their\u3000faces\uff1b\u3000pat\u3000up\u3000their\u3000pillows\u3000and\u3000fan\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000fell\u3000in\u3000love\u3002\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000Heaven\u3000after\u3000the\u3000last\u3000dreary\u3000year\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000was\u3000back\u3000again\u3000where\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000before\u3000she\u3000married\u3000Charles\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she\u3000had\u3000never\u3000married\u3000him\uff1b\u3000never\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000shock\u3000of\u3000his\u3000death\uff1b\u3000never\u3000borne\u3000Wade\u3002\u3000War\u3000and\u3000marriage\u3000and\u3000childbirth\u3000had\u3000passed\u3000over\u3000her\u3000without\u3000touching\u3000any\u3000deep\u3000chord\u3000within\u3000her\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000unchanged\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000a\u3000child\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000cared\u3000for\u3000so\u3000well\u3000by\u3000the\u3000others\u3000in\u3000the\u3000red\u3000brick\u3000house\u3000she\u3000could\u3000almost\u3000forget\u3000him\u3002\u3000In\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000and\u3000heart\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000Scarlett\u3000O\u2019Hara\u3000again\uff1b\u3000the\u3000belle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000County\u3002\u3000Her\u3000thoughts\u3000and\u3000activities\u3000were\u3000the\u3000same\u3000as\u3000they\u3000had\u3000been\u3000in\u3000the\u3000old\u3000days\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000field\u3000of\u3000her\u3000activities\u3000had\u3000widened\u3000immensely\u3002\u3000Careless\u3000of\u3000the\u3000disapproval\u3000of\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\u2019s\u3000friends\uff1b\u3000she\u3000behaved\u3000as\u3000she\u3000had\u3000behaved\u3000before\u3000her\u3000marriage\uff1b\u3000went\u3000to\u3000parties\uff1b\u3000danced\uff1b\u3000went\u3000riding\u3000with\u3000soldiers\uff1b\u3000flirted\uff1b\u3000did\u3000everything\u3000she\u3000had\u3000done\u3000as\u3000a\u3000girl\uff1b\u3000except\u3000stop\u3000wearing\u3000mourning\u3002\u3000This\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000would\u3000be\u3000a\u3000straw\u3000that\u3000would\u3000break\u3000the\u3000backs\u3000of\u3000Pittypat\u3000and\u3000Melanie\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000as\u3000charming\u3000a\u3000widow\u3000as\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000girl\uff1b\u3000pleasant\u3000when\u3000she\u3000had\u3000he         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            f\u3000Pittypat\u3000and\u3000Melanie\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000as\u3000charming\u3000a\u3000widow\u3000as\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000girl\uff1b\u3000pleasant\u3000when\u3000she\u3000had\u3000her\u3000own\u3000way\uff1b\u3000obliging\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000it\u3000did\u3000not\u3000discommode\u3000her\uff1b\u3000vain\u3000of\u3000her\u3000looks\u3000and\u3000her\u3000popularity\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000There\u3000were\u3000few\u3000ladies\u3000who\u3000could\u3000resist\u3000his\u3000charms\u3000when\u3000he\u3000chose\u3000to\u3000exert\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000finally\u3000even\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Merriwether\u3000unbent\u3000and\u3000invited\u3000him\u3000to\u3000Sunday\u3000dinner\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Maybelle\u3000Merriwether\u3000was\u3000to\u3000marry\u3000her\u3000little\u3000Zouave\u3000when\u3000he\u3000got\u3000his\u3000next\u3000furlough\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000cried\u3000every\u3000time\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000for\u3000she\u3000had\u3000set\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000on\u3000marrying\u3000in\u3000a\u3000white\u3000satin\u3000dress\u3000and\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000white\u3000satin\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Confederacy\u3002\u3000Nor\u3000could\u3000she\u3000borrow\u3000a\u3000dress\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000satin\u3000wedding\u3000dresses\u3000of\u3000years\u3000past\u3000had\u3000all\u3000gone\u3000into\u3000the\u3000making\u3000of\u3000battle\u3000flags\u3002\u3000Useless\u3000for\u3000the\u3000patriotic\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Merriwether\u3000to\u3000upbraid\u3000her\u3000daughter\u3000and\u3000point\u3000out\u3000that\u3000homespun\u3000was\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000bridal\u3000attire\u3000for\u3000a\u3000Confederate\u3000bride\u3002\u3000Maybelle\u3000wanted\u3000satin\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000willing\uff1b\u3000even\u3000proud\u3000to\u3000go\u3000without\u3000hairpins\u3000and\u3000buttons\u3000and\u3000nice\u3000shoes\u3000and\u3000candy\u3000and\u3000tea\u3000for\u3000the\u3000sake\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Cause\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000wanted\u3000a\u3000satin\u3000wedding\u3000dress\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Rhett\uff1b\u3000hearing\u3000of\u3000this\u3000from\u3000Melanie\uff1b\u3000brought\u3000in\u3000from\u3000England\u3000yards\u3000and\u3000yards\u3000of\u3000gleaming\u3000white\u3000satin\u3000and\u3000a\u3000lace\u3000veil\u3000and\u3000presented\u3000them\u3000to\u3000her\u3000as\u3000a\u3000wedding\u3000gift\u3002\u3000He\u3000did\u3000it\u3000in\u3000such\u3000a\u3000way\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000unthinkable\u3000to\u3000even\u3000mention\u3000paying\u3000him\u3000for\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Maybelle\u3000was\u3000so\u3000delighted\u3000she\u3000almost\u3000kissed\u3000him\u3002\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Merriwether\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000so\u3000expensive\u3000a\u3000gift\u2014and\u3000a\u3000gift\u3000of\u3000clothing\u3000at\u3000that\u2014was\u3000highly\u3000improper\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000could\u3000think\u3000of\u3000no\u3000way\u3000of\u3000re         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            ive\u3000a\u3000gift\u2014and\u3000a\u3000gift\u3000of\u3000clothing\u3000at\u3000that\u2014was\u3000highly\u3000improper\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000could\u3000think\u3000of\u3000no\u3000way\u3000of\u3000refusing\u3000when\u3000Rhett\u3000told\u3000her\u3000in\u3000the\u3000most\u3000florid\u3000language\u3000that\u3000nothing\u3000was\u3000too\u3000good\u3000to\u3000deck\u3000the\u3000bride\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000our\u3000brave\u3000heroes\u3002\u3000So\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Merriwether\u3000invited\u3000him\u3000to\u3000dinner\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000that\u3000this\u3000concession\u3000more\u3000than\u3000paid\u3000for\u3000the\u3000gift\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000He\u3000not\u3000only\u3000brought\u3000Maybelle\u3000the\u3000satin\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000able\u3000to\u3000give\u3000excellent\u3000hints\u3000on\u3000the\u3000making\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wedding\u3000dress\u3002\u3000Hoops\u3000in\u3000Paris\u3000were\u3000wider\u3000this\u3000season\u3000and\u3000skirts\u3000were\u3000shorter\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000ruffled\u3000but\u3000were\u3000gathered\u3000up\u3000in\u3000scalloped\u3000festoons\uff1b\u3000showing\u3000braided\u3000petticoats\u3000beneath\u3002\u3000He\u3000said\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000no\u3000pantalets\u3000on\u3000the\u3000streets\uff1b\u3000so\u3000he\u3000imagined\u3000they\u3000were\u3000\u201cout\u3002\u201d\u3000Afterwards\uff1b\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Merriwether\u3000told\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Elsing\u3000she\u3000feared\u3000that\u3000if\u3000she\u3000had\u3000given\u3000him\u3000any\u3000encouragement\u3000at\u3000all\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000told\u3000her\u3000exactly\u3000what\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000drawers\u3000were\u3000being\u3000worn\u3000by\u3000Parisiennes\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Had\u3000he\u3000been\u3000less\u3000obviously\u3000masculine\uff1b\u3000his\u3000ability\u3000to\u3000recall\u3000details\u3000of\u3000dresses\uff1b\u3000bonnets\u3000and\u3000coiffures\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000put\u3000down\u3000as\u3000the\u3000rankest\u3000effeminacy\u3002\u3000The\u3000ladies\u3000always\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000little\u3000odd\u3000when\u3000they\u3000besieged\u3000him\u3000with\u3000questions\u3000about\u3000styles\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000did\u3000it\u3000nevertheless\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000as\u3000isolated\u3000from\u3000the\u3000world\u3000of\u3000fashion\u3000as\u3000shipwrecked\u3000mariners\uff1b\u3000for\u3000few\u3000books\u3000of\u3000fashion\u3000came\u3000through\u3000the\u3000blockade\u3002\u3000For\u3000all\u3000they\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000ladies\u3000of\u3000France\u3000might\u3000be\u3000shaving\u3000their\u3000heads\u3000and\u3000wearing\u3000coonskin\u3000caps\uff1b\u3000so\u3000Rhett\u2019s\u3000memory\u3000for\u3000furbelows\u3000was\u3000an\u3000excellent\u3000substitute\u3000for\u3000Godey\u2019s\u3000Lady\u2019s\u3000Book\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000and\u3000did\u3000notice\u3000details\u3000so\u3000dear\u3000to\u3000feminine\u3000hearts\uff1b\u3000and\u3000after\u3000each\u3000trip\u3000abroad\u3000he\u3000could\u3000be\u3000found\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000a\u3000group\u3000of\u3000ladies\uff1b\u3000telling\u3000that\u3000bonnets\u3000were\u3000smaller\u3000this\u3000year\u3000and\u3000perched\u3000higher\uff1b\u3000covering\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000head\uff1b\u3000that\u3000plumes\u3000and\u3000not\u3000flowers\u3000were\u3000being\u3000used\u3000to\u3000trim\u3000them\uff1b\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Empress\u3000of\u3000France\u3000had\u3000abandoned\u3000the\u3000chignon\u3000for\u3000evening\u3000wear\u3000and\u3000had\u3000her\u3000hair\u3000piled\u3000almost\u3000on\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000her\u3000head\uff1b\u3000showing\u3000all\u3000of\u3000her\u3000ears\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000evening\u3000frocks\u3000were\u3000shockingly\u3000low\u3000again\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000For\u3000some\u3000months\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000the\u3000most\u3000popular\u3000and\u3000romantic\u3000figure\u3000the\u3000town\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000his\u3000previous\u3000reputation\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000the\u3000faint\u3000rumors\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000engaged\u3000not\u3000only\u3000in\u3000blockading\u3000but\u3000in\u3000speculating\u3000on\u3000foodstuffs\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000People\u3000who\u3000did\u3000not\u3000like\u3000him\u3000said\u3000that\u3000after\u3000every\u3000trip\u3000he\u3000made\u3000to\u3000Atlanta\uff1b\u3000prices\u3000jumped\u3000five\u3000dollars\u3002\u3000But\u3000even\u3000with\u3000this\u3000under\u2026cover\u3000gossip\u3000seeping\u3000about\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000have\u3000retained\u3000his\u3000popularity\u3000had\u3000he\u3000considered\u3000it\u3000worth\u3000retaining\u3002\u3000Instead\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000as\u3000though\uff1b\u3000after\u3000trying\u3000the\u3000company\u3000of\u3000the\u3000staid\u3000and\u3000patriotic\u3000citizens\u3000and\u3000winning\u3000their\u3000respect\u3000and\u3000grudging\u3000liking\uff1b\u3000something\u3000perverse\u3000in\u3000him\u3000made\u3000him\u3000go\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000way\u3000to\u3000affront\u3000them\u3000and\u3000show\u3000them\u3000that\u3000his\u3000conduct\u3000had\u3000been\u3000only\u3000a\u3000masquerade\u3000and\u3000one\u3000which\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000amused\u3000him\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000It\u3000was\u3000as\u3000though\u3000he\u3000bore\u3000an\u3000impersonal\u3000contempt\u3000for\u3000everyone\u3000and\u3000everything\u3000in\u3000the\u3000South\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Confederacy\u3000in\u3000particular\uff1b\u3000and\u3000toot\u3000no\u3000pains\u3000to\u3000conceal\u3000it\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000his\u3000remarks\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Confederacy\u3000that\u3000made\u3000Atlanta\u3000look\u3000at\u3000him\u3000first\u3000in\u3000bewilderment\uff1b\u3000then\u3000coolly\u3000and\u3000then\u3000with\u3000hot\u3000rage\u3002\u3000Even\u3000before\u30001862\u3000passed\u3000into\u30001863\uff1b\u3000men\u3000were\u3000bowing\u3000to\u3000him\u3000with\u3000studied\u3000frigidity\u3000and\u3000women\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000their\u3000daughters\u3000to\u3000their\u3000sides\u3000when\u3000he\u3000appeared\u3000at\u3000a\u3000gathering\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000He\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000take\u3000pleasure\u3000not\u3000only\u3000in\u3000affronting\u3000the\u3000sincere\u3000and\u3000red\u2026hot\u3000loyalties\u3000of\u3000Atlanta\u3000but\u3000in\u3000presenting\u3000himself\u3000in\u3000the\u3000worst\u3000possible\u3000light\u3002\u3000When\u3000well\u2026meaning\u3000people\u3000complimented\u3000him\u3000on\u3000his\u3000bravery\u3000in\u3000running\u3000the\u3000blockade\uff1b\u3000he\u3000blandly\u3000replied\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000always\u3000frightened\u3000when\u3000in\u3000danger\uff1b\u3000as\u3000frightened\u3000as\u3000were\u3000the\u3000brave\u3000boys\u3000at\u3000the\u3000front\u3002\u3000Everyone\u3000knew\u3000there\u3000had\u3000never\u3000been\u3000a\u3000cowardly\u3000Confederate\u3000soldier\u3000and\u3000they\u3000found\u3000this\u3000statement\u3000peculiarly\u3000irritating\u3002\u3000He\u3000always\u3000referred\u3000to\u3000the\u3000soldiers\u3000as\u3000\u201cour\u3000brave\u3000boys\u201d\u3000and\u3000\u201cour\u3000heroes\u3000in\u3000gray\u201d\u3000and\u3000did\u3000it\u3000in\u3000such\u3000a\u3000way\u3000as\u3000to\u3000convey\u3000the\u3000utmost\u3000in\u3000insult\u3002\u3000When\u3000daring\u3000young\u3000ladies\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000for\u3000a\u3000flirtation\uff1b\u3000thanked\u3000him\u3000for\u3000being\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000heroes\u3000who\u3000fought\u3000for\u3000them\uff1b\u3000he\u3000bowed\u3000and\u3000declared\u3000that\u3000such\u3000was\u3000not\u3000the\u3000case\uff1b\u3000for\u3000he\u3000would\u3000do\u3000the\u3000same\u3000thing\u3000for\u3000Yankee\u3000women\u3000if\u3000the\u3000same\u3000amount\u3000of\u3000money\u3000were\u3000involved\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Since\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000first\u3000meeting\u3000with\u3000him\u3000in\u3000Atlanta\u3000on\u3000the\u3000night\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bazaar\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000talked\u3000with\u3000her\u3000in\u3000this\u3000manner\uff1b\u3000but\u3000now\u3000mere\u3000was\u3000a\u3000thinly\u3000veiled\u3000note\u3000of\u3000mockery\u3000in\u3000his\u3000conversations\u3000with\u3000everyone\u3002\u3000When\u3000praised\u3000for\u3000his\u3000services\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Confederacy\uff1b\u3000he\u3000unfailingly\u3000replied\u3000that\u3000blockading\u3000was\u3000a\u3000business\u3000with\u3000him\u3002\u3000If\u3000he\u3000could\u3000make\u3000as\u3000much\u3000money\u3000out\u3000of\u3000government\u3000contracts\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000say\uff1b\u3000picking\u3000out\u3000with\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000those\u3000who\u3000had\u3000government\u3000contracts\uff1b\u3000then\u3000he\u3000would\u3000certainly\u3000abandon\u3000the\u3000hazards\u3000of\u3000blockading\u3000and\u3000take\u3000to\u3000selling\u3000shoddy\u3000cloth\uff1b\u3000sanded\u3000sugar\uff1b\u3000spoiled\u3000flour\u3000and\u3000rotten\u3000leather\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Confederacy\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Most\u3000of\u3000his\u3000remarks\u3000were\u3000unanswerable\uff1b\u3000which\u3000made\u3000them\u3000all\u3000the\u3000worse\u3002\u3000There\u3000had\u3000already\u3000been\u3000minor\u3000scandals\u3000about\u3000those\u3000holding\u3000government\u3000contracts\u3002\u3000Letters\u3000from\u3000men\u3000at\u3000the\u3000front\u3000complained\u3000constantly\u3000of\u3000shoes\u3000that\u3000wore\u3000out\u3000in\u3000a\u3000week\uff1b\u3000gunpowder\u3000that\u3000would\u3000not\u3000ignite\uff1b\u3000harness\u3000that\u3000snapped\u3000at\u3000any\u3000strain\uff1b\u3000meat\u3000that\u3000was\u3000rotten\u3000and\u3000flour\u3000that\u3000was\u3000full\u3000of\u3000weevils\u3002\u3000Atlanta\u3000people\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000think\u3000that\u3000the\u3000men\u3000who\u3000sold\u3000such\u3000stuff\u3000to\u3000the\u3000government\u3000must\u3000be\u3000contract\u3000holders\u3000from\u3000Alabama\u3000or\u3000Virginia\u3000or\u3000Tennessee\uff1b\u3000and\u3000not\u3000Georgians\u3002\u3000For\u3000did\u3000not\u3000the\u3000Georgia\u3000contract\u3000holders\u3000include\u3000men\u3000from\u3000the\u3000very\u3000best\u3000families\uff1f\u3000Were\u3000they\u3000not\u3000the\u3000first\u3000to\u3000contribute\u3000to\u3000the\u3000hospital\u3000funds\u3000and\u3000to\u3000the\u3000aid\u3000of\u3000soldiers\u2019\u3000orphans\uff1f\u3000Were\u3000they\u3000not\u3000the\u3000first\u3000to\u3000cheer\u3000at\u3000\u201cDixie\u201d\u3000and\u3000the\u3000most\u3000rampant\u3000seekers\uff1b\u3000in\u3000oratory\u3000at\u3000least\uff1b\u3000for\u3000Yankee\u3000blood\uff1f\u3000The\u3000full\u3000tide\u3000of\u3000fury\u3000against\u3000those\u3000profiteering\u3000on\u3000government\u3000contracts\u3000had\u3000not\u3000yet\u3000risen\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rhett\u2019s\u3000words\u3000were\u3000taken\u3000merely\u3000as\u3000evidence\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\u3000bad\u3000breeding\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cCan\u2019t\u3000you\u3000see\u3000it\uff1f\u3000Ever\u3000since\u3000I\u3000met\u3000you\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bazaar\uff1b\u3000your\u3000career\u3000has\u3000been\u3000most\u3000shocking\u3000and\u3000I\u2019m\u3000to\u3000blame\u3000for\u3000most\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000Who\u3000encouraged\u3000you\u3000to\u3000dance\uff1f\u3000Who\u3000forced\u3000you\u3000to\u3000admit\u3000that\u3000you\u3000thought\u3000our\u3000glorious\u3000Cause\u3000was\u3000neither\u3000glorious\u3000nor\u3000sacred\uff1f\u3000Who\u3000goaded\u3000you\u3000into\u3000admitting\u3000that\u3000you\u3000thought\u3000men\u3000were\u3000fools\u3000to\u3000die         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            as\u3000neither\u3000glorious\u3000nor\u3000sacred\uff1f\u3000Who\u3000goaded\u3000you\u3000into\u3000admitting\u3000that\u3000you\u3000thought\u3000men\u3000were\u3000fools\u3000to\u3000die\u3000for\u3000high\u2026sounding\u3000principles\uff1f\u3000Who\u3000has\u3000aided\u3000you\u3000in\u3000giving\u3000the\u3000old\u3000ladies\u3000plenty\u3000to\u3000gossip\u3000about\uff1f\u3000Who\u3000is\u3000getting\u3000you\u3000out\u3000of\u3000mourning\u3000several\u3000years\u3000too\u3000soon\uff1f\u3000And\u3000who\uff1b\u3000to\u3000end\u3000all\u3000this\uff1b\u3000has\u3000lured\u3000you\u3000into\u3000accepting\u3000a\u3000gift\u3000which\u3000no\u3000lady\u3000can\u3000accept\u3000and\u3000still\u3000remain\u3000a\u3000lady\uff1f\u201d<br 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\u3000Bad\u3000women\u3000and\u3000all\u3000they\u3000involved\u3000were\u3000mysterious\u3000and\u3000revolting\u3000matters\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000men\u3000patronized\u3000these\u3000women\u3000for\u3000purposes\u3000which\u3000no\u3000lady\u3000should\u3000mention\u2014or\uff1b\u3000if\u3000she\u3000did\u3000mention\u3000them\uff1b\u3000in\u3000whispers\u3000and\u3000by\u3000indirection\u3000and\u3000euphemism\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000always\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000only\u3000common\u3000vulgar\u3000men\u3000visited\u3000such\u3000women\u3002\u3000Before\u3000this\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000never\u3000occurred\u3000to\u3000her\u3000that\u3000nice\u3000men\u2014that\u3000is\uff1b\u3000men\u3000she\u3000met\u3000at\u3000nice\u3000homes\u3000and\u3000with\u3000whom\u3000she\u3000danced\u2014could\u3000possibly\u3000do\u3000such\u3000things\u3002\u3000It\u3000opened\u3000up\u3000an\u3000entirely\u3000new\u3000field\u3000of\u3000thought\u3000and\u3000one\u3000that\u3000was\u3000horrifying\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000all\u3000men\u3000did\u3000this\uff01\u3000It\u3000was\u3000bad\u3000enough\u3000that\u3000they\u3000forced\u3000their\u3000wives\u3000to\u3000go\u3000through\u3000such\u3000indecent\u3000performances\u3000but\u3000to\u3000actually\u3000seek\u3000out\u3000low\u3000women\u3000and\u3000pay\u3000them\u3000for\u3000such\u3000accommodation\uff01\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000men\u3000were\u3000so\u3000vile\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rhett\u3000Butler\u3000was\u3000the\u3000worst\u3000of\u3000them\u3000all\uff01<br 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\/>\n\u3000HOPE\u3000WAS\u3000ROLLING\u3000HIGH\u3000in\u3000every\u3000Southern\u3000heart\u3000as\u3000the\u3000summer\u3000of\u30001863\u3000came\u3000in\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000privation\u3000and\u3000hardships\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000food\u3000speculators\u3000and\u3000kindred\u3000scourges\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000death\u3000and\u3000sickness\u3000and\u3000suffering\u3000which\u3000had\u3000now\u3000left\u3000their\u3000mark\u3000on\u3000nearly\u3000every\u3000family\uff1b\u3000the\u3000South\u3000was\u3000again\u3000saying\u3000\u201cOne\u3000more\u3000victory\u3000and\u3000the\u3000war\u3000is\u3000over\uff1b\u201d\u3000saying\u3000it\u3000with\u3000even\u3000more\u3000happy\u3000assurance\u3000than\u3000in\u3000the\u3000summer\u3000before\u3002\u3000The\u3000Yankees\u3000were\u3000proving\u3000a\u3000hard\u3000nut\u3000to\u3000crack\u3000but\u3000they\u3000were\u3000cracking\u3000at\u3000last\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Christmas\u3000of\u30001862\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000happy\u3000one\u3000for\u3000Atlanta\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000South\u3002\u3000The\u3000Confederacy\u3000had\u3000scored\u3000a\u3000smashing\u3000victory\u3000at\u3000Fredericksburg\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Yankee\u3000dead\u3000and\u3000wounded\u3000were\u3000counted\u3000in\u3000the\u3000thousands\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000universal\u3000rejoicing\u3000in\u3000that\u3000holiday\u3000season\uff1b\u3000rejoicing\u3000and\u3000thankfulness\u3000that\u3000the\u3000tide\u3000was\u3000turning\u3002\u3000The\u3000army\u3000in\u3000butternut\u3000were\u3000now\u3000seasoned\u3000fighters\uff1b\u3000their\u3000generals\u3000had\u3000proven\u3000their\u3000mettle\uff1b\u3000and\u3000everyone\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000when\u3000the\u3000campaign\u3000reopened\u3000in\u3000the\u3000spring\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000would\u3000be\u3000crushed\u3000for\u3000good\u3000and\u3000all\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Spring\u3000came\u3000and\u3000the\u3000fighting\u3000recommenced\u3002\u3000May\u3000came\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Confederacy\u3000won\u3000another\u3000great\u3000victory\u3000at\u3000Chancellorsville\u3002\u3000The\u3000South\u3000roared\u3000with\u3000elation\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Closer\u3000at\u3000home\uff1b\u3000a\u3000Union\u3000cavalry\u3000dash\u3000into\u3000Georgia\u3000had\u3000been\u3000turned\u3000into\u3000a\u3000Confederate\u3000triumph\u3002\u3000Folks\u3000were\u3000still\u3000laughing\u3000and\u3000slapping\u3000each\u3000other\u3000on\u3000the\u3000back\u3000and\u3000saying\uff1a\u3000\u201cYes\uff1b\u3000sir\uff01\u3000When\u3000old\u3000Nathan\u3000Bedford\u3000Forrest\u3000gets\u3000after\u3000them\uff1b\u3000they\u3000better\u3000git\uff01\u201d\u3000Late\u3000in\u3000April\uff1b\u3000Colonel\u3000Straight\u3000and\u3000eighteen\u3000hundred\u3000Yankee\u3000cavalry\u3000had\u3000made\u3000a\u3000surprise\u3000raid\u3000into\u3000Georgia\uff1b\u3000aiming\u3000at\u3000Rome\uff1b\u3000only\u3000a\u3000little\u3000more\u3000than\u3000sixty\u3000miles\u3000north\u3000of\u3000Atlanta\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000ambitious\u3000plans\u3000to\u3000cut\u3000the\u3000vitally\u3000important\u3000railroad\u3000between\u3000Atlanta\u3000and\u3000Tennessee\u3000and\u3000then\u3000swing\u3000southward\u3000into\u3000Atlanta\u3000to\u3000destroy\u3000the\u3000factories\u3000and\u3000the\u3000war\u3000supplies\u3000concentrated\u3000there\u3000in\u3000that\u3000key\u3000city\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Confederacy\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000A\u3000hasty\u3000note\u3000from\u3000Darcy\u3000Meade\u3000to\u3000the\u3000doctor\uff1b\u3000the\u3000only\u3000first\u2026hand\u3000information\u3000Atlanta\u3000received\u3000during\u3000those\u3000first\u3000days\u3000of\u3000July\uff1b\u3000was\u3000passed\u3000from\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000with\u3000mounting\u3000indignation\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cPa\uff1b\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000we\u2019d\u3000give\u3000the\u3000Yanks\u3000a\u3000taste\u3000of\u3000their\u3000own\u3000medicine\u3000but\u3000the\u3000General\u3000says\u3000No\uff1b\u3000and\u3000personally\u3000I\u3000don\u2019t\u3000care\u3000to\u3000get\u3000shot\u3000just\u3000for\u3000the\u3000pleasure\u3000of\u3000burning\u3000some\u3000Yank\u2019s\u3000house\u3002\u3000Pa\uff1b\u3000today\u3000we\u3000marched\u3000through\u3000the\u3000grandest\u3000cornfields\u3000you\u3000ever\u3000saw\u3002\u3000We\u3000don\u2019t\u3000have\u3000corn\u3000like\u3000this\u3000down\u3000home\u3002\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000I\u3000must\u3000admit\u3000we\u3000did\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000private\u3000looting\u3000in\u3000that\u3000corn\uff1b\u3000for\u3000we\u3000were\u3000all\u3000pretty\u3000hungry\u3000and\u3000what\u3000the\u3000General\u3000don\u2019t\u3000know\u3000won\u2019t\u3000hurt\u3000him\u3002\u3000But\u3000that\u3000green\u3000corn\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000do\u3000us\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000good\u3002\u3000All\u3000the\u3000boys\u3000have\u3000got\u3000dysentery\u3000anyway\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000corn\u3000made\u3000it\u3000worse\u3002\u3000It\u2019s\u3000easier\u3000to\u3000walk\u3000with\u3000a\u3000leg\u3000wound\u3000than\u3000with\u3000dysentery\u3002\u3000Pa\uff1b\u3000do\u3000try\u3000to\u3000manage\u3000some\u3000boots\u3000for\u3000me\u3002\u3000I\u2019m\u3000a\u3000captain\u3000now\u3000and\u3000a\u3000captain\u3000ought\u3000to\u3000have\u3000boots\uff1b\u3000even\u3000if\u3000be\u3000hasn\u2019t\u3000got\u3000a\u3000new\u3000uniform\u3000or\u3000epaulets\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000Suspense\u3000grew\u3000and\u3000the\u3000beginnings\u3000of\u3000dread\u3000slowly\u3000crawled\u3000over\u3000the\u3000town\u3002\u3000Nothing\u3000was\u3000so\u3000bad\u3000as\u3000not\u3000knowing\u3000what\u3000was\u3000happening\u3002\u3000Families\u3000with\u3000sons\u3000at\u3000the\u3000front\u3000prayed\u3000fervently\u3000that\u3000their\u3000boys\u3000were\u3000not\u3000in\u3000Pennsylvania\uff1b\u3000but\u3000those\u3000who\u3000knew\u3000their\u3000relatives\u3000were\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000regiment\u3000with\u3000Darcy\u3000Meade\u3000clamped\u3000their\u3000teeth\u3000and\u3000said\u3000it\u3000was\u3000an\u3000honor\u3000for\u3000them\u3000to\u3000be\u3000in\u3000the\u3000big\u3000fight\u3000that\u3000would\u3000lick\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000for\u3000good\u3000and\u3000all\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000In\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\u2019s\u3000house\uff1b\u3000the\u3000three\u3000women\u3000looked\u3000into\u3000one\u3000another\u2019s\u3000eyes\u3000with\u3000fear\u3000they\u3000could\u3000not\u3000conceal\u3002\u3000Ashley\u3000was\u3000in\u3000Darcy\u2019s\u3000regiment\u3002<br \/>\n         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000In\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\u2019s\u3000house\uff1b\u3000the\u3000three\u3000women\u3000looked\u3000into\u3000one\u3000another\u2019s\u3000eyes\u3000with\u3000fear\u3000they\u3000could\u3000not\u3000conceal\u3002\u3000Ashley\u3000was\u3000in\u3000Darcy\u2019s\u3000regiment\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000On\u3000the\u3000fifth\u3000came\u3000evil\u3000tidings\uff1b\u3000not\u3000from\u3000the\u3000North\u3000but\u3000from\u3000the\u3000West\u3002\u3000Vicksburg\u3000had\u3000fallen\uff1b\u3000fallen\u3000after\u3000a\u3000long\u3000and\u3000bitter\u3000siege\uff1b\u3000and\u3000practically\u3000all\u3000the\u3000Mississippi\u3000River\uff1b\u3000from\u3000St\u3002\u3000Louis\u3000to\u3000New\u3000Orleans\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hands\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3002\u3000The\u3000Confederacy\u3000had\u3000been\u3000cut\u3000in\u3000two\u3002\u3000At\u3000any\u3000other\u3000time\uff1b\u3000the\u3000news\u3000of\u3000this\u3000disaster\u3000would\u3000have\u3000brought\u3000fear\u3000and\u3000lamentation\u3000to\u3000Atlanta\u3002\u3000But\u3000now\u3000they\u3000could\u3000give\u3000little\u3000thought\u3000to\u3000Vicksburg\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000thinking\u3000of\u3000Lee\u3000in\u3000Pennsylvania\uff1b\u3000forcing\u3000battle\u3002\u3000Vicksburg\u2019s\u3000loss\u3000would\u3000be\u3000no\u3000catastrophe\u3000if\u3000Lee\u3000won\u3000in\u3000the\u3000East\u3002\u3000There\u3000lay\u3000Philadelphia\uff1b\u3000New\u3000York\uff1b\u3000Washington\u3002\u3000Their\u3000capture\u3000would\u3000paralyze\u3000the\u3000North\u3000and\u3000more\u3000than\u3000cancel\u3000off\u3000the\u3000defeat\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Mississippi\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000Melanie\u3000and\u3000Miss\u3000Pittypat\u3000sat\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Daily\u3000Examiner\u3000office\u3000in\u3000the\u3000carriage\u3000with\u3000the\u3000top\u3000back\uff1b\u3000sheltered\u3000beneath\u3000their\u3000parasols\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000hands\u3000shook\u3000so\u3000that\u3000her\u3000parasol\u3000wobbled\u3000above\u3000her\u3000head\uff1b\u3000Pitty\u3000was\u3000so\u3000excited\u3000her\u3000nose\u3000quivered\u3000in\u3000her\u3000round\u3000face\u3000like\u3000a\u3000rabbit\u2019s\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Melanie\u3000sat\u3000as\u3000though\u3000carved\u3000of\u3000stone\uff1b\u3000her\u3000dark\u3000eyes\u3000growing\u3000larger\u3000and\u3000larger\u3000as\u3000time\u3000went\u3000by\u3002\u3000She\u3000made\u3000only\u3000one\u3000remark\u3000in\u3000two\u3000hours\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000took\u3000a\u3000vial\u3000of\u3000smelling\u3000salts\u3000from\u3000her\u3000reticule\u3000and\u3000handed\u3000it\u3000to\u3000her\u3000aunt\uff1b\u3000the\u3000only\u3000time\u3000she\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000spoken\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000in\u3000her\u3000whole\u3000life\uff1b\u3000with\u3000anything\u3000but\u3000tenderest\u3000affection\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cTake\u3000this\uff1b\u3000Auntie\uff1b\u3000and\u3000use\u3000it\u3000if\u3000you\u3000feel\u3000faint\u3002\u3000I\u3000warn\u3000you\u3000if\u3000you\u3000do\u3000faint\u3000you\u2019ll\u3000just\u3000have\u3000to\u3000faint\u3000and\u3000let\u3000Uncle\u3000Peter\u3000take\u3000you\u3000home\uff1b\u3000for\u3000I\u2019m\u3000not\u3000going\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000this\u3000place\u3000till\u3000I\u3000hear\u3000about\u2014till\u3000I\u3000hear\u3002\u3000And\u3000I\u2019m\u3000not\u3000going\u3000to\u3000let\u3000Scarlett\u3000leave\u3000me\uff1b\u3000either\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cQuick\uff1b\u3000Melly\uff1b\u201d\u3000cried\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000in\u3000her\u3000throat\uff1b\u3000exasperation\u3000sweeping\u3000her\u3000as\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000Melly\u2019s\u3000hands\u3000were\u3000shaking\u3000so\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000impossible\u3000for\u3000her\u3000to\u3000read\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cTake\u3000it\uff1b\u201d\u3000whispered\u3000Melly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\u3000snatched\u3000it\u3000from\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000Ws\u3002\u3000Where\u3000were\u3000the\u3000Ws\uff1f\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000there\u3000they\u3000were\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000and\u3000all\u3000smeared\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u201cWhite\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000read\u3000and\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000shook\uff1b\u3000\u201cWilkens\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000Winn\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000Zebulon\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000Melly\uff1b\u3000he\u2019s\u3000not\u3000on\u3000it\uff01\u3000He\u2019s\u3000not\u3000on\u3000it\uff01\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000for\u3000God\u2019s\u3000sake\uff1b\u3000Auntie\uff1b\u3000Melly\uff1b\u3000pick\u3000up\u3000the\u3000salts\uff01\u3000Hold\u3000her\u3000up\uff1b\u3000Melly\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Melly\uff1b\u3000weeping\u3000openly\u3000with\u3000happiness\uff1b\u3000steadied\u3000Miss\u3000Pitty\u2019s\u3000rolling\u3000head\u3000and\u3000held\u3000the\u3000smelling\u3000salts\u3000under\u3000her\u3000nose\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000braced\u3000the\u3000fat\u3000old\u3000lady\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\uff1b\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000singing\u3000with\u3000joy\u3002\u3000Ashley\u3000was\u3000alive\u3002\u3000He\u3000wasn\u2019t\u3000even\u3000wounded\u3002\u3000How\u3000good\u3000God\u3000was\u3000to\u3000pass\u3000him\u3000by\uff01\u3000How\u2014<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000low\u3000moan\u3000and\uff1b\u3000turning\uff1b\u3000saw\u3000Fanny\u3000Elsing\u3000lay\u3000her\u3000head\u3000on\u3000her\u3000mother\u2019s\u3000bosom\uff1b\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000casualty\u3000li         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n         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\/>\n\u3000\u201cMelly\uff01\u3000Melly\uff01\u201d\u3000cried\u3000Maybelle\uff1b\u3000joy\u3000in\u3000her\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000\u201cRen\u00e9\u3000is\u3000safe\uff01\u3000And\u3000Ashley\uff1b\u3000too\uff01\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000thank\u3000God\uff01\u201d\u3000The\u3000shawl\u3000had\u3000slipped\u3000from\u3000her\u3000shoulders\u3000and\u3000her\u3000condition\u3000was\u3000most\u3000obvious\u3000but\uff1b\u3000for\u3000once\uff1b\u3000neither\u3000she\u3000nor\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Merriwether\u3000cared\u3002\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Meade\uff01\u3000Ren\u00e9\u2014\u201d\u3000Her\u3000voice\u3000changed\uff1b\u3000swiftly\uff1b\u3000\u201cMelly\uff1b\u3000look\uff01\u2014Mrs\u3002\u3000Meade\uff1b\u3000please\uff01\u3000Darcy\u3000isn\u2019t\u2014\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Meade\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000down\u3000into\u3000her\u3000lap\u3000and\u3000she\u3000did\u3000not\u3000raise\u3000her\u3000head\u3000when\u3000her\u3000name\u3000was\u3000called\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000little\u3000Phil\u3000beside\u3000her\u3000was\u3000an\u3000open\u3000book\u3000that\u3000all\u3000might\u3000read\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cThere\uff1b\u3000there\uff1b\u3000Mother\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000helplessly\u3002\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Meade\uff1b\u3000looked\u3000up\uff1b\u3000meeting\u3000Melanie\u2019s\u3000eyes\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cHe\u3000won\u2019t\u3000need\u3000those\u3000boots\u3000now\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000said\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000darling\uff01\u201d\u3000cried\u3000Melly\uff1b\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000sob\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000shoved\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\u3000onto\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000shoulder\u3000and\u3000scrambled\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000carriage\u3000and\u3000toward\u3000that\u3000of\u3000the\u3000doctor\u2019s\u3000wife\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cMother\uff1b\u3000you\u2019ve\u3000still\u3000got\u3000me\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Phil\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000forlorn\u3000effort\u3000at\u3000comforting\u3000the\u3000white\u2026faced\u3000woman\u3000beside\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u201cAnd\u3000if\u3000you\u2019ll\u3000just\u3000let\u3000me\uff1b\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000go\u3000kill\u3000all\u3000the\u3000Yank\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Meade\u3000clutched\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she\u3000would\u3000never\u3000let\u3000it\u3000go\uff1b\u3000said\u3000\u201cNo\uff01\u201d\u3000in\u3000a\u3000strangled\u3000voice\u3000and\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000choke\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cPhil\u3000Meade\uff1b\u3000you\u3000hush\u3000your\u3000mouth\uff01\u201d\u3000hissed\u3000Melanie\uff1b\u3000climbing\u3000in\u3000beside\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Meade\u3000and\u3000taking\u3000her\u3000in\u3000her\u3000arms\u3002\u3000\u201cDo\u3000you\u3000think\u3000it\u2019ll\u3000help\u3000your\u3000mother\u3000to\u3000have\u3000you\u3000off\u3000getting\u3000shot\u3000too\uff1f\u3000I\u3000never\u3000heard\u3000anything\u3000so\u3000silly\u3002\u3000Drive\u3000us\u3000home\uff1b\u3000quick\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Scarlett\u3000as\u3000Phil\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000reins\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cAs\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000you\u3000take\u3000Auntie\u3000home\uff1b\u3000come\u3000over\u3000to\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Meade\u2019s\u3002\u3000Captain\u3000Butler\uff1b\u3000can\u3000you\u3000get\u3000word\u3000to\u3000the\u3000doctor\uff1f\u3000He\u2019s\u3000at\u3000the\u3000hospital\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000Good\u3000Heavens\uff01\u3000\u201cCalvert\u2014Raiford\uff1b\u3000Lieutenant\u3002\u201d\u3000Raif\uff01\u3000Suddenly\u3000she\u3000remembered\u3000the\u3000day\uff1b\u3000so\u3000long\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000when\u3000they\u3000had\u3000run\u3000away\u3000together\u3000but\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000come\u3000home\u3000at\u3000nightfall\u3000because\u3000they\u3000were\u3000hungry\u3000and\u3000afraid\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dark\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cFontaine\u2014Joseph\u3000K\u3002\uff1b\u3000private\uff1b\u201d\u3000Little\u3000bad\u2026tempered\u3000Joe\uff01\u3000And\u3000Sally\u3000hardly\u3000over\u3000having\u3000her\u3000baby\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cMunroe\u2014LaFayette\uff1b\u3000Captain\u3002\u201d\u3000And\u3000Lafe\u3000had\u3000been\u3000engaged\u3000to\u3000Cathleen\u3000Calvert\u3002\u3000Poor\u3000Cathleen\uff01\u3000Hers\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000double\u3000loss\uff1b\u3000a\u3000brother\u3000and\u3000a\u3000sweetheart\u3002\u3000But\u3000Sally\u2019s\u3000loss\u3000was\u3000greater\u2014a\u3000brother\u3000and\u3000a\u3000husband\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000this\u3000was\u3000too\u3000terrible\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000almost\u3000afraid\u3000to\u3000read\u3000further\u3002\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\u3000was\u3000heaving\u3000and\u3000sighing\u3000on\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3000and\uff1b\u3000with\u3000small\u3000ceremony\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000pushed\u3000her\u3000over\u3000into\u3000a\u3000comer\u3000of\u3000the\u3000carriage\u3000and\u3000continued\u3000her\u3000reading\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000She\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000struggled\u3000to\u3000speak\uff1a\u3000\u201cAbout\u3000every\u3000family\u3000in\u3000the\u3000County\u2014and\u3000all\u2014all\u3000three\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Tarleton\u3000boys\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000His\u3000face\u3000was\u3000quiet\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000somber\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000mocking\u3000in\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cHow\u3000is\u3000she\uff1f\u201d\u3000questioned\u3000Scarlett\u3000softly\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cNot\u3000a\u3000tear\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Melanie\u3002\u3000\u201cIt\u2019s\u3000terrible\u3000when\u3000women\u3000can\u2019t\u3000cry\u3002\u3000I\u3000don\u2019t\u3000know\u3000how\u3000men\u3000stand\u3000things\u3000without\u3000crying\u3002\u3000I\u3000guess\u3000it\u2019s\u3000because\u3000they\u2019re\u3000stronger\u3000and\u3000braver\u3000than\u3000women\u3002\u3000She\u3000says\u3000she\u2019s\u3000going\u3000to\u3000Pennsylvania\u3000by\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000him\u3000home\u3002\u3000The\u3000doctor\u3000can\u2019t\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000hospital\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cIt\u3000will\u3000be\u3000dreadful\u3000for\u3000her\uff01\u3000Why\u3000can\u2019t\u3000Phil\u3000go\uff1f\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000It\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000Scarlett\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000talking\u3000fervishly\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000them\u3000from\u3000asking\u3000questions\u3000he\u3000did\u3000not\u3000want\u3000to\u3000answer\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000falter\u3000and\u3000drop\u3000before\u3000the\u3000long\uff1b\u3000troubled\u3000gaze\u3000of\u3000his\u3000father\uff1b\u3000a\u3000faint\u3000worry\u3000and\u3000bewilderment\u3000rose\u3000in\u3000her\u3000as\u3000to\u3000what\u3000was\u3000hidden\u3000in\u3000Ashley\u2019s\u3000heart\u3002\u3000But\u3000it\u3000soon\u3000passed\uff1b\u3000for\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000room\u3000in\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000for\u3000anything\u3000except\u3000a\u3000radiant\u3000happiness\u3000and\u3000a\u3000driving\u3000desire\u3000to\u3000be\u3000alone\u3000with\u3000him\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000That\u3000radiance\u3000lasted\u3000until\u3000everyone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000circle\u3000about\u3000the\u3000open\u3000fire\u3000began\u3000to\u3000yawn\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Wilkes\u3000and\u3000the\u3000girls\u3000took\u3000their\u3000departure\u3000for\u3000the\u3000hotel\u3002\u3000Then\u3000as\u3000Ashley\u3000and\u3000Melanie\u3000and\u3000Pittypat\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\u3000mounted\u3000the\u3000stairs\uff1b\u3000lighted\u3000by\u3000Uncle\u3000Peter\uff1b\u3000a\u3000chill\u3000fell\u3000on\u3000her\u3000spirit\u3002\u3000Until\u3000that\u3000moment\u3000when\u3000they\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000the\u3000upstairs\u3000hall\uff1b\u3000Ashley\u3000had\u3000been\u3000hers\uff1b\u3000only\u3000hers\uff1b\u3000even\u3000if\u3000she\u3000had\u3000not\u3000had\u3000a\u3000private\u3000word\u3000with\u3000him\u3000that\u3000whole\u3000afternoon\u3002\u3000But\u3000now\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000said\u3000good\u3000night\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000Melanie\u2019s\u3000cheeks\u3000were\u3000suddenly\u3000crimson\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000trembling\u3002\u3000Her\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000on\u3000the\u3000carpet\u3000and\uff1b\u3000though\u3000she\u3000seemed\u3000overcome\u3000with\u3000some\u3000frightening\u3000emotion\uff1b\u3000she\u3000seemed\u3000shyly\u3000happy\u3002\u3000Melanie\u3000did\u3000not\u3000even\u3000look\u3000up\u3000when\u3000Ashley\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000bedroom\u3000door\uff1b\u3000but\u3000sped\u3000inside\u3002\u3000Ashley\u3000said\u3000good\u3000night\u3000abruptly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000did\u3000not\u3000meet\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000eyes\u3000either\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000door\u3000closed\u3000behind\u3000them\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000Scarlett\u3000open\u3000mouthed\u3000and\u3000suddenly\u3000desolate\u3002\u3000Ashley\u3000was\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000hers\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000Melanie\u2019s\u3002\u3000And\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000Melanie\u3000lived\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000go\u3000into\u3000rooms\u3000with\u3000Ashley\u3000and\u3000close\u3000the\u3000door\u2014and\u3000close\u3000out\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000world\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Now\u3000Ashley\u3000was\u3000going\u3000away\uff1b\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Virginia\uff1b\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000long\u3000marches\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sleet\uff1b\u3000to\u3000hungry\u3000bivouacs\u3000in\u3000the\u3000snow\uff1b\u3000to\u3000pain\u3000and\u3000hardship\u3000and\u3000to\u3000the\u3000risk\u3000of\u3000all\u3000the\u3000bright\u3000beauty\u3000of\u3000his\u3000golden\u3000head\u3000and\u3000proud\u3000slender\u3000body\u3000being\u3000blotted\u3000out\u3000in\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000like\u3000an\u3000ant\u3000beneath\u3000a\u3000careless\u3000heel\u3002\u3000The\u3000past\u3000week\u3000with\u3000its\u3000shimmering\uff1b\u3000dreamlike\u3000beauty\uff1b\u3000its\u3000crowded\u3000hours\u3000of\u3000happiness\uff1b\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000week\u3000had\u3000passed\u3000swiftly\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000dream\uff1b\u3000a\u3000dream\u3000fragrant\u3000with\u3000the\u3000smell\u3000of\u3000pine\u3000boughs\u3000and\u3000Christmas\u3000trees\uff1b\u3000bright\u3000with\u3000little\u3000candles\u3000and\u3000home\u2026made\u3000tinsel\uff1b\u3000a\u3000dream\u3000where\u3000minutes\u3000flew\u3000as\u3000rapidly\u3000as\u3000heartbeats\u3002\u3000Such\u3000a\u3000breathless\u3000week\u3000when\u3000something\u3000within\u3000her\u3000drove\u3000Scarlett\u3000with\u3000mingled\u3000pain\u3000and\u3000pleasure\u3000to\u3000pack\u3000and\u3000cram\u3000every\u3000minute\u3000with\u3000incidents\u3000to\u3000remember\u3000after\u3000he\u3000was\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000happenings\u3000which\u3000she\u3000c         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            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\/>\n\u3000She\u3000sat\u3000on\u3000the\u3000divan\u3000in\u3000the\u3000parlor\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000her\u3000going\u2026away\u3000gift\u3000for\u3000him\u3000in\u3000her\u3000lap\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000while\u3000he\u3000said\u3000good\u2026by\u3000to\u3000Melanie\uff1b\u3000praying\u3000that\u3000when\u3000he\u3000did\u3000come\u3000down\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000alone\u3000and\u3000she\u3000might\u3000be\u3000granted\u3000by\u3000Heaven\u3000a\u3000few\u3000moments\u3000alone\u3000with\u3000him\u3002\u3000Her\u3000ears\u3000strained\u3000for\u3000sounds\u3000from\u3000upstairs\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000house\u3000was\u3000oddly\u3000still\uff1b\u3000so\u3000still\u3000that\u3000even\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000her\u3000breathing\u3000seemed\u3000loud\u3002\u3000Aunt\u3000Pittypat\u3000was\u3000crying\u3000into\u3000her\u3000pillows\u3000in\u3000her\u3000room\uff1b\u3000for\u3000Ashley\u3000had\u3000told\u3000her\u3000good\u2026by\u3000half\u3000an\u3000hour\u3000before\u3002\u3000No\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000murmuring\u3000voices\u3000or\u3000of\u3000tears\u3000came\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000closed\u3000door\u3000of\u3000Melanie\u2019s\u3000bedroom\u3002\u3000It\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000Scarlett\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000in\u3000that\u3000room\u3000for\u3000hours\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000resented\u3000bitterly\u3000each\u3000moment\u3000that\u3000he\u3000stayed\uff1b\u3000saying\u3000good\u2026by\u3000to\u3000his\u3000wife\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000moments\u3000were\u3000slipping\u3000by\u3000so\u3000fast\u3000and\u3000his\u3000time\u3000was\u3000so\u3000short\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u3000JANUARY\u3000AND\u3000FEBRUARY\u3000OF\u30001864\u3000PASSED\uff1b\u3000full\u3000of\u3000cold\u3000rains\u3000and\u3000wild\u3000winds\uff1b\u3000clouded\u3000by\u3000pervasive\u3000gloom\u3000and\u3000depression\u3002\u3000In\u3000addition\u3000to\u3000the\u3000defeats\u3000at\u3000Gettysburg\u3000and\u3000Vicksburg\uff1b\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Southern\u3000line\u3000had\u3000caved\u3002\u3000After\u3000hard\u3000fighting\uff1b\u3000nearly\u3000all\u3000of\u3000Tennessee\u3000was\u3000now\u3000held\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Union\u3000troops\u3002\u3000But\u3000even\u3000with\u3000this\u3000loss\u3000on\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000others\uff1b\u3000the\u3000South\u2019s\u3000spirit\u3000was\u3000not\u3000broken\u3002\u3000True\uff1b\u3000grim\u3000determination\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000the\u3000place\u3000of\u3000high\u2026hearted\u3000hopes\uff1b\u3000but\u3000people\u3000could\u3000still\u3000find\u3000a\u3000silver\u3000lining\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cloud\u3002\u3000For\u3000one\u3000thing\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000had\u3000been\u3000stoutly\u3000repulsed\u3000in\u3000September\u3000when\u3000they\u3000had\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000up\u3000their\u3000victories\u3000in\u3000Tennessee\u3000by\u3000an\u3000advance\u3000into\u3000Georgia\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000greatest\u3000feat\u3000of\u3000the\u3000war\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Atlanta\u3000took\u3000pride\u3000and\u3000personal\u3000satisfaction\u3000in\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000its\u3000railroads\u3000had\u3000made\u3000the\u3000victory\u3000possible\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000But\u3000the\u3000South\u3000had\u3000needed\u3000the\u3000cheering\u3000news\u3000from\u3000Chickamauga\u3000to\u3000strengthen\u3000its\u3000morale\u3000through\u3000the\u3000winter\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000denied\u3000now\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000were\u3000good\u3000fighters\u3000and\uff1b\u3000at\u3000last\uff1b\u3000they\u3000had\u3000good\u3000generals\u3002\u3000Grant\u3000was\u3000a\u3000butcher\u3000who\u3000did\u3000not\u3000care\u3000how\u3000many\u3000men\u3000he\u3000slaughtered\u3000for\u3000a\u3000victory\uff1b\u3000but\u3000victory\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3002\u3000Sheridan\u3000was\u3000a\u3000name\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000dread\u3000to\u3000Southern\u3000hearts\u3002\u3000And\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000man\u3000named\u3000Sherman\u3000who\u3000was\u3000being\u3000mentioned\u3000more\u3000and\u3000more\u3000often\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000risen\u3000to\u3000prominence\u3000in\u3000the\u3000campaigns\u3000in\u3000Tennessee\u3000and\u3000the\u3000West\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000reputation\u3000as\u3000a\u3000determined\u3000and\u3000ruthless\u3000fighter\u3000was\u3000growing\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000None\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000compared\u3000with\u3000General\u3000Lee\u3002\u3000Faith\u3000in\u3000the\u3000General\u3000and\u3000the\u3000army\u3000was\u3000still\u3000strong\u3002\u3000Confidence\u3000in\u3000ultimate\u3000victory\u3000never\u3000wavered\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000war\u3000was\u3000dragging\u3000out\u3000so\u3000long\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000so\u3000many\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000so\u3000many\u3000wounded\u3000and\u3000maimed\u3000for\u3000life\uff1b\u3000so\u3000many\u3000widowed\uff1b\u3000so\u3000many\u3000orphaned\u3002\u3000And\u3000there\u3000was\u3000still\u3000a\u3000long\u3000struggle\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3000which\u3000meant\u3000more\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000more\u3000wounded\uff1b\u3000more\u3000widows\u3000and\u3000orphans\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000To\u3000make\u3000matters\u3000worse\uff1b\u3000a\u3000vague\u3000distrust\u3000of\u3000those\u3000in\u3000high\u3000places\u3000had\u3000begun\u3000to\u3000creep\u3000over\u3000the\u3000civilian\u3000population\u3002\u3000Many\u3000newspapers\u3000were\u3000outspoken\u3000in\u3000their\u3000denunciation\u3000of\u3000President\u3000Davi         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            papers\u3000were\u3000outspoken\u3000in\u3000their\u3000denunciation\u3000of\u3000President\u3000Davis\u3000himself\u3000and\u3000the\u3000manner\u3000in\u3000which\u3000he\u3000prosecuted\u3000the\u3000war\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000dissensions\u3000within\u3000the\u3000Confederate\u3000cabinet\uff1b\u3000disagreements\u3000between\u3000President\u3000Davis\u3000and\u3000his\u3000generals\u3002\u3000The\u3000currency\u3000was\u3000falling\u3000rapidly\u3002\u3000Shoes\u3000and\u3000clothing\u3000for\u3000the\u3000army\u3000were\u3000scarce\uff1b\u3000ordnance\u3000supplies\u3000and\u3000drugs\u3000were\u3000scarcer\u3002\u3000The\u3000railroads\u3000needed\u3000new\u3000cars\u3000to\u3000take\u3000the\u3000place\u3000of\u3000old\u3000ones\u3000and\u3000new\u3000iron\u3000rails\u3000to\u3000replace\u3000those\u3000torn\u3000up\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3002\u3000The\u3000generals\u3000in\u3000the\u3000field\u3000were\u3000crying\u3000out\u3000for\u3000fresh\u3000troops\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000were\u3000fewer\u3000and\u3000fewer\u3000fresh\u3000troops\u3000to\u3000be\u3000had\u3002\u3000Worst\u3000of\u3000all\uff1b\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000state\u3000governors\uff1b\u3000Governor\u3000Brown\u3000of\u3000Georgia\u3000among\u3000them\uff1b\u3000were\u3000refusing\u3000to\u3000send\u3000state\u3000militia\u3000troops\u3000and\u3000arms\u3000out\u3000of\u3000their\u3000borders\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000thousands\u3000of\u3000able\u2026bodied\u3000men\u3000in\u3000the\u3000state\u3000troops\u3000for\u3000whom\u3000the\u3000army\u3000was\u3000frantic\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000government\u3000pleaded\u3000for\u3000them\u3000in\u3000vain\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000With\u3000the\u3000new\u3000fall\u3000of\u3000currency\uff1b\u3000prices\u3000soared\u3000again\u3002\u3000Beef\uff1b\u3000pork\u3000and\u3000butter\u3000cost\u3000thirty\u2026five\u3000dollars\u3000a\u3000pound\uff1b\u3000flour\u3000fourteen\u3000hundred\u3000dollars\u3000a\u3000barrel\uff1b\u3000soda\u3000one\u3000hundred\u3000dollars\u3000a\u3000pound\uff1b\u3000tea\u3000five\u3000hundred\u3000dollars\u3000a\u3000pound\u3002\u3000Warm\u3000clothing\uff1b\u3000when\u3000it\u3000was\u3000obtainable\u3000at\u3000all\uff1b\u3000had\u3000risen\u3000to\u3000such\u3000prohibitive\u3000prices\u3000that\u3000Atlanta\u3000ladies\u3000were\u3000lining\u3000their\u3000old\u3000dresses\u3000with\u3000rags\u3000and\u3000reinforcing\u3000them\u3000with\u3000newspapers\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000out\u3000the\u3000wind\u3002\u3000Shoes\u3000cost\u3000from\u3000two\u3000hundred\u3000to\u3000eight\u3000hundred\u3000dollars\u3000a\u3000pair\uff1b\u3000depending\u3000on\u3000whether\u3000they\u3000were\u3000made\u3000of\u3000\u201ccardboard\u201d\u3000or\u3000real\u3000leather\u3002\u3000Ladies\u3000now\u3000wore\u3000gaiters\u3000made\u3000of\u3000their\u3000old\u3000wool\u3000shawls\u3000and\u3000cut\u2026up\u3000carpets\u3002\u3000The\u3000soles\u3000were\u3000made\u3000of\u3000wood\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000truth\u3000was\u3000that\u3000the\u3000North\u3000was\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000South\u3000in\u3000a\u3000virtual\u3000state\u3000of\u3000siege\uff1b\u3000though\u3000many\u3000did\u3000not\u3000realize\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000Yankee\u3000gunboats\u3000had\u3000tightened\u3000the\u3000mesh\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ports\u3000and\u3000very\u3000few\u3000ships\u3000were\u3000now\u3000able\u3000to\u3000slip\u3000past\u3000the\u3000blockade\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000South\u3000had\u3000always\u3000lived\u3000by\u3000selling\u3000cotton\u3000and\u3000buying\u3000the\u3000things\u3000it\u3000did\u3000not\u3000produce\uff1b\u3000but\u3000now\u3000it\u3000could\u3000neither\u3000sell\u3000nor\u3000buy\u3002\u3000Gerald\u3000O\u2019Hara\u3000had\u3000three\u3000years\u2019\u3000crops\u3000of\u3000cotton\u3000stored\u3000under\u3000the\u3000shed\u3000near\u3000the\u3000gin\u3000house\u3000at\u3000Tara\uff1b\u3000but\u3000little\u3000good\u3000it\u3000did\u3000him\u3002\u3000In\u3000Liverpool\u3000it\u3000would\u3000bring\u3000one\u3000hundred\u3000and\u3000fifty\u3000thousand\u3000dollars\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000hope\u3000of\u3000getting\u3000it\u3000to\u3000Liverpool\u3002\u3000Gerald\u3000had\u3000changed\u3000from\u3000a\u3000wealthy\u3000man\u3000to\u3000a\u3000man\u3000who\u3000was\u3000wondering\u3000how\u3000he\u3000would\u3000feed\u3000his\u3000family\u3000and\u3000his\u3000negroes\u3000through\u3000the\u3000winter\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Throughout\u3000the\u3000South\uff1b\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cotton\u3000planters\u3000were\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000fix\u3002\u3000With\u3000the\u3000blockade\u3000closing\u3000tighter\u3000and\u3000tighter\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000way\u3000to\u3000get\u3000the\u3000South\u2019s\u3000money\u3000crop\u3000to\u3000its\u3000market\u3000in\u3000England\uff1b\u3000no\u3000way\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000in\u3000the\u3000necessaries\u3000which\u3000cotton\u3000money\u3000had\u3000brought\u3000in\u3000years\u3000gone\u3000by\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000agricultural\u3000South\uff1b\u3000waging\u3000war\u3000with\u3000the\u3000industrial\u3000North\uff1b\u3000was\u3000needing\u3000so\u3000many\u3000things\u3000now\uff1b\u3000things\u3000it\u3000had\u3000never\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000buying\u3000in\u3000times\u3000of\u3000peace\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000situation\u3000made\u3000to\u3000order\u3000for\u3000speculators\u3000and\u3000profiteers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000men\u3000were\u3000not\u3000lacking\u3000to\u3000take\u3000advantage\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000As\u3000food\u3000and\u3000clothing\u3000grew\u3000scarcer\u3000and\u3000prices\u3000rose\u3000higher\u3000and\u3000higher\uff1b\u3000the\u3000public\u3000outcry\u3000against\u3000the\u3000speculators\u3000grew\u3000louder\u3000and\u3000more\u3000venomous\u3002\u3000In\u3000those\u3000early\u3000days\u3000of\u30001864\uff1b\u3000no\u3000newspaper\u3000could\u3000be\u3000opened\u3000that\u3000did\u3000not\u3000carry\u3000scathing\u3000editorials\u3000denouncing\u3000the\u3000speculators\u3000as\u3000vultures\u3000and\u3000bloodsucking\u3000leeches\u3000and\u3000calling\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000government\u3000to\u3000put\u3000them\u3000down\u3000with\u3000a\u3000hard\u3000hand\u3002\u3000The\u3000government\u3000did\u3000its\u3000best\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000efforts\u3000came\u3000to\u3000nothing\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000government\u3000was\u3000harried\u3000by\u3000many\u3000things\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Against\u3000no\u3000one\u3000was\u3000feeling\u3000more\u3000bitter\u3000than\u3000against\u3000Rhett\u3000Butler\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000sold\u3000his\u3000boats\u3000when\u3000blockading\u3000grew\u3000too\u3000hazardous\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000now\u3000openly\u3000engaged\u3000in\u3000food\u3000speculation\u3002\u3000The\u3000stories\u3000about\u3000him\u3000that\u3000came\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Atlanta\u3000from\u3000Richmond\u3000and\u3000Wilmington\u3000made\u3000those\u3000who\u3000had\u3000received\u3000him\u3000in\u3000other\u3000days\u3000writhe\u3000with\u3000shame\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000In\u3000spite\u3000of\u3000all\u3000these\u3000trials\u3000and\u3000tribulations\uff1b\u3000Atlanta\u2019s\u3000ten\u3000thousand\u3000population\u3000had\u3000grown\u3000to\u3000double\u3000that\u3000number\u3000during\u3000the\u3000war\u3002\u3000Even\u3000the\u3000blockade\u3000had\u3000added\u3000to\u3000Atlanta\u2019s\u3000prestige\u3002\u3000From\u3000time\u3000immemorial\uff1b\u3000the\u3000coast\u3000cities\u3000had\u3000dominated\u3000the\u3000South\uff1b\u3000commercially\u3000and\u3000otherwise\u3002\u3000But\u3000now\u3000with\u3000the\u3000ports\u3000closed\u3000and\u3000many\u3000of\u3000the\u3000port\u3000cities\u3000captured\u3000or\u3000besieged\uff1b\u3000the\u3000South\u2019s\u3000salvation\u3000depended\u3000upon\u3000itself\u3002\u3000The\u3000interior\u3000section\u3000was\u3000what\u3000counted\uff1b\u3000if\u3000the\u3000South\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000win\u3000the\u3000war\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Atlanta\u3000was\u3000now\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000things\u3002\u3000The\u3000people\u3000of\u3000the\u3000town\u3000were\u3000suffering\u3000hardship\uff1b\u3000privation\uff1b\u3000sickness\u3000and\u3000death\u3000as\u3000severely\u3000as\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Confederacy\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Atlanta\uff1b\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000had\u3000gained\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000lost\u3000as\u3000a\u3000result\u3000of\u3000the\u3000war\u3002\u3000Atlanta\uff1b\u3000the\u3000heart\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Confederacy\uff1b\u3000was\u3000still\u3000beating\u3000full\u3000and\u3000strong\uff1b\u3000the\u3000railroads\u3000that\u3000were\u3000its\u3000arteries\u3000throbbing\u3000with\u3000the\u3000never\u2026ending\u3000flow\u3000of\u3000men\uff1b\u3000munitions\u3000and\u3000supplies\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000In\u3000other\u3000days\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000bitter\u3000about\u3000her\u3000shabby\u3000dresses\u3000and\u3000patched\u3000shoes\u3000but\u3000now\u3000she\u3000did\u3000not\u3000care\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000one\u3000person\u3000who\u3000mattered\u3000was\u3000not\u3000there\u3000to\u3000see\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000happy\u3000those\u3000two\u3000months\uff1b\u3000happier\u3000than\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000in\u3000years\u3002\u3000Had\u3000she\u3000not\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000start\u3000of\u3000Ashley\u2019s\u3000heart\u3000when\u3000her\u3000arms\u3000went\u3000round\u3000his\u3000neck\uff1f\u3000seen\u3000that\u3000despairing\u3000look\u3000on\u3000his\u3000face\u3000which\u3000was\u3000more\u3000open\u3000an\u3000avowal\u3000than\u3000any\u3000words\u3000could\u3000be\uff1f\u3000He\u3000loved\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000sure\u3000of\u3000that\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000this\u3000conviction\u3000was\u3000so\u3000pleasant\u3000she\u3000could\u3000even\u3000be\u3000kinder\u3000to\u3000Melanie\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000be\u3000sorry\u3000for\u3000Melanie\u3000now\uff1b\u3000sorry\u3000with\u3000a\u3000faint\u3000contempt\u3000for\u3000her\u3000blindness\uff1b\u3000her\u3000stupidity\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWhen\u3000the\u3000war\u3000is\u3000over\uff01\u201d\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000\u201cWhen\u3000it\u2019s\u3000over\u2014then\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Sometimes\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000with\u3000a\u3000small\u3000dart\u3000of\u3000fear\uff1a\u3000\u201cWhat\u3000then\uff1f\u201d\u3000But\u3000she\u3000put\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000from\u3000her\u3000mind\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000war\u3000was\u3000over\uff1b\u3000everything\u3000would\u3000be\u3000settled\uff1b\u3000somehow\u3002\u3000If\u3000Ashley\u3000loved\u3000her\uff1b\u3000he\u3000simply\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000go\u3000on\u3000living\u3000with\u3000Melanie\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000But\u3000then\uff1b\u3000a\u3000divorce\u3000was\u3000unthinkable\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Ellen\u3000and\u3000Gerald\uff1b\u3000staunch\u3000Catholics\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\uff1b\u3000would\u3000never\u3000permit\u3000her\u3000to\u3000marry\u3000a\u3000divorced\u3000man\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000mean\u3000leaving\u3000the\u3000Church\uff01\u3000Scarlett\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000over\u3000and\u3000decided\u3000that\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000choice\u3000between\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000and\u3000Ashley\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000choose\u3000Ashley\u3002\u3000But\uff1b\u3000oh\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000make\u3000such\u3000a\u3000scandal\uff01\u3000Divorced\u3000people\u3000were\u3000under\u3000the\u3000ban\u3000not\u3000only\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000but\u3000of\u3000society\u3002\u3000No\u3000divorced\u3000person\u3000was\u3000received\u3002\u3000However\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000dare\u3000even\u3000that\u3000for\u3000Ashley\u3002\u3000She\u3000would\u3000sacrifice\u3000anything\u3000for\u3000Ashley\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Somehow\u3000it\u3000would\u3000come\u3000out\u3000all\u3000right\u3000when\u3000the\u3000war\u3000was\u3000over\u3002\u3000If\u3000Ashley\u3000loved\u3000her\u3000so\u3000much\uff1b\u3000he\u2019d\u3000find\u3000a\u3000way\u3002\u3000She\u2019d\u3000make\u3000him\u3000find\u3000a\u3000way\u3002\u3000And\u3000with\u3000every\u3000day\u3000that\u3000passed\uff1b\u3000she\u3000became\u3000more\u3000sure\u3000in\u3000her\u3000own\u3000mind\u3000of\u3000his\u3000devotion\uff1b\u3000more\u3000certain\u3000he\u3000would\u3000arrange\u3000matters\u3000satisfactorily\u3000when\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000were\u3000finally\u3000beaten\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000said\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000\u201chad\u201d\u3000them\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000was\u3000just\u3000foolishness\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000been\u3000tired\u3000and\u3000upset\u3000when\u3000he\u3000said\u3000it\u3002\u3000But\u3000she\u3000hardly\u3000cared\u3000whether\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000won\u3000or\u3000not\u3002\u3000The\u3000thing\u3000that\u3000mattered\u3000was\u3000for\u3000the\u3000war\u3000to\u3000finish\u3000quickly\u3000and\u3000for\u3000Ashley\u3000to\u3000come\u3000home\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cHow\u3000can\u3000you\u3000even\u3000suggest\u3000that\u3000he\u3000would\u3000do\u3000such\u3000a\u3000thing\uff1f\u3000Betray\u3000his\u3000own\u3000Confederacy\u3000by\u3000taking\u3000that\u3000vile\u3000oath\u3000and\u3000then\u3000betray\u3000his\u3000word\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Yankees\uff01\u3000I\u3000would\u3000rather\u3000know\u3000he\u3000was\u3000dead\u3000at\u3000Rock\u3000Island\u3000than\u3000hear\u3000he\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000that\u3000oath\u3002\u3000I\u2019d\u3000be\u3000proud\u3000of\u3000him\u3000if\u3000he\u3000died\u3000in\u3000prison\u3002\u3000But\u3000if\u3000he\u3000did\u3000that\uff1b\u3000I         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            d\u3000than\u3000hear\u3000he\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000that\u3000oath\u3002\u3000I\u2019d\u3000be\u3000proud\u3000of\u3000him\u3000if\u3000he\u3000died\u3000in\u3000prison\u3002\u3000But\u3000if\u3000he\u3000did\u3000that\uff1b\u3000I\u3000would\u3000never\u3000look\u3000on\u3000his\u3000face\u3000again\u3002\u3000Never\uff01\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000he\u3000refused\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000When\u3000Scarlett\u3000was\u3000seeing\u3000Rhett\u3000to\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000she\u3000asked\u3000indignantly\uff1a\u3000\u201cIf\u3000it\u3000were\u3000you\uff1b\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u3000you\u3000enlist\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000from\u3000dying\u3000in\u3000that\u3000place\u3000and\u3000then\u3000desert\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cOf\u3000course\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Rhett\uff1b\u3000his\u3000teeth\u3000showing\u3000beneath\u3000his\u3000mustache\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cThen\u3000why\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000Ashley\u3000do\u3000it\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cHe\u2019s\u3000a\u3000gentleman\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Rhett\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\u3000wondered\u3000how\u3000it\u3000was\u3000possible\u3000to\u3000convey\u3000such\u3000cynicism\u3000and\u3000contempt\u3000in\u3000that\u3000one\u3000honorable\u3000word\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000Part\u3000Three<br \/>\n\u3000CHAPTER\u3000XVII<br \/>\n\u3000MAY\u3000OF\u30001864\u3000CAME\u2014a\u3000hot\u3000dry\u3000May\u3000that\u3000wilted\u3000the\u3000flowers\u3000in\u3000the\u3000buds\u2014and\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000under\u3000General\u3000Sherman\u3000were\u3000in\u3000Georgia\u3000again\uff1b\u3000above\u3000Dalton\uff1b\u3000one\u3000hundred\u3000miles\u3000northwest\u3000of\u3000Atlanta\u3002\u3000Rumor\u3000had\u3000it\u3000that\u3000there\u3000would\u3000be\u3000heavy\u3000fighting\u3000up\u3000there\u3000near\u3000the\u3000boundary\u3000between\u3000Georgia\u3000and\u3000Tennessee\u3002\u3000The\u3000Yankees\u3000were\u3000massing\u3000for\u3000an\u3000attack\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Western\u3000and\u3000Atlantic\u3000Railroad\uff1b\u3000the\u3000line\u3000which\u3000connected\u3000Atlanta\u3000with\u3000Tennessee\u3000and\u3000the\u3000West\uff1b\u3000the\u3000same\u3000line\u3000over\u3000which\u3000the\u3000Southern\u3000troops\u3000had\u3000been\u3000rushed\u3000last\u3000fall\u3000to\u3000win\u3000the\u3000victory\u3000at\u3000Chickamauga\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000But\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000most\u3000part\uff1b\u3000Atlanta\u3000was\u3000not\u3000disturbed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000prospect\u3000of\u3000fighting\u3000near\u3000Dalton\u3002\u3000The\u3000place\u3000where\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000were\u3000concentrating\u3000was\u3000only\u3000a\u3000few\u3000miles\u3000southeast\u3000of\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000field\u3000of\u3000Chickamauga\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000been\u3000driven\u3000back\u3000once\u3000when\u3000they\u3000had\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000break\u3000through\u3000the\u3000mountain\u3000passes\u3000of\u3000that\u3000region\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000would\u3000be\u3000driven\u3000back\u3000again\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000my\u3000old\u3000Kentucky\u3000home\uff1b\u3000good\u3000night\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000\uff1f<br \/>\n\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Meade\u2019s\u3000prediction\u3000was\u3000right\u2014as\u3000far\u3000as\u3000it\u3000went\u3000Johnston\u3000did\u3000stand\u3000like\u3000an\u3000iron\u3000rampart\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mountains\u3000above\u3000Dalton\uff1b\u3000one\u3000hundred\u3000miles\u3000away\u3002\u3000So\u3000firmly\u3000did\u3000he\u3000stand\u3000and\u3000so\u3000bitterly\u3000did\u3000he\u3000contest\u3000Sherman\u2019s\u3000desire\u3000to\u3000pass\u3000down\u3000the\u3000valley\u3000toward\u3000Atlanta\u3000that\u3000finally\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000drew\u3000back\u3000and\u3000took\u3000counsel\u3000with\u3000themselves\u3002\u3000They\u3000could\u3000not\u3000break\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000lines\u3000by\u3000direct\u3000assault\u3000and\u3000so\uff1b\u3000under\u3000cover\u3000of\u3000night\u3000they\u3000marched\u3000through\u3000the\u3000mountain\u3000passes\u3000in\u3000a\u3000semicircle\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000to\u3000come\u3000upon\u3000Johnston\u2019s\u3000rear\u3000and\u3000cut\u3000the\u3000railroad\u3000behind\u3000him\u3000at\u3000Resaca\uff1b\u3000fifteen\u3000miles\u3000below\u3000Dalton\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000With\u3000those\u3000precious\u3000twin\u3000lines\u3000of\u3000iron\u3000in\u3000danger\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Confederates\u3000left\u3000their\u3000desperately\u3000defended\u3000rifle\u3000pits\u3000and\uff1b\u3000under\u3000the\u3000starlight\uff1b\u3000made\u3000a\u3000forced\u3000march\u3000to\u3000Resaca\u3000by\u3000the\u3000short\uff1b\u3000direct\u3000road\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000Yankees\uff1b\u3000swarming\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hills\uff1b\u3000came\u3000upon\u3000them\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Southern\u3000troops\u3000were\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000them\uff1b\u3000entrenched\u3000behind\u3000breastworks         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            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\/>\n\u3000As\u3000they\u3000fell\u3000back\u3000down\u3000the\u3000valley\uff1b\u3000an\u3000army\u3000of\u3000refugees\u3000fell\u3000back\u3000before\u3000them\u3002\u3000Planters\u3000and\u3000Crackers\uff1b\u3000rich\u3000and\u3000poor\uff1b\u3000black\u3000and\u3000white\uff1b\u3000women\u3000and\u3000children\uff1b\u3000the\u3000old\uff1b\u3000the\u3000dying\uff1b\u3000the\u3000crippled\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wounded\uff1b\u3000the\u3000women\u3000far\u3000gone\u3000in\u3000pregnancy\uff1b\u3000crowded\u3000the\u3000road\u3000to\u3000Atlanta\u3000on\u3000trains\uff1b\u3000afoot\uff1b\u3000on\u3000horseback\uff1b\u3000in\u3000carriages\u3000and\u3000wagons\u3000piled\u3000high\u3000with\u3000trunks\u3000and\u3000household\u3000goods\u3002\u3000Five\u3000miles\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000the\u3000retreating\u3000army\u3000went\u3000the\u3000refugees\uff1b\u3000halting\u3000at\u3000Resaca\uff1b\u3000at\u3000Calhoun\uff1b\u3000at\u3000Kingston\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000at\u3000each\u3000stop\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000had\u3000been\u3000driven\u3000back\u3000so\u3000they\u3000could\u3000return\u3000to\u3000their\u3000homes\u3002\u3000But\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000retracing\u3000that\u3000sunny\u3000road\u3002\u3000The\u3000gray\u3000troops\u3000passed\u3000by\u3000empty\u3000mansions\uff1b\u3000deserted\u3000farms\uff1b\u3000lonely\u3000cabins\u3000with\u3000doors\u3000ajar\u3002\u3000Here\u3000and\u3000there\u3000some\u3000lone\u3000woman\u3000remained\u3000with\u3000a\u3000few\u3000frightened\u3000slaves\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000came\u3000to\u3000the\u3000road\u3000to\u3000cheer\u3000the\u3000soldiers\uff1b\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000buckets\u3000of\u3000well\u3000water\u3000for\u3000the\u3000thirsty\u3000men\uff1b\u3000to\u3000bind\u3000up\u3000the\u3000wounds\u3000and\u3000bury\u3000the\u3000dead\u3000in\u3000their\u3000own\u3000family\u3000burying\u3000grounds\u3002\u3000But\u3000for\u3000the\u3000most\u3000part\u3000the\u3000sunny\u3000valley\u3000was\u3000abandoned\u3000and\u3000desolate\u3000and\u3000the\u3000untended\u3000crops\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000parching\u3000fields\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Flanked\u3000again\u3000at\u3000Calhoun\uff1b\u3000Johnston\u3000fell\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Adairsville\uff1b\u3000where\u3000there\u3000was\u3000sharp\u3000skirmishing\uff1b\u3000then\u3000to\u3000Cassville\uff1b\u3000then\u3000south\u3000of\u3000Cartersville\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000had\u3000now\u3000advanced\u3000fifty\u2026five\u3000miles\u3000from\u3000Dalton\u3002\u3000At\u3000New\u3000Hope\u3000Church\uff1b\u3000fifteen\u3000miles\u3000farther\u3000along\u3000the\u3000hotly\u3000fought\u3000way\uff1b\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000ranks\u3000dug\u3000in\u3000for\u3000a\u3000determined\u3000stand\u3002\u3000On\u3000came\u3000the\u3000blue\u3000lines\uff1b\u3000relentlessly\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000monster\u3000serpent\u3000coiling\uff1b\u3000striking\u3000venomously\uff1b\u3000drawing\u3000its\u3000injured\u3000lengths\u3000back\uff1b\u3000but\u3000always\u3000striking\u3000again\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000desperate\u3000fighting\u3000at\u3000New\u3000Hope\u3000Church\uff1b\u3000eleven\u3000days\u3000of\u3000continuous\u3000fighting\uff1b\u3000with\u3000every\u3000Yankee\u3000assault\u3000bloodily\u3000repulsed\u3002\u3000Then\u3000Johnston\uff1b\u3000flanked\u3000again\uff1b\u3000withdrew\u3000his\u3000thinning\u3000lines\u3000a\u3000few\u3000miles\u3000farther\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000Confederate\u3000dead\u3000and\u3000wounded\u3000at\u3000New\u3000Hope\u3000Church\u3000ran\u3000high\u3002\u3000The\u3000wounded\u3000flooded\u3000Atlanta\u3000in\u3000train\u2026loads\u3000and\u3000the\u3000town\u3000was\u3000appalled\u3002\u3000Never\uff1b\u3000even\u3000after\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000of\u3000Chickamauga\uff1b\u3000had\u3000the\u3000town\u3000seen\u3000so\u3000many\u3000wounded\u3002\u3000The\u3000hospitals\u3000overflowed\u3000and\u3000wounded\u3000lay\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floors\u3000of\u3000empty\u3000stores\u3000and\u3000upon\u3000cotton\u3000bales\u3000in\u3000the\u3000warehouses\u3002\u3000Every\u3000hotel\uff1b\u3000boarding\u3000house\u3000and\u3000private\u3000residence\u3000was\u3000crowded\u3000with\u3000sufferers\u3002\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\u3000had\u3000her\u3000share\uff1b\u3000although\u3000she\u3000protested\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000most\u3000unbecoming\u3000to\u3000have\u3000strange\u3000men\u3000in\u3000the\u3000house\u3000when\u3000Melanie\u3000was\u3000in\u3000a\u3000delicate\u3000condition\u3000and\u3000when\u3000gruesome\u3000sights\u3000might\u3000bring\u3000on\u3000premature\u3000birth\u3002\u3000But\u3000Melanie\u3000reefed\u3000up\u3000her\u3000top\u3000hoop\u3000a\u3000little\u3000higher\u3000to\u3000hide\u3000her\u3000thickening\u3000figure\u3000and\u3000the\u3000wounded\u3000invaded\u3000the\u3000brick\u3000house\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000endless\u3000cooking\u3000and\u3000lifting\u3000and\u3000turning\u3000and\u3000fanning\uff1b\u3000endless\u3000hours\u3000of\u3000washing\u3000and\u3000rerolling\u3000bandages\u3000and\u3000picking\u3000lint\uff1b\u3000and\u3000endless\u3000warm\u3000nights\u3000made\u3000sleepless\u3000by\u3000the\u3000babbling\u3000delirium\u3000of\u3000men\u3000in\u3000the\u3000next\u3000room\u3002\u3000Finally\u3000the\u3000choked\u3000town\u3000could\u3000take\u3000care\u3000of\u3000no\u3000more\u3000and\u3000the\u3000overflow\u3000of\u3000wounded\u3000was\u3000sent\u3000on\u3000to\u3000the\u3000hospitals\u3000at\u3000Macon\u3000and\u3000Augusta\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000With\u3000this\u3000backwash\u3000of\u3000wounded\u3000bearing\u3000conflicting\u3000reports\u3000and\u3000the\u3000increase\u3000of\u3000frightened\u3000refugees\u3000crowding\u3000into\u3000the\u3000already\u3000crowded\u3000town\uff1b\u3000Atlanta\u3000was\u3000in\u3000an\u3000uproar\u3002\u3000The\u3000small\u3000cloud\u3000on\u3000the\u3000horizon\u3000had\u3000blown\u3000up\u3000swiftly\u3000into\u3000a\u3000large\uff1b\u3000sullen\u3000storm\u3000cloud\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000as\u3000though\u3000a\u3000faint\uff1b\u3000chilling\u3000wind\u3000blew\u3000from\u3000it\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000No\u3000one\u3000had\u3000lost\u3000faith\u3000in\u3000the\u3000invincibility\u3000of\u3000the\u3000troops\u3000but\u3000everyone\uff1b\u3000the\u3000civilians\u3000at\u3000least\uff1b\u3000had\u3000lost\u3000faith\u3000in\u3000the\u3000General\u3002\u3000New\u3000Hope\u3000Church\u3000was\u3000only\u3000thirty\u2026five\u3000miles\u3000from\u3000Atlanta\uff01\u3000The\u3000General\u3000had\u3000let\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000push\u3000him\u3000back\u3000sixty\u2026five\u3000miles\u3000in\u3000three\u3000weeks\uff01\u3000Why\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000he\u3000hold\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000everlastingly\u3000retreating\uff1f\u3000He\u3000was\u3000a\u3000fool\u3000and\u3000worse\u3000than\u3000a\u3000fool\u3002\u3000Graybeards\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Home\u3000Guard\u3000and\u3000members\u3000of\u3000the\u3000state\u3000militia\uff1b\u3000safe\u3000in\u3000Atlanta\uff1b\u3000insisted\u3000they\u3000could\u3000have\u3000managed\u3000the\u3000campaign\u3000better\u3000and\u3000drew\u3000maps\u3000on\u3000tablecloths\u3000to\u3000prove\u3000their\u3000contentions\u3002\u3000As\u3000his\u3000lines\u3000grew\u3000thinner\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000forced\u3000back\u3000farther\uff1b\u3000the\u3000General\u3000called\u3000desperately\u3000on\u3000Governor\u3000Brown\u3000for\u3000these\u3000very\u3000men\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000state\u3000troops\u3000felt\u3000reasonably\u3000safe\u3002\u3000After\u3000all\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Governor\u3000had\u3000defied\u3000Jeff\u3000Davis\u2019\u3000demand\u3000for\u3000them\u3002\u3000Why\u3000should\u3000he\u3000accede\u3000to\u3000General\u3000Johnston\uff1f<br \/>\n\u3000Fight\u3000and\u3000fall\u3000back\uff01\u3000Fight\u3000and\u3000fall\u3000back\uff01\u3000For\u3000seventy\u3000miles\u3000and\u3000twenty\u2026five\u3000days\u3000the\u3000Confederates\u3000had\u3000fought\u3000almost\u3000daily\u3002\u3000New\u3000Hope\u3000Church\u3000was\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000troops\u3000now\uff1b\u3000a\u3000memory\u3000in\u3000a\u3000mad\u3000haze\u3000of\u3000like\u3000memories\uff1b\u3000heat\uff1b\u3000dust\uff1b\u3000hunger\uff1b\u3000weariness\uff1b\u3000tramp\u2026tramp\u3000on\u3000the\u3000red\u3000rutted\u3000roads\uff1b\u3000slop\u2026slop\u3000through\u3000the\u3000red\u3000mud\uff1b\u3000retreat\uff1b\u3000entrench\uff1b\u3000fight\u2014retreat\uff1b\u3000entrench\uff1b\u3000fight\u3002\u3000New\u3000Hope\u3000Church\u3000was\u3000a\u3000nightmare\u3000of\u3000another\u3000life\u3000and\u3000so\u3000was\u3000Big\u3000Shanty\uff1b\u3000where\u3000they\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000fought\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000like\u3000demons\u3002\u3000But\uff1b\u3000fight\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000till\u3000the\u3000fields\u3000were\u3000blue\u3000with\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000there\u3000were\u3000always\u3000more\u3000Yankees\uff1b\u3000fresh\u3000Yankees\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000always\u3000that\u3000sinister\u3000southeast\u3000curving\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blue\u3000lines\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000Confederate\u3000rear\uff1b\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000railroad\u2014and\u3000toward\u3000Atlanta\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000From\u3000Big\u3000Shanty\uff1b\u3000the\u3000weary\u3000sleepless\u3000lines\u3000retreated\u3000down\u3000the\u3000road\u3000to\u3000Kennesaw\u3000Mountain\uff1b\u3000near\u3000the\u3000little\u3000town\u3000of\u3000Marietta\uff1b\u3000and\u3000here\u3000they\u3000spread\u3000their\u3000lines\u3000in\u3000a\u3000ten\u2026mile\u3000curve\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000steep\u3000sides\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mountain\u3000they\u3000dug\u3000their\u3000rifle\u3000pits\u3000and\u3000on\u3000the\u3000towering\u3000heights\u3000they\u3000planted\u3000their\u3000batteries\u3002\u3000Swearing\uff1b\u3000sweating\u3000men\u3000hauled\u3000the\u3000heavy\u3000guns\u3000up\u3000the\u3000precipitous\u3000slopes\uff1b\u3000for\u3000mules\u3000could\u3000not\u3000climb\u3000the\u3000hillsides\u3002\u3000Couriers\u3000and\u3000wounded\u3000coming\u3000into\u3000Atlanta\u3000gave\u3000reassuring\u3000reports\u3000to\u3000the\u3000frightened\u3000townspeople\u3002\u3000The\u3000heights\u3000of\u3000Kennesaw\u3000were\u3000impregnable\u3002\u3000So\u3000were\u3000Pine\u3000Mountain\u3000and\u3000Lost\u3000Mountain\u3000near\u3000by\u3000which\u3000were\u3000also\u3000fortified\u3002\u3000The\u3000Yankees\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000dislodge\u3000Old\u3000Joe\u2019s\u3000men\u3000and\u3000they\u3000could\u3000hardly\u3000flank\u3000them\u3000now\u3000for\u3000the\u3000batteries\u3000on\u3000the\u3000mountain\u3000tops\u3000commanded\u3000all\u3000the\u3000roads\u3000for\u3000miles\u3002\u3000Atlanta\u3000breathed\u3000more\u3000easily\uff1b\u3000but\u2014<br \/>\n\u3000But\u3000Kennesaw\u3000Mountain\u3000was\u3000only\u3000twenty\u2026two\u3000miles\u3000away\uff01<br 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\/>\n?        <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000of\u3000parched\u3000corn\u3000and\u3000dried\u3000sweet\u3000potatoes\u3000that\u3000passed\u3000for\u3000coffee\uff1b\u3000she\u3000went\u3000out\u3000to\u3000join\u3000the\u3000girls\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000The\u3000day\u3000was\u3000hot\u3000and\u3000the\u3000flies\u3000came\u3000in\u3000the\u3000open\u3000windows\u3000in\u3000swarms\uff1b\u3000fat\u3000lazy\u3000flies\u3000that\u3000broke\u3000the\u3000spirits\u3000of\u3000the\u3000men\u3000as\u3000pain\u3000could\u3000not\u3002\u3000The\u3000tide\u3000of\u3000smells\u3000and\u3000pain\u3000rose\u3000and\u3000rose\u3000about\u3000her\u3002\u3000Perspiration\u3000soaked\u3000through\u3000her\u3000freshly\u3000starched\u3000dress\u3000as\u3000she\u3000followed\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Meade\u3000about\uff1b\u3000a\u3000basin\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000the\u3000nausea\u3000of\u3000standing\u3000by\u3000the\u3000doctor\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000not\u3000to\u3000vomit\u3000when\u3000his\u3000bright\u3000knife\u3000cut\u3000into\u3000mortifying\u3000flesh\uff01\u3000And\u3000oh\uff1b\u3000the\u3000horror\u3000of\u3000hearing\u3000the\u3000screams\u3000from\u3000the\u3000operating\u3000ward\u3000where\u3000amputations\u3000were\u3000going\u3000on\uff01\u3000And\u3000the\u3000sick\uff1b\u3000helpless\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000pity\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000tense\uff1b\u3000white\u3000faces\u3000of\u3000mangled\u3000men\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000the\u3000doctor\u3000to\u3000get\u3000to\u3000them\uff1b\u3000men\u3000whose\u3000ears\u3000were\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000screams\uff1b\u3000men\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000the\u3000dreadful\u3000words\uff1a\u3000\u201cI\u2019m\u3000sorry\uff1b\u3000my\u3000boy\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000hand\u3000will\u3000have\u3000to\u3000come\u3000off\u3002\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000yes\uff1b\u3000I\u3000know\uff1b\u3000but\u3000look\uff1b\u3000see\u3000those\u3000red\u3000streaks\uff1f\u3000It\u2019ll\u3000have\u3000to\u3000come\u3000off\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000The\u3000muscles\u3000of\u3000his\u3000big\u3000body\u3000rippled\u3000against\u3000his\u3000well\u2026tailored\u3000clothes\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000got\u3000in\u3000beside\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000as\u3000always\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000his\u3000great\u3000physical\u3000power\u3000struck\u3000her\u3000like\u3000a\u3000blow\u3002\u3000She\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000swell\u3000of\u3000his\u3000powerful\u3000shoulders\u3000against\u3000the\u3000cloth\u3000with\u3000a\u3000fascination\u3000that\u3000was\u3000disturbing\uff1b\u3000a\u3000little\u3000frightening\u3002\u3000His\u3000body\u3000seemed\u3000so\u3000tough\u3000and\u3000hard\uff1b\u3000as\u3000tough\u3000and\u3000hard\u3000as\u3000his\u3000keen\u3000mind\u3002\u3000His\u3000was\u3000such\u3000an\u3000easy\uff1b\u3000graceful\u3000strength\uff1b\u3000lazy\u3000as\u3000a\u3000panther\u3000stretching\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sun\uff1b\u3000alert\u3000as\u3000a\u3000panther\u3000to\u3000spring\u3000and\u3000strike\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000He\u3000touched\u3000up\u3000the\u3000mare\u3000with\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000and\u3000she\u3000trotted\u3000briskly\u3000across\u3000Five\u3000Points\u3000and\u3000across\u3000the\u3000railroad\u3000tracks\u3000that\u3000cut\u3000the\u3000town\u3000in\u3000two\u3002\u3000The\u3000train\u3000bearing\u3000the\u3000wounded\u3000had\u3000already\u3000come\u3000in\u3000and\u3000the\u3000litter\u3000bearers\u3000were\u3000working\u3000swiftly\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hot\u3000sun\uff1b\u3000transferring\u3000wounded\u3000into\u3000ambulances\u3000and\u3000covered\u3000ordnance\u3000wagons\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000no\u3000qualm\u3000of\u3000conscience\u3000as\u3000she\u3000watched\u3000them\u3000but\u3000only\u3000a\u3000feeling\u3000of\u3000vast\u3000relief\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000made\u3000her\u3000escape\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u2019m\u3000just\u3000sick\u3000and\u3000tired\u3000of\u3000that\u3000old\u3000hospital\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000settling\u3000her\u3000billowing\u3000skirts\u3000and\u3000tying\u3000her\u3000bonnet\u3000bow\u3000more\u3000firmly\u3000under\u3000her\u3000chin\u3002\u3000\u201cAnd\u3000every\u3000day\u3000more\u3000and\u3000more\u3000wounded\u3000come\u3000in\u3002\u3000It\u2019s\u3000all\u3000General\u3000Johnston\u2019s\u3000fault\u3002\u3000If\u3000he\u2019d\u3000just\u3000stood\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000at\u3000Dalton\uff1b\u3000they\u2019d\u3000have\u2014\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000With\u3000the\u3000far\u2026off\u3000rumbling\u3000of\u3000cannon\u3000in\u3000their\u3000ears\uff1b\u3000the\u3000state\u3000militia\uff1b\u3000\u201cJoe\u3000Brown\u2019s\u3000Pets\uff1b\u201d\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Home\u3000Guard\u3000marched\u3000out\u3000of\u3000Atlanta\uff1b\u3000to\u3000defend\u3000the\u3000bridges\u3000and\u3000ferries\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Chattahoochee\u3000River\u3000at\u3000Johnston\u2019s\u3000back\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000gray\uff1b\u3000overcast\u3000day\u3000and\uff1b\u3000as\u3000they\u3000marched\u3000through\u3000Five\u3000Points\u3000and\u3000out\u3000the\u3000Marietta\u3000road\uff1b\u3000a\u3000fine\u3000rain\u3000began\u3000to\u3000fall\u3002\u3000The\u3000whole\u3000town\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000to\u3000see\u3000them\u3000off\u3000and\u3000they\u3000stood\uff1b\u3000close\u3000packed\uff1b\u3000under\u3000the\u3000wooden\u3000awnings\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stores\u3000on\u3000Peachtree\u3000Street\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000cheer\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000and\u3000Maybelle\u3000Merriwether\u3000Picard\u3000had\u3000been\u3000given\u3000permission\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000hospital\u3000and\u3000watch\u3000the\u3000men\u3000go\u3000out\uff1b\u3000because\u3000Uncle\u3000Henry\u3000Hamilton\u3000and\u3000Grandpa\u3000Merriwether\u3000were\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Home\u3000Guard\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000stood\u3000with\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Meade\uff1b\u3000pressed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000crowd\uff1b\u3000tiptoeing\u3000to\u3000get\u3000a\u3000better\u3000view\u3002\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000though\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000the\u3000universal\u3000Southern\u3000desire\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000only\u3000the\u3000pleasantest\u3000and\u3000most\u3000reassuring\u3000things\u3000about\u3000the\u3000progress\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fighting\uff1b\u3000felt\u3000cold\u3000as\u3000she\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            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        <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            ks\u3000to\u3000the\u3000material\u3000Rhett\u3000Butler\u3000had\u3000brought\u3000her\u3000on\u3000the\u3000last\u3000boat\u3000he\u3000ran\u3000in\uff1b\u3000but\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000nineteen\u3000and\u3000getting\u3000along\u3000and\u3000men\u3000had\u3000a\u3000way\u3000of\u3000chasing\u3000silly\u3000young\u3000things\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000In\u3000the\u3000warm\u3000wet\u3000summer\u3000nights\uff1b\u3000Atlanta\u2019s\u3000homes\u3000stood\u3000open\u3000to\u3000the\u3000soldiers\uff1b\u3000the\u3000town\u2019s\u3000defenders\u3002\u3000The\u3000big\u3000houses\u3000from\u3000Washington\u3000Street\u3000to\u3000Peachtree\u3000Street\u3000blazed\u3000with\u3000lights\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000muddy\u3000fighters\u3000in\u3000from\u3000the\u3000rifle\u3000pits\u3000were\u3000entertained\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000banjo\u3000and\u3000fiddle\u3000and\u3000the\u3000scrape\u3000of\u3000dancing\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000light\u3000laughter\u3000carried\u3000far\u3000on\u3000the\u3000night\u3000air\u3002\u3000Groups\u3000hung\u3000over\u3000pianos\u3000and\u3000voices\u3000sang\u3000lustily\u3000the\u3000sad\u3000words\u3000of\u3000\u201cYour\u3000Letter\u3000Came\u3000but\u3000Came\u3000Too\u3000Late\u201d\u3000while\u3000ragged\u3000gallants\u3000looked\u3000meaningly\u3000at\u3000girls\u3000who\u3000laughed\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000turkey\u2026tail\u3000fans\uff1b\u3000begging\u3000them\u3000not\u3000to\u3000wait\u3000until\u3000it\u3000was\u3000too\u3000late\u3002\u3000None\u3000of\u3000the\u3000girls\u3000waited\uff1b\u3000if\u3000they\u3000could\u3000help\u3000it\u3002\u3000With\u3000the\u3000tide\u3000of\u3000hysterical\u3000gaiety\u3000and\u3000excitement\u3000flooding\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000they\u3000rushed\u3000into\u3000matrimony\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000so\u3000many\u3000marriages\u3000that\u3000month\u3000while\u3000Johnston\u3000was\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000at\u3000Kennesaw\u3000Mountain\uff1b\u3000marriages\u3000with\u3000the\u3000bride\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000in\u3000blushing\u3000happiness\u3000and\u3000the\u3000hastily\u3000borrowed\u3000finery\u3000of\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000friends\u3000and\u3000the\u3000groom\u3000with\u3000saber\u3000banging\u3000at\u3000patched\u3000knees\u3002\u3000So\u3000much\u3000excitement\uff1b\u3000so\u3000many\u3000parties\uff1b\u3000so\u3000many\u3000thrills\uff01\u3000Hurrah\uff01\u3000Johnston\u3000is\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000Yanks\u3000twenty\u2026two\u3000miles\u3000away\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000the\u3000lines\u3000around\u3000Kennesaw\u3000Mountain\u3000were\u3000impregnable\u3002\u3000After\u3000twenty\u2026five\u3000days\u3000of\u3000fighting\uff1b\u3000even\u3000General\u3000Sherman\u3000was\u3000convinced\u3000of\u3000this\uff1b\u3000for\u3000his\u3000losses\u3000were\u3000enormous\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000of\u3000continuing\u3000the\u3000direct\u3000assault\uff1b\u3000he\u3000swung\u3000his\u3000army\u3000in\u3000a\u3000wide\u3000circle\u3000again\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000come\u3000between\u3000the\u3000Confederates\u3000and\u3000Atlanta\u3002\u3000Again\uff1b\u3000the\u3000strategy\u3000worked\u3002\u3000Johnston\u3000was\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000abandon\u3000the\u3000heights\u3000he\u3000had\u3000held\u3000so\u3000well\uff1b\u3000in\u3000order\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000his\u3000rear\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000lost\u3000a\u3000third\u3000of\u3000his\u3000men\u3000in\u3000that\u3000fight\u3000and\u3000the\u3000remainder\u3000slogged\u3000tiredly\u3000through\u3000the\u3000rain\u3000across\u3000the\u3000country\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000Chattahoochee\u3000River\u3002\u3000The\u3000Confederates\u3000could\u3000expect\u3000no\u3000more\u3000reinforcements\uff1b\u3000whereas\u3000the\u3000railroad\uff1b\u3000which\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000now\u3000held\u3000from\u3000Tennessee\u3000south\u3000to\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000line\uff1b\u3000brought\u3000Sherman\u3000fresh\u3000troops\u3000and\u3000supplies\u3000daily\u3002\u3000So\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000lines\u3000went\u3000back\u3000through\u3000the\u3000muddy\u3000fields\uff1b\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000Atlanta\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000With\u3000the\u3000loss\u3000of\u3000the\u3000supposedly\u3000unconquerable\u3000position\uff1b\u3000a\u3000fresh\u3000wave\u3000of\u3000terror\u3000swept\u3000the\u3000town\u3002\u3000For\u3000twenty\u2026five\u3000wild\uff1b\u3000happy\u3000days\uff1b\u3000everyone\u3000had\u3000assured\u3000everyone\u3000else\u3000that\u3000this\u3000could\u3000not\u3000possibly\u3000happen\u3002\u3000And\u3000now\u3000it\u3000had\u3000happened\uff01\u3000But\u3000surely\u3000the\u3000General\u3000would\u3000hold\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000on\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000bank\u3000of\u3000the\u3000river\u3002\u3000Though\u3000God\u3000knows\u3000the\u3000river\u3000was\u3000close\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000only\u3000seven\u3000miles\u3000away\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000But\u3000Sherman\u3000flanked\u3000them\u3000again\uff1b\u3000crossing\u3000the\u3000stream\u3000above\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000weary\u3000gray\u3000files\u3000were\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000hurry\u3000across\u3000the\u3000yellow\u3000water\u3000and\u3000throw\u3000themselves\u3000again\u3000between\u3000the\u3000invaders\u3000and\u3000Atlanta\u3002\u3000They\u3000dug\u3000in\u3000hastily\u3000in\u3000shallow\u3000pits\u3000to\u3000the\u3000north\u3000of\u3000the\u3000town\u3000in\u3000the\u3000valley\u3000of\u3000Peachtree\u3000Creek\u3002\u3000Atlanta\u3000was\u3000in\u3000agony\u3000and\u3000panic\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Fight\u3000and\u3000fall\u3000back\uff01\u3000Fight\u3000and\u3000fall\u3000back\uff01\u3000And\u3000every\u3000retreat\u3000was\u3000bringing\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000the\u3000town\u3002\u3000Peachtree\u3000Creek\u3000was\u3000only\u3000five\u3000miles\u3000away\uff01\u3000What\u3000was\u3000the\u3000General\u3000thinking\u3000about\uff1f<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000cries\u3000of\u3000\u201cGive\u3000us\u3000a\u3000man\u3000who\u3000will\u3000stand\u3000and\u3000fight\uff01\u201d\u3000penetrated\u3000even\u3000to\u3000Richmond\u3002\u3000Richmond\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000if\u3000Atlanta\u3000was\u3000lost\uff1b\u3000the\u3000war\u3000was\u3000lost\uff1b\u3000and\u3000after\u3000the\u3000army\u3000had\u3000crossed\u3000the\u3000Chattahoochee\uff1b\u3000General\u3000Johnston\u3000was\u3000removed\u3000from\u3000command\u3002\u3000General\u3000Hood\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000corps\u3000commanders\uff1b\u3000took\u3000over\u3000the\u3000army\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000town\u3000breathed\u3000a\u3000little\u3000easier\u3002\u3000Hood\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u3000retreat\u3002\u3000Not\u3000that\u3000tall\u3000Kentuckian\uff1b\u3000with\u3000his\u3000flowing\u3000beard\u3000and\u3000flashing\u3000eye\uff01\u3000He\u3000had\u3000the\u3000reputation\u3000of\u3000a\u3000bulldog\u3002\u3000He\u2019d\u3000drive\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000back\u3000from\u3000the\u3000creek\uff1b\u3000yes\uff1b\u3000back\u3000across\u3000the\u3000river\u3000and\u3000on\u3000up\u3000the\u3000road\u3000every\u3000step\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Dalton\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000army\u3000cried\uff1a\u3000\u201cGive\u3000us\u3000back\u3000Old\u3000Joe\uff01\u201d\u3000for\u3000they\u3000had\u3000been\u3000with\u3000Old\u3000Joe\u3000all\u3000the\u3000weary\u3000miles\u3000from\u3000Dalton\u3000and\u3000they\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000civilians\u3000could\u3000not\u3000know\uff1b\u3000the\u3000odds\u3000that\u3000had\u3000opposed\u3000them\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Sherman\u3000did\u3000not\u3000wait\u3000for\u3000Hood\u3000to\u3000get\u3000himself\u3000in\u3000readiness\u3000to\u3000attack\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000day\u3000after\u3000the\u3000change\u3000in\u3000command\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Yankee\u3000general\u3000struck\u3000swiftly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000little\u3000town\u3000of\u3000Decatur\uff1b\u3000six\u3000miles\u3000beyond\u3000Atlanta\uff1b\u3000captured\u3000it\u3000and\u3000cut\u3000the\u3000railroad\u3000there\u3002\u3000This\u3000was\u3000the\u3000railroad\u3000connecting\u3000Atlanta\u3000with\u3000Augusta\uff1b\u3000with\u3000Charleston\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Wilmington\u3000and\u3000with\u3000Virginia\u3002\u3000Sherman\u3000had\u3000dealt\u3000the\u3000Confederacy\u3000a\u3000crippling\u3000blow\u3002\u3000The\u3000time\u3000had\u3000come\u3000for\u3000action\uff01\u3000Atlanta\u3000screamed\u3000for\u3000action\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000on\u3000a\u3000July\u3000afternoon\u3000of\u3000steaming\u3000heat\uff1b\u3000Atlanta\u3000had\u3000its\u3000wish\u3002\u3000General\u3000Hood\u3000did\u3000more\u3000than\u3000stand\u3000and\u3000fight\u3002\u3000He\u3000assaulted\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000fiercely\u3000at\u3000Peachtree\u3000Creek\uff1b\u3000hurling\u3000his\u3000men\u3000from\u3000their\u3000rifle\u3000pits\u3000against\u3000the\u3000blue\u3000lines\u3000where\u3000Sherman\u2019s\u3000men\u3000outnumbered\u3000him\u3000more\u3000than\u3000two\u3000to\u3000one\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Frightened\uff1b\u3000praying\u3000that\u3000Hood\u2019s\u3000attack\u3000would\u3000drive\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000back\uff1b\u3000everyone\u3000listened\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000booming\u3000cannon\u3000and\u3000the\u3000crackling\u3000of\u3000thousands\u3000of\u3000rifles\u3000which\uff1b\u3000though\u3000five\u3000miles\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000town\uff1b\u3000were\u3000so\u3000loud\u3000as\u3000to\u3000seem\u3000almost\u3000in\u3000the\u3000next\u3000block\u3002\u3000They\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000rumblings\u3000of\u3000the\u3000batteries\uff1b\u3000see\u3000the\u3000smoke\u3000which\u3000rolled\u3000like\u3000low\u2026hanging\u3000clouds\u3000above\u3000the\u3000trees\uff1b\u3000but\u3000for\u3000hours\u3000no\u3000one\u3000knew\u3000how\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000was\u3000going\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000By\u3000late\u3000afternoon\u3000the\u3000first\u3000news\u3000came\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000uncertain\uff1b\u3000contradictory\uff1b\u3000frightening\uff1b\u3000brought\u3000as\u3000it\u3000was\u3000by\u3000men\u3000wounded\u3000in\u3000the\u3000early\u3000hours\u3000of\u3000the\u3000battle\u3002\u3000These\u3000men\u3000began\u3000straggling\u3000in\uff1b\u3000singly\u3000and\u3000in\u3000groups\uff1b\u3000the\u3000less\u3000seriously\u3000wounded\u3000supporting\u3000those\u3000who\u3000limped\u3000and\u3000staggered\u3002\u3000Soon\u3000a\u3000steady\u3000stream\u3000of\u3000them\u3000was\u3000established\uff1b\u3000making\u3000their\u3000painful\u3000way\u3000into\u3000town\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000hospitals\uff1b\u3000their\u3000faces\u3000black\u3000as\u3000negroes\u2019\u3000from\u3000powder\u3000stains\uff1b\u3000dust\u3000and\u3000sweat\uff1b\u3000their\u3000wounds\u3000unbandaged\uff1b\u3000blood\u3000drying\uff1b\u3000flies\u3000swarming\u3000about\u3000them\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Fatigue\u3000gave\u3000an\u3000unreal\uff1b\u3000nightmarish\u3000cast\u3000to\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000scene\u3002\u3000It\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000be\u3000real\u2014or\u3000it\u3000was\u3000real\uff1b\u3000then\u3000the\u3000world\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000mad\u3002\u3000If\u3000not\uff1b\u3000why\u3000should\u3000she\u3000be\u3000standing\u3000here\u3000in\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\u2019s\u3000peaceful\u3000front\u3000yard\uff1b\u3000amid\u3000wavering\u3000lights\uff1b\u3000pouring\u3000water\u3000over\u3000dying\u3000beaux\uff1f\u3000For\u3000so\u3000many\u3000of\u3000them\u3000were\u3000her\u3000beaux\u3000and\u3000they\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000smile\u3000when\u3000they\u3000saw\u3000her\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000so\u3000many\u3000men\u3000jolting\u3000down\u3000this\u3000dark\uff1b\u3000dusty\u3000road\u3000whom\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000so\u3000well\uff1b\u3000so\u3000many\u3000men\u3000dying\u3000here\u3000before\u3000he         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000many\u3000men\u3000jolting\u3000down\u3000this\u3000dark\uff1b\u3000dusty\u3000road\u3000whom\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000so\u3000well\uff1b\u3000so\u3000many\u3000men\u3000dying\u3000here\u3000before\u3000her\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000mosquitoes\u3000and\u3000gnats\u3000swarming\u3000their\u3000bloody\u3000faces\uff1b\u3000men\u3000with\u3000whom\u3000she\u3000had\u3000danced\u3000and\u3000laughed\uff1b\u3000for\u3000whom\u3000she\u3000had\u3000played\u3000music\u3000and\u3000sung\u3000songs\uff1b\u3000teased\uff1b\u3000comforted\u3000and\u3000loved\u2014a\u3000little\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000As\u3000the\u3000hot\u3000night\u3000wore\u3000on\u3000and\u3000their\u3000backs\u3000were\u3000aching\u3000and\u3000their\u3000knees\u3000buckling\u3000from\u3000weariness\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000and\u3000Pitty\u3000cried\u3000to\u3000man\u3000after\u3000man\uff1a\u3000\u201cWhat\u3000news\uff1f\u3000What\u3000news\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000And\u3000as\u3000the\u3000long\u3000hours\u3000dragged\u3000past\uff1b\u3000they\u3000had\u3000their\u3000answer\uff1b\u3000an\u3000answer\u3000that\u3000made\u3000them\u3000look\u3000whitely\u3000into\u3000each\u3000other\u2019s\u3000eyes\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWe\u2019re\u3000falling\u3000back\u3002\u201d\u3000\u201cWe\u2019ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000fall\u3000back\u3002\u201d\u3000\u201cThey\u3000outnumber\u3000us\u3000by\u3000thousands\u3002\u201d\u3000\u201cThe\u3000Yankees\u3000have\u3000got\u3000Wheeler\u2019s\u3000cavalry\u3000cut\u3000off\u3000near\u3000Decatur\u3002\u3000We\u3000got\u3000to\u3000reinforce\u3000them\u3002\u201d\u3000\u201cOur\u3000boys\u3000will\u3000all\u3000be\u3000in\u3000town\u3000soon\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000and\u3000Pitty\u3000clutched\u3000each\u3000other\u2019s\u3000arms\u3000for\u3000support\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cAre\u2014are\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000coming\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYes\u2019m\uff1b\u3000they\u2019re\u3000comin\u2019\u3000all\u3000right\u3000but\u3000they\u3000ain\u2019t\u3000goin\u2019\u3000ter\u3000git\u3000fer\uff1b\u3000lady\u3002\u201d\u3000\u201cDon\u2019t\u3000fret\uff1b\u3000Miss\uff1b\u3000they\u3000can\u2019t\u3000take\u3000Atlanta\u3002\u201d\u3000\u201cNo\uff1b\u3000Ma\u2019m\uff1b\u3000we\u3000got\u3000a\u3000million\u3000miles\u3000of\u3000breastworks\u3000\u2018round\u3000this\u3000town\u3002\u201d\u3000\u201cI\u3000heard\u3000Old\u3000Joe\u3000say\u3000it\u3000myself\uff1a\u3000\u2018I\u3000can\u3000hold\u3000Atlanta\u3000forever\u3002\u2019\u3000\u201d\u3000\u201cBut\u3000we\u3000ain\u2019t\u3000got\u3000Old\u3000Joe\u3002\u3000We\u3000got\u2014\u201d\u3000\u201cShut\u3000up\uff1b\u3000you\u3000fool\uff01\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000want\u3000to\u3000scare\u3000the\u3000ladies\uff1f\u201d\u3000\u201cThe\u3000Yankees\u3000will\u3000never\u3000take\u3000this\u3000place\uff1b\u3000Ma\u2019m\u3002\u201d\u3000\u201cWhyn\u2019t\u3000you\u3000ladies\u3000go\u3000ter\u3000Macon\u3000or\u3000somewheres\u3000that\u2019s\u3000safer\uff1f\u3000Ain\u2019t\u3000you\u3000got\u3000no\u3000kinfolks\u3000there\uff1f\u201d\u3000\u201cThe\u3000Yankees\u3000ain\u2019t\u3000goin\u2019\u3000ter\u3000take\u3000Atlanta\u3000but\u3000still\u3000it\u3000ain\u2019t\u3000goin\u2019\u3000ter\u3000be\u3000so\u3000healthy\u3000for\u3000ladies\u3000whilst\u3000they\u2019re\u3000tryin\u2019\u3000it\u3002\u201d\u3000\u201cThere\u2019s\u3000goin\u2019\u3000ter\u3000be\u3000a\u3000powerful\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000shellin\u2019\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000In\u3000a\u3000warm\u3000steaming\u3000rain\u3000the\u3000next\u3000day\uff1b\u3000the\u3000defeated\u3000army\u3000poured\u3000through\u3000Atlanta\u3000by\u3000thousands\uff1b\u3000exhausted\u3000by\u3000hunger\u3000and\u3000weariness\uff1b\u3000depleted\u3000by\u3000seventy\u2026six\u3000days\u3000of\u3000bat\u2026tie\u3000and\u3000retreat\uff1b\u3000their\u3000horses\u3000starved\u3000scarecrows\uff1b\u3000their\u3000cannon\u3000and\u3000caissons\u3000harnessed\u3000with\u3000odds\u3000and\u3000ends\u3000of\u3000rope\u3000and\u3000strips\u3000of\u3000rawhide\u3002\u3000But\u3000they\u3000did\u3000not\u3000come\u3000in\u3000as\u3000disorderly\u3000rabble\uff1b\u3000in\u3000full\u3000rout\u3002\u3000They\u3000marched\u3000in\u3000good\u3000order\uff1b\u3000jaunty\u3000for\u3000all\u3000their\u3000rags\uff1b\u3000their\u3000torn\u3000red\u3000battle\u3000flags\u3000flying\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rain\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000learned\u3000retreating\u3000under\u3000Old\u3000Joe\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000made\u3000it\u3000as\u3000great\u3000a\u3000feat\u3000of\u3000strategy\u3000as\u3000advancing\u3002\u3000The\u3000bearded\uff1b\u3000shabby\u3000files\u3000swung\u3000down\u3000Peachtree\u3000Street\u3000to\u3000the\u3000tune\u3000of\u3000\u201cMaryland\uff01\u3000My\u3000Maryland\uff01\u201d\u3000and\u3000all\u3000the\u3000town\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000to\u3000cheer\u3000them\u3002\u3000In\u3000victory\u3000or\u3000defeat\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000their\u3000boys\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000state\u3000militia\u3000who\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000out\u3000so\u3000short\u3000a\u3000time\u3000before\uff1b\u3000resplendent\u3000in\u3000new\u3000uniforms\uff1b\u3000could\u3000hardly\u3000be\u3000distinguished\u3000from\u3000the\u3000seasoned\u3000troops\uff1b\u3000so\u3000dirty\u3000and\u3000unkempt\u3000were\u3000they\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000new\u3000look\u3000in\u3000their\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000Three\u3000years\u3000of\u3000apologizing\uff1b\u3000of\u3000explaining\u3000why\u3000they\u3000were\u3000not\u3000at\u3000the\u3000front\u3000was\u3000behind\u3000them\u3000now\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000traded\u3000security\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000lines\u3000for\u3000the\u3000hardships\u3000of\u3000battle\u3002\u3000Many\u3000of\u3000their\u3000number\u3000had\u3000traded\u3000easy\u3000living\u3000for\u3000hard\u3000death\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000veterans\u3000now\uff1b\u3000veterans\u3000of\u3000brief\u3000service\uff1b\u3000but\u3000veterans\u3000just\u3000the\u3000same\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000had\u3000acquitted\u3000themselves\u3000well\u3002\u3000They\u3000searched\u3000out\u3000the\u3000faces\u3000of\u3000friends\u3000in\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000and\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000them\u3000proudly\uff1b\u3000defiantly\u3002\u3000They\u3000could\u3000hold\u3000up\u3000their\u3000heads\u3000now\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000old\u3000men\u3000and\u3000boys\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Home\u3000Guard\u3000marched\u3000by\uff1b\u3000the\u3000graybeards\u3000almost\u3000too\u3000weary\u3000to\u3000lift\u3000their\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000the\u3000boys\u3000wearing\u3000the\u3000faces\u3000of\u3000tired\u3000children\uff1b\u3000confronted\u3000too\u3000early\u3000with\u3000adult\u3000problems\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000caught\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000Phil\u3000Meade\u3000and\u3000hardly\u3000recognized\u3000him\uff1b\u3000so\u3000black\u3000was\u3000his\u3000face\u3000with\u3000powder\u3000and\u3000grime\uff1b\u3000so\u3000taut\u3000with\u3000strain\u3000and\u3000weariness\u3002\u3000Uncle\u3000Henry\u3000went\u3000limping\u3000by\uff1b\u3000hatless\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rain\uff1b\u3000his\u3000head\u3000stuck\u3000through\u3000a\u3000hole\u3000in\u3000a\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000old\u3000oilcloth\u3002\u3000Grandpa\u3000Merriwether\u3000rode\u3000in\u3000on\u3000a\u3000gun\u3000carriage\uff1b\u3000his\u3000bare\u3000feet\u3000tied\u3000in\u3000quilt\u3000scraps\u3002\u3000But\u3000search\u3000though\u3000she\u3000might\uff1b\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000no\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000John\u3000Wilkes\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000But\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000kept\u3000coming\u3000back\u3000for\u3000more\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000suffered\u3000heavy\u3000losses\u3000but\u3000they\u3000could\u3000afford\u3000to\u3000lose\u3002\u3000And\u3000all\u3000the\u3000while\u3000their\u3000batteries\u3000poured\u3000shells\u3000into\u3000Atlanta\uff1b\u3000killing\u3000people\u3000in\u3000their\u3000homes\uff1b\u3000ripping\u3000roofs\u3000off\u3000buildings\uff1b\u3000tearing\u3000huge\u3000craters\u3000in\u3000the\u3000streets\u3002\u3000The\u3000townsfolk\u3000sheltered\u3000as\u3000best\u3000they\u3000could\u3000in\u3000cellars\uff1b\u3000in\u3000holes\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000in\u3000shallow\u3000tunnels\u3000dug\u3000in\u3000railroad\u3000cuts\u3002\u3000Atlanta\u3000was\u3000under\u3000siege\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000was\u3000terrified\u3000when\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000how\u3000important\u3000this\u3000line\u3000had\u3000become\uff1b\u3000how\u3000fiercely\u3000Sherman\u3000would\u3000fight\u3000to\u3000take\u3000it\uff1b\u3000how\u3000desperately\u3000Hood\u3000would\u3000fight\u3000to\u3000defend\u3000it\u3002\u3000For\u3000this\u3000was\u3000the\u3000railroad\u3000which\u3000ran\u3000through\u3000the\u3000County\uff1b\u3000through\u3000Jonesboro\u3002\u3000And\u3000Tara\u3000was\u3000only\u3000five\u3000miles\u3000from\u3000Jonesboro\uff01\u3000Tara\u3000seemed\u3000like\u3000a\u3000haven\u3000of\u3000refuge\u3000by\u3000comparison\u3000with\u3000the\u3000screaming\u3000hell\u3000of\u3000Atlanta\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Tara\u3000was\u3000only\u3000five\u3000miles\u3000from\u3000Jonesboro\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000and\u3000many\u3000other\u3000ladies\u3000sat\u3000on\u3000the\u3000flat\u3000roofs\u3000of\u3000stores\uff1b\u3000shaded\u3000by\u3000their\u3000tiny\u3000parasols\uff1b\u3000and\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000fighting\u3000on\u3000the\u3000day\u3000of\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000of\u3000Atlanta\u3002\u3000But\u3000when\u3000shells\u3000began\u3000falling\u3000in\u3000the\u3000streets\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\uff1b\u3000they\u3000fled\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cellars\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000night\u3000the\u3000exodus\u3000of\u3000women\uff1b\u3000children\u3000and\u3000old\u3000people\u3000from\u3000the\u3000city\u3000began\u3002\u3000Macon\u3000was\u3000their\u3000destination\u3000and\u3000many\u3000of\u3000those\u3000who\u3000took\u3000the\u3000train\u3000that\u3000night\u3000had\u3000already\u3000refugeed\u3000five\u3000and\u3000six\u3000times\u3000before\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Johnston\u3000fell\u3000back\u3000from\u3000Dalton\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000traveling\u3000lighter\u3000now\u3000than\u3000when\u3000they\u3000arrived\u3000in\u3000Atlanta\u3002\u3000Most\u3000of\u3000them\u3000carried\u3000only\u3000a\u3000carpetbag\u3000and\u3000a\u3000scanty\u3000lunch\u3000done\u3000up\u3000in\u3000a\u3000bandana\u3000handkerchief\u3002\u3000Here\u3000and\u3000there\uff1b\u3000frightened\u3000servants\u3000carried\u3000silver\u3000pitchers\uff1b\u3000knives\u3000and\u3000forks\u3000and\u3000a\u3000family\u3000portrait\u3000or\u3000two\u3000which\u3000had\u3000been\u3000salvaged\u3000in\u3000the\u3000first\u3000fight\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Merriwether\u3000and\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Elsing\u3000refused\u3000to\u3000leave\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000needed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000hospital\u3000and\u3000furthermore\uff1b\u3000they\u3000said\u3000proudly\uff1b\u3000they\u3000weren\u2019t\u3000afraid\u3000and\u3000no\u3000Yankees\u3000were\u3000going\u3000to\u3000run\u3000them\u3000out\u3000of\u3000their\u3000homes\u3002\u3000But\u3000Maybelle\u3000and\u3000her\u3000baby\u3000and\u3000Fanny\u3000Elsing\u3000went\u3000to\u3000Macon\u3002\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Meade\u3000was\u3000disobedient\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000in\u3000her\u3000married\u3000life\u3000and\u3000flatly\u3000refused\u3000to\u3000yield\u3000to\u3000the\u3000doctor\u2019s\u3000command\u3000that\u3000she\u3000take\u3000the\u3000train\u3000to\u3000safety\u3002\u3000The\u3000doctor\u3000needed\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000Moreover\uff1b\u3000Phil\u3000was\u3000somewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000trenches\u3000and\u3000she\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000be\u3000near\u3000by\u3000in\u3000case\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000But\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Whiting\u3000went\u3000and\u3000many\u3000other\u3000ladies\u3000of\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000circle\u3002\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000the\u3000first\u3000to\u3000denounce\u3000Old\u3000Joe\u3000for\u3000his\u3000policy\u3000of\u3000retreat\uff1b\u3000was\u3000among\u3000the\u3000first\u3000to\u3000pack\u3000her\u3000trunks\u3002\u3000Her\u3000nerves\uff1b\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000were\u3000delicate\u3000and\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000endure\u3000noises\u3002\u3000She\u3000feared\u3000she\u3000might\u3000faint\u3000at\u3000an\u3000explosion\u3000and\u3000not\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000the\u3000cellar\u3002\u3000No\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000not\u3000afraid\u3002\u3000Her\u3000baby\u3000mouth\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000set\u3000in\u3000martial\u3000lin         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000not\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000the\u3000cellar\u3002\u3000No\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000not\u3000afraid\u3002\u3000Her\u3000baby\u3000mouth\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000set\u3000in\u3000martial\u3000lines\u3000but\u3000failed\u3002\u3000She\u2019d\u3000go\u3000to\u3000Macon\u3000and\u3000stay\u3000with\u3000her\u3000cousin\uff1b\u3000old\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Burr\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000girls\u3000should\u3000come\u3000with\u3000her\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000did\u3000not\u3000want\u3000to\u3000go\u3000to\u3000Macon\u3002\u3000Frightened\u3000as\u3000she\u3000was\u3000of\u3000the\u3000shells\uff1b\u3000she\u2019d\u3000rather\u3000stay\u3000in\u3000Atlanta\u3000than\u3000go\u3000to\u3000Macon\uff1b\u3000for\u3000she\u3000hated\u3000old\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Burr\u3000cordially\u3002\u3000Years\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Burr\u3000had\u3000said\u3000she\u3000was\u3000\u201cfast\u201d\u3000after\u3000catching\u3000her\u3000kissing\u3000her\u3000son\u3000Willie\u3000at\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Wilkes\u2019\u3000house\u3000parties\u3002\u3000No\uff1b\u3000she\u3000told\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\uff1b\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000go\u3000home\u3000to\u3000Tara\u3000and\u3000Melly\u3000can\u3000go\u3000to\u3000Macon\u3000with\u3000you\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000At\u3000this\u3000Melanie\u3000began\u3000to\u3000cry\u3000in\u3000a\u3000frightened\uff1b\u3000heartbroken\u3000way\u3002\u3000When\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\u3000fled\u3000to\u3000get\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Meade\uff1b\u3000Melanie\u3000caught\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000hand\u3000in\u3000hers\uff1b\u3000pleading\uff1a<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cDear\uff1b\u3000don\u2019t\u3000go\u3000to\u3000Tara\u3000and\u3000leave\u3000me\uff01\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000be\u3000so\u3000lonely\u3000without\u3000you\u3002\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000I\u2019d\u3000just\u3000die\u3000if\u3000you\u3000weren\u2019t\u3000with\u3000me\u3000when\u3000the\u3000baby\u3000came\uff01\u3000Yes\u2014\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000I\u3000know\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000got\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\u3000and\u3000she\u3000is\u3000sweet\u3000But\u3000after\u3000all\uff1b\u3000she\u2019s\u3000never\u3000had\u3000a\u3000baby\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sometimes\u3000she\u3000makes\u3000me\u3000so\u3000nervous\u3000I\u3000could\u3000scream\u3002\u3000Don\u2019t\u3000desert\u3000me\uff1b\u3000darling\u3002\u3000You\u2019ve\u3000been\u3000just\u3000like\u3000a\u3000sister\u3000to\u3000me\uff1b\u3000and\u3000besides\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000smiled\u3000wanly\uff1b\u3000\u201cyou\u3000promised\u3000Ashley\u3000you\u2019d\u3000take\u3000care\u3000of\u3000me\u3002\u3000He\u3000told\u3000me\u3000he\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000you\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000stared\u3000down\u3000at\u3000her\u3000in\u3000wonderment\u3002\u3000With\u3000her\u3000own\u3000dislike\u3000of\u3000this\u3000woman\u3000so\u3000strong\u3000she\u3000could\u3000barely\u3000conceal\u3000it\uff1b\u3000how\u3000could\u3000Melly\u3000love\u3000her\u3000so\uff1f\u3000How\u3000could\u3000Melly\u3000be\u3000so\u3000stupid\u3000as\u3000not\u3000to\u3000guess\u3000the\u3000secret\u3000of\u3000her\u3000love\u3000of\u3000Ashley\uff1f\u3000She\u3000had\u3000given\u3000herself\u3000away\u3000a\u3000hundred\u3000times\u3000during\u3000these\u3000months\u3000of\u3000torment\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000news\u3000of\u3000him\u3002\u3000But\u3000Melanie\u3000saw\u3000nothing\uff1b\u3000Melanie\u3000who\u3000could\u3000see\u3000nothing\u3000but\u3000good\u3000in\u3000anyone\u3000she\u3000loved\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000promised\u3000Ashley\u3000she\u3000would\u3000look\u3000out\u3000for\u3000Melanie\u3002\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000Ashley\uff01\u3000Ashley\uff01\u3000you\u3000must\u3000be\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000dead\u3000these\u3000many\u3000months\uff01\u3000And\u3000now\u3000your\u3000promise\u3000reaches\u3000out\u3000and\u3000clutches\u3000me\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWell\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000said\u3000shortly\uff1b\u3000\u201cI\u3000did\u3000promise\u3000him\u3000that\u3000and\u3000I\u3000don\u2019t\u3000go\u3000back\u3000on\u3000my\u3000promises\u3002\u3000But\u3000I\u3000won\u2019t\u3000go\u3000to\u3000Macon\u3000and\u3000stay\u3000with\u3000that\u3000old\u3000Burr\u3000cat\u3002\u3000I\u2019d\u3000claw\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000out\u3000in\u3000five\u3000minutes\u3002\u3000I\u2019m\u3000going\u3000home\u3000to\u3000Tara\u3000and\u3000you\u3000can\u3000come\u3000with\u3000me\u3002\u3000Mother\u3000would\u3000love\u3000to\u3000have\u3000you\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000I\u2019d\u3000like\u3000that\uff01\u3000Your\u3000mother\u3000is\u3000so\u3000sweet\u3002\u3000But\u3000you\u3000know\u3000Auntie\u3000would\u3000just\u3000die\u3000if\u3000she\u3000wasn\u2019t\u3000with\u3000me\u3000when\u3000the\u3000baby\u3000came\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000know\u3000she\u3000won\u2019t\u3000go\u3000to\u3000Tara\u3002\u3000It\u2019s\u3000too\u3000close\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fighting\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Auntie\u3000wants\u3000to\u3000be\u3000safe\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Meade\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000arrived\u3000out\u3000of\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000expecting\u3000to\u3000find\u3000Melanie\u3000in\u3000premature\u3000labor\u3000at\u3000least\uff1b\u3000judging\u3000by\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\u2019s\u3000alarmed\u3000summoning\uff1b\u3000was\u3000indignant\u3000and\u3000said\u3000as\u3000much\u3002\u3000And\u3000upon\u3000learning\u3000the\u3000cause\u3000of\u3000the\u3000upset\uff1b\u3000he\u3000settled\u3000the\u3000matter\u3000with\u3000words\u3000that\u3000left\u3000no\u3000room\u3000for\u3000argument\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000In\u3000response\u3000to\u3000Ellen\u2019s\u3000letters\uff1b\u3000pleading\u3000with\u3000he         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            r\u3000what\u3000the\u3000cost\u3002\u3000So\u3000she\u3000remained\u3000day\u3000after\u3000day\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000But\u3000for\u3000all\u3000their\u3000apparent\u3000insouciance\u3000in\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000falling\u3000shells\u3000and\u3000shorter\u3000rations\uff1b\u3000for\u3000all\u3000their\u3000ignoring\u3000the\u3000Yankees\uff1b\u3000barely\u3000half\u3000a\u3000mile\u3000away\uff1b\u3000and\u3000for\u3000all\u3000their\u3000boundless\u3000confidence\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ragged\u3000line\u3000of\u3000gray\u3000men\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rifle\u3000pits\uff1b\u3000there\u3000pulsed\uff1b\u3000just\u3000below\u3000the\u3000skin\u3000of\u3000Atlanta\uff1b\u3000a\u3000wild\u3000uncertainty\u3000over\u3000what\u3000the\u3000next\u3000day\u3000would\u3000bring\u3002\u3000Suspense\uff1b\u3000worry\uff1b\u3000sorrow\uff1b\u3000hunger\u3000and\u3000the\u3000torment\u3000of\u3000rising\uff1b\u3000falling\uff1b\u3000rising\u3000hope\u3000was\u3000wearing\u3000that\u3000skin\u3000thin\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Gradually\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000drew\u3000courage\u3000from\u3000the\u3000brave\u3000faces\u3000of\u3000her\u3000friends\u3000and\u3000from\u3000the\u3000merciful\u3000adjustment\u3000which\u3000nature\u3000makes\u3000when\u3000what\u3000cannot\u3000be\u3000cured\u3000must\u3000be\u3000endured\u3002\u3000To\u3000be\u3000sure\uff1b\u3000she\u3000still\u3000jumped\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000explosions\u3000but\u3000she\u3000did\u3000not\u3000run\u3000screaming\u3000to\u3000burrow\u3000her\u3000head\u3000under\u3000Melanie\u2019s\u3000pillow\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000now\u3000gulp\u3000and\u3000say\u3000weakly\uff1a\u3000\u201cThat\u3000was\u3000close\uff1b\u3000wasn\u2019t\u3000it\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000was\u3000less\u3000frightened\u3000also\u3000because\u3000life\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000on\u3000the\u3000quality\u3000of\u3000a\u3000dream\uff1b\u3000a\u3000dream\u3000too\u3000terrible\u3000to\u3000be\u3000real\u3002\u3000It\u3000wasn\u2019t\u3000possible\u3000that\u3000she\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000O\u2019Hara\uff1b\u3000should\u3000be\u3000in\u3000such\u3000a\u3000predicament\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000danger\u3000of\u3000death\u3000about\u3000her\u3000every\u3000hour\uff1b\u3000every\u3000minute\u3002\u3000It\u3000wasn\u2019t\u3000possible\u3000that\u3000the\u3000quiet\u3000tenor\u3000of\u3000life\u3000could\u3000have\u3000changed\u3000so\u3000completely\u3000in\u3000so\u3000short\u3000a\u3000time\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Quiet\uff1b\u3000drowsy\u3000afternoon\u3000siestas\u3000had\u3000ceased\u3000to\u3000be\uff1b\u3000for\u3000though\u3000the\u3000clamor\u3000of\u3000battle\u3000might\u3000lull\u3000from\u3000time\u3000to\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Peachtree\u3000Street\u3000was\u3000alive\uff1b\u3000and\u3000noisy\u3000at\u3000all\u3000hours\uff1b\u3000cannon\u3000and\u3000ambulances\u3000rumbling\u3000by\uff1b\u3000wounded\u3000stumbling\u3000in\u3000from\u3000the\u3000rifle\u3000pits\uff1b\u3000regiments\u3000hurrying\u3000past\u3000at\u3000double\u2026quick\uff1b\u3000ordered\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ditches\u3000on\u3000one\u3000side\u3000of\u3000town\u3000to\u3000the\u3000defense\u3000of\u3000some\u3000hard\u2026pressed\u3000earthworks\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\uff1b\u3000and\u3000couriers\u3000dashing\u3000headlong\u3000down\u3000the\u3000street\u3000toward\u3000headquarters\u3000as\u3000though\u3000the\u3000fate\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Confederacy\u3000hung\u3000on\u3000them\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000hot\u3000nights\u3000brought\u3000a\u3000measure\u3000of\u3000quiet\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000sinister\u3000quiet\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000night\u3000was\u3000still\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000too\u3000still\u2014as\u3000though\u3000the\u3000tree\u3000frogs\uff1b\u3000katydids\u3000and\u3000sleepy\u3000mockingbirds\u3000were\u3000too\u3000frightened\u3000to\u3000raise\u3000their\u3000voices\u3000in\u3000the\u3000usual\u3000summer\u2026night\u3000chorus\u3002\u3000Now\u3000and\u3000again\uff1b\u3000the\u3000quiet\u3000was\u3000broken\u3000sharply\u3000by\u3000the\u3000crack\u2026cracking\u3000of\u3000musket\u3000fire\u3000in\u3000the\u3000last\u3000line\u3000of\u3000defenses\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Often\u3000in\u3000the\u3000late\u3000night\u3000hours\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000lamps\u3000were\u3000out\u3000and\u3000Melanie\u3000asleep\u3000and\u3000deathly\u3000silence\u3000pressed\u3000over\u3000the\u3000town\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000lying\u3000awake\uff1b\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000latch\u3000of\u3000the\u3000front\u3000gate\u3000click\u3000and\u3000soft\u3000urgent\u3000tappings\u3000on\u3000the\u3000front\u3000door\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Always\uff1b\u3000faceless\u3000soldiers\u3000stood\u3000on\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000porch\u3000and\u3000from\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3000many\u3000different\u3000voices\u3000spoke\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000Sometimes\u3000a\u3000cultured\u3000voice\u3000came\u3000from\u3000the\u3000shadows\uff1a\u3000\u201cMadam\uff1b\u3000my\u3000abject\u3000apologies\u3000for\u3000disturbing\u3000you\uff1b\u3000but\u3000could\u3000I\u3000have\u3000water\u3000for\u3000myself\u3000and\u3000my\u3000horse\uff1f\u201d\u3000Sometimes\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000hard\u3000burring\u3000of\u3000a\u3000mountain\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000sometimes\u3000the\u3000odd\u3000nasals\u3000of\u3000the\u3000flat\u3000Wiregrass\u3000country\u3000to\u3000the\u3000far\u3000south\uff1b\u3000occasionally\u3000the\u3000lulling\u3000drawl\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Coast\u3000that\u3000caught\u3000at\u3000her\u3000heart\uff1b\u3000reminding\u3000her\u3000of\u3000Ellen\u2019s\u3000voice\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cMissy\uff1b\u3000I\u3000got\u3000a\u3000pardner\u3000here\u3000who\u3000I\u3000wuz\u3000aimin\u2019\u3000ter\u3000git\u3000ter\u3000the\u3000horsepittle\u3000but\u3000looks\u3000like\u3000he\u3000ain\u2019t\u3000goin\u2019\u3000ter\u3000last\u3000that\u3000fer\u3002\u3000Kin\u3000you\u3000take\u3000him\u3000in\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cLady\uff1b\u3000I\u3000shore\u3000could\u3000do\u3000with\u3000some\u3000vittles\u3002\u3000I\u2019d\u3000shore\u3000relish\u3000a\u3000corn\u3000pone\u3000if\u3000it\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000deprive\u3000you\u3000none\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cMadam\uff1b\u3000forgive\u3000my\u3000intrusion\u3000but\u2014could\u3000I\u3000spend\u3000the\u3000night\u3000on\u3000your\u3000porch\uff1f\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000roses\u3000and\u3000smelled\u3000the\u3000honeysuckle\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000so\u3000much\u3000like\u3000home\u3000that\u3000I\u3000was\u3000emboldened\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000No\uff1b\u3000these\u3000nights\u3000were\u3000not\u3000real\uff01\u3000They\u3000were\u3000a\u3000nightmare\u3000and\u3000the\u3000men\u3000were\u3000part\u3000of\u3000that\u3000nightmare\uff1b\u3000men\u3000without\u3000bodies\u3000or\u3000faces\uff1b\u3000only\u3000tired\u3000voices\u3000speaking\u3000to\u3000her\u3000from\u3000the\u3000warm\u3000dark\u3002\u3000Draw\u3000water\uff1b\u3000serve\u3000food\uff1b\u3000lay\u3000pillows\u3000on\u3000the\u3000front\u3000porch\uff1b\u3000bind\u3000wounds\uff1b\u3000hold\u3000the\u3000dirty\u3000heads\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dying\u3002\u3000No\uff1b\u3000this\u3000could\u3000not\u3000be\u3000happening\u3000to\u3000her\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000Once\uff1b\u3000late\u3000in\u3000July\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000Uncle\u3000Henry\u3000Hamilton\u3000who\u3000came\u3000tapping\u3000in\u3000the\u3000night\u3002\u3000Uncle\u3000Henry\u3000was\u3000minus\u3000his\u3000umbrella\u3000and\u3000carpetbag\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000fat\u3000stomach\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000The\u3000skin\u3000of\u3000his\u3000pink\u3000fat\u3000face\u3000hung\u3000down\u3000in\u3000loose\u3000folds\u3000like\u3000the\u3000dewlaps\u3000of\u3000a\u3000bulldog\u3000and\u3000his\u3000long\u3000white\u3000hair\u3000was\u3000indescribably\u3000dirty\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000almost\u3000barefoot\uff1b\u3000crawling\u3000with\u3000lice\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000hungry\uff1b\u3000but\u3000his\u3000irascible\u3000spirit\u3000was\u3000unimpaired\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Despite\u3000his\u3000remark\uff1a\u3000\u201cIt\u2019s\u3000a\u3000foolish\u3000war\u3000when\u3000old\u3000fools\u3000like\u3000me\u3000are\u3000out\u3000toting\u3000guns\uff1b\u201d\u3000the\u3000girls\u3000received\u3000the\u3000impression\u3000that\u3000Uncle\u3000Henry\u3000was\u3000enjoying\u3000himself\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000needed\uff1b\u3000like\u3000the\u3000young\u3000men\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000doing\u3000a\u3000young\u3000man\u2019s\u3000work\u3002\u3000Moreover\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000keep\u3000up\u3000with\u3000the\u3000young\u3000men\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000more\u3000than\u3000Grandpa\u3000Merriwether\u3000could\u3000do\uff1b\u3000he\u3000told\u3000them\u3000gleefully\u3002\u3000Grandpa\u2019s\u3000lumbago\u3000was\u3000troubling\u3000him\u3000greatly\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Captain\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000discharge\u3000him\u3002\u3000But\u3000Grandpa\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u3000go\u3000home\u3002\u3000He\u3000said\u3000frankly\u3000that\u3000he\u3000preferred\u3000the\u3000Captain\u2019s\u3000swearing\u3000and\u3000bullying\u3000to\u3000his\u3000daughter\u2026in\u2026law\u2019s\u3000coddling\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000incessant\u3000demands\u3000that\u3000he\u3000give\u3000up\u3000chewing\u3000tobacco\u3000and\u3000launder\u3000his\u3000beard\u3000every\u3000day\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cDon\u2019t\u3000put\u3000your\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000me\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Uncle\u3000Henry\u3000irritably\u3002\u3000\u201cI\u2019m\u3000crawling\u3000with\u3000lice\u3002\u3000War\u3000would\u3000be\u3000a\u3000picnic\u3000if\u3000it\u3000wasn\u2019t\u3000for\u3000lice\u3000and\u3000dysentery\u3002\u3000Where\u2019m\u3000I\u3000going\uff1f\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000I\u3000haven\u2019t\u3000been\u3000told\u3000but\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000got\u3000a\u3000good\u3000idea\u3002\u3000We\u2019re\u3000marching\u3000south\uff1b\u3000toward\u3000Jonesboro\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000morning\uff1b\u3000unless\u3000I\u2019m\u3000greatly\u3000in\u3000error\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000why\u3000toward\u3000Jonesboro\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cBecause\u3000there\u2019s\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000big\u3000fighting\u3000there\uff1b\u3000Missy\u3002\u3000The\u3000Yankees\u3000are\u3000going\u3000to\u3000take\u3000the\u3000railroad\u3000if\u3000they\u3000possibly\u3000can\u3002\u3000And\u3000if\u3000they\u3000do\u3000take\u3000it\uff1b\u3000it\u2019s\u3000good\u2026by\u3000Atlanta\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000Uncle\u3000Henry\uff1b\u3000do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000they\u3000will\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cShucks\uff1b\u3000girls\uff01\u3000No\uff01\u3000How\u3000can\u3000they\u3000when\u3000I\u2019m\u3000there\uff1f\u201d\u3000Uncle\u3000Henry\u3000grinned\u3000at\u3000their\u3000frightened\u3000faces\u3000and\u3000then\uff1b\u3000becoming\u3000serious\u3000again\uff1a\u3000\u201cIt\u2019s\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000hard\u3000fight\uff1b\u3000girls\u3002\u3000We\u2019ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000win\u3000it\u3002\u3000You\u3000know\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000have\u3000got\u3000all\u3000the\u3000railroads\u3000except\u3000the\u3000one\u3000to\u3000Macon\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000isn\u2019t\u3000all\u3000they\u2019ve\u3000got\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000you\u3000girls\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000know\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u2019ve\u3000got\u3000every\u3000road\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000every\u3000wagon\u3000lane\u3000and\u3000bridle\u3000path\uff1b\u3000except\u3000the\u3000McDonough\u3000road\uff1b\u3000Atlanta\u2019s\u3000in\u3000a\u3000bag\u3000and\u3000the\u3000strings\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bag\u3000are\u3000at\u3000Jonesboro\u3002\u3000And\u3000if\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000can\u3000t         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            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\/>\n\u3000After\u3000he\u3000had\u3000kissed\u3000Melanie\u3000good\u2026by\uff1b\u3000he\u3000went\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000kitchen\u3000where\u3000Scarlett\u3000was\u3000wrapping\u3000a\u3000corn\u3000pone\u3000and\u3000some\u3000apples\u3000in\u3000a\u3000napkin\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cUncle\u3000Henry\u2014is\u3000it\u2014is\u3000it\u3000really\u3000so\u3000serious\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cSerious\uff1f\u3000God\u2019lmighty\uff1b\u3000yes\uff01\u3000Don\u2019t\u3000be\u3000a\u3000goose\u3002\u3000We\u2019re\u3000in\u3000the\u3000last\u3000ditch\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cDo\u3000you\u3000think\u3000they\u2019ll\u3000get\u3000to\u3000Tara\uff1f\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000he\u3000shouldn\u2019t\u3000have\u3000died\uff01\u3000He\u3000shouldn\u2019t\u3000have\u3000ever\u3000gone\u3000to\u3000the\u3000war\u3002\u3000He\u3000should\u3000have\u3000lived\u3000and\u3000seen\u3000his\u3000grandchild\u3000grow\u3000up\u3000and\u3000died\u3000peacefully\u3000in\u3000bed\u3002\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000why\u3000did\u3000he\u3000go\uff1f\u3000He\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000believe\u3000in\u3000secession\u3000and\u3000he\u3000hated\u3000the\u3000war\u3000and\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cPlenty\u3000of\u3000us\u3000think\u3000that\u3000way\uff1b\u3000but\u3000what\u3000of\u3000it\uff1f\u201d\u3000Uncle\u3000Henry\u3000blew\u3000his\u3000nose\u3000grumpily\u3002\u3000\u201cDo\u3000you\u3000think\u3000I\u3000enjoy\u3000letting\u3000Yankee\u3000riflemen\u3000use\u3000me\u3000for\u3000a\u3000target\u3000at\u3000my\u3000age\uff1f\u3000But\u3000there\u2019s\u3000no\u3000other\u3000choice\u3000for\u3000a\u3000gentleman\u3000these\u3000days\u3002\u3000Kiss\u3000me\u3000good\u2026by\uff1b\u3000child\uff1b\u3000and\u3000don\u2019t\u3000worry\u3000about\u3000me\u3002\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000come\u3000through\u3000this\u3000war\u3000safely\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000kissed\u3000him\u3000and\u3000heard\u3000him\u3000go\u3000down\u3000the\u3000steps\u3000into\u3000the\u3000dark\uff1b\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000latch\u3000click\u3000on\u3000the\u3000front\u3000gate\u3002\u3000She\u3000stood\u3000for\u3000a\u3000minute\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000the\u3000keepsakes\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002\u3000And\u3000then\u3000she\u3000went\u3000up\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000Melanie\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000At\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000July\u3000came\u3000the\u3000unwelcome\u3000news\uff1b\u3000predicted\u3000by\u3000Uncle\u3000Henry\uff1b\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000had\u3000swung\u3000around\u3000again\u3000toward\u3000Jonesboro\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000cut\u3000the\u3000railroad\u3000four\u3000miles\u3000below\u3000the\u3000town\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000had\u3000been\u3000beaten\u3000off\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Confederate\u3000cavalry\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000engineering\u3000corps\uff1b\u3000sweating\u3000in\u3000the\u3000broiling\u3000sun\uff1b\u3000had\u3000repaired\u3000the\u3000line\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Gerald\u2019s\u3000letter\u3000was\u3000so\u3000full\u3000of\u3000brag\u3000and\u3000bluster\u3000as\u3000to\u3000how\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000had\u3000been\u3000driven\u3000from\u3000the\u3000railroad\u3000that\u3000one\u3000would\u3000have\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000personally\u3000had\u3000accomplished\u3000the\u3000feat\uff1b\u3000single\u3000handed\u3002\u3000He\u3000wrote\u3000for\u3000three\u3000pages\u3000about\u3000the\u3000gallantry\u3000of\u3000the\u3000troops\u3000and\u3000then\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000his\u3000letter\uff1b\u3000mentioned\u3000briefly\u3000that\u3000Carreen\u3000was\u3000ill\u3002\u3000The\u3000typhoid\uff1b\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000O\u2019Hara\u3000said\u3000it\u3000was\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000not\u3000very\u3000ill\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\u3000was\u3000not\u3000to\u3000worry\u3000about\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000on\u3000no\u3000condition\u3000must\u3000she\u3000come\u3000home\u3000now\uff1b\u3000even\u3000if\u3000the\u3000railroad\u3000should\u3000become\u3000safe\u3002\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000O\u2019Hara\u3000was\u3000very\u3000glad\u3000now\u3000that\u3000Scarlett\u3000and\u3000Wade\u3000had\u3000not\u3000come\u3000home\u3000when\u3000the\u3000siege\u3000began\u3002\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000O\u2019Hara\u3000said\u3000Scarlett\u3000must\u3000go\u3000to\u3000church\u3000and\u3000say\u3000some\u3000Rosaries\u3000for\u3000Carreen\u2019s\u3000recovery\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000He\u3000kissed\u3000her\u3000palm\u3000again\uff1b\u3000and\u3000again\u3000the\u3000skin\u3000on\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000her\u3000neck\u3000crawled\u3000excitingly\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cBut\u3000you\u3000do\u3000like\u3000me\u3002\u3000Could\u3000you\u3000ever\u3000love\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cAh\uff01\u201d\u3000she\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000triumphantly\u3002\u3000\u201cNow\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000got\u3000him\uff01\u201d\u3000And\u3000she\u3000answered\u3000with\u3000studied\u3000coolness\uff1a\u3000\u201cIndeed\uff1b\u3000no\u3002\u3000That\u3000is\u2014not\u3000unless\u3000you\u3000mended\u3000your\u3000manners\u3000considerably\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000Peasant\uff01\u3000Why\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000insulting\u3000her\uff01\u3000She\u3000began\u3000to\u3000splutter\u3000wordlessly\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cDon\u2019t\u3000interrupt\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000begged\uff1b\u3000squeezing\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002\u3000\u201cI\u3000like\u3000you\u3000because\u3000I\u3000have\u3000those\u3000same\u3000qualities\u3000in\u3000me\u3000and\u3000like\u3000begets\u3000liking\u3002\u3000I\u3000realize\u3000you\u3000still\u3000cherish\u3000the\u3000memory\u3000of\u3000the\u3000godlike\u3000and\u3000wooden\u2026headed\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Wilkes\uff1b\u3000who\u2019s\u3000probably\u3000been\u3000in\u3000his\u3000grave\u3000these\u3000six\u3000months\u3002\u3000But\u3000there\u3000must\u3000be\u3000room\u3000in\u3000your\u3000heart\u3000for\u3000me\u3000too\u3002\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000do\u3000stop\u3000wriggling\uff01\u3000I\u3000am\u3000making\u3000you\u3000a\u3000declaration\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000wanted\u3000you\u3000since\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000I\u3000laid\u3000eyes\u3000on\u3000you\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hall\u3000of\u3000Twelve\u3000Oaks\uff1b\u3000when\u3000you\u3000wer         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            ime\u3000I\u3000laid\u3000eyes\u3000on\u3000you\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hall\u3000of\u3000Twelve\u3000Oaks\uff1b\u3000when\u3000you\u3000were\u3000bewitching\u3000poor\u3000Charlie\u3000Hamilton\u3002\u3000I\u3000want\u3000you\u3000more\u3000than\u3000I\u3000have\u3000ever\u3000wanted\u3000any\u3000woman\u2014and\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000waited\u3000longer\u3000for\u3000you\u3000than\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000ever\u3000waited\u3000for\u3000any\u3000woman\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cBut\u2014but\u2014what\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000He\u3000rose\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000and\uff1b\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000heart\uff1b\u3000made\u3000her\u3000a\u3000burlesque\u3000bow\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cDear\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000said\u3000quietly\uff1b\u3000\u201cI\u3000am\u3000complimenting\u3000your\u3000intelligence\u3000by\u3000asking\u3000you\u3000to\u3000be\u3000my\u3000mistress\u3000without\u3000having\u3000first\u3000seduced\u3000you\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Mistress\uff01<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cMistress\uff01\u3000What\u3000would\u3000I\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000that\u3000except\u3000a\u3000passel\u3000of\u3000brats\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000And\u3000then\u3000her\u3000jaw\u3000dropped\u3000in\u3000horror\u3000as\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000what\u3000she\u3000had\u3000said\u3002\u3000He\u3000laughed\u3000until\u3000he\u3000choked\uff1b\u3000peering\u3000at\u3000her\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3000as\u3000she\u3000sat\uff1b\u3000stricken\u3000dumb\uff1b\u3000pressing\u3000her\u3000handkerchief\u3000to\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cThat\u2019s\u3000why\u3000I\u3000like\u3000you\uff01\u3000You\u3000are\u3000the\u3000only\u3000frank\u3000woman\u3000I\u3000know\uff1b\u3000the\u3000only\u3000woman\u3000who\u3000looks\u3000on\u3000the\u3000practical\u3000side\u3000of\u3000matters\u3000without\u3000beclouding\u3000the\u3000issue\u3000with\u3000mouthings\u3000about\u3000sin\u3000and\u3000morality\u3002\u3000Any\u3000other\u3000woman\u3000would\u3000have\u3000swooned\u3000first\u3000and\u3000then\u3000shown\u3000me\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000leaped\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000her\u3000face\u3000red\u3000with\u3000shame\u3002\u3000How\u3000could\u3000she\u3000have\u3000said\u3000such\u3000a\u3000thing\uff01\u3000How\u3000could\u3000she\uff1b\u3000Ellen\u2019s\u3000daughter\uff1b\u3000with\u3000her\u3000upbringing\uff1b\u3000have\u3000sat\u3000there\u3000and\u3000listened\u3000to\u3000such\u3000debasing\u3000words\u3000and\u3000then\u3000made\u3000such\u3000a\u3000shameless\u3000reply\uff1f\u3000She\u3000should\u3000have\u3000screamed\u3002\u3000She\u3000should\u3000have\u3000fainted\u3002\u3000She\u3000should\u3000have\u3000turned\u3000coldly\u3000away\u3000in\u3000silence\u3000and\u3000swept\u3000from\u3000the\u3000porch\u3002\u3000Too\u3000late\u3000now\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000will\u3000show\u3000you\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000not\u3000caring\u3000if\u3000Melanie\u3000or\u3000the\u3000Meades\uff1b\u3000down\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000did\u3000hear\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u201cGet\u3000out\uff01\u3000How\u3000dare\u3000you\u3000say\u3000such\u3000things\u3000to\u3000me\uff01\u3000What\u3000have\u3000I\u3000ever\u3000done\u3000to\u3000encourage\u3000you\u2014to\u3000make\u3000you\u3000suppose\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000Get\u3000out\u3000and\u3000don\u2019t\u3000ever\u3000come\u3000back\u3000here\u3002\u3000I\u3000mean\u3000it\u3000this\u3000time\u3002\u3000Don\u2019t\u3000you\u3000ever\u3000come\u3000back\u3000here\u3000with\u3000any\u3000of\u3000your\u3000piddling\u3000papers\u3000of\u3000pins\u3000and\u3000ribbons\uff1b\u3000thinking\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000forgive\u3000you\u3002\u3000I\u2019ll\u2014I\u2019ll\u3000tell\u3000my\u3000father\u3000and\u3000he\u2019ll\u3000kill\u3000you\uff01\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cMay\u3000I\u3000help\u3000you\uff1f\u201d\u3000he\u3000asked\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Feeling\u3000that\u3000she\u3000would\u3000burst\u3000a\u3000blood\u3000vessel\u3000if\u3000she\u3000stayed\u3000another\u3000minute\uff1b\u3000she\u3000stormed\u3000up\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3002\u3000And\u3000as\u3000she\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000upper\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000him\u3000obligingly\u3000slam\u3000the\u3000door\u3000for\u3000her\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000CHAPTER\u3000XX<br 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\/>\n\u3000And\u3000it\u3000was\u3000only\u3000four\u3000months\u3000since\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000moved\u3000south\u3000from\u3000Dalton\uff01\u3000Only\u3000four\u3000months\uff01\u3000Scarlett\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000back\u3000on\u3000that\u3000far\u3000day\uff1b\u3000that\u3000it\u3000had\u3000occurred\u3000in\u3000another\u3000life\u3002\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000no\uff01\u3000Surely\u3000not\u3000just\u3000four\u3000months\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000lifetime\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000At\u3000last\uff1b\u3000news\u3000came\u3000from\u3000the\u3000south\u3000to\u3000the\u3000strained\u3000town\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000alarming\u3000news\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000to\u3000Scarlett\u3002\u3000General\u3000Sherman\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000the\u3000fourth\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000town\u3000again\uff1b\u3000striking\u3000again\u3000at\u3000the\u3000railroad\u3000at\u3000Jonesboro\u3002\u3000Yankees\u3000in\u3000large\u3000numbers\u3000were\u3000on\u3000that\u3000fourth\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000town\u3000now\uff1b\u3000no\u3000skirmishing\u3000units\u3000or\u3000cavalry\u3000detachments\u3000but\u3000the\u3000massed\u3000Yankee\u3000forces\u3002\u3000And\u3000thousands\u3000of\u3000Confederate\u3000troops\u3000had\u3000been\u3000withdrawn\u3000from\u3000the\u3000lines\u3000close\u3000about\u3000the\u3000city\u3000to\u3000hurl\u3000themselves\u3000against\u3000them\u3002\u3000And\u3000that\u3000explained\u3000the\u3000sudden\u3000silence\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWhy\u3000Jonesboro\uff1f\u201d\u3000thought\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000terror\u3000striking\u3000at\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000at\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000Tara\u2019s\u3000nearness\u3002\u3000\u201cWhy\u3000must\u3000they\u3000always\u3000hit\u3000Jonesboro\uff1f\u3000Why\u3000can\u2019t\u3000they\u3000find\u3000some\u3000other\u3000place\u3000to\u3000attack\u3000the\u3000railroad\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000For\u3000a\u3000week\u3000she\u3000had\u3000not\u3000heard\u3000from\u3000Tara\u3000and\u3000the\u3000last\u3000brief\u3000note\u3000from\u3000Gerald\u3000had\u3000added\u3000to\u3000her\u3000fears\u3002\u3000Carreen\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000a\u3000turn\u3000for\u3000the\u3000worse\u3000and\u3000was\u3000very\uff1b\u3000very\u3000sick\u3002\u3000Now\u3000it\u3000might\u3000be\u3000days\u3000before\u3000the\u3000mails\u3000came\u3000through\uff1b\u3000days\u3000before\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000whether\u3000Carreen\u3000was\u3000alive\u3000or\u3000dead\u3002\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000if\u3000she\u3000had\u3000only\u3000gone\u3000home\u3000at\u3000the\u3000beginning\u3000of\u3000the\u3000siege\uff1b\u3000Melanie\u3000or\u3000no\u3000Melanie\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000There\u3000was\u3000fighting\u3000at\u3000Jonesboro\u2014that\u3000much\u3000Atlanta\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000but\u3000how\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000went\u3000no\u3000one\u3000could\u3000tell\u3000and\u3000the\u3000most\u3000insane\u3000rumors\u3000tortured\u3000the\u3000town\u3002\u3000Finally\u3000a\u3000courier\u3000came\u3000up\u3000from\u3000Jonesboro\u3000with\u3000the\u3000reassuring\u3000news\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000had\u3000been\u3000beaten\u3000back\u3002\u3000But\u3000they\u3000had\u3000made\u3000a\u3000sortie\u3000into\u3000Jonesboro\uff1b\u3000burned\u3000the\u3000depot\uff1b\u3000cut\u3000the\u3000telegraph\u3000wires\u3000and\u3000torn\u3000up\u3000three\u3000miles\u3000of\u3000track\u3000before\u3000they\u3000retreated\u3002\u3000The\u3000engineering\u3000corps\u3000was\u3000working\u3000like\u3000mad\uff1b\u3000repairing\u3000the\u3000line\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000would\u3000take\u3000some\u3000time\u3000because\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000had\u3000torn\u3000up\u3000the\u3000crossties\uff1b\u3000made\u3000bonfires\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000laid\u3000the\u3000wrenched\u2026up\u3000rails\u3000across\u3000them\u3000until\u3000they\u3000were\u3000red\u3000hot\u3000and\u3000then\u3000twisted\u3000them\u3000around\u3000telegraph\u3000poles\u3000until\u3000they\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000giant\u3000corkscrews\u3002\u3000These\u3000days\u3000it\u3000was\u3000so\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000replace\u3000iron\u3000rails\uff1b\u3000to\u3000replace\u3000anything\u3000made\u3000of\u3000iron\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000No\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000hadn\u2019t\u3000gotten\u3000to\u3000Tara\u3002\u3000The\u3000same\u3000courier\u3000who\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000dispatches\u3000to\u3000General\u3000Hood\u3000assured\u3000Scarlett\u3000of\u3000that\u3000He\u3000had\u3000met\u3000Gerald\u3000in\u3000Jonesboro\u3000after\u3000the\u3000battle\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000he\u3000was\u3000st         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000No\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000hadn\u2019t\u3000gotten\u3000to\u3000Tara\u3002\u3000The\u3000same\u3000courier\u3000who\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000dispatches\u3000to\u3000General\u3000Hood\u3000assured\u3000Scarlett\u3000of\u3000that\u3000He\u3000had\u3000met\u3000Gerald\u3000in\u3000Jonesboro\u3000after\u3000the\u3000battle\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000he\u3000was\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000Atlanta\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Gerald\u3000had\u3000begged\u3000him\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000a\u3000letter\u3000to\u3000her\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000But\u3000what\u3000was\u3000Pa\u3000doing\u3000in\u3000Jonesboro\uff1f\u3000The\u3000young\u3000courier\u3000looked\u3000ill\u3000at\u3000ease\u3000as\u3000he\u3000made\u3000answer\u3002\u3000Gerald\u3000was\u3000hunting\u3000for\u3000an\u3000army\u3000doctor\u3000to\u3000go\u3000to\u3000Tara\u3000with\u3000him\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000As\u3000she\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sunshine\u3000on\u3000the\u3000front\u3000porch\uff1b\u3000thanking\u3000the\u3000young\u3000man\u3000for\u3000his\u3000trouble\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000felt\u3000her\u3000knees\u3000go\u3000weak\u3002\u3000Carreen\u3000must\u3000be\u3000dying\u3000if\u3000she\u3000was\u3000so\u3000far\u3000beyond\u3000Ellen\u2019s\u3000medical\u3000skill\u3000that\u3000Gerald\u3000was\u3000hunting\u3000a\u3000doctor\uff01\u3000As\u3000the\u3000courier\u3000went\u3000off\u3000in\u3000a\u3000small\u3000whirlwind\u3000of\u3000red\u3000dust\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000tore\u3000open\u3000Gerald\u2019s\u3000letter\u3000with\u3000fingers\u3000that\u3000trembled\u3002\u3000So\u3000great\u3000was\u3000the\u3000shortage\u3000of\u3000paper\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Confederacy\u3000now\u3000that\u3000Gerald\u2019s\u3000note\u3000was\u3000written\u3000between\u3000the\u3000lines\u3000of\u3000her\u3000last\u3000letter\u3000to\u3000him\u3000and\u3000reading\u3000it\u3000was\u3000difficult\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cDear\u3000Daughter\uff1b\u3000Your\u3000Mother\u3000and\u3000both\u3000girls\u3000have\u3000the\u3000typhoid\u3002\u3000They\u3000are\u3000very\u3000ill\u3000but\u3000we\u3000must\u3000hope\u3000for\u3000the\u3000best\u3002\u3000When\u3000your\u3000mother\u3000took\u3000to\u3000her\u3000bed\u3000she\u3000bade\u3000me\u3000write\u3000you\u3000that\u3000under\u3000no\u3000condition\u3000were\u3000you\u3000to\u3000come\u3000home\u3000and\u3000expose\u3000yourself\u3000and\u3000Wade\u3000to\u3000the\u3000disease\u3002\u3000She\u3000sends\u3000her\u3000love\u3000and\u3000bids\u3000you\u3000pray\u3000for\u3000her\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cPray\u3000for\u3000her\uff01\u201d\u3000Scarlett\u3000flew\u3000up\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3000to\u3000her\u3000room\u3000and\uff1b\u3000dropping\u3000on\u3000her\u3000knees\u3000by\u3000the\u3000bed\uff1b\u3000prayed\u3000as\u3000she\u3000had\u3000never\u3000prayed\u3000before\u3002\u3000No\u3000formal\u3000Rosaries\u3000now\u3000but\u3000the\u3000same\u3000words\u3000over\u3000and\u3000over\uff1a\u3000\u201cMother\u3000of\u3000God\uff1b\u3000don\u2019t\u3000let\u3000her\u3000die\uff01\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000be\u3000so\u3000good\u3000if\u3000you\u3000don\u2019t\u3000let\u3000her\u3000die\uff01\u3000Please\uff1b\u3000don\u2019t\u3000let\u3000her\u3000die\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000For\u3000the\u3000next\u3000week\u3000Scarlett\u3000crept\u3000about\u3000the\u3000house\u3000like\u3000a\u3000stricken\u3000animal\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000news\uff1b\u3000starting\u3000at\u3000every\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000horses\u2019\u3000hooves\uff1b\u3000rushing\u3000down\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000stair\u3000at\u3000night\u3000when\u3000soldiers\u3000came\u3000tapping\u3000at\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000but\u3000no\u3000news\u3000came\u3000from\u3000Tara\u3002\u3000The\u3000width\u3000of\u3000the\u3000continent\u3000might\u3000have\u3000spread\u3000between\u3000her\u3000and\u3000home\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000twenty\u2026five\u3000miles\u3000of\u3000dusty\u3000road\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000mails\u3000were\u3000still\u3000disrupted\uff1b\u3000no\u3000one\u3000knew\u3000where\u3000the\u3000Confederates\u3000were\u3000or\u3000what\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000were\u3000up\u3000to\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000knew\u3000anything\u3000except\u3000that\u3000thousands\uff1b\u3000of\u3000soldiers\uff1b\u3000gray\u3000and\u3000blue\uff1b\u3000were\u3000somewhere\u3000between\u3000Atlanta\u3000and\u3000Jonesboro\u3002\u3000Not\u3000a\u3000word\u3000from\u3000Tara\u3000in\u3000a\u3000week\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000enough\u3000typhoid\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Atlanta\u3000hospital\u3000to\u3000know\u3000what\u3000a\u3000week\u3000meant\u3000in\u3000that\u3000dread\u3000disease\u3002\u3000Ellen\u3000was\u3000ill\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000dying\uff1b\u3000and\u3000here\u3000was\u3000Scarlett\u3000helpless\u3000in\u3000Atlanta\u3000with\u3000a\u3000pregnant\u3000woman\u3000on\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000two\u3000armies\u3000between\u3000her\u3000and\u3000home\u3002\u3000Ellen\u3000was\u3000ill\u2014perhaps\u3000dying\u3002\u3000But\u3000Ellen\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000be\u3000ill\uff01\u3000She\u3000had\u3000never\u3000been\u3000ill\u3002\u3000The\u3000very\u3000thought\u3000was\u3000incredible\u3000and\u3000it\u3000struck\u3000at\u3000the\u3000very\u3000foundations\u3000of\u3000the\u3000security\u3000of\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000life\u3002\u3000Everyone\u3000else\u3000got\u3000sick\uff1b\u3000but\u3000never\u3000Ellen\u3002\u3000Ellen\u3000looked\u3000after\u3000sick\u3000people\u3000and\u3000made\u3000them\u3000well\u3000again\u3002\u3000She\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000be\u3000sick\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000be\u3000home\u3002\u3000She\u3000wanted\u3000Tara\u3000with\u3000the\u3000desperate\u3000desire\u3000of\u3000a\u3000frightened\u3000child\u3000frantic\u3000for\u3000the\u3000only\u3000haven\u3000it\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000known\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Home\uff01\u3000The\u3000sprawling\u3000white\u3000house\u3000with\u3000fluttering\u3000white\u3000curtains\u3000at\u3000the\u3000windows\uff1b\u3000the\u3000thick\u3000clover\u3000on\u3000the\u3000lawn\u3000with\u3000the\u3000bees\u3000busy\u3000in\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000little\u3000black\u3000boy\u3000on\u3000the\u3000front\u3000steps\u3000shooing\u3000the\u3000ducks\u3000and\u3000turkeys\u3000from\u3000the\u3000flower\u3000beds\uff1b\u3000the\u3000serene\u3000red\u3000fields\u3000and\u3000the\u3000miles\u3000and\u3000miles\u3000of\u3000cotton\u3000turning\u3000white\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sun\uff01\u3000Home\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000If\u3000she\u3000had\u3000only\u3000gone\u3000home\u3000at\u3000the\u3000beginning\u3000of\u3000the\u3000siege\uff1b\u3000when\u3000everyone\u3000else\u3000was\u3000refugeeing\uff01\u3000She\u3000could\u3000have\u3000taken\u3000Melanie\u3000with\u3000her\u3000in\u3000safety\u3000with\u3000weeks\u3000to\u3000spare\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000damn\u3000Melanie\uff01\u201d\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000a\u3000thousand\u3000times\u3002\u3000\u201cWhy\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000she\u3000have\u3000gone\u3000to\u3000Macon\u3000with\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\uff1f\u3000That\u2019s\u3000where\u3000she\u3000belongs\uff1b\u3000with\u3000her\u3000own\u3000kinfolks\uff1b\u3000not\u3000with\u3000me\u3002\u3000I\u2019m\u3000none\u3000of\u3000her\u3000blood\u3002\u3000Why\u3000does\u3000she\u3000hang\u3000onto\u3000me\u3000so\u3000hard\uff1f\u3000If\u3000she\u2019d\u3000only\u3000gone\u3000to\u3000Macon\uff1b\u3000then\u3000I\u3000could\u3000have\u3000gone\u3000home\u3000to\u3000Mother\u3002\u3000Even\u3000now\u2014even\u3000now\uff1b\u3000I\u2019d\u3000take\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000on\u3000getting\u3000home\u3000in\u3000spite\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Yankees\uff1b\u3000if\u3000it\u3000wasn\u2019t\u3000for\u3000this\u3000baby\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000General\u3000Hood\u3000would\u3000give\u3000me\u3000an\u3000escort\u3002\u3000He\u2019s\u3000a\u3000nice\u3000man\uff1b\u3000General\u3000Hood\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000know\u3000I\u3000could\u3000make\u3000him\u3000give\u3000me\u3000an\u3000escort\u3000and\u3000a\u3000flag\u3000of\u3000truce\u3000to\u3000get\u3000me\u3000through\u3000the\u3000lines\u3002\u3000But\u3000I\u3000have\u3000to\u3000wait\u3000for\u3000this\u3000baby\uff01\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000Mother\uff01\u3000Mother\uff01\u3000Don\u2019t\u3000die\uff01\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000Why\u3000don\u2019t\u3000this\u3000baby\u3000ever\u3000come\uff1f\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000see\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Meade\u3000today\u3000and\u3000ask\u3000him\u3000if\u3000there\u2019s\u3000any\u3000way\u3000to\u3000hurry\u3000babies\u3000up\u3000so\u3000I\u3000can\u3000go\u3000home\u2014if\u3000I\u3000can\u3000get\u3000an\u3000escort\u3002\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Meade\u3000said\u3000she\u2019d\u3000have\u3000a\u3000bad\u3000time\u3002\u3000Dear\u3000God\uff01\u3000Suppose\u3000she\u3000should\u3000die\uff01\u3000Melanie\u3000dead\u3002\u3000Melanie\u3000dead\u3002\u3000And\u3000Ashley\u2014\u3000No\uff1b\u3000I\u3000mustn\u2019t\u3000think\u3000about\u3000that\uff1b\u3000it\u3000isn\u2019t\u3000nice\u3002\u3000But\u3000Ashley\u2014\u3000No\uff1b\u3000I\u3000mustn\u2019t\u3000think\u3000about\u3000that\u3000because\u3000he\u2019s\u3000probably\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000anyway\u3002\u3000But\u3000he\u3000made\u3000me\u3000promise\u3000I\u2019d\u3000take\u3000care\u3000of\u3000her\u3002\u3000But\u2014if\u3000I\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000take\u3000care\u3000of\u3000her\u3000and\u3000she\u3000died\u3000and\u3000Ashley\u3000is\u3000still\u3000alive\u2014\u3000No\uff1b\u3000I\u3000mustn\u2019t\u3000think\u3000about\u3000\u2018that\u3000It\u2019s\u3000sinful\u3002\u3000And\u3000I\u3000promised\u3000God\u3000I\u2019d\u3000be\u3000good\u3000if\u3000He\u3000would\u3000just\u3000not\u3000let\u3000Mother\u3000die\u3002\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000if\u3000the\u3000baby\u3000would\u3000only\u3000come\u3002\u3000If\u3000I\u3000could\u3000only\u3000get\u3000away\u3000from\u3000here\u2014get\u3000home\u2014get\u3000anywhere\u3000but\u3000here\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000hated\u3000the\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ominously\u3000still\u3000town\u3000now\u3000and\u3000once\u3000she\u3000had\u3000loved\u3000it\u3002\u3000Atlanta\u3000was\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000the\u3000gay\uff1b\u3000the\u3000desperately\u3000gay\u3000place\u3000she\u3000had\u3000loved\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000hideous\u3000place\u3000like\u3000a\u3000plague\u2026stricken\u3000city\u3000so\u3000quiet\uff1b\u3000so\u3000dreadfully\u3000quiet\u3000after\u3000the\u3000din\u3000of\u3000the\u3000siege\u3002\u3000There\u3000had\u3000been\u3000stimulation\u3000in\u3000the\u3000noise\u3000and\u3000the\u3000danger\u3000of\u3000the\u3000shelling\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000only\u3000horror\u3000in\u3000the\u3000quiet\u3000that\u3000followed\u3002\u3000The\u3000town\u3000seemed\u3000haunted\uff1b\u3000haunted\u3000with\u3000fear\u3000and\u3000uncertainty\u3000and\u3000memories\u3002\u3000People\u2019s\u3000faces\u3000looked\u3000pinched\u3000and\u3000the\u3000few\u3000soldiers\u3000Scarlett\u3000saw\u3000wore\u3000the\u3000exhausted\u3000look\u3000of\u3000racers\u3000forcing\u3000themselves\u3000on\u3000through\u3000the\u3000last\u3000lap\u3000of\u3000a\u3000race\u3000already\u3000lost\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000last\u3000day\u3000of\u3000August\u3000came\u3000and\u3000with\u3000it\u3000convincing\u3000rumors\u3000that\u3000the\u3000fiercest\u3000fighting\u3000since\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000of\u3000Atlanta\u3000was\u3000taking\u3000place\u3002\u3000Somewhere\u3000to\u3000the\u3000south\u3002\u3000Atlanta\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000news\u3000of\u3000the\u3000turn\u3000of\u3000battle\uff1b\u3000stopped\u3000even\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000laugh\u3000and\u3000joke\u3002\u3000Everyone\u3000knew\u3000now\u3000what\u3000the\u3000soldiers\u3000had\u3000known\u3000two\u3000weeks\u3000before\u2014that\u3000Atlanta\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000last\u3000ditch\uff1b\u3000that\u3000if\u3000the\u3000Macon\u3000railroad\u3000fell\uff1b\u3000Atlanta\u3000would\u3000fall\u3000too\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000On\u3000the\u3000morning\u3000of\u3000the\u3000first\u3000of\u3000September\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000awoke\u3000with\u3000a\u3000suffocating\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000dread\u3000upon\u3000her\uff1b\u3000a\u3000dread\u3000she\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000to\u3000her\u3000pillow\u3000the\u3000night\u3000before\u3002\u3000She\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000dulled\u3000with\u3000sleep\uff1a\u3000\u201cWhat\u3000was\u3000it\u3000I\u3000was\u3000worrying\u3000about\u3000when\u3000I\u3000went\u3000to\u3000bed\u3000last\u3000night\uff1f\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000yes\uff1b\u3000the\u3000fighting\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000battle\uff1b\u3000somewhere\uff1b\u3000yesterday\uff01\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000who\u3000won\uff1f\u201d\u3000She\u3000sat\u3000up\u3000hastily\uff1b\u3000rubbing\u3000her\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000worried\u3000heart\u3000took\u3000up\u3000yesterday\u2019s\u3000load\u3000again\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000air\u3000was\u3000oppressive\u3000even\u3000in\u3000the\u3000early\u3000morning\u3000hour\uff1b\u3000hot\u3000with\u3000the\u3000scorching\u3000promise\u3000of\u3000a\u3000noon\u3000of\u3000glaring\u3000blue\u3000sky\u3000and\u3000pitiless\u3000bronze\u3000sun\u3002\u3000The\u3000road\u3000outside\u3000lay\u3000silent\u3000No\u3000wagons\u3000creaked\u3000by\u3002\u3000No\u3000troops\u3000raised\u3000the\u3000red\u3000dust\u3000with\u3000their\u3000tramping\u3000feet\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000no\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000negroes\u2019\u3000lazy\u3000voices\u3000in\u3000neighboring\u3000kitchens\uff1b\u3000no\u3000pleasant\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000breakfasts\u3000being\u3000prepared\uff1b\u3000for\u3000all\u3000the\u3000near\u3000neighbors\u3000except\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Meade\u3000and\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Merriwether\u3000had\u3000refugeed\u3000to\u3000Macon\u3002\u3000And\u3000she\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000nothing\u3000from\u3000their\u3000houses\u3000either\u3002\u3000Farther\u3000down\u3000the\u3000street\u3000the\u3000business\u3000section\u3000was\u3000quiet\u3000and\u3000many\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stores\u3000and\u3000offices\u3000were\u3000locked\u3000and\u3000boarded\u3000up\uff1b\u3000while\u3000their\u3000occupants\u3000were\u3000somewhere\u3000about\u3000the\u3000countryside\u3000with\u3000rifles\u3000in\u3000their\u3000hands\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000stillness\u3000that\u3000greeted\u3000her\u3000seemed\u3000even\u3000more\u3000sinister\u3000this\u3000morning\u3000than\u3000on\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mornings\u3000of\u3000the\u3000queer\u3000quiet\u3000week\u3000preceding\u3000it\u3002\u3000She\u3000rose\u3000hastily\uff1b\u3000without\u3000her\u3000usual\u3000preliminary\u3000burrowings\u3000and\u3000stretchings\uff1b\u3000and\u3000went\u3000to\u3000the\u3000window\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000to\u3000see\u3000some\u3000neighbor\u2019s\u3000face\uff1b\u3000some\u3000heartening\u3000sight\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000road\u3000was\u3000empty\u3002\u3000She\u3000noted\u3000how\u3000the\u3000leaves\u3000on\u3000the\u3000trees\u3000were\u3000still\u3000dark\u3000green\u3000but\u3000dry\u3000and\u3000heavily\u3000coated\u3000with\u3000red\u3000dust\uff1b\u3000and\u3000how\u3000withered\u3000and\u3000sad\u3000the\u3000untended\u3000flowers\u3000in\u3000the\u3000front\u3000yard\u3000looked\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000As\u3000she\u3000stood\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000window\uff1b\u3000there\u3000came\u3000to\u3000her\u3000ears\u3000a\u3000far\u2026off\u3000sound\uff1b\u3000faint\u3000and\u3000sullen\u3000as\u3000the\u3000first\u3000distant\u3000thunder\u3000of\u3000an\u3000approaching\u3000storm\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cRain\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000in\u3000the\u3000first\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000country\u2026bred\u3000mind\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u201cwe\u3000certainly\u3000need\u3000it\u3002\u201d\u3000But\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000split\u3000instant\uff1a\u3000\u201cRain\uff1f\u3000No\uff01\u3000Not\u3000rain\uff01\u3000Cannon\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Her\u3000heart\u3000racing\uff1b\u3000she\u3000leaned\u3000from\u3000the\u3000window\uff1b\u3000her\u3000ear\u3000cocked\u3000to\u3000the\u3000far\u2026off\u3000roaring\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000discover\u3000from\u3000which\u3000direction\u3000it\u3000came\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000dim\u3000thundering\u3000was\u3000so\u3000distant\u3000that\uff1b\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000tell\u3002\u3000\u201cMake\u3000it\u3000from\u3000Marietta\uff1b\u3000Lord\uff01\u201d\u3000she\u3000prayed\u3002\u3000\u201cOr\u3000Decatur\u3002\u3000Or\u3000Peachtree\u3000Creek\u3002\u3000But\u3000not\u3000from\u3000the\u3000south\uff01\u3000Not\u3000from\u3000the\u3000south\uff01\u201d\u3000She\u3000gripped\u3000the\u3000window\u3000still\u3000tighter\u3000and\u3000strained\u3000her\u3000ears\u3000and\u3000the\u3000far\u2026away\u3000booming\u3000seemed\u3000louder\u3002\u3000And\u3000it\u3000was\u3000coming\u3000from\u3000the\u3000south\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Cannon\u3000to\u3000the\u3000south\uff01\u3000And\u3000to\u3000the\u3000south\u3000lay\u3000Jonesboro\u3000and\u3000Tara\u2014and\u3000Ellen\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Yankees\u3000perhaps\u3000at\u3000Tara\uff1b\u3000now\uff1b\u3000this\u3000minute\uff01\u3000She\u3000listened\u3000again\u3000but\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000thudding\u3000in\u3000her\u3000ears\u3000all\u3000but\u3000blurred\u3000out\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000far\u2026off\u3000firing\u3002\u3000No\uff1b\u3000they\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000be\u3000at\u3000Jonesboro\u3000yet\u3002\u3000If\u3000they\u3000were\u3000that\u3000far\u3000away\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000would\u3000be\u3000fainter\uff1b\u3000more\u3000indistinct\u3002\u3000But\u3000they\u3000must\u3000be\u3000at\u3000least\u3000ten\u3000miles\u3000down\u3000the\u3000road\u3000toward\u3000Jonesboro\uff1b\u3000probably\u3000near\u3000the\u3000little\u3000settlement\u3000of\u3000Rough\u3000and\u3000Ready\u3002\u3000But\u3000Jonesboro\u3000was\u3000scarcely\u3000more\u3000than\u3000ten\u3000miles\u3000below\u3000Rough\u3000and\u3000Ready\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Cannon\u3000to\u3000the\u3000south\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000might\u3000be\u3000tolling\u3000the\u3000knell\u3000of\u3000Atlanta\u2019s\u3000fall\u3002\u3000But\u3000to\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000sick\u3000for\u3000her\u3000mother\u2019s\u3000safety\uff1b\u3000fighting\u3000to\u3000the\u3000south\u3000only\u3000meant\u3000fighting\u3000near\u3000Tara\u3002\u3000She\u3000walked\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000and\u3000wrung\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000in\u3000all\u3000its\u3000implications\u3000came\u3000to\u3000her\u3000that\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000army\u3000might\u3000be\u3000defeated\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000Sherman\u2019s\u3000thousands\u3000so\u3000close\u3000to\u3000Tara\u3000that\u3000brought\u3000it\u3000all\u3000home\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000full\u3000horror\u3000of\u3000the\u3000war\u3000to\u3000her\u3000as\u3000no\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000siege\u3000guns\u3000shattering\u3000windowpanes\uff1b\u3000no\u3000privations\u3000of\u3000food\u3000and\u3000clothing\u3000and\u3000no\u3000endless\u3000rows\u3000of\u3000dyi         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000of\u3000dying\u3000men\u3000had\u3000done\u3002\u3000Sherman\u2019s\u3000army\u3000within\u3000a\u3000few\u3000miles\u3000of\u3000Tara\uff01\u3000And\u3000even\u3000if\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000should\u3000be\u3000defeated\uff1b\u3000they\u3000might\u3000fall\u3000back\u3000down\u3000the\u3000road\u3000to\u3000Tara\u3002\u3000And\u3000Gerald\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000possibly\u3000refugee\u3000out\u3000of\u3000their\u3000way\u3000with\u3000three\u3000sick\u3000women\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cMiss\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000fo\u2019\u3000Gawd\uff1b\u3000Ah\u3000couldn\u2019\u3000sceercely\u3000git\u3000one\u3000of\u3000dem\u3000ter\u3000read\u3000yo\u2019\u3000note\u3002\u3000Dey\u3000wukin\u2019\u3000in\u3000de\u3000horsepittle\u3000lak\u3000dey\u3000all\u3000done\u3000gon         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000\u201cWhat\u3000about\u3000the\u3000other\u3000doctors\uff1f\u201d<br 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--><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            er\u3000men\u3000whose\u3000beards\u3000were\u3000stiff\u3000with\u3000blood\u3000and\u3000from\u3000whose\u3000broken\u3000jaws\u3000came\u3000sounds\u3000which\u3000must\u3000mean\uff1a<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWater\uff01\u3000Water\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000If\u3000she\u3000did\u3000not\u3000find\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Meade\u3000soon\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000begin\u3000screaming\u3000with\u3000hysteria\u3002\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000group\u3000of\u3000men\u3000under\u3000the\u3000car\u3000shed\u3000and\u3000cried\u3000as\u3000loudly\u3000as\u3000she\u3000could\uff1a\u3000\u201cDr\u3002\u3000Meade\uff01\u3000Is\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Meade\u3000there\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000From\u3000the\u3000group\u3000one\u3000man\u3000detached\u3000himself\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000toward\u3000her\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000doctor\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000coatless\u3000and\u3000his\u3000sleeves\u3000were\u3000rolled\u3000up\u3000to\u3000his\u3000shoulders\u3002\u3000His\u3000shirt\u3000and\u3000trousers\u3000were\u3000as\u3000red\u3000as\u3000a\u3000butcher\u2019s\u3000and\u3000even\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000his\u3000iron\u2026gray\u3000beard\u3000was\u3000matted\u3000with\u3000blood\u3002\u3000His\u3000face\u3000was\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000a\u3000man\u3000drunk\u3000with\u3000fatigue\u3000and\u3000impotent\u3000rage\u3000and\u3000burning\u3000pity\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000gray\u3000and\u3000dusty\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sweat\u3000had\u3000streaked\u3000long\u3000rivulets\u3000across\u3000his\u3000cheeks\u3002\u3000But\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000calm\u3000and\u3000decisive\u3000as\u3000he\u3000called\u3000to\u3000her\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cThank\u3000God\uff1b\u3000you\u3000are\u3000here\u3002\u3000I\u3000can\u3000use\u3000every\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000hands\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000she\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000him\u3000bewildered\uff1b\u3000dropping\u3000her\u3000skirts\u3000in\u3000dismay\u3002\u3000They\u3000fell\u3000over\u3000the\u3000dirty\u3000face\u3000of\u3000a\u3000wounded\u3000man\u3000who\u3000feebly\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000his\u3000head\u3000to\u3000escape\u3000from\u3000their\u3000smothering\u3000folds\u3002\u3000What\u3000did\u3000the\u3000doctor\u3000mean\uff1f\u3000The\u3000dust\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ambulances\u3000came\u3000into\u3000her\u3000face\u3000with\u3000choking\u3000dryness\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rotten\u3000smells\u3000were\u3000like\u3000a\u3000foul\u3000liquid\u3000in\u3000her\u3000nostrils\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cHurry\uff1b\u3000child\uff01\u3000Come\u3000here\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000Prissy\u3000edged\u3000back\u3000up\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cFo\u2019\u3000Gawd\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Scarlett\u2014\u201d\u3000Fright\u3000and\u3000shame\u3000were\u3000in\u3000her\u3000rolling\u3000eyes\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWell\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cFo\u2019\u3000Gawd\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Scarlett\uff01\u3000We\u2019s\u3000got\u3000ter\u3000have\u3000a\u3000doctah\u3002\u3000Ah\u2014Ah\u2014Miss\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000Ah\u3000doan\u3000know\u3000nuthin\u2019\u3000\u2018bout\u3000bringin\u2019\u3000babies\u3002\u3000Maw\u3000wouldn\u2019\u3000nebber\u3000lemme\u3000be\u3000\u2018round\u3000folkses\u3000whut\u3000wuz\u3000havin\u2019\u3000dem\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000All\u3000the\u3000breath\u3000went\u3000out\u3000of\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000lungs\u3000in\u3000one\u3000gasp\u3000of\u3000horror\u3000before\u3000rage\u3000swept\u3000her\u3002\u3000Prissy\u3000made\u3000a\u3000lunge\u3000p         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000All\u3000the\u3000breath\u3000went\u3000out\u3000of\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000lungs\u3000in\u3000one\u3000gasp\u3000of\u3000horror\u3000before\u3000rage\u3000swept\u3000her\u3002\u3000Prissy\u3000made\u3000a\u3000lunge\u3000past\u3000her\uff1b\u3000bent\u3000on\u3000flight\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Scarlett\u3000grabbed\u3000her\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYou\u3000black\u3000liar\u2014what\u3000do\u3000you\u3000mean\uff1f\u3000You\u2019ve\u3000been\u3000saying\u3000you\u3000knew\u3000everything\u3000about\u3000birthing\u3000babies\u3002\u3000What\u3000is\u3000the\u3000truth\uff1f\u3000Tell\u3000me\uff01\u201d\u3000She\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000until\u3000the\u3000kinky\u3000head\u3000rocked\u3000drunkenly\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cAh\u2019s\u3000lyin\u2019\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Scarlett\uff01\u3000Ah\u3000doan\u3000know\u3000huccome\u3000Ah\u3000tell\u3000sech\u3000a\u3000lie\u3002\u3000Ah\u3000jes\u2019\u3000see\u3000one\u3000baby\u3000birthed\uff1b\u3000an\u2019\u3000Maw\u3000she\u3000lak\u3000ter\u3000wo\u2019\u3000me\u3000out\u3000fer\u3000watchin\u2019\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000glared\u3000at\u3000her\u3000and\u3000Prissy\u3000shrank\u3000back\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000pull\u3000loose\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000refused\u3000to\u3000accept\u3000the\u3000truth\uff1b\u3000but\u3000when\u3000realization\u3000finally\u3000came\u3000to\u3000her\u3000that\u3000Prissy\u3000knew\u3000no\u3000more\u3000about\u3000midwifery\u3000than\u3000she\u3000did\uff1b\u3000anger\u3000went\u3000over\u3000her\u3000like\u3000a\u3000flame\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000never\u3000struck\u3000a\u3000slave\u3000in\u3000all\u3000her\u3000life\uff1b\u3000but\u3000now\u3000she\u3000slapped\u3000the\u3000black\u3000cheek\u3000with\u3000all\u3000the\u3000force\u3000in\u3000her\u3000tired\u3000arm\u3002\u3000Prissy\u3000screamed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000her\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000more\u3000from\u3000fright\u3000than\u3000pain\uff1b\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000dance\u3000up\u3000and\u3000down\uff1b\u3000writhing\u3000to\u3000break\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000grip\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000As\u3000she\u3000screamed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000moaning\u3000from\u3000the\u3000second\u3000floor\u3000ceased\u3000and\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000later\u3000Melanie\u2019s\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000weak\u3000and\u3000trembling\uff1b\u3000called\uff1a\u3000\u201cScarlett\uff1f\u3000Is\u3000it\u3000you\uff1f\u3000Please\u3000come\uff01\u3000Please\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000dropped\u3000Prissy\u2019s\u3000arm\u3000and\u3000the\u3000wench\u3000sank\u3000whimpering\u3000to\u3000the\u3000steps\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000Scarlett\u3000stood\u3000still\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000up\uff1b\u3000listening\u3000to\u3000the\u3000low\u3000moaning\u3000which\u3000had\u3000begun\u3000again\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000stood\u3000there\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000as\u3000though\u3000a\u3000yoke\u3000descended\u3000heavily\u3000upon\u3000her\u3000neck\uff1b\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000though\u3000a\u3000heavy\u3000load\u3000were\u3000harnessed\u3000to\u3000it\uff1b\u3000a\u3000load\u3000she\u3000would\u3000feel\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000she\u3000took\u3000a\u3000step\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000think\u3000of\u3000all\u3000the\u3000things\u3000Mammy\u3000and\u3000Ellen\u3000had\u3000done\u3000for\u3000her\u3000when\u3000Wade\u3000was\u3000born\u3000but\u3000the\u3000merciful\u3000blurring\u3000of\u3000the\u3000childbirth\u3000pains\u3000obscured\u3000almost\u3000everything\u3000in\u3000mist\u3002\u3000She\u3000did\u3000recall\u3000a\u3000few\u3000things\u3000and\u3000she\u3000spoke\u3000to\u3000Prissy\u3000rapidly\uff1b\u3000authority\u3000in\u3000her\u3000voice\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cBuild\u3000a\u3000fire\u3000in\u3000the\u3000stove\u3000and\u3000keep\u3000hot\u3000water\u3000boiling\u3000in\u3000the\u3000kettle\u3002\u3000And\u3000bring\u3000up\u3000all\u3000the\u3000towels\u3000you\u3000can\u3000find\u3000and\u3000that\u3000ball\u3000of\u3000twine\u3002\u3000And\u3000get\u3000me\u3000the\u3000scissors\u3002\u3000Don\u2019t\u3000come\u3000telling\u3000me\u3000you\u3000can\u2019t\u3000find\u3000them\u3002\u3000Get\u3000them\u3000and\u3000get\u3000them\u3000quick\u3002\u3000Now\u3000hurry\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000jerked\u3000Prissy\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000sent\u3000her\u3000kitchenwards\u3000with\u3000a\u3000shove\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000squared\u3000her\u3000shoulders\u3000and\u3000started\u3000up\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000difficult\uff1b\u3000telling\u3000Melanie\u3000that\u3000she\u3000and\u3000Prissy\u3000were\u3000to\u3000deliver\u3000her\u3000baby\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000CHAPTER\u3000XXII<br \/>\n\u3000THERE\u3000WOULD\u3000NEVER\u3000AGAIN\u3000BE\u3000an\u3000afternoon\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000this\u3000one\u3002\u3000Or\u3000as\u3000hot\u3002\u3000Or\u3000as\u3000full\u3000of\u3000lazy\u3000insolent\u3000flies\u3002\u3000They\u3000swarmed\u3000on\u3000Melanie\u3000despite\u3000the\u3000fan\u3000Scarlett\u3000kept\u3000in\u3000constant\u3000motion\u3002\u3000Her\u3000arms\u3000ached\u3000from\u3000swinging\u3000the\u3000wide\u3000palmetto\u3000leaf\u3002\u3000All\u3000her\u3000efforts\u3000seemed\u3000futile\uff1b\u3000for\u3000while\u3000she\u3000brushed\u3000them\u3000from\u3000Melanie\u2019s\u3000moist\u3000face\uff1b\u3000they\u3000crawled\u3000on\u3000her\u3000clammy\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000legs\u3000and\u3000made\u3000her\u3000jerk\u3000them\u3000weakly\u3000and\u3000cry\uff1a\u3000\u201cPlease\uff01\u3000On\u3000my\u3000feet\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000room\u3000was\u3000in\u3000semigloom\uff1b\u3000for\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000pulled\u3000down\u3000the\u3000shades\u3000to\u3000shut\u3000out\u3000the\u3000heat\u3000and\u3000brightness\u3002\u3000Pin\u3000points\u3000of\u3000sunlight\u3000came\u3000in\u3000through\u3000minute\u3000holes\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shades\u3000and\u3000about\u3000the\u3000edges\u3002\u3000The\u3000room\u3000was\u3000an\u3000oven\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000sweat\u2026drenched\u3000clothes\u3000never\u3000dried\u3000but\u3000became\u3000wetter\u3000and\u3000stickier\u3000as\u3000the\u3000hours\u3000went\u3000by\u3002\u3000Prissy\u3000was\u3000crouched\u3000in\u3000a\u3000corner\uff1b\u3000sweating\u3000too\uff1b\u3000and\u3000smelled\u3000so\u3000abominably\u3000Scarlett\u3000would\u3000have\u3000sent\u3000her\u3000from\u3000the\u3000room\u3000had\u3000she\u3000not\u3000feared\u3000the\u3000girl\u3000would\u3000take\u3000to\u3000her\u3000heels\u3000if\u3000once\u3000out\u3000of\u3000sight\u3000Melanie\u3000lay\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bed\u3000on\u3000a\u3000sheet\u3000dark\u3000with\u3000perspiration\u3000and\u3000splotched\u3000with\u3000dampness\u3000where\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000spilled\u3000water\u3002\u3000She\u3000twisted\u3000endlessly\uff1b\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\uff1b\u3000to\u3000the\u3000other\uff1b\u3000to\u3000left\uff1b\u3000to\u3000right\u3000and\u3000back\u3000again\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Sometimes\u3000she\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000up\u3000and\u3000fell\u3000back\u3000and\u3000began\u3000twisting\u3000again\u3002\u3000At\u3000first\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000from\u3000crying\u3000out\uff1b\u3000biting\u3000her\u3000lips\u3000until\u3000they\u3000were\u3000raw\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000whose\u3000nerves\u3000were\u3000as\u3000raw\u3000as\u3000the\u3000lips\uff1b\u3000said\u3000huskily\uff1a\u3000\u201cMelly\uff1b\u3000for\u3000God\u2019s\u3000sake\uff1b\u3000don\u2019t\u3000try\u3000to\u3000be\u3000brave\u3002\u3000Yell\u3000if\u3000you\u3000want\u3000to\u3002\u3000There\u2019s\u3000nobody\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000you\u3000but\u3000us\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000As\u3000the\u3000afternoon\u3000wore\u3000on\uff1b\u3000Melanie\u3000moaned\u3000whether\u3000she\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000be\u3000brave\u3000or\u3000not\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sometimes\u3000she\u3000screamed\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000did\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000dropped\u3000her\u3000head\u3000into\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000covered\u3000her\u3000ears\u3000and\u3000twisted\u3000her\u3000body\u3000and\u3000wished\u3000that\u3000she\u3000herself\u3000were\u3000dead\u3002\u3000Anything\u3000was\u3000preferable\u3000to\u3000being\u3000a\u3000helpless\u3000witness\u3000to\u3000such\u3000pain\u3002\u3000Anything\u3000was\u3000better\u3000than\u3000being\u3000tied\u3000here\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000a\u3000baby\u3000that\u3000took\u3000such\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\u3000coming\u3002\u3000Waiting\uff1b\u3000when\u3000for\u3000all\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000were\u3000actually\u3000at\u3000Five\u3000Points\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cTalk\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3000Please\u3000talk\u3000to\u3000me\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000whispered\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\u3000would\u3000gabble\u3000something\u3000until\u3000Melanie\u3000again\u3000gripped\u3000the\u3000knot\u3000and\u3000again\u3000began\u3000writhing\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000The\u3000clock\u3000on\u3000the\u3000mantel\u3000had\u3000stopped\u3000and\u3000she\u3000had\u3000no\u3000way\u3000of\u3000telling\u3000the\u3000time\u3000but\u3000as\u3000the\u3000heat\u3000in\u3000the\u3000room\u3000lessened\u3000and\u3000the\u3000bright\u3000pin\u3000points\u3000of\u3000light\u3000grew\u3000duller\uff1b\u3000she\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000shade\u3000aside\u3002\u3000She\u3000saw\u3000to\u3000her\u3000surprise\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000late\u3000afternoon\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sun\uff1b\u3000a\u3000ball\u3000of\u3000crimson\uff1b\u3000was\u3000far\u3000down\u3000the\u3000sky\u3002\u3000Somehow\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000imagined\u3000it\u3000would\u3000remain\u3000broiling\u3000hot\u3000noon\u3000forever\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000should\u3000go\u3000upstairs\u3000and\u3000sit\u3000beside\u3000Melanie\u3002\u3000If\u3000anything\u3000went\u3000wrong\uff1b\u3000Melanie\u3000would\u3000be\u3000too\u3000weak\u3000to\u3000call\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000returning\u3000to\u3000that\u3000room\u3000where\u3000she\u3000had\u3000spent\u3000so\u3000many\u3000nightmare\u3000hours\u3000was\u3000repulsive\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000Even\u3000if\u3000Melanie\u3000were\u3000dying\uff1b\u3000she\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000go\u3000back\u3000up\u3000there\u3002\u3000She\u3000never\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000see\u3000that\u3000room\u3000again\u3002\u3000She\u3000set\u3000the\u3000lamp\u3000on\u3000the\u3000candle\u3000stand\u3000by\u3000the\u3000window\u3000and\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000front\u3000porch\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000so\u3000much\u3000cooler\u3000here\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000the\u3000night\u3000was\u3000drowned\u3000in\u3000soft\u3000warmth\u3002\u3000She\u3000sat\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000steps\u3000in\u3000the\u3000circle\u3000of\u3000faint\u3000light\u3000thrown\u3000by\u3000the\u3000lamp\u3000and\u3000continued\u3000gnawing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000corn\u3000bread\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000When\u3000she\u3000had\u3000finished\u3000it\uff1b\u3000a\u3000measure\u3000of\u3000strength\u3000came\u3000back\u3000to\u3000her\u3000and\u3000with\u3000the\u3000strength\u3000came\u3000again\u3000the\u3000pricking\u3000of\u3000fear\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000a\u3000humming\u3000of\u3000noise\u3000far\u3000down\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000but\u3000what\u3000it\u3000portend         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000of\u3000noise\u3000far\u3000down\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000but\u3000what\u3000it\u3000portended\u3000she\u3000did\u3000not\u3000know\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000distinguish\u3000nothing\u3000but\u3000a\u3000volume\u3000of\u3000sound\u3000that\u3000rose\u3000and\u3000fell\u3002\u3000She\u3000strained\u3000forward\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000and\u3000soon\u3000she\u3000found\u3000her\u3000muscles\u3000aching\u3000from\u3000the\u3000tension\u3002\u3000More\u3000than\u3000anything\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3000she\u3000yearned\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000hooves\u3000and\u3000to\u3000see\u3000Rhett\u2019s\u3000careless\uff1b\u3000self\u2026confident\u3000eyes\u3000laughing\u3000at\u3000her\u3000fears\u3002\u3000Rhett\u3000would\u3000take\u3000them\u3000away\uff1b\u3000somewhere\u3002\u3000She\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000know\u3000where\u3002\u3000She\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000care\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000As\u3000she\u3000sat\u3000straining\u3000her\u3000ears\u3000toward\u3000town\uff1b\u3000a\u3000faint\u3000glow\u3000appeared\u3000above\u3000the\u3000trees\u3002\u3000It\u3000puzzled\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000watched\u3000it\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000it\u3000grow\u3000brighter\u3002\u3000The\u3000dark\u3000sky\u3000became\u3000pink\u3000and\u3000then\u3000dull\u3000red\uff1b\u3000and\u3000suddenly\u3000above\u3000the\u3000trees\uff1b\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000huge\u3000tongue\u3000of\u3000flame\u3000leap\u3000high\u3000to\u3000the\u3000heavens\u3002\u3000She\u3000jumped\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000beginning\u3000again\u3000its\u3000sickening\u3000thudding\u3000and\u3000bumping\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000She\u3000fled\u3000up\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3000to\u3000her\u3000own\u3000room\u3000and\u3000hung\u3000out\u3000the\u3000window\u3000for\u3000a\u3000better\u3000view\u3002\u3000The\u3000sky\u3000was\u3000a\u3000hideous\u3000lurid\u3000color\u3000and\u3000great\u3000swirls\u3000of\u3000black\u3000smoke\u3000went\u3000twisting\u3000up\u3000to\u3000hand\u3000in\u3000billowy\u3000clouds\u3000above\u3000the\u3000flames\u3002\u3000The\u3000smell\u3000of\u3000smoke\u3000was\u3000stronger\u3000now\u3002\u3000Her\u3000mind\u3000rushed\u3000incoherently\u3000here\u3000and\u3000there\uff1b\u3000thinking\u3000how\u3000soon\u3000the\u3000flames\u3000would\u3000spread\u3000up\u3000Peachtree\u3000Street\u3000and\u3000burn\u3000this\u3000house\uff1b\u3000how\u3000soon\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000would\u3000be\u3000rushing\u3000in\u3000upon\u3000her\uff1b\u3000where\u3000she\u3000would\u3000run\uff1b\u3000what\u3000she\u3000would\u3000do\u3002\u3000All\u3000the\u3000fiends\u3000of\u3000hell\u3000seemed\u3000screaming\u3000in\u3000her\u3000ears\u3000and\u3000her\u3000brain\u3000swirled\u3000with\u3000confusion\u3000and\u3000panic\u3000so\u3000overpowering\u3000she\u3000clung\u3000to\u3000the\u3000window\u3000sill\u3000for\u3000support\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000must\u3000think\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000told\u3000herself\u3000over\u3000and\u3000over\u3002\u3000\u201cI\u3000must\u3000think\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000But\u3000thoughts\u3000eluded\u3000her\uff1b\u3000darting\u3000in\u3000and\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000like\u3000frightened\u3000humming\u3000birds\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000stood\u3000hanging\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sill\uff1b\u3000a\u3000deafening\u3000explosion\u3000burst\u3000on\u3000her\u3000ears\uff1b\u3000louder\u3000than\u3000any\u3000cannon\u3000she\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000heard\u3002\u3000The\u3000sky\u3000was\u3000rent\u3000with\u3000gigantic\u3000flame\u3002\u3000Then\u3000other\u3000explosions\u3002\u3000The\u3000earth\u3000shook\u3000and\u3000the\u3000glass\u3000in\u3000the\u3000panes\u3000above\u3000her\u3000head\u3000shivered\u3000and\u3000came\u3000down\u3000around\u3000her\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000world\u3000became\u3000an\u3000inferno\u3000of\u3000noise\u3000and\u3000flame\u3000and\u3000trembling\u3000earth\u3000as\u3000one\u3000explosion\u3000followed\u3000another\u3000in\u3000ear\u2026splitting\u3000succession\u3002\u3000Torrents\u3000of\u3000sparks\u3000shot\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sky\u3000and\u3000descended\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000lazily\uff1b\u3000through\u3000blood\u2026colored\u3000clouds\u3000of\u3000smoke\u3002\u3000She\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000feeble\u3000call\u3000from\u3000the\u3000next\u3000room\u3000but\u3000she\u3000paid\u3000it\u3000no\u3000heed\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000no\u3000time\u3000for\u3000Melanie\u3000now\u3002\u3000No\u3000time\u3000for\u3000anything\u3000except\u3000a\u3000fear\u3000that\u3000licked\u3000through\u3000her\u3000veins\u3000as\u3000swiftly\u3000as\u3000the\u3000flames\u3000she\u3000saw\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000a\u3000child\u3000and\u3000mad\u3000with\u3000fright\u3000and\u3000she\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000bury\u3000her\u3000head\u3000in\u3000her\u3000mother\u2019s\u3000lap\u3000and\u3000shut\u3000out\u3000this\u3000sight\u3002\u3000If\u3000she\u3000were\u3000only\u3000home\uff01\u3000Home\u3000with\u3000Mother\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Through\u3000the\u3000nerve\u2026shivering\u3000sounds\uff1b\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000another\u3000sound\uff1b\u3000that\u3000of\u3000fear\u2026sped\u3000feet\u3000coming\u3000up\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3000three\u3000at\u3000a\u3000time\uff1b\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000voice\u3000yelping\u3000like\u3000a\u3000lost\u3000hound\u3002\u3000Prissy\u3000broke\u3000into\u3000the\u3000room\u3000and\uff1b\u3000flying\u3000to\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000clutched\u3000her\u3000arm\u3000in\u3000a\u3000grip\u3000that\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000pinch\u3000out\u3000pieces\u3000of\u3000flesh\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cThe\u3000Yankees\u2014\u201d\u3000cried\u3000Scarlett\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cNo\u2019m\uff1b\u3000its\u3000our\u3000gempmums\uff01\u201d\u3000yelled\u3000Prissy\u3000between\u3000breaths\uff1b\u3000digging\u3000her\u3000nails\u3000deeper\u3000into\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000arm\u3002\u3000\u201cDey\u2019s\u3000buhnin\u2019\u3000de\u3000foun\u2019ry\u3000an\u2019\u3000de\u3000ahmy\u3000supply\u3000depots\u3000an\u2019\u3000de\u3000wa\u2019houses\u3000an\u2019\uff1b\u3000fo\u2019\u3000Gawd\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000dey\u3000done\u3000set\u3000off\u3000dem\u3000sebenty\u3000freight\u3000cahs\u3000of\u3000cannon\u3000balls\u3000an\u2019\u3000gunpowder\u3000an\u2019\uff1b\u3000Jesus\uff1b\u3000we\u2019s\u3000all\u3000gwine\u3000ter\u3000buhn\u3000up\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000began\u3000yelping\u3000again\u3000shrilly\u3000and\u3000pinched\u3000Scarlett\u3000so\u3000hard\u3000she\u3000cried\u3000out\u3000in\u3000pain\u3000and\u3000fury\u3000and\u3000shook\u3000off\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000Yankees\u3000hadn\u2019t\u3000come\u3000yet\uff01\u3000There\u3000was\u3000still\u3000time\u3000to\u3000get\u3000away\uff01\u3000She\u3000rallied\u3000her\u3000frightened\u3000forces\u3000together\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cIf\u3000I\u3000don\u2019t\u3000get\u3000a\u3000hold\u3000on\u3000myself\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000\u201cI\u2019ll\u3000be\u3000squalling\u3000like\u3000a\u3000scalded\u3000cat\uff01\u201d\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000Prissy\u2019s\u3000abject\u3000terror\u3000helped\u3000steady\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000took\u3000her\u3000by\u3000the\u3000shoulders\u3000and\u3000shook\u3000her\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cShut\u3000up\u3000that\u3000racket\u3000and\u3000talk\u3000sense\u3002\u3000The\u3000Yankees\u3000haven\u2019t\u3000come\uff1b\u3000you\u3000fool\uff01\u3000Did\u3000you\u3000see\u3000Captain\u3000Butler\uff1f\u3000What\u3000did\u3000he\u3000say\uff1f\u3000Is\u3000he\u3000coming\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Prissy\u3000ceased\u3000her\u3000yelling\u3000but\u3000her\u3000teeth\u3000chattered\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYas\u2019m\uff1b\u3000Ah\u3000finely\u3000foun\u2019\u3000him\u3002\u3000In\u3000a\u3000bahroom\uff1b\u3000lak\u3000you\u3000told\u3000me\u3002\u3000He\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cNever\u3000mind\u3000where\u3000you\u3000found\u3000him\u3002\u3000Is\u3000he\u3000coming\uff1f\u3000Did\u3000you\u3000tell\u3000him\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000his\u3000horse\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cLawd\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000he\u3000say\u3000our\u3000gempmums\u3000done\u3000tuck\u3000his\u3000hawse\u3000an\u2019\u3000cah\u2019ige\u3000fer\u3000a\u3000amberlance\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cDear\u3000God\u3000in\u3000Heaven\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cBut\u3000he\u3000comin\u2019\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWhat\u3000did\u3000he\u3000say\uff1f\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000should\u3000go\u3000in\u3000and\u3000quiet\u3000Melanie\u2019s\u3000fear\uff1b\u3000knew\u3000Melanie\u3000must\u3000be\u3000frightened\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000senses\u3000by\u3000the\u3000thunderous\u3000noises\u3000that\u3000continued\u3000unabated\u3000and\u3000the\u3000glare\u3000that\u3000lighted\u3000the\u3000sky\u3002\u3000It\u3000looked\u3000and\u3000sounded\u3000like\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000world\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000The\u3000sounds\u3000came\u3000nearer\u3000and\u3000she\u3000leaped\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000called\u3000Rhett\u2019s\u3000name\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000him\u3000dimly\u3000as\u3000he\u3000climbed\u3000down\u3000from\u3000the\u3000seat\u3000of\u3000a\u3000small\u3000wagon\uff1b\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000clicking\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gate\u3000as\u3000he\u3000came\u3000toward\u3000her\u3002\u3000He\u3000came\u3000into\u3000view\u3000and\u3000the\u3000light\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lamp\u3000showed\u3000him\u3000plainly\u3002\u3000His\u3000dress\u3000was\u3000as\u3000debonair\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000were\u3000going\u3000to\u3000a\u3000ball\uff1b\u3000well\u2026tailored\u3000white\u3000linen\u3000coat\u3000and\u3000trousers\uff1b\u3000embroidered\u3000gray\u3000watered\u2026silk\u3000waistcoat\u3000and\u3000a\u3000hint\u3000of\u3000ruffle\u3000on\u3000his\u3000shirt\u3000bosom\u3002\u3000His\u3000wide\u3000Panama\u3000hat\u3000was\u3000set\u3000dashingly\u3000on\u3000one\u3000side\u3000of\u3000his\u3000head\u3000and\u3000in\u3000the\u3000belt\u3000of\u3000his\u3000trousers\u3000were\u3000thrust\u3000two\u3000ivory\u2026handled\uff1b\u3000long\u2026barreled\u3000dueling\u3000pistols\u3002\u3000The\u3000pockets\u3000of\u3000his\u3000coat\u3000sagged\u3000heavily\u3000with\u3000ammunition\u3002<br 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a\u3000carefully\u3000restrained\u3000ferocity\u3000in\u3000his\u3000dark\u3000face\uff1b\u3000a\u3000ruthlessness\u3000which\u3000would\u3000have\u3000frightened\u3000her\u3000had\u3000she\u3000the\u3000wits\u3000to\u3000see\u3000it\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000His\u3000black\u3000eyes\u3000danced\u3000as\u3000though\u3000amused\u3000by\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000affair\uff1b\u3000as\u3000though\u3000the\u3000earth\u2026splitting\u3000sounds\u3000and\u3000the\u3000horrid\u3000glare\u3000were\u3000merely\u3000things\u3000to\u3000frighten\u3000children\u3002\u3000She\u3000swayed\u3000toward\u3000him\u3000as\u3000he\u3000came\u3000up\u3000the\u3000steps\uff1b\u3000her\u3000face\u3000white\uff1b\u3000her\u3000green\u3000eyes\u3000burning\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Prissy\u3000came\u3000bounding\u3000up\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\u3000handed\u3000the\u3000child\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000They\u3000went\u3000hastily\u3000down\uff1b\u3000the\u3000lamp\u3000throwing\u3000uncertain\u3000shadows\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wall\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000hall\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000bonnet\u3000and\u3000put\u3000it\u3000on\u3000hurriedly\uff1b\u3000tying\u3000the\u3000ribbons\u3000under\u3000her\u3000chin\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000Melanie\u2019s\u3000black\u3000         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            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\/>\n\u3000His\u3000drawl\u3000was\u3000caressing\u3000and\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000slid\u3000tip\u3000her\u3000bare\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000warm\u3000strong\u3000hands\u3002\u3000I\u3000love\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000because\u3000we\u3000are\u3000so\u3000much\u3000alike\uff1b\u3000renegades\uff1b\u3000both\u3000of\u3000us\uff1b\u3000dear\uff1b\u3000and\u3000selfish\u3000rascals\u3002\u3000Neither\u3000of\u3000us\u3000cares\u3000a\u3000rap\u3000if\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000world\u3000goes\u3000to\u3000pot\u3000so\u3000long\u3000as\u3000we\u3000are\u3000safe\u3000and\u3000comfortable\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000His\u3000voice\u3000went\u3000on\u3000in\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3000and\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000words\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000made\u3000no\u3000sense\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000Her\u3000mind\u3000was\u3000tiredly\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000take\u3000in\u3000the\u3000harsh\u3000truth\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000leaving\u3000her\u3000here\u3000to\u3000face\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000alone\u3002\u3000Her\u3000mind\u3000said\uff1a\u3000\u201cHe\u2019s\u3000leaving\u3000me\u3002\u3000He\u2019s\u3000leaving\u3000me\u3002\u201d\u3000But\u3000no\u3000emotion\u3000stirred\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Then\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000went\u3000around\u3000her\u3000waist\u3000and\u3000shoulders\u3000and\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000hard\u3000muscles\u3000of\u3000his\u3000thighs\u3000against\u3000her\u3000body\u3000and\u3000the\u3000buttons\u3000of\u3000his\u3000coat\u3000pressing\u3000into\u3000her\u3000breast\u3000A\u3000warm\u3000tide\u3000of\u3000feeling\uff1b         <!-- 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\u3000Then\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000went\u3000around\u3000her\u3000waist\u3000and\u3000shoulders\u3000and\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000hard\u3000muscles\u3000of\u3000his\u3000thighs\u3000against\u3000her\u3000body\u3000and\u3000the\u3000buttons\u3000of\u3000his\u3000coat\u3000pressing\u3000into\u3000her\u3000breast\u3000A\u3000warm\u3000tide\u3000of\u3000feeling\uff1b\u3000bewildering\uff1b\u3000frightening\uff1b\u3000swept\u3000over\u3000her\uff1b\u3000carrying\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000the\u3000time\u3000and\u3000place\u3000and\u3000circumstances\u3002\u3000She\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000limp\u3000as\u3000a\u3000rag\u3000doll\uff1b\u3000warm\uff1b\u3000weak\u3000and\u3000helpless\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000supporting\u3000arms\u3000were\u3000so\u3000pleasant\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000He\u3000was\u3000kissing\u3000her\u3000now\u3000and\u3000his\u3000mustache\u3000tickled\u3000her\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000kissing\u3000her\u3000with\u3000slow\uff1b\u3000hot\u3000lips\u3000that\u3000were\u3000so\u3000leisurely\u3000as\u3000though\u3000he\u3000had\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000night\u3000before\u3000him\u3002\u3000Charles\u3000had\u3000never\u3000kissed\u3000her\u3000like\u3000this\u3002\u3000Never\u3000had\u3000the\u3000kisses\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Tarleton\u3000and\u3000Calvert\u3000boys\u3000made\u3000her\u3000go\u3000hot\u3000and\u3000cold\u3000and\u3000shaky\u3000like\u3000this\u3002\u3000He\u3000bent\u3000her\u3000body\u3000backward\u3000and\u3000his\u3000lips\u3000traveled\u3000down\u3000her\u3000throat\u3000to\u3000where\u3000the\u3000cameo\u3000fastened\u3000her\u3000basque\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cSweet\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000whispered\u3002\u3000\u201cSweet\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000Into\u3000her\u3000swaying\uff1b\u3000darkened\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000cold\u3000sanity\u3000came\u3000back\u3000with\u3000a\u3000rush\u3000and\u3000she\u3000remembered\u3000what\u3000she\u3000had\u3000forgotten\u3000for\u3000the\u3000moment\u2014that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000frightened\u3000too\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rhett\u3000was\u3000leaving\u3000her\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000her\uff1b\u3000the\u3000damned\u3000cad\u3002\u3000And\u3000on\u3000top\u3000of\u3000it\u3000all\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000the\u3000consummate\u3000gall\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000here\u3000in\u3000the\u3000road\u3000and\u3000insult\u3000her\u3000with\u3000his\u3000infamous\u3000proposals\u3002\u3000Rage\u3000and\u3000hate\u3000flowed\u3000into\u3000her\u3000and\u3000stiffened\u3000her\u3000spine\u3000and\u3000with\u3000one\u3000wrench\u3000she\u3000tore\u3000herself\u3000loose\u3000from\u3000his\u3000arms\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000you\u3000cad\uff01\u201d\u3000she\u3000cried\u3000and\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000leaped\u3000about\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000think\u3000of\u3000worse\u3000things\u3000to\u3000call\u3000him\uff1b\u3000things\u3000she\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000Gerald\u3000call\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Lincoln\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Macintoshes\u3000and\u3000balky\u3000mules\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000words\u3000would\u3000not\u3000come\u3002\u3000\u201cYou\u3000low\u2026down\uff1b\u3000cowardly\uff1b\u3000nasty\uff1b\u3000stinking\u3000thing\uff01\u201d\u3000And\u3000because\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000think\u3000of\u3000anything\u3000crushing\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000she\u3000drew\u3000back\u3000her\u3000arm\u3000and\u3000slapped\u3000him\u3000across\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000with\u3000all\u3000the\u3000force\u3000she\u3000had\u3000left\u3002\u3000He\u3000took\u3000a\u3000step\u3000backward\uff1b\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000going\u3000to\u3000his\u3000face\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cAh\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000said\u3000quietly\u3000and\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000they\u3000stood\u3000facing\u3000each\u3000other\u3000in\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000his\u3000heavy\u3000breathing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000own\u3000breath\u3000came\u3000in\u3000gasps\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000running\u3000hard\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cThey\u3000were\u3000right\uff01\u3000Everybody\u3000was\u3000right\uff01\u3000You\u3000aren\u2019t\u3000a\u3000gentleman\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cMy\u3000dear\u3000girl\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u201chow\u3000inadequate\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000was\u3000laughing\u3000and\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000goaded\u3000her\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cGo\u3000on\uff01\u3000Go\u3000on\u3000now\uff01\u3000I\u3000want\u3000you\u3000to\u3000hurry\u3002\u3000I\u3000don\u2019t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000ever\u3000see\u3000you\u3000again\u3002\u3000I\u3000hope\u3000a\u3000cannon\u3000ball\u3000lands\u3000right\u3000on\u3000you\u3002\u3000I\u3000hope\u3000it\u3000blows\u3000you\u3000to\u3000a\u3000million\u3000pieces\u3002\u3000I\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cNever\u3000mind\u3000the\u3000rest\u3002\u3000I\u3000follow\u3000your\u3000general\u3000idea\u3002\u3000When\u3000I\u2019m\u3000dead\u3000on\u3000the\u3000altar\u3000of\u3000my\u3000country\uff1b\u3000I\u3000hope\u3000your\u3000conscience\u3000hurts\u3000you\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000heard\u3000him\u3000laugh\u3000as\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000away\u3000and\u3000walked\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000wagon\u3002\u3000She\u3000saw\u3000him\u3000stand\u3000beside\u3000it\uff1b\u3000heard\u3000him\u3000speak\u3000and\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000changed\uff1b\u3000courteous\u3000and\u3000respectful\u3000as\u3000it\u3000always\u3000was\u3000when\u3000he\u3000spoke\u3000to\u3000Melanie\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cMrs\u3002\u3000Wilkes\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Prissy\u2019s\u3000frightened\u3000voice\u3000made\u3000answer\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wagon\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cGawdlmighty\u3002\u3000Cap\u2019n\u3000Butler\uff01\u3000Miss\u3000Melly\u3000done\u3000fainted\u3000away\u3000back\u3000yonder\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cShe\u2019s\u3000not\u3000dead\uff1f\u3000Is\u3000she\u3000breathing\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYassuh\uff1b\u3000she\u3000breathin\u2019\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000was\u3000facing\u3000her\u3000but\u3000she\u3000did\u3000not\u3000speak\u3002\u3000Hate\u3000choked\u3000all\u3000utterance\u3002\u3000His\u3000feet\u3000ground\u3000on\u3000the\u3000pebbles\u3000of\u3000the\u3000road\u3000and\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000his\u3000big\u3000shoulders\u3000looming\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dark\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000for\u3000a\u3000while\u3000and\u3000then\u3000they\u3000died\u3000away\u3002\u3000She\u3000came\u3000slowly\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000wagon\uff1b\u3000her\u3000knees\u3000shaking\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Blinking\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sunlight\uff1b\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000fell\u3000on\u3000Melanie\u3000and\u3000she\u3000gasped\uff1b\u3000horrified\u3002\u3000Melanie\u3000lay\u3000so\u3000still\u3000and\u3000white\u3000Scarlett\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000must\u3000be\u3000dead\u3002\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000dead\u3002\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000a\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000old\u3000woman\u3000with\u3000her\u3000ravaged\u3000face\u3000and\u3000her\u3000dark\u3000hair\u3000snarled\u3000and\u3000tangled\u3000across\u3000it\u3002\u3000Then\u3000Scarlett\u3000saw\u3000with\u3000relief\u3000the\u3000faint\u3000rise\u3000and\u3000fall\u3000of\u3000her\u3000shallow\u3000breathing\u3000and\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000Melanie\u3000had\u3000survived\u3000the\u3000night\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000shaded\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000with\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000about\u3000her\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000evidently\u3000spent\u3000the\u3000night\u3000under\u3000the\u3000trees\u3000in\u3000someone\u2019s\u3000front\u3000yard\uff1b\u3000for\u3000a\u3000sand\u3000and\u3000gravel\u3000driveway\u3000stretched\u3000out\u3000before\u3000her\uff1b\u3000winding\u3000away\u3000under\u3000an\u3000avenue\u3000of\u3000cedars\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWhy\uff1b\u3000it\u2019s\u3000the\u3000Mallory\u3000place\uff01\u201d\u3000she\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000leaping\u3000with\u3000gladness\u3000at\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000friends\u3000and\u3000help\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000But\u3000a\u3000stillness\u3000as\u3000of\u3000death\u3000hung\u3000over\u3000the\u3000plantation\u3002\u3000The\u3000shrubs\u3000and\u3000grass\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lawn\u3000were\u3000cut\u3000to\u3000pieces\u3000where\u3000hooves\u3000and\u3000wheels\u3000and\u3000feet\u3000had\u3000torn\u3000frantically\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000until\u3000the\u3000soil\u3000was\u3000churned\u3000up\u3002\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000house\u3000and\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000the\u3000old\u3000white\u3000clapboard\u3000place\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000so\u3000well\uff1b\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000there\u3000only\u3000a\u3000long\u3000rectangle\u3000of\u3000blackened\u3000granite\u3000foundation\u3000stones\u3000and\u3000two\u3000tall\u3000chimneys\u3000rearing\u3000smoke\u2026stained\u3000bricks\u3000into\u3000the\u3000charred\u3000leaves\u3000of\u3000still\u3000trees\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000shuddering\u3000breath\u3002\u3000Would\u3000she\u3000find\u3000Tara\u3000like\u3000this\uff1b\u3000level\u3000with\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000silent\u3000as\u3000the\u3000dead\uff1f<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000mustn\u2019t\u3000think\u3000about\u3000that\u3000now\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000told\u3000herself\u3000hurriedly\u3002\u3000\u201cI\u3000mustn\u2019t\u3000let\u3000myself\u3000think\u3000about\u3000it\u3002\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000g         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            it\u3002\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000get\u3000scared\u3000again\u3000if\u3000I\u3000think\u3000about\u3000it\u3002\u201d\u3000But\uff1b\u3000in\u3000spite\u3000of\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000quickened\u3000and\u3000each\u3000beat\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000thunder\uff1a\u3000\u201cHome\uff01\u3000Hurry\uff01\u3000Home\uff01\u3000Hurry\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000They\u3000must\u3000be\u3000starting\u3000on\u3000toward\u3000home\u3000again\u3002\u3000But\u3000first\u3000they\u3000must\u3000find\u3000some\u3000food\u3000and\u3000water\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000water\u3002\u3000She\u3000prodded\u3000Prissy\u3000awake\u3002\u3000Prissy\u3000rolled\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000as\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000about\u3000her\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cFo\u2019\u3000Gawd\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000Ah\u3000din\u2019\u3000spec\u3000ter\u3000wake\u3000up\u3000agin\u3000\u2018cept\u3000in\u3000de\u3000Promise\u3000Lan\u2019\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYou\u2019re\u3000a\u3000long\u3000way\u3000from\u3000there\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000smooth\u3000back\u3000her\u3000untidy\u3000hair\u3002\u3000Her\u3000face\u3000was\u3000damp\u3000and\u3000her\u3000body\u3000was\u3000already\u3000wet\u3000with\u3000sweat\u3002\u3000She\u3000felt\u3000dirty\u3000and\u3000messy\u3000and\u3000sticky\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she\u3000smelled\u3000bad\u3002\u3000Her\u3000clothes\u3000were\u3000crushed\u3000and\u3000wrinkled\u3000from\u3000sleeping\u3000in\u3000them\u3000and\u3000she\u3000had\u3000never\u3000felt\u3000more\u3000acutely\u3000tired\u3000and\u3000sore\u3000in\u3000all\u3000her\u3000life\u3002\u3000Muscles\u3000she\u3000did\u3000not\u3000know\u3000she\u3000possessed\u3000ached\u3000from\u3000her\u3000unaccustomed\u3000exertions\u3000of\u3000the\u3000night\u3000before\u3000and\u3000every\u3000movement\u3000brought\u3000sharp\u3000pain\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u2019ll\u3000make\u3000a\u3000hant\u3000out\u3000of\u3000you\u3000if\u3000you\u3000don\u2019t\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000this\u3000wagon\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000in\u3000no\u3000mood\u3000for\u3000argument\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000climbed\u3000lamely\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Prissy\u3000climbed\u3000reluctantly\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wagon\u3000with\u3000many\u3000groans\u3000and\u3000timorously\u3000followed\u3000Scarlett\u3000up\u3000the\u3000avenue\u3002\u3000Behind\u3000the\u3000ruins\u3000the\u3000row\u3000of\u3000whitewashed\u3000slave\u3000quarters\u3000stood\u3000silent\u3000and\u3000deserted\u3000under\u3000the\u3000overhanging\u3000trees\u3002\u3000Between\u3000the\u3000quarters\u3000and\u3000the\u3000smoked\u3000stone\u3000foundations\uff1b\u3000they\u3000found\u3000the\u3000well\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000roof\u3000of\u3000it\u3000still\u3000stood\u3000with\u3000the\u3000bucket\u3000far\u3000down\u3000the\u3000well\u3002\u3000Between\u3000them\uff1b\u3000they\u3000wound\u3000up\u3000the\u3000rope\uff1b\u3000and\u3000when\u3000the\u3000bucket\u3000of\u3000cool\u3000sparkling\u3000water\u3000appeared\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000depths\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000tilted\u3000it\u3000to\u3000her\u3000lips\u3000and\u3000drank\u3000with\u3000loud\u3000sucking\u3000noises\uff1b\u3000spilling\u3000the\u3000water\u3000all\u3000over\u3000herself\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Rhett\uff01\u3000She\u3000spat\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000very\u3000name\u3000tasted\u3000bad\u3002\u3000How\u3000she\u3000hated\u3000him\uff01\u3000How\u3000contemptible\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\uff01\u3000And\u3000she\u3000had\u3000stood\u3000there\u3000in\u3000the\u3000road\u3000and\u3000let\u3000him\u3000kiss\u3000her\u2014and\u3000almost\u3000liked\u3000it\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000been\u3000crazy\u3000last\u3000night\u3002\u3000How\u3000despicable\u3000he\u3000was\uff01<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cMother\uff01\u3000Mother\uff01\u201d\u3000she\u3000whispered\u3002\u3000If\u3000she\u3000could\u3000only\u3000win\u3000to\u3000Ellen\uff01\u3000If\u3000only\uff1b\u3000by\u3000a\u3000miracle\u3000of\u3000God\uff1b\u3000Tara\u3000were\u3000still\u3000standing\u3000and\u3000she\u3000could\u3000drive\u3000up\u3000the\u3000long\u3000avenue\u3000of\u3000trees\u3000and\u3000go\u3000into\u3000the\u3000house\u3000and\u3000see\u3000her\u3000mother\u2019s\u3000kind\uff1b\u3000tender\u3000face\uff1b\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000once\u3000more\u3000the\u3000soft\u3000capable\u3000hands\u3000that\u3000drove\u3000out\u3000fear\uff1b\u3000could\u3000clutch\u3000Ellen\u2019s\u3000skirts\u3000and\u3000bury\u3000her\u3000face\u3000in\u3000them\u3002\u3000Mother\u3000would\u3000know\u3000what\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3000She\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u3000let\u3000Melanie\u3000and\u3000her\u3000baby\u3000die\u3002\u3000She\u3000would\u3000drive\u3000away\u3000all\u3000ghosts\u3000and\u3000fears\u3000with\u3000her\u3000quiet\u3000\u201cHush\uff1b\u3000hush\u3002\u201d\u3000But\u3000Mother\u3000was\u3000ill\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000dying\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000laid\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000across\u3000the\u3000weary\u3000rump\u3000of\u3000the\u3000horse\u3002\u3000They\u3000must\u3000go\u3000faster\uff01\u3000They\u3000had\u3000crept\u3000along\u3000this\u3000never\u2026ending\u3000road\u3000all\u3000the\u3000long\u3000hot\u3000day\u3002\u3000Soon\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000night\u3000and\u3000they\u3000would\u3000be\u3000alone\u3000in\u3000this\u3000desolation\u3000that\u3000was\u3000death\u3002\u3000She\u3000gripped\u3000the\u3000reins\u3000tighter\u3000with\u3000hands\u3000that\u3000were\u3000blistered\u3000and\u3000slapped\u3000them\u3000fiercely\u3000on\u3000the\u3000horse\u2019s\u3000back\uff1b\u3000her\u3000aching\u3000arms\u3000burning\u3000at\u3000the\u3000movement\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000If\u3000she\u3000could\u3000only\u3000reach\u3000the\u3000kind\u3000arms\u3000of\u3000Tara\u3000and\u3000Ellen\u3000and\u3000lay\u3000down\u3000her\u3000burdens\uff1b\u3000far\u3000too\u3000heavy\u3000for\u3000her\u3000young\u3000shoulders\u2014the\u3000dying\u3000woman\uff1b\u3000the\u3000fading\u3000baby\uff1b\u3000her\u3000own\u3000hungry\u3000little\u3000boy\uff1b\u3000the\u3000frightened\u3000negro\uff1b\u3000all\u3000looking\u3000to\u3000her\u3000for\u3000strength\uff1b\u3000for\u3000guidance\uff1b\u3000all\u3000reading\u3000in\u3000her\u3000straight\u3000back\u3000courage\u3000she\u3000did\u3000not\u3000possess\u3000and\u3000strength\u3000which\u3000had\u3000long\u3000since\u3000failed\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000exh         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            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\/>\n\u3000Finally\u3000he\u3000started\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wagon\u3000creaking\u3000and\u3000the\u3000cow\u3000lowing\u3000mournfully\u3000at\u3000every\u3000step\u3002\u3000The\u3000pained\u3000animal\u2019s\u3000voice\u3000rasped\u3000on\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000nerves\u3000until\u3000she\u3000was\u3000tempted\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000and\u3000untie\u3000the\u3000beast\u3002\u3000What\u3000good\u3000would\u3000the\u3000cow\u3000do\u3000them\u3000anyway\u3000if\u3000there\u3000should\u3000be\u3000no\u3000one\u3000at\u3000Tara\uff1f\u3000She\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000milk\u3000her\u3000and\uff1b\u3000even\u3000if\u3000she\u3000could\uff1b\u3000the\u3000animal\u3000would\u3000probably\u3000kick\u3000anyone\u3000who\u3000touched\u3000her\u3000sore\u3000udder\u3002\u3000But\u3000she\u3000had\u3000the\u3000cow\u3000and\u3000she\u3000might\u3000as\u3000well\u3000keep\u3000her\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000little\u3000else\u3000she\u3000had\u3000in\u3000this\u3000world\u3000now\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000eyes\u3000grew\u3000misty\u3000when\uff1b\u3000at\u3000last\uff1b\u3000they\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000a\u3000gentle\u3000in         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            this\u3000world\u3000now\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000eyes\u3000grew\u3000misty\u3000when\uff1b\u3000at\u3000last\uff1b\u3000they\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000a\u3000gentle\u3000incline\uff1b\u3000for\u3000just\u3000over\u3000the\u3000rise\u3000lay\u3000Tara\uff01\u3000Then\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000sank\u3002\u3000The\u3000decrepit\u3000animal\u3000would\u3000never\u3000pull\u3000the\u3000hill\u3002\u3000The\u3000slope\u3000had\u3000always\u3000seemed\u3000so\u3000slight\uff1b\u3000so\u3000gradual\uff1b\u3000in\u3000days\u3000when\u3000she\u3000galloped\u3000up\u3000it\u3000on\u3000her\u3000fleet\u2026footed\u3000mare\u3002\u3000It\u3000did\u3000not\u3000seem\u3000possible\u3000it\u3000could\u3000have\u3000grown\u3000so\u3000steep\u3000since\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000it\u3000last\u3002\u3000The\u3000horse\u3000would\u3000never\u3000make\u3000it\u3000with\u3000the\u3000heavy\u3000load\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Wearily\u3000she\u3000dismounted\u3000and\u3000took\u3000the\u3000animal\u3000by\u3000the\u3000bridle\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cGet\u3000out\uff1b\u3000Prissy\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000commanded\uff1b\u3000\u201cand\u3000take\u3000Wade\u3002\u3000Either\u3000carry\u3000him\u3000or\u3000make\u3000him\u3000walk\u3002\u3000Lay\u3000the\u3000baby\u3000by\u3000Miss\u3000Melanie\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Wade\u3000broke\u3000into\u3000sobs\u3000and\u3000whimperings\u3000from\u3000which\u3000Scarlett\u3000could\u3000only\u3000distinguish\uff1a\u3000\u201cDark\u2014dark\u2014\u3000Wade\u3000fwightened\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cMiss\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000Ah\u3000kain\u3000walk\u3002\u3000Mah\u3000feets\u3000done\u3000blistered\u3000an\u2019\u3000dey\u2019s\u3000thoo\u3000mah\u3000shoes\uff1b\u3000an\u2019\u3000Wade\u3000an\u2019\u3000me\u3000doan\u3000weigh\u3000so\u3000much\u3000an\u2019\u2014\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000Then\u3000the\u3000shadowy\u3000outline\u3000did\u3000take\u3000form\u3002\u3000She\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000horse\u3000forward\u3000faster\u3002\u3000The\u3000white\u3000walls\u3000did\u3000show\u3000there\u3000through\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3002\u3000And\u3000untarnished\u3000by\u3000smoke\u3002\u3000Tara\u3000had\u3000escaped\uff01\u3000Home\uff01\u3000She\u3000dropped\u3000the\u3000bridle\u3000and\u3000ran\u3000the\u3000last\u3000few\u3000steps\uff1b\u3000leaped\u3000forward\u3000with\u3000an\u3000urge\u3000to\u3000clutch\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000themselves\u3000in\u3000her\u3000arms\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000form\uff1b\u3000shadowy\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dimness\uff1b\u3000emerging\u3000from\u3000the\u3000blackness\u3000of\u3000the\u3000front\u3000veranda\u3000and\u3000standing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000steps\u3002\u3000Tara\u3000was\u3000not\u3000deserted\u3002\u3000Someone\u3000was\u3000home\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000A\u3000cry\u3000of\u3000joy\u3000rose\u3000to\u3000her\u3000throat\u3000and\u3000died\u3000there\u3002\u3000The\u3000house\u3000was\u3000so\u3000dark\u3000and\u3000still\u3000and\u3000the\u3000figure\u3000did\u3000not\u3000move\u3000or\u3000call\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000What\u3000was\u3000wrong\uff1f\u3000What\u3000was\u3000wrong\uff1f\u3000Tara\u3000stood\u3000intact\uff1b\u3000yet\u3000shrouded\u3000with\u3000the\u3000same\u3000eerie\u3000quiet\u3000that\u3000hung\u3000over\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000stricken\u3000countryside\u3002\u3000Then\u3000the\u3000figure\u3000moved\u3002\u3000Stiffly\u3000and\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000it\u3000came\u3000down\u3000the\u3000steps\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cPa\uff1f\u201d\u3000she\u3000whispered\u3000huskily\uff1b\u3000doubting\u3000almost\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000he\u3002\u3000\u201cIt\u2019s\u3000me\u2014Katie\u3000Scarlett\u3002\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000come\u3000home\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Gerald\u3000moved\u3000toward\u3000her\uff1b\u3000silent\u3000as\u3000a\u3000sleepwalker\uff1b\u3000his\u3000stiff\u3000leg\u3000dragging\u3002\u3000He\u3000came\u3000close\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000her\u3000in\u3000a\u3000dazed\u3000way\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000believed\u3000she\u3000was\u3000part\u3000of\u3000a\u3000dream\u3002\u3000Putting\u3000out\u3000his\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000he\u3000laid\u3000it\u3000on\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000felt\u3000it\u3000tremble\uff1b\u3000tremble\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000awakened\u3000from\u3000a\u3000nightmare\u3000into\u3000a\u3000half\u2026sense\u3000of\u3000reality\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cDaughter\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000said\u3000with\u3000an\u3000effort\u3000\u201cDaughter\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000was\u3000silent<br \/>\n\u3000Why\u2014he\u2019s\u3000an\u3000old\u3000man\uff01\u3000thought\u3000Scarlett<br \/>\n\u3000Gerald\u2019s\u3000shoulders\u3000sagged\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000face\u3000which\u3000she\u3000could\u3000only\u3000see\u3000dimly\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000none\u3000of\u3000the\u3000virility\uff1b\u3000the\u3000restless\u3000vitality\u3000of\u3000Gerald\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000eyes\u3000that\u3000looked\u3000into\u3000hers\u3000had\u3000almost\u3000the\u3000same\u3000fear\u2026stunned\u3000look\u3000that\u3000lay\u3000in\u3000little\u3000Wade\u2019s\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000only\u3000a\u3000little\u3000old\u3000man\u3000and\u3000broken\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000And\u3000now\uff1b\u3000fear\u3000of\u3000unknown\u3000things\u3000seized\u3000her\uff1b\u3000leaped\u3000swiftly\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3000at\u3000her\u3000and\u3000she\u3000could\u3000only\u3000stand\u3000and\u3000stare\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000all\u3000the\u3000flood\u3000of\u3000questioning\u3000dammed\u3000up\u3000at\u3000her\u3000lips\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Queer\u3000that\u3000she\u3000should\u3000feel\u3000nothing\u3000now\uff1b\u3000nothing\u3000except\u3000a         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            he\u3000died\u3000yesterday\u2014she\u3000died\u3000yesterday\u3002\u201d<br 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--><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000died\u3000on\u3000scant\u3000acres\uff1b\u3000fighting\u3000to\u3000the\u3000end\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000homes\u3000where\u3000they\u3000had\u3000lived\uff1b\u3000plowed\uff1b\u3000loved\uff1b\u3000begotten\u3000sons\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000said\u3000that\u3000they\u3000would\u3000be\u3000burning\u3000the\u3000house\u3000over\u3000the\u3000heads\u3000of\u3000three\u3000dying\u3000women\u3002\u3000But\u3000we\u3000would\u3000not\u3000leave\u3002\u3000The\u3000young\u3000officer\u3000was\u2014was\u3000a\u3000gentleman\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cA\u3000Yankee\u3000a\u3000gentleman\uff1f\u3000Why\uff1b\u3000Pa\uff01\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000As\u3000she\u3000took\u3000the\u3000whisky\u3000from\u3000him\u3000and\u3000held\u3000it\u3000to\u3000her\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000follow\u3000her\uff1b\u3000a\u3000vague\u3000stirring\u3000of\u3000disapproval\u3000in\u3000them\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000know\u3000no\u3000lady\u3000drinks\u3000spirits\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000said\u3000briefly\u3002\u3000\u201cBut\u3000today\u3000I\u2019m\u3000no\u3000lady\uff1b\u3000Pa\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000is\u3000work\u3000to\u3000do\u3000tonight\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000tilted\u3000the\u3000dipper\uff1b\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\u3000and\u3000drank\u3000swiftly\u3002\u3000The\u3000hot\u3000liquid\u3000burned\u3000down\u3000her\u3000throat\u3000to\u3000her\u3000stomach\uff1b\u3000choking\u3000her\u3000and\u3000bringing\u3000tears\u3000to\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000She\u3000drew\u3000another\u3000breath\u3000and\u3000raised\u3000it\u3000again\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cHow\u3000could\u3000it\u3000make\u3000me\u3000tipsy\uff1b\u3000Pa\uff1f\u3000I\u2019m\u3000your\u3000daughter\u3002\u3000Haven\u2019t\u3000I\u3000inherited\u3000the\u3000steadiest\u3000head\u3000in\u3000Clayton\u3000County\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000He\u3000almost\u3000smiled\u3000into\u3000her\u3000tired\u3000face\u3002\u3000The\u3000whisky\u3000was\u3000bracing\u3000him\u3000too\u3002\u3000She\u3000handed\u3000it\u3000back\u3000to\u3000him\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cNow\u3000you\u2019re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000take\u3000another\u3000drink\u3000and\u3000then\u3000I\u3000am\u3000going\u3000to\u3000take\u3000you\u3000upstairs\u3000and\u3000put\u3000you\u3000to\u3000bed\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000rose\u3000unsteadily\u3000and\u3000put\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000Dilcey\u2019s\u3000arm\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cIt\u3000was\u3000good\u3000of\u3000you\u3000to\u3000stay\uff1b\u3000Dilcey\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cHow\u3000could\u3000I\u3000go\u3000off\u3000wid\u3000them\u3000trashy\u3000niggers\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000after\u3000yo\u2019\u3000pa\u3000been\u3000so\u3000good\u3000to\u3000buy\u3000me\u3000and\u3000my\u3000little\u3000Prissy\u3000and\u3000yo\u2019\u3000ma\u3000been\u3000so\u3000kine\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cSit\u3000down\uff1b\u3000Dilcey\u3002\u3000The\u3000baby\u3000can\u3000eat\u3000all\u3000right\uff1b\u3000then\uff1f\u3000And\u3000how\u3000is\u3000Miss\u3000Melanie\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cNuthin\u2019\u3000wrong\u3000wid\u3000this\u3000chile\u3000\u2018cept\u3000he\u3000hongry\uff1b\u3000and\u3000what\u3000it\u3000take\u3000to\u3000feed\u3000a\u3000hongry\u3000chile\u3000I\u3000got\u3002\u3000No\u2019m\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Melanie\u3000is\u3000all\u3000right\u3002\u3000She\u3000ain\u2019\u3000gwine\u3000die\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Scarlett\u3002\u3000Doan\u3000you\u3000fret\u3000yo\u2019seff\u3002\u3000I\u3000seen\u3000too\u3000many\uff1b\u3000white\u3000and\u3000black\uff1b\u3000lak\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000mighty\u3000tired\u3000and\u3000nervous\u3000like\u3000and\u3000scared\u3000fo\u2019\u3000this\u3000baby\u3002\u3000But\u3000I\u3000hesh\u3000her\u3000and\u3000give\u3000her\u3000some\u3000of\u3000whut\u3000was\u3000lef\u3000in\u3000that\u3000go\u2019de\u3000and\u3000she\u3000sleepin\u2019\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000So\u3000the\u3000corn\u3000whisky\u3000had\u3000been\u3000used\u3000by\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000family\uff01\u3000Scarlett\u3000thought\u3000hysterically\u3000that\u3000perhaps\u3000she\u3000had\u3000better\u3000give\u3000a\u3000drink\u3000to\u3000little\u3000Wade\u3000and\u3000see\u3000if\u3000it\u3000would\u3000stop\u3000his\u3000hiccoughs\u2014\u3000A         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            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\/>\n\u3000\u201cYes\u2019m\uff1b\u3000it\u3000buhnt\u3000up\u3002\u3000The\u3000sojers\u3000rolls\u3000it\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000shed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000back\u3000yard\u3000and\u3000hollers\uff1b\u3000\u2018Here\u3000the\u3000bigges\u2019\u3000bonfiah\u3000in\u3000Georgia\uff1b\u2019\u3000and\u3000tech\u3000it\u3000off\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Three\u3000years\u3000of\u3000stored\u3000cotton\u2014one\u3000hundred\u3000and\u3000fifty\u3000thousand\u3000dollars\uff1b\u3000all\u3000in\u3000one\u3000blaze\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cAnd\u3000the\u3000fiah\u3000light\u3000up\u3000the\u3000place\u3000lak\u3000it\u3000wuz\u3000day\u2014we\u3000wuz\u3000scared\u3000the\u3000house\u3000would\u3000buhn\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000wuz\u3000so\u3000bright\u3000in\u3000this\u3000hyah\u3000room\u3000that\u3000you\u3000could\u3000mos\u2019\u3000pick\u3000a\u3000needle\u3000offen\u3000the\u3000flo\u2019\u3002\u3000And\u3000w\u2019en\u3000the\u3000light\u3000shine\u3000in\u3000the\u3000winder\uff1b\u3000it\u3000look\u3000lak\u3000it\u3000wake\u3000Miss\u3000Ellen\u3000up\u3000and\u3000she\u3000set\u3000right\u3000up\u3000in\u3000bed\u3000and\u3000cry\u3000out\u3000loud\uff1b\u3000time\u3000and\u3000again\uff1a\u3000\u201cFeeleep\uff01\u3000Feeleep\uff01\u2019\u3000I\u3000ain\u2019\u3000never\u3000heerd\u3000no\u3000sech\u3000name\u3000but\u3000it\u3000wuz\u3000a\u3000name\u3000and\u3000she\u3000wuz\u3000callin\u2019\u3000him\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Mammy\u3000stood\u3000as\u3000though\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000stone\u3000glaring\u3000at\u3000Dilcey\u3000but\u3000Scarlett\u3000dropped\u3000her\u3000head\u3000into\u3000her\u3000hands\u3002\u3000Philippe\u2014who\u3000was\u3000he\u3000and\u3000what\u3000had\u3000he\u3000been\u3000to\u3000Mother\u3000that\u3000she\u3000died\u3000calling\u3000him\uff1f<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000long\u3000road\u3000from\u3000Atlanta\u3000to\u3000Tara\u3000had\u3000ended\uff1b\u3000ended\u3000in\u3000a\u3000blank\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000the\u3000road\u3000that\u3000was\u3000to\u3000end\u3000in\u3000Ellen\u2019s\u3000arms\u3002\u3000Never\u3000again\u3000could\u3000Scarlett\u3000lie\u3000down\uff1b\u3000as\u3000a\u3000child\uff1b\u3000secure\u3000beneath\u3000her\u3000father\u2019s\u3000roof\u3000with\u3000the\u3000protection\u3000of\u3000her\u3000mother\u2019s\u3000love\u3000wrapped\u3000about\u3000her\u3000like\u3000an\u3000eiderdown\u3000quilt\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000security\u3000or\u3000haven\u3000to\u3000which\u3000she\u3000could\u3000turn\u3000now\u3002\u3000No\u3000turning\u3000or\u3000twisting\u3000would\u3000avoid\u3000this\u3000dead\u3000end\u3000to\u3000which\u3000she\u3000had\u3000come\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000one\u3000on\u3000whose\u3000shoulders\u3000she\u3000could\u3000rest\u3000her\u3000burdens\u3002\u3000Her\u3000father\u3000was\u3000old\u3000and\u3000stunned\uff1b\u3000her\u3000sisters\u3000ill\uff1b\u3000Melanie\u3000frail\u3000and\u3000weak\uff1b\u3000the\u3000children\u3000helpless\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000negroes\u3000looking\u3000up\u3002\u3000to\u3000her\u3000with\u3000childlike\u3000faith\uff1b\u3000clinging\u3000to\u3000her\u3000skirts\uff1b\u3000knowing\u3000that\u3000Ellen\u2019s\u3000daughter\u3000would\u3000be\u3000the\u3000refuge\u3000Ellen\u3000had\u3000always\u3000been\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Through\u3000the\u3000window\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000faint\u3000light\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rising\u3000moon\uff1b\u3000Tara\u3000stretched\u3000before\u3000her\uff1b\u3000negroes\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000acres\u3000desolate\uff1b\u3000barns\u3000ruined\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000body\u3000bleeding\u3000under\u3000her\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000like\u3000her\u3000own\u3000body\uff1b\u3000slowly\u3000bleeding\u3002\u3000This\u3000was\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000road\uff1b\u3000quivering\u3000old\u3000age\uff1b\u3000sickness\uff1b\u3000hungry\u3000mouths\uff1b\u3000helpless\u3000hands\u3000plucking         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            s\u3000hands\u3000plucking\u3000at\u3000her\u3000skirts\u3002\u3000And\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000this\u3000road\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000nothing\u2014nothing\u3000but\u3000Scarlett\u3000O\u2019Hara\u3000Hamilton\uff1b\u3000nineteen\u3000years\u3000old\uff1b\u3000a\u3000widow\u3000with\u3000a\u3000little\u3000child\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000What\u3000would\u3000she\u3000do\u3000with\u3000all\u3000of\u3000this\uff1f\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Burrs\u3000in\u3000Macon\u3000could\u3000take\u3000Melanie\u3000and\u3000her\u3000baby\u3002\u3000If\u3000the\u3000girls\u3000recovered\uff1b\u3000Ellen\u2019s\u3000family\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000take\u3000them\uff1b\u3000whether\u3000they\u3000liked\u3000it\u3000or\u3000not\u3002\u3000And\u3000she\u3000and\u3000Gerald\u3000could\u3000turn\u3000to\u3000Uncle\u3000James\u3000and\u3000Andrew\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000thin\u3000forms\uff1b\u3000tossing\u3000before\u3000her\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sheets\u3000about\u3000them\u3000moist\u3000and\u3000dark\u3000from\u3000dripping\u3000water\u3002\u3000She\u3000did\u3000not\u3000like\u3000Suellen\u3002\u3000She\u3000saw\u3000it\u3000now\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000clarity\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000never\u3000liked\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000did\u3000not\u3000especially\u3000love\u3000Carreen\u2014she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000love\u3000anyone\u3000who\u3000was\u3000weak\u3002\u3000But\u3000they\u3000were\u3000of\u3000her\u3000blood\uff1b\u3000part\u3000of\u3000Tara\u3002\u3000No\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000let\u3000them\u3000live\u3000out\u3000their\u3000lives\u3000in\u3000their\u3000aunts\u2019\u3000homes\u3000as\u3000poor\u3000relations\u3002\u3000An\u3000O\u2019Hara\u3000a\u3000poor\u3000relation\uff1b\u3000living\u3000on\u3000charity\u3000bread\u3000and\u3000sufferance\uff01\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000never\u3000that\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000Was\u3000there\u3000no\u3000escape\u3000from\u3000this\u3000dead\u3000end\uff1f\u3000Her\u3000tired\u3000brain\u3000moved\u3000so\u3000slowly\u3002\u3000She\u3000raised\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000to\u3000her\u3000head\u3000as\u3000wearily\u3000as\u3000if\u3000the\u3000air\u3000were\u3000water\u3000against\u3000which\u3000her\u3000arms\u3000struggled\u3002\u3000She\u3000took\u3000the\u3000gourd\u3000from\u3000between\u3000the\u3000glass\u3000and\u3000bottle\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000in\u3000it\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000some\u3000whisky\u3000left\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bottom\uff1b\u3000how\u3000much\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000tell\u3000in\u3000the\u3000uncertain\u3000light\u3002\u3000Strange\u3000that\u3000the\u3000sharp\u3000smell\u3000did\u3000not\u3000offend\u3000her\u3000nostrils\u3000now\u3002\u3000She\u3000drank\u3000slowly\u3000but\u3000this\u3000time\u3000the\u3000liquid\u3000did\u3000not\u3000burn\uff1b\u3000only\u3000a\u3000dull\u3000warmth\u3000followed\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000set\u3000down\u3000the\u3000empty\u3000gourd\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000about\u3000her\u3002\u3000This\u3000was\u3000all\u3000a\u3000dream\uff1b\u3000this\u3000smoke\u2026filled\u3000dim\u3000room\uff1b\u3000the\u3000scrawny\u3000girls\uff1b\u3000Mammy\u3000shapeless\u3000and\u3000huge\u3000crouching\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000bed\uff1b\u3000Dilcey\u3000a\u3000still\u3000bronze\u3000image\u3000with\u3000the\u3000sleeping\u3000pink\u3000morsel\u3000against\u3000her\u3000dark\u3000breast\u2014all\u3000a\u3000dream\u3000from\u3000which\u3000she\u3000would\u3000awake\uff1b\u3000to\u3000smell\u3000bacon\u3000frying\u3000in\u3000the\u3000kitchen\uff1b\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000throaty\u3000laughter\u3000of\u3000the\u3000negroes\u3000and\u3000the\u3000creaking\u3000of\u3000wagons\u3000fieldward\u3000bound\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Ellen\u2019s\u3000gentle\u3000insistent\u3000hand\u3000upon\u3000her\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000discovered\u3000she\u3000was\u3000in\u3000her\u3000own\u3000room\uff1b\u3000on\u3000her\u3000own\u3000bed\uff1b\u3000faint\u3000moonlight\u3000pricking\u3000the\u3000darkness\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Mammy\u3000and\u3000Dilcey\u3000were\u3000undressing\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000torturing\u3000stays\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000pinched\u3000her\u3000waist\u3000and\u3000she\u3000could\u3000breathe\u3000deeply\u3000and\u3000quietly\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000her\u3000lungs\u3000and\u3000her\u3000abdomen\u3002\u3000She\u3000felt\u3000her\u3000stockings\u3000being\u3000stripped\u3000gently\u3000from\u3000her\u3000and\u3000heard\u3000Mammy\u3000murmuring\u3000indistinguishable\u3000comforting\u3000sounds\u3000as\u3000she\u3000bathed\u3000her\u3000blistered\u3000feet\u3002\u3000How\u3000cool\u3000the\u3000water\u3000was\uff1b\u3000how\u3000good\u3000to\u3000lie\u3000here\u3000in\u3000softness\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000child\u3002\u3000She\u3000sighed\u3000and\u3000relaxed\u3000and\u3000after\u3000a\u3000time\u3000which\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000a\u3000year\u3000or\u3000a\u3000second\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000alone\u3000and\u3000the\u3000room\u3000was\u3000brighter\u3000as\u3000the\u3000rays\u3000of\u3000the\u3000moon\u3000streamed\u3000in\u3000across\u3000the\u3000bed\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000did\u3000not\u3000know\u3000she\u3000was\u3000drunk\uff1b\u3000drunk\u3000with\u3000fatigue\u3000and\u3000whisky\u3002\u3000She\u3000only\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000had\u3000left\u3000her\u3000tired\u3000body\u3000and\u3000floated\u3000somewhere\u3000above\u3000it\u3000where\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000pain\u3000and\u3000weariness\u3000and\u3000her\u3000brain\u3000saw\u3000things\u3000with\u3000an\u3000inhuman\u3000clarity\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000was\u3000seeing\u3000things\u3000with\u3000new\u3000eyes\u3000for\uff1b\u3000somewhere\u3000along\u3000the\u3000long\u3000road\u3000to\u3000Tara\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000left\u3000her\u3000girlhood\u3000behind\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000plastic\u3000clay\uff1b\u3000yielding\u3000imprint\u3000to\u3000each\u3000new\u3000experience\u3002\u3000The\u3000clay\u3000had\u3000hardened\uff1b\u3000some\u3000time\u3000in\u3000this\u3000indeterminate\u3000day\u3000which\u3000had\u3000lasted\u3000a\u3000thousand\u3000years\u3002\u3000Tonight\u3000was\u3000the\u3000last\u3000time\u3000she\u3000would\u3000ever\u3000be\u3000ministered\u3000to\u3000as\u3000a\u3000child\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000a\u3000woman\u3000now\u3000and\u3000youth\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000No\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\uff1b\u3000would\u3000not\uff1b\u3000turn\u3000to\u3000Gerald\u2019s\u3000or\u3000Ellen\u2019s\u3000families\u3002\u3000The\u3000O\u2019Haras\u3000did\u3000not\u3000take\u3000charity\u3002\u3000The\u3000O\u2019Haras\u3000looked\u3000after\u3000their\u3000own\u3002\u3000Her\u3000burdens\u3000were\u3000her\u3000own\u3000and\u3000burdens\u3000were\u3000for\u3000shoulders\u3000strong\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000bear\u3000them\u3002\u3000She\u3000thought\u3000without\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000down\u3000from\u3000her\u3000height\uff1b\u3000that\u3000her\u3000shoulders\u3000were\u3000strong\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000bear\u3000anything\u3000now\uff1b\u3000having\u3000borne\u3000the\u3000worst\u3000that\u3000could\u3000ever\u3000happen\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000not\u3000desert\u3000Tara\uff1b\u3000she\u3000belonged\u3000to\u3000the\u3000red\u3000acres\u3000far\u3000more\u3000than\u3000they\u3000could\u3000ever\u3000belong\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000Her\u3000roots\u3000went\u3000deep\u3000into\u3000the\u3000blood\u2026colored\u3000soil\u3000and\u3000sucked\u3000up\u3000life\uff1b\u3000as\u3000did\u3000the\u3000cotton\u3002\u3000She\u3000would\u3000stay\u3000at\u3000Tara\u3000and\u3000keep\u3000it\uff1b\u3000somehow\uff1b\u3000keep\u3000her\u3000father\u3000and\u3000her\u3000sisters\uff1b\u3000Melanie\u3000and\u3000Ashley\u2019s\u3000child\uff1b\u3000the\u3000negroes\u3002\u3000Tomorrow\u2014oh\uff1b\u3000tomorrow\uff01\u3000Tomorrow\u3000she\u3000would\u3000fit\u3000the\u3000yoke\u3000about\u3000her\u3000neck\u3002\u3000Tomorrow\u3000there\u3000would\u3000be\u3000so\u3000many\u3000things\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3000Go\u3000to\u3000Twelve\u3000Oaks\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Macintosh\u3000place\u3000and\u3000see\u3000if\u3000anything\u3000was\u3000left\u3000in\u3000the\u3000deserted\u3000gardens\uff1b\u3000go\u3000to\u3000the\u3000river\u3000swamps\u3000and\u3000beat\u3000them\u3000for\u3000straying\u3000hogs\u3000and\u3000chickens\uff1b\u3000go\u3000to\u3000Jonesboro\u3000and\u3000Lovejoy\u3000with\u3000Ellen\u2019s\u3000jewelry\u2014there\u3000must\u3000be\u3000someone\u3000left\u3000there\u3000who\u3000would\u3000sell\u3000something\u3000to\u3000eat\u3002\u3000Tomorrow\u2014tomorrow\u2014her\u3000brain\u3000ticked\u3000slowly\u3000and\u3000more\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000clock\u3000running\u3000down\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000clarity\u3000of\u3000vision\u3000persisted\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Of\u3000a\u3000sudden\uff1b\u3000the\u3000oft\u2026told\u3000family\u3000tales\u3000to\u3000which\u3000she\u3000had\u3000listened\u3000since\u3000babyhood\uff1b\u3000listened\u3000half\u2026bored\uff1b\u3000impatient\u3000and\u3000but\u3000partly\u3000comprehending\uff1b\u3000were\u3000crystal\u3000clear\u3002\u3000Gerald\uff1b\u3000penniless\uff1b\u3000had\u3000raised\u3000Tara\uff1b\u3000Ellen\u3000had\u3000risen\u3000above\u3000some\u3000mysterious\u3000sorrow\uff1b\u3000Grandfather\u3000Robillard\u3002\u3000surviving\u3000the\u3000wreck\u3000of\u3000Napoleon\u2019s\u3000throne\uff1b\u3000had\u3000founded\u3000his\u3000fortunes\u3000anew\u3000on\u3000the\u3000fertile\u3000Georgia\u3000coast\uff1b\u3000Great\u2026grandfather\u3000Prudhomme\u3000had\u3000carved\u3000a\u3000small\u3000kingdom\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000jungles\u3000of\u3000Haiti\uff1b\u3000lost\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000lived\u3000to\u3000see\u3000his\u3000name\u3000honored\u3000in\u3000Savannah\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000the\u3000Scarletts\u3000who\u3000had\u3000fought\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Irish\u3000Volunteers\u3000for\u3000a\u3000free\u3000Ireland\u3000and\u3000been\u3000hanged\u3000for\u3000their\u3000pains\u3000and\u3000the\u3000O\u2019Haras\u3000who\u3000died\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Boyne\uff1b\u3000battling\u3000to\u3000the\u3000end\u3000for\u3000what\u3000was\u3000theirs\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000All\u3000had\u3000suffered\u3000crushing\u3000misfortunes\u3000and\u3000had\u3000not\u3000been\u3000crushed\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000not\u3000been\u3000broken\u3000by\u3000the\u3000crash\u3000of\u3000empires\uff1b\u3000the\u3000machetes\u3000of\u3000revolting\u3000slaves\uff1b\u3000war\uff1b\u3000rebellion\uff1b\u3000proscription\uff1b\u3000confiscation\u3002\u3000Malign\u3000fate\u3000had\u3000broken\u3000their\u3000necks\uff1b\u3000perhaps\uff1b\u3000but\u3000never\u3000their\u3000hearts\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000not\u3000whined\uff1b\u3000they\u3000had\u3000fought\u3002\u3000And\u3000when\u3000they\u3000died\uff1b\u3000they\u3000died\u3000spent\u3000but\u3000unquenched\u3002\u3000All\u3000of\u3000those\u3000shadowy\u3000folks\u3000whose\u3000blood\u3000flowed\u3000in\u3000her\u3000veins\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000move\u3000quietly\u3000in\u3000the\u3000moonlit\u3000room\u3002\u3000And\u3000Scarlett\u3000was\u3000not\u3000surprised\u3000to\u3000see\u3000them\uff1b\u3000these\u3000kinsmen\u3000who\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000the\u3000worst\u3000that\u3000fate\u3000could\u3000send\u3000and\u3000hammered\u3000it\u3000into\u3000the\u3000best\u3002\u3000Tara\u3000was\u3000her\u3000fate\uff1b\u3000her\u3000fight\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000must\u3000conquer\u3000it\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000drowsily\u3000on\u3000her\u3000side\uff1b\u3000a\u3000slow\u3000creeping\u3000blackness\u3000enveloping\u3000her\u3000mind\u3002\u3000Were\u3000they\u3000really\u3000there\uff1b\u3000whispering\u3000wordless\u3000encouragement\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000or\u3000was\u3000this\u3000part\u3000of\u3000her\u3000dream\uff1f<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWhether\u3000you\u3000are\u3000there\u3000or\u3000not\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000murmured\u3000sleepily\uff1b\u3000\u201cgood\u3000night\u2014and\u3000thank\u3000you\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000CHAPTER\u3000XXV<br 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\/>\n\u3000She\u3000left\u3000the\u3000dining\u3000room\u3000without\u3000eating\uff1b\u3000and\u3000went\u3000out\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000back\u3000porch\u3000where\u3000she\u3000found\u3000Pork\uff1b\u3000barefooted\u3000and\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ragged\u3000remains\u3000of\u3000his\u3000best\u3000livery\uff1b\u3000sitting\u3000on\u3000the\u3000steps\u3000cracking\u3000peanuts\u3002\u3000Her\u3000head\u3000was\u3000hammering\u3000and\u3000throbbing\u3000and\u3000the\u3000bright\u3000sunlight\u3000stabbed\u3000into\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000Merely\u3000holding\u3000herself\u3000erect\u3000required\u3000an\u3000effort\u3000of\u3000will\u3000power\u3000and\u3000she\u3000talked\u3000as\u3000briefly\u3000as\u3000possible\uff1b\u3000dispensing\u3000with\u3000the\u3000usual\u3000forms\u3000of\u3000courtesy\u3000her\u3000mother\u3000had\u3000always\u3000taught\u3000her\u3000to\u3000use\u3000with\u3000negroes\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000began\u3000asking\u3000questions\u3000so\u3000brusquely\u3000and\u3000giving\u3000orders\u3000so\u3000decisively\u3000Pork\u2019s\u3000eyebrows\u3000went\u3000up\u3000in\u3000mystification\u3002\u3000Miss\u3000Ellen\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000never\u3000talk\u3000so\u3000short\u3000to\u3000nobody\uff1b\u3000not\u3000even\u3000when\u3000she\u3000caught\u3000them\u3000stealing\u3000pullets\u3000and\u3000watermelons\u3002\u3000She\u3000asked\u3000again\u3000about\u3000the\u3000fields\uff1b\u3000the\u3000gardens\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stock\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000green\u3000eyes\u3000had\u3000a\u3000hard\u3000bright\u3000glaze\u3000which\u3000Pork\u3000had\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000in\u3000them\u3000before\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYas\u2019m\uff1b\u3000dat\u3000hawse\u3000daid\uff1b\u3000lyin\u2019\u3000dar\u3000whar\u3000Ah\u3000tie\u3000him\u3000wid\u3000his\u3000nose\u3000in         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            d\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000in\u3000them\u3000before\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYas\u2019m\uff1b\u3000dat\u3000hawse\u3000daid\uff1b\u3000lyin\u2019\u3000dar\u3000whar\u3000Ah\u3000tie\u3000him\u3000wid\u3000his\u3000nose\u3000in\u3000de\u3000water\u3000bucket\u3000he\u3000tuhned\u3000over\u3002\u3000No\u2019m\uff1b\u3000de\u3000cow\u3000ain\u2019\u3000daid\u3002\u3000Din\u2019\u3000you\u3000know\uff1f\u3000She\u3000done\u3000have\u3000a\u3000calf\u3000las\u2019\u3000night\u3000Dat\u3000why\u3000she\u3000beller\u3000so\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cA\u3000fine\u3000midwife\u3000your\u3000Prissy\u3000will\u3000make\uff1b\u201d\u3000Scarlett\u3000remarked\u3000caustically\u3002\u3000\u201cShe\u3000said\u3000she\u3000was\u3000bellowing\u3000because\u3000she\u3000needed\u3000milking\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cYou\u3000two\u3000will\u3000catch\u3000the\u3000sow\u2014or\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\uff1b\u3000like\u3000the\u3000field\u3000hands\u3000did\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Tears\u3000trembled\u3000in\u3000Pork\u2019s\u3000hurt\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000if\u3000only\u3000Miss\u3000Ellen\u3000was\u3000here\uff01\u3000She\u3000understood\u3000such\u3000niceties\u3000and\u3000realized\u3000the\u3000wide\u3000gap\u3000between\u3000the\u3000duties\u3000of\u3000a\u3000field\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000those\u3000of\u3000a\u3000house\u3000nigger\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cGit\u3000out\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Scarlett\uff1f\u3000Whar\u2019d\u3000Ah\u3000git\u3000out\u3000to\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Scarlett\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000don\u2019t\u3000know\u3000and\u3000I\u3000don\u2019t\u3000care\u3002\u3000But\u3000anyone\u3000at\u3000Tara\u3000who\u3000won\u2019t\u3000work\u3000can\u3000go\u3000hunt\u3000up\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3002\u3000You\u3000can\u3000tell\u3000the\u3000others\u3000that\u3000too\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYas\u2019m\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cNow\uff1b\u3000what\u3000about\u3000the\u3000corn\u3000and\u3000the\u3000cotton\uff1b\u3000Pork\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cDe\u3000cawn\uff1f\u3000Lawd\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000dey\u3000pasture\u3000dey\u3000hawses\u3000in\u3000de\u3000cawn\u3000an\u2019\u3000cah\u2019ied\u3000off\u3000whut\u3000de\u3000hawses\u3000din\u2019\u3000eat\u3000or\u3000spile\u3002\u3000An\u2019\u3000dey\u3000driv\u3000dey\u3000cannons\u3000an\u2019\u3000waggins\u3000\u2018cross\u3000de\u3000cotton\u3000till\u3000it\u3000plum\u3000ruint\uff1b\u3000\u2018cept\u3000a\u3000few\u3000acres\u3000over\u3000on\u3000de\u3000creek\u3000bottom\u3000dat\u3000dey\u3000din\u2019\u3000notice\u3002\u3000But\u3000dat\u3000cotton\u3000ain\u2019\u3000wuth\u3000foolin\u2019\u3000wid\uff1b\u3000\u2018cause\u3000ain\u2019\u3000but\u3000\u2018bout\u3000three\u3000bales\u3000over\u3000dar\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Three\u3000bales\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000the\u3000scores\u3000of\u3000bales\u3000Tara\u3000usually\u3000yielded\u3000and\u3000her\u3000head\u3000hurt\u3000worse\u3002\u3000Three\u3000bales\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000little\u3000more\u3000than\u3000the\u3000shiftless\u3000Slatterys\u3000raised\u3002\u3000To\u3000make\u3000matters\u3000worse\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000the\u3000question\u3000of\u3000taxes\u3002\u3000The\u3000Confederate\u3000government\u3000took\u3000cotton\u3000for\u3000taxes\u3000in\u3000lieu\u3000of\u3000money\uff1b\u3000but\u3000three\u3000bales\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u3000even\u3000cover\u3000the\u3000taxes\u3002\u3000Little\u3000did\u3000it\u3000matter\u3000though\uff1b\u3000to\u3000her\u3000or\u3000the\u3000Confederacy\uff1b\u3000now\u3000that\u3000all\u3000the\u3000field\u3000hands\u3000had\u3000run\u3000away\u3000and\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000one\u3000to\u3000pick\u3000the\u3000cotton\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWell\uff1b\u3000I\u3000won\u2019t\u3000think\u3000of\u3000that\u3000either\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000told\u3000herself\u3002\u3000\u201cTaxes\u3000aren\u2019t\u3000a\u3000woman\u2019s\u3000job\u3000anyway\u3002\u3000Pa\u3000ought\u3000to\u3000look\u3000after\u3000such\u3000things\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Pa\u2014\u3000I\u3000won\u2019t\u3000think\u3000of\u3000Pa\u3000now\u3002\u3000The\u3000Confederacy\u3000can\u3000whistle\u3000for\u3000its\u3000taxes\u3002\u3000What\u3000we\u3000need\u3000now\u3000is\u3000something\u3000to\u3000eat\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cPork\uff1b\u3000have\u3000any\u3000of\u3000you\u3000been\u3000to\u3000Twelve\u3000Oaks\u3000or\u3000the\u3000Macintosh\u3000place\u3000to\u3000see\u3000if\u3000there\u2019s\uff1b\u3000anything\u3000left\u3000in\u3000the\u3000gardens\u3000there\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cNo\uff1b\u3000Ma\u2019m\uff01\u3000Us\u3000ain\u2019\u3000lef\u2019\u3000Tara\u3002\u3000De\u3000Yankees\u3000mout\u3000git\u3000us\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u2019ll\u3000send\u3000Dilcey\u3000over\u3000to\u3000Macintosh\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000she\u2019ll\u3000find\u3000something\u3000there\u3002\u3000And\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000go\u3000to\u3000Twelve\u3000Oaks\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWho\u3000wid\uff1b\u3000chile\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cBy\u3000myself\u3002\u3000Mammy\u3000must\u3000stay\u3000with\u3000the\u3000girls\u3000and\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Gerald\u3000can\u2019t\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Pork\u3000set\u3000up\u3000an\u3000outcry\u3000which\u3000she\u3000found\u3000infuriating\u3002\u3000There\u3000might\u3000be\u3000Yankees\u3000or\u3000mean\u3000niggers\u3000at\u3000Twelve\u3000Oaks\u3002\u3000She\u3000mustn\u2019t\u3000go\u3000alone\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000Mammy\u2019s\u3000old\u3000sunbonnet\uff1b\u3000faded\u3000but\u3000clean\uff1b\u3000hung\u3000on\u3000its\u3000peg\u3000on\u3000the\u3000back\u3000porch\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\u3000put\u3000it\u3000on\u3000her\u3000head\uff1b\u3000remembering\uff1b\u3000as\u3000from\u3000another\u3000world\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bonnet\u3000with\u3000the\u3000curling\u3000green\u3000plume\u3000which\u3000Rhett\u3000had\u3000brought\u3000her\u3000from\u3000Paris\u3002\u3000She\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000a\u3000large\u3000split\u2026oak\u3000basket\u3000and\u3000started\u3000down\u3000the\u3000back\u3000stairs\uff1b\u3000each\u3000step\u3000jouncing\u3000her\u3000head\u3000until\u3000her\u3000spine\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000crash\u3000through\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000her\u3000skull\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000There\u3000towered\u3000the\u3000twelve\u3000oaks\uff1b\u3000as\u3000they\u3000had\u3000stood\u3000since\u3000Indian\u3000days\uff1b\u3000but\u3000with\u3000their\u3000leaves\u3000brown\u3000from\u3000fire\u3000and\u3000the\u3000branches\u3000burned\u3000and\u3000scorched\u3002\u3000Within\u3000their\u3000circle\u3000lay\u3000the\u3000ruins\u3000of\u3000John\u3000Wilkes\u2019\u3000house\uff1b\u3000the\u3000charred\u3000remains\u3000of\u3000that\u3000once\u3000stately\u3000home\u3000which\u3000had\u3000crowned\u3000the\u3000hill\u3000in\u3000white\u2026columned\u3000dignity\u3002\u3000The\u3000deep\u3000pit\u3000which\u3000had\u3000been\u3000the\u3000cellar\uff1b\u3000the\u3000blackened\u3000field\u2026stone\u3000foundations\u3000and\u3000two\u3000mighty\u3000chimneys\u3000marked\u3000the\u3000site\u3002\u3000One\u3000long\u3000column\uff1b\u3000half\u2026burned\uff1b\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000across\u3000the\u3000lawn\uff1b\u3000crushing\u3000the\u3000cape\u3000jessamine\u3000bushes\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000sat\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000column\uff1b\u3000too\u3000sick\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sight\u3000to\u3000go\u3000on\u3002\u3000This\u3000desolation\u3000went\u3000to\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000as\u3000nothing\u3000she\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000experienced\u3002\u3000Here\u3000was\u3000the\u3000Wilkes\u3000pride\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dust\u3000at\u3000her\u3000feet\u3002\u3000Here\u3000was\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000kindly\uff1b\u3000courteous\u3000house\u3000which\u3000had\u3000always\u3000welcomed\u3000her\uff1b\u3000the\u3000house\u3000where\u3000in\u3000futile\u3000dreams\u3000she\u3000had\u3000aspired\u3000to\u3000be\u3000mistress\u3002\u3000Here\u3000she\u3000had\u3000danced\u3000and\u3000dined\u3000and\u3000flirted\u3000and\u3000here\u3000she\u3000had\u3000watched\u3000with\u3000a\u3000jealous\uff1b\u3000hurting\u3000heart\u3000how\u3000Melanie\u3000smiled\u3000up\u3000at\u3000Ashley\u3002\u3000Here\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cool\u3000shadows\u3000of\u3000the\u3000trees\uff1b\u3000Charles\u3000Hamilton\u3000had\u3000rapturously\u3000pressed\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000when\u3000she\u3000said\u3000she\u3000would\u3000marry\u3000him\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000Ashley\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000\u201cI\u3000hope\u3000you\u3000are\u3000dead\uff01\u3000I\u3000could\u3000never\u3000bear\u3000for\u3000you\u3000to\u3000see\u3000this\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Ashley\u3000had\u3000married\u3000his\u3000bride\u3000here\u3000but\u3000his\u3000son\u3000and\u3000his\u3000son\u2019s\u3000son\u3000would\u3000never\u3000bring\u3000brides\u3000to\u3000this\u3000house\u3002\u3000There\u3000would\u3000be\u3000no\u3000more\u3000matings\u3000and\u3000births\u3000beneath\u3000this\u3000roof\u3000which\u3000she\u3000had\u3000so\u3000loved\u3000and\u3000longed\u3000to\u3000rule\u3002\u3000The\u3000house\u3000was\u3000dead\u3000and\u3000to\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000as\u3000if\u3000all\u3000the\u3000Wilkeses\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000were\u3000dead\u3000in\u3000its\u3000ashes\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000won\u2019t\u3000think\u3000of\u3000it\u3000now\u3002\u3000I\u3000can\u2019t\u3000stand\u3000it\u3000now\u3002\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000think\u3000of\u3000it\u3000later\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000said\u3000aloud\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000away\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Seeking\u3000the\u3000garden\uff1b\u3000she\u3000limped\u3000around\u3000the\u3000\u2018ruins\uff1b\u3000by\u3000the\u3000trampled\u3000rose\u3000beds\u3000the\u3000Wilkes\u3000girls\u3000had\u3000tended\u3000so\u3000zealously\uff1b\u3000across\u3000the\u3000back\u3000yard\u3000and\u3000through\u3000the\u3000ashes\u3000to\u3000the\u3000smokehouse\uff1b\u3000barns\u3000and\u3000chicken\u3000houses\u3002\u3000The\u3000split\u2026rail\u3000fence\u3000around\u3000the\u3000kitchen\u3000garden\u3000had\u3000been\u3000demolished\u3000and\u3000the\u3000once\u3000orderly\u3000rows\u3000of\u3000green\u3000plants\u3000had\u3000suffered\u3000the\u3000same\u3000treatment\u3000as\u3000those\u3000at\u3000Tara\u3002\u3000The\u3000soft\u3000earth\u3000was\u3000scarred\u3000with\u3000hoof\u3000prints\u3000and\u3000heavy\u3000wheels\u3000and\u3000the\u3000vegetables\u3000were\u3000mashed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000soil\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000for\u3000her\u3000here\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000walked\u3000back\u3000across\u3000the\u3000yard\u3000and\u3000took\u3000the\u3000path\u3000down\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000silent\u3000row\u3000of\u3000whitewashed\u3000cabins\u3000in\u3000the\u3000quarters\uff1b\u3000calling\u3000\u201cHello\uff01\u201d\u3000as\u3000she\u3000went\u3002\u3000But\u3000no\u3000voice\u3000answered\u3000her\u3002\u3000Not\u3000even\u3000a\u3000dog\u3000barked\u3002\u3000Evidently\u3000the\u3000Wilkes\u3000negroes\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000flight\u3000or\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000every\u3000slave\u3000had\u3000his\u3000own\u3000garden\u3000patch\u3000and\u3000as\u3000she\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000quarters\uff1b\u3000she\u3000hoped\u3000these\u3000little\u3000patches\u3000had\u3000been\u3000spared\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Her\u3000search\u3000was\u3000rewarded\u3000but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000too\u3000tired\u3000even\u3000to\u3000feel\u3000pleasure\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000turnips\u3000and\u3000cabbages\uff1b\u3000wilted\u3000for\u3000want\u3000of\u3000water\u3000but\u3000still\u3000standing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000straggling\u3000butter\u3000bea         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000Her\u3000search\u3000was\u3000rewarded\u3000but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000too\u3000tired\u3000even\u3000to\u3000feel\u3000pleasure\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000turnips\u3000and\u3000cabbages\uff1b\u3000wilted\u3000for\u3000want\u3000of\u3000water\u3000but\u3000still\u3000standing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000straggling\u3000butter\u3000beans\u3000and\u3000snap\u3000beans\uff1b\u3000yellow\u3000but\u3000edible\u3002\u3000She\u3000sat\u3000down\u3000in\u3000the\u3000furrows\u3000and\u3000dug\u3000into\u3000the\u3000earth\u3000with\u3000hands\u3000that\u3000shook\uff1b\u3000filling\u3000her\u3000basket\u3000slowly\u3002\u3000There\u3000would\u3000be\u3000a\u3000good\u3000meal\u3000at\u3000Tara\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3000in\u3000spite\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000side\u3000meat\u3000to\u3000boil\u3000with\u3000the\u3000vegetables\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bacon\u3000grease\u3000Dilcey\u3000was\u3000using\u3000for\u3000illumination\u3000could\u3000be\u3000used\u3000for\u3000seasoning\u3002\u3000She\u3000must\u3000remember\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000Dilcey\u3000to\u3000use\u3000pine\u3000knots\u3000and\u3000save\u3000the\u3000grease\u3000for\u3000cooking\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Close\u3000to\u3000the\u3000back\u3000step\u3000of\u3000one\u3000cabin\uff1b\u3000she\u3000found\u3000a\u3000short\u3000row\u3000of\u3000radishes\u3000and\u3000hunger\u3000assaulted\u3000her\u3000suddenly\u3002\u3000A\u3000spicy\uff1b\u3000sharp\u2026tasting\u3000radish\u3000was\u3000exactly\u3000what\u3000her\u3000stomach\u3000craved\u3002\u3000Hardly\u3000waiting\u3000to\u3000rub\u3000the\u3000dirt\u3000off\u3000on\u3000her\u3000skirt\uff1b\u3000she\u3000bit\u3000off\u3000half\u3000and\u3000swallowed\u3000it\u3000hastily\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000old\u3000and\u3000coarse\u3000and\u3000so\u3000peppery\u3000that\u3000tears\u3000started\u3000in\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000No\u3000sooner\u3000had\u3000the\u3000lump\u3000gone\u3000down\u3000than\u3000her\u3000empty\u3000outraged\u3000stomach\u3000revolted\u3000and\u3000she\u3000lay\u3000in\u3000the\u3000soft\u3000dirt\u3000and\u3000vomited\u3000tiredly\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000faint\u3000niggery\u3000smell\u3000which\u3000crept\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cabin\u3000increased\u3000her\u3000nausea\u3000and\uff1b\u3000without\u3000strength\u3000to\u3000combat\u3000it\uff1b\u3000she\u3000kept\u3000on\u3000retching\u3000miserably\u3000while\u3000the\u3000cabins\u3000and\u3000trees\u3000revolved\u3000swiftly\u3000around\u3000her\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000After\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\uff1b\u3000she\u3000lay\u3000weakly\u3000on\u3000her\u3000face\uff1b\u3000the\u3000earth\u3000as\u3000soft\u3000and\u3000comfortable\u3000as\u3000a\u3000feather\u3000pillow\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000wandered\u3000feebly\u3000here\u3000and\u3000there\u3002\u3000She\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000O\u2019Hara\u3002\u3000was\u3000lying\u3000behind\u3000a\u3000negro\u3000cabin\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000midst\u3000of\u3000ruins\uff1b\u3000too\u3000sick\u3000and\u3000too\u3000weak\u3000to\u3000move\uff1b\u3000and\u3000no\u3000one\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3000knew\u3000or\u3000cared\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000would\u3000care\u3000if\u3000they\u3000did\u3000know\uff1b\u3000for\u3000everyone\u3000had\u3000too\u3000many\u3000troubles\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\u3000to\u3000worry\u3000about\u3000her\u3002\u3000And\u3000all\u3000this\u3000was\u3000happening\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000O\u2019Hara\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000never\u3000raised\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000even\u3000to\u3000pick\u3000up\u3000her\u3000discarded\u3000stockings\u3000from\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000or\u3000to\u3000tie\u3000the\u3000laces\u3000of\u3000her\u3000slippers\u2014Scarlett\uff1b\u3000whose\u3000little\u3000headaches\u3000and\u3000tempers\u3000had\u3000been\u3000coddled\u3000and\u3000catered\u3000to\u3000all\u3000her\u3000life\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000As\u3000she\u3000lay\u3000prostrate\uff1b\u3000too\u3000weak\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000off\u3000memories\u3000and\u3000worries\uff1b\u3000they\u3000rushed\u3000at\u3000her\u3000like\u3000buzzards\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000death\u3002\u3000No\u3000longer\u3000had\u3000she\u3000the\u3000strength\u3000to\u3000say\uff1a\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000think\u3000of\u3000Mother\u3000and\u3000Pa\u3000and\u3000Ashley\u3000and\u3000all\u3000this\u3000ruin\u3000later\u2014\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000later\u3000when\u3000I\u3000can\u3000stand\u3000it\u3002\u201d\u3000She\u3000could\u3000not\u3000stand\u3000it\u3000now\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000thinking\u3000of\u3000them\u3000whether\u3000she\u3000willed\u3000it\u3000or\u3000not\u3002\u3000The\u3000thoughts\u3000circled\u3000and\u3000swooped\u3000above\u3000her\uff1b\u3000dived\u3000down\u3000and\u3000drove\u3000tearing\u3000claws\u3000and\u3000sharp\u3000beaks\u3000into\u3000her\u3000mind\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000timeless\u3000time\uff1b\u3000she\u3000lay\u3000still\uff1b\u3000her\u3000face\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dirt\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sun\u3000beating\u3000hotly\u3000upon\u3000her\uff1b\u3000remembering\u3000things\u3000and\u3000people\u3000who\u3000were\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000remembering\u3000a\u3000way\u3000of\u3000living\u3000that\u3000was\u3000gone\u3000forever\u2014and\u3000looking\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000harsh\u3000vista\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000future\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000When\u3000she\u3000arose\u3000at\u3000last\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000again\u3000the\u3000black\u3000ruins\u3000of\u3000Twelve\u3000Oaks\uff1b\u3000her\u3000head\u3000was\u3000raised\u3000high\u3000and\u3000something\u3000that\u3000was\u3000youth\u3000and\u3000beauty\u3000and\u3000potential\u3000tenderness\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000face\u3000forever\u3002\u3000What\u3000was\u3000past\u3000was\u3000past\u3002\u3000Those\u3000who\u3000were\u3000dead\u3000were\u3000dead\u3002\u3000The\u3000lazy\u3000luxury\u3000of\u3000the\u3000old\u3000days\u3000was\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000never\u3000to\u3000return\u3002\u3000And\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Scarlett\u3000settled\u3000the\u3000heavy\u3000basket\u3000across\u3000her\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000settled\u3000her\u3000own\u3000mind\u3000and\u3000her\u3000own\u3000life\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000going\u3000back\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000going\u3000forward\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Throughout\u3000the\u3000South\u3000for\u3000fifty\u3000years\u3000there\u3000would\u3000be\u3000bitter\u2026eyed\u3000women\u3000who\u3000looked\u3000backward\uff1b\u3000to\u3000dead\u3000times\uff1b\u3000to\u3000dead\u3000men\uff1b\u3000evoking\u3000memories\u3000that\u3000hurt\u3000and\u3000were\u3000futile\uff1b\u3000bearing\u3000poverty\u3000with\u3000bitter\u3000pride\u3000because\u3000they\u3000had\u3000those\u3000memories\u3002\u3000But\u3000Scarlett\u3000was\u3000never\u3000to\u3000look\u3000back\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000gazed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000blackened\u3000stones\u3000and\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000last\u3000time\uff1b\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000Twelve\u3000Oaks\u3000rise\u3000before\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000as\u3000it\u3000had\u3000once\u3000stood\uff1b\u3000rich\u3000and\u3000proud\uff1b\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000a\u3000race\u3000and\u3000a\u3000way\u3000of\u3000living\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000started\u3000down\u3000the\u3000road\u3000toward\u3000Tara\uff1b\u3000the\u3000heavy\u3000basket\u3000cutting\u3000into\u3000her\u3000flesh\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Hunger\u3000gnawed\u3000at\u3000her\u3000empty\u3000stomach\u3000again\u3000and\u3000she\u3000said\u3000aloud\uff1a\u3000\u201cAs\u3000God\u3000is\u3000my\u3000witness\uff1b\u3000as\u3000God\u3000is\u3000my\u3000witness\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000aren\u2019t\u3000going\u3000to\u3000lick\u3000me\u3002\u3000I\u2019m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000live\u3000through\u3000this\uff1b\u3000and\u3000when\u3000it\u2019s\u3000over\uff1b\u3000I\u2019m\u3000never\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000hungry\u3000again\u3002\u3000No\uff1b\u3000nor\u3000any\u3000of\u3000my\u3000folks\u3002\u3000If\u3000I\u3000have\u3000to\u3000steal\u3000or\u3000kill\u2014\u3000as\u3000God\u3000is\u3000my\u3000witness\uff1b\u3000I\u2019m\u3000never\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000hungry\u3000again\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000In\u3000the\u3000days\u3000that\u3000followed\uff1b\u3000Tara\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000Crusoe\u2019s\u3000desert\u3000island\uff1b\u3000so\u3000still\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000so\u3000isolated\u3000from\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000world\u3002\u3000The\u3000world\u3000lay\u3000only\u3000a\u3000few\u3000miles\u3000away\uff1b\u3000but\u3000a\u3000thousand\u3000miles\u3000of\u3000tumbling\u3000waves\u3000might\u3000have\u3000stretched\u3000between\u3000Tara\u3000and\u3000Jonesboro\u3000and\u3000Fayetteville\u3000and\u3000Lovejoy\uff1b\u3000even\u3000between\u3000Tara\u3000and\u3000the\u3000neighbors\u2019\u3000plantations\u3002\u3000With\u3000the\u3000old\u3000horse\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000their\u3000one\u3000mode\u3000of\u3000conveyance\u3000was\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000was\u3000neither\u3000time\u3000nor\u3000strength\u3000for\u3000walking\u3000the\u3000weary\u3000red\u3000miles\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Sometimes\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000days\u3000of\u3000backbreaking\u3000work\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000desperate\u3000struggle\u3000for\u3000food\u3000and\u3000the\u3000never\u2026ceasing\u3000care\u3000of\u3000the\u3000three\u3000sick\u3000girls\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000found\u3000herself\u3000straining\u3000her\u3000ears\u3000for\u3000familiar\u3000sounds\u2014the\u3000shrill\u3000laughter\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pickaninnies\u3000in\u3000the\u3000quarters\uff1b\u3000the\u3000creaking\u3000of\u3000wagons\u3000home\u3000from\u3000the\u3000fields\uff1b\u3000the\u3000thunder\u3000of\u3000Gerald\u2019s\u3000stallion\u3000tearing\u3000across\u3000the\u3000pasture\uff1b\u3000the\u3000crunching\u3000of\u3000carriage\u3000wheels\u3000on\u3000the\u3000drive\u3000and\u3000the\u3000gay\u3000voices\u3000of\u3000neighbors\u3000dropping\u3000in\u3000for\u3000an\u3000afternoon\u3000of\u3000gossip\u3002\u3000But\u3000she\u3000listened\u3000in\u3000vain\u3002\u3000The\u3000road\u3000lay\u3000still\u3000and\u3000deserted\u3000and\u3000never\u3000a\u3000cloud\u3000of\u3000red\u3000dust\u3000proclaimed\u3000the\u3000approach\u3000of\u3000visitors\u3002\u3000Tara\u3000was\u3000an\u3000island\u3000in\u3000a\u3000sea\u3000of\u3000rolling\u3000green\u3000hills\u3000and\u3000red\u3000fields\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Somewhere\u3000was\u3000the\u3000world\u3000and\u3000families\u3000who\u3000ate\u3000and\u3000slept\u3000safely\u3000under\u3000their\u3000own\u3000roofs\u3002\u3000Somewhere\u3000girls\u3000in\u3000thrice\u2026turned\u3000dresses\u3000were\u3000flirting\u3000gaily\u3000and\u3000singing\u3000\u201cWhen\u3000This\u3000Cruel\u3000War\u3000Is\u3000Over\uff1b\u201d\u3000as\u3000she\u3000had\u3000done\uff1b\u3000only\u3000a\u3000few\u3000weeks\u3000before\u3002\u3000Somewhere\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000war\u3000and\u3000cannon\u3000booming\u3000and\u3000burning\u3000towns\u3000and\u3000men\u3000who\u3000rotted\u3000in\u3000hospitals\u3000amid\u3000sickening\u2026sweet\u3000stinks\u3002\u3000Somewhere\u3000a\u3000barefoot\u3000army\u3000in\u3000dirty\u3000homespun\u3000was\u3000marching\uff1b\u3000fighting\uff1b\u3000sleeping\uff1b\u3000hungry\u3000and\u3000weary\u3000with\u3000the\u3000weariness\u3000that\u3000comes\u3000when\u3000hope\u3000is\u3000gone\u3002\u3000And\u3000somewhere\u3000the\u3000hills\u3000of\u3000Georgia\u3000were\u3000blue\u3000with\u3000Yankees\uff1b\u3000well\u2026fed\u3000Yankees\u3000on\u3000sleek\u3000corn\u2026stuffed\u3000horses\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Beyond\u3000Tara\u3000was\u3000the\u3000war\u3000and\u3000the\u3000world\u3002\u3000But\u3000on\u3000the\u3000plantation\u3000the\u3000war\u3000and\u3000the\u3000world\u3000did\u3000not\u3000exist\u3000except\u3000as\u3000memories\u3000which\u3000must\u3000be\u3000fought\u3000back\u3000when\u3000they\u3000rushed\u3000to\u3000mind\u3000in\u3000moments\u3000of\u3000exhaustion\u3002\u3000The\u3000world\u3000outside\u3000receded\u3000before\u3000the\u3000demands\u3000of\u3000empty\u3000and\u3000half\u2026empty\u3000stomachs\u3000and\u3000life\u3000resolved\u3000itself\u3000into\u3000two\u3000related\u3000thoughts\uff1b\u3000food\u3000and\u3000how\u3000to\u3000get\u3000it\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Food\uff01\u3000Food\uff01\u3000Why\u3000did\u3000the\u3000stomach\u3000have\u3000a\u3000longer\u3000memory\u3000man\u3000the\u3000mind\uff1f\u3000Scarlett\u3000could\u3000banish\u3000heartbreak\u3000but\u3000not\u3000hunger\u3000and\u3000each\u3000morning\u3000as\u3000she\u3000lay\u3000half\u3000asleep\uff1b\u3000before\u3000memory\u3000brought\u3000back\u3000to\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000war\u3000and\u3000hunger\uff1b\u3000she\u3000curled\u3000drowsily\u3000expecting\u3000the\u3000sweet\u3000smells\u3000of\u3000bacon\u3000frying\u3000and\u3000rolls\u3000baking\u3002\u3000And\u3000each\u3000morning\u3000she\u3000sniffed\u3000so\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000really\u3000smell\u3000the\u3000food\u3000she\u3000woke\u3000herself\u3000up\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000There\u3000were\u3000apples\uff1b\u3000yams\uff1b\u3000peanuts\u3000and\u3000milk\u3000on\u3000the\u3000table\u3000at\u3000Tara\u3000but\u3000never\u3000enough\u3000of\u3000even\u3000this\u3000primitive\u3000fare\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000three\u3000times\u3000a\u3000day\uff1b\u3000her\u3000memory\u3000would\u3000rush\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000old\u3000days\uff1b\u3000the\u3000meals\u3000of\u3000the\u3000old\u3000days\uff1b\u3000the\u3000candle\u2026lit\u3000table\u3000and\u3000the\u3000food\u3000perfuming\u3000the\u3000air\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000How\u3000careless\u3000they\u3000had\u3000been\u3000of\u3000food\u3000then\uff1b\u3000what\u3000prodigal\u3000waste\uff01\u3000Rolls\uff1b\u3000corn\u3000muffins\uff1b\u3000biscuits\u3000and\u3000waffles\uff1b\u3000dripping\u3000butter\uff1b\u3000all\u3000at\u3000one\u3000meal\u3002\u3000Ham\u3000at\u3000one\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000table\u3000and\u3000fried\u3000chicken\u3000at\u3000the\u3000other\uff1b\u3000collards\u3000swimming\u3000richly\u3000in\u3000pot\u3000liquor\u3000iridescent\u3000with\u3000grease\uff1b\u3000snap\u3000beans\u3000in\u3000mountains\u3000on\u3000brightly\u3000flowered\u3000porcelain\uff1b\u3000fried\u3000squash\uff1b\u3000stewed\u3000okra\uff1b\u3000carrots\u3000in\u3000cream\u3000sauce\u3000thick\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000cut\u3002\u3000And\u3000three\u3000desserts\uff1b\u3000so\u3000everyone\u3000might\u3000have\u3000his\u3000choice\uff1b\u3000chocolate\u3000layer\u3000cake\uff1b\u3000vanilla\u3000blanc\u3000mange\u3000and\u3000pound\u3000cake\u3000topped\u3000with\u3000sweet\u3000whipped\u3000cream\u3002\u3000The\u3000memory\u3000of\u3000those\u3000savory\u3000meals\u3000had\u3000the\u3000power\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000tears\u3000to\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000as\u3000death\u3000and\u3000war\u3000had\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000do\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000power\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000her\u3000ever\u2026gnawing\u3000stomach\u3000from\u3000rumbling\u3000emptiness\u3000to\u3000nausea\u3002\u3000For\u3000the\u3000appetite\u3000Mammy\u3000had\u3000always\u3000deplored\uff1b\u3000the\u3000healthy\u3000appetite\u3000of\u3000a\u3000nineteen\u2026year\u2026old\u3000girl\uff1b\u3000now\u3000was\u3000increased\u3000fourfold\u3000by\u3000the\u3000hard\u3000and\u3000unremitting\u3000labor\u3000she\u3000had\u3000never\u3000known\u3000before\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Hers\u3000was\u3000not\u3000the\u3000only\u3000troublesome\u3000appetite\u3000at\u3000Tara\uff1b\u3000for\u3000wherever\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000hungry\u3000faces\uff1b\u3000black\u3000and\u3000white\uff1b\u3000met\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000Soon\u3000Carreen\u3000and\u3000Suellen\u3000would\u3000have\u3000the\u3000insatiable\u3000hunger\u3000of\u3000typhoid\u3000convalescents\u3002\u3000Already\u3000little\u3000Wade\u3000whined\u3000monotonously\uff1a\u3000\u201cWade\u3000doan\u3000like\u3000yams\u3002\u3000Wade\u3000hungwy\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000others\u3000grumbled\uff1b\u3000too\uff1a<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cMiss\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000\u2018ness\u3000I\u3000gits\u3000mo\u2019\u3000to\u3000eat\uff1b\u3000I\u3000kain\u3000nuss\u3000neither\u3000of\u3000these\u3000chillun\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cMiss\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000ef\u3000Ah\u3000doan\u3000have\u3000mo\u2019\u3000in\u3000mah\u3000stummick\uff1b\u3000Ah\u3000kain\u3000split\u3000no\u3000wood\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cLamb\uff1b\u3000Ah\u2019s\u3000perishra\u2019\u3000fer\u3000real\u3000vittles\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cDaughter\uff1b\u3000must\u3000we\u3000always\u3000have\u3000yams\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Only\u3000Melanie\u3000did\u3000not\u3000complain\uff1b\u3000Melanie\u3000whose\u3000face\u3000grew\u3000thinner\u3000and\u3000whiter\u3000and\u3000twitched\u3000with\u3000pain\u3000even\u3000in\u3000her\u3000sleep\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u2019m\u3000not\u3000hungry\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3002\u3000Give\u3000my\u3000share\u3000of\u3000the\u3000milk\u3000to\u3000Dilcey\u3002\u3000She\u3000needs\u3000it\u3000to\u3000nurse\u3000the\u3000babies\u3002\u3000Sick\u3000people\u3000are\u3000never\u3000hungry\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000It\u3000was\u3000her\u3000gentle\u3000hardihood\u3000which\u3000irritated\u3000Scarlett\u3000more\u3000than\u3000the\u3000nagging\u3000whining\u3000voices\u3000of\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u2014and\u3000did\u2014shout\u3000them\u3000down\u3000with\u3000bitter\u3000sarcasm\u3000but\u3000before\u3000Melanie\u2019s\u3000unselfishness\u3000she\u3000was\u3000helpless\uff1b\u3000helpless\u3000and\u3000resentful\u3002\u3000Gerald\uff1b\u3000the\u3000negroes\u3000and\u3000Wade\u3000clung\u3000to\u3000Melanie\u3000now\uff1b\u3000because\u3000even\u3000in\u3000her\u3000weakness\u3000she\u3000was\u3000kind\u3000and\u3000sympathetic\uff1b\u3000and\u3000these\u3000days\u3000Scarlett\u3000was\u3000neither\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Wade\u3000especially\u3000haunted\u3000Melanie\u2019s\u3000room\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000something\u3000wrong\u3000with\u3000Wade\uff1b\u3000but\u3000just\u3000what\u3000it\u3000was\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000no\u3000time\u3000to\u3000discover\u3002\u3000She\u3000took\u3000Mammy\u2019s\u3000word\u3000that\u3000the\u3000little\u3000boy\u3000had\u3000worms\u3000and\u3000dosed\u3000him\u3000with\u3000the\u3000mixture\u3000of\u3000dried\u3000herbs\u3000and\u3000bark\u3000which\u3000Ellen\u3000always\u3000used\u3000to\u3000worm\u3000the\u3000pickaninnies\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000vermifuge\u3000only\u3000made\u3000the\u3000child\u3000look\u3000paler\u3002\u3000These\u3000days\u3000Scarlett\u3000hardly\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000Wade\u3000as\u3000a\u3000person\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000only\u3000another\u3000worry\uff1b\u3000another\u3000mou         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            her\u3000worry\uff1b\u3000another\u3000mouth\u3000to\u3000feed\u3002\u3000Some\u3000day\u3000when\u3000the\u3000present\u3000emergency\u3000was\u3000over\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000play\u3000with\u3000him\uff1b\u3000tell\u3000him\u3000stories\u3000and\u3000teach\u3000him\u3000his\u3000ABCs\u3000but\u3000now\u3000she\u3000did\u3000not\u3000have\u3000the\u3000time\u3000or\u3000the\u3000soul\u3000or\u3000the\u3000inclination\u3002\u3000And\uff1b\u3000because\u3000he\u3000always\u3000seemed\u3000underfoot\u3000when\u3000she\u3000was\u3000most\u3000weary\u3000and\u3000worried\uff1b\u3000she\u3000often\u3000spoke\u3000sharply\u3000to\u3000him\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000It\u3000annoyed\u3000her\u3000that\u3000her\u3000quick\u3000reprimands\u3000brought\u3000such\u3000acute\u3000fright\u3000to\u3000his\u3000round\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000for\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000so\u3000simple\u3000minded\u3000when\u3000he\u3000was\u3000frightened\u3002\u3000She\u3000did\u3000not\u3000realize\u3000that\u3000the\u3000little\u3000boy\u3000lived\u3000shoulder\u3000to\u3000shoulder\u3000with\u3000terror\u3000too\u3000great\u3000for\u3000an\u3000adult\u3000to\u3000comprehend\u3002\u3000Fear\u3000lived\u3000with\u3000Wade\uff1b\u3000fear\u3000that\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000soul\u3000and\u3000made\u3000him\u3000wake\u3000screaming\u3000in\u3000the\u3000night\u3002\u3000Any\u3000unexpected\u3000noise\u3000or\u3000sharp\u3000word\u3000set\u3000him\u3000to\u3000trembling\uff1b\u3000for\u3000in\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000noises\u3000and\u3000harsh\u3000words\u3000were\u3000inextricably\u3000mixed\u3000with\u3000Yankees\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000more\u3000afraid\u3000of\u3000Yankees\u3000than\u3000of\u3000Prissy\u2019s\u3000hants\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Only\u3000her\u3000feeling\u3000for\u3000Tara\u3000had\u3000not\u3000changed\u3002\u3000She\u3000never\u3000came\u3000wearily\u3000home\u3000across\u3000the\u3000fields\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000sprawling\u3000white\u3000house\u3000that\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000did\u3000not\u3000swell\u3000with\u3000love\u3000and\u3000the\u3000joy\u3000of\u3000homecoming\u3002\u3000She\u3000never\u3000looked\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000window\u3000at\u3000green\u3000pastures\u3000and\u3000red\u3000fields\u3000and\u3000tall\u3000tangled\u3000swamp\u3000forest\u3000that\u3000a\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000beauty\u3000did\u3000not\u3000fill\u3000her\u3002\u3000Her\u3000love\u3000for\u3000         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000and\u3000red\u3000fields\u3000and\u3000tall\u3000tangled\u3000swamp\u3000forest\u3000that\u3000a\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000beauty\u3000did\u3000not\u3000fill\u3000her\u3002\u3000Her\u3000love\u3000for\u3000this\u3000land\u3000with\u3000its\u3000softly\u3000rolling\u3000hills\u3000of\u3000bright\u2026red\u3000soil\uff1b\u3000this\u3000beautiful\u3000red\u3000earth\u3000that\u3000was\u3000blood\u3000colored\uff1b\u3000garnet\uff1b\u3000brick\u3000dust\uff1b\u3000vermilion\uff1b\u3000which\u3000so\u3000miraculously\u3000grew\u3000green\u3000bushes\u3000starred\u3000with\u3000white\u3000puffs\uff1b\u3000was\u3000one\u3000part\u3000of\u3000Scarlett\u3000which\u3000did\u3000not\u3000change\u3000when\u3000all\u3000else\u3000was\u3000changing\u3002\u3000Nowhere\u3000else\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3000was\u3000there\u3000land\u3000like\u3000this\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cFor\u3000\u2018tis\u3000the\u3000only\u3000thing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3000that\u3000lasts\u3000\u2026\u3000and\u3000to\u3000anyone\u3000with\u3000a\u3000drop\u3000of\u3000Irish\u3000blood\u3000in\u3000them\u3000the\u3000land\u3000they\u3000live\u3000on\u3000is\u3000like\u3000their\u3000mother\u3002\u3000\u2026\u3000\u2018Tis\u3000the\u3000only\u3000thing\u3000worth\u3000working\u3000for\uff1b\u3000fighting\u3000for\uff1b\u3000dying\u3000for\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000Tara\u3000was\u3000worth\u3000fighting\u3000for\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000accepted\u3000simply\u3000and\u3000without\u3000question\u3000the\u3000fight\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000get\u3000Tara\u3000away\u3000from\u3000her\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000set\u3000her\u3000and\u3000her\u3000people\u3000adrift\u3000on\u3000the\u3000charity\u3000of\u3000relatives\u3002\u3000She\u3000would\u3000hold\u3000Tara\uff1b\u3000if\u3000she\u3000had\u3000to\u3000break\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000every\u3000person\u3000on\u3000it\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000CHAPTER\u3000XXVI<br \/>\n\u3000SCARLETT\u3000HAD\u3000BEEN\u3000AT\u3000TARA\u3000two\u3000weeks\u3000since\u3000her\u3000return\u3000from\u3000Atlanta\u3000when\u3000the\u3000largest\u3000blister\u3000on\u3000her\u3000foot\u3000began\u3000to\u3000fester\uff1b\u3000swelling\u3000until\u3000it\u3000was\u3000impossible\u3000for\u3000her\u3000to\u3000put\u3000on\u3000her\u3000shoe\u3000or\u3000do\u3000more\u3000than\u3000hobble\u3000about\u3000on\u3000her\u3000heel\u3002\u3000Desperation\u3000plucked\u3000at\u3000her\u3000when\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000angry\u3000sore\u3000on\u3000her\u3000toe\u3002\u3000Suppose\u3000it\u3000should\u3000gangrene\u3000like\u3000the\u3000soldiers\u2019\u3000wounds\u3000and\u3000she\u3000should\u3000die\uff1b\u3000far\u3000away\u3000from\u3000a\u3000doctor\uff1f\u3000Bitter\u3000as\u3000life\u3000was\u3000now\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000no\u3000desire\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000it\u3002\u3000And\u3000who\u3000would\u3000look\u3000after\u3000Tara\u3000if\u3000she\u3000should\u3000die\uff1f<br 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\/>\n\u3000But\u3000the\u3000hooves\u3000slowed\u3000down\u3000in\u3000a\u3000startlingly\u3000natural\u3000way\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rhythm\u3000of\u3000a\u3000walk\u3000and\u3000there\u3000was\u3000the\u3000measured\u3000scrunch\u2026scrunch\u3000on\u3000the\u3000gravel\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000horse\u2014the\u3000Tarletons\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Fontaines\uff01\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000quickly\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000Yankee\u3000cavalryman\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Automatically\uff1b\u3000she\u3000dodged\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000curtain\u3000and\u3000peered\u3000fascinated\u3000at\u3000him\u3000through\u3000the\u3000dim\u3000folds\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cloth\uff1b\u3000so\u3000startled\u3000that\u3000the\u3000breath\u3000went\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000lungs\u3000with\u3000a\u3000gasp\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000He\u3000sat\u3000slouched\u3000in\u3000the\u3000saddle\uff1b\u3000a\u3000thick\uff1b\u3000rough\u2026looking\u3000man\u3000with\u3000an\u3000unkempt\u3000black\u3000beard\u3000straggling\u3000over\u3000his\u3000unbuttoned\u3000brae\u3000jacket\u3002\u3000Little\u3000close\u2026set\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000squinting\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sun\u3000glare\uff1b\u3000calmly\u3000surveyed\u3000the\u3000house\u3000from\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000visor\u3000of\u3000his\u3000tight\u3000brae\u3000cap\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000slowly\u3000dismounted\u3000and\u3000tossed\u3000the\u3000bridle\u3000reins\u3000over\u3000the\u3000hitching\u3000post\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000breath\u3000came\u3000back\u3000to\u3000her\u3000as\u3000suddenly\u3000and\u3000painfully\u3000as\u3000after\u3000a\u3000blow\u3000in\u3000the\u3000stomach\u3002\u3000A\u3000Yankee\uff1b\u3000a\u3000Yankee\u3000with\u3000a\u3000long\u3000pistol\u3000on\u3000his\u3000hip\uff01\u3000And\u3000she\u3000was\u3000alone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000house\u3000with\u3000three\u3000sick\u3000girls\u3000and\u3000the\u3000babies\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000As\u3000he\u3000lounged\u3000up\u3000the\u3000walk\uff1b\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000holster\uff1b\u3000beady\u3000little\u3000eyes\u3000glancing\u3000to\u3000right\u3000and\u3000left\uff1b\u3000a\u3000kaleidoscope\u3000of\u3000jumbled\u3000pictures\u3000spun\u3000in\u3000her\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000stories\u3000Aunt\u3000Pittypat\u3000had\u3000whispered\u3000of\u3000attacks\u3000on\u3000unprotected\u3000women\uff1b\u3000throat\u3000c         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            ures\u3000spun\u3000in\u3000her\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000stories\u3000Aunt\u3000Pittypat\u3000had\u3000whispered\u3000of\u3000attacks\u3000on\u3000unprotected\u3000women\uff1b\u3000throat\u3000cuttings\uff1b\u3000houses\u3000burned\u3000over\u3000the\u3000heads\u3000of\u3000dying\u3000women\uff1b\u3000children\u3000bayoneted\u3000because\u3000they\u3000cried\uff1b\u3000all\u3000of\u3000the\u3000unspeakable\u3000horrors\u3000that\u3000lay\u3000bound\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000name\u3000of\u3000\u201cYankee\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Her\u3000first\u3000terrified\u3000impulse\u3000was\u3000to\u3000hide\u3000in\u3000the\u3000closet\uff1b\u3000crawl\u3000under\u3000the\u3000bed\uff1b\u3000fly\u3000down\u3000the\u3000back\u3000stairs\u3000and\u3000run\u3000screaming\u3000to\u3000the\u3000swamp\uff1b\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000escape\u3000him\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000his\u3000cautious\u3000feet\u3000on\u3000the\u3000front\u3000steps\u3000and\u3000his\u3000stealthy\u3000tread\u3000as\u3000he\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000hall\u3000and\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000escape\u3000was\u3000cut\u3000off\u3002\u3000Too\u3000cold\u3000with\u3000fear\u3000to\u3000move\uff1b\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000his\u3000progress\u3000from\u3000room\u3000to\u3000room\u3000downstairs\uff1b\u3000his\u3000steps\u3000growing\u3000louder\u3000and\u3000bolder\u3000as\u3000he\u3000discovered\u3000no\u3000one\u3002\u3000Now\u3000he\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dining\u3000room\u3000and\u3000in\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000he\u3000would\u3000walk\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000kitchen\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000At\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000the\u3000kitchen\uff1b\u3000rage\u3000suddenly\u3000leaped\u3000up\u3000in\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000breast\uff1b\u3000so\u3000sharply\u3000that\u3000it\u3000jabbed\u3000at\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000like\u3000a\u3000knife\u3000thrust\uff1b\u3000and\u3000fear\u3000fell\u3000away\u3000before\u3000her\u3000overpowering\u3000fury\u3002\u3000The\u3000kitchen\uff01\u3000There\uff1b\u3000over\u3000the\u3000open\u3000kitchen\u3000fire\u3000were\u3000two\u3000pots\uff1b\u3000one\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000apples\u3000stewing\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000with\u3000a\u3000hodgepodge\u3000of\u3000vegetables\u3000brought\u3000painfully\u3000from\u3000Twelve\u3000Oaks\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Macintosh\u3000garden\u2014dinner\u3000that\u3000must\u3000serve\u3000for\u3000nine\u3000hungry\u3000people\u3000and\u3000hardly\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000two\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000been\u3000restraining\u3000her\u3000appetite\u3000for\u3000hours\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000the\u3000return\u3000of\u3000the\u3000others\u3000and\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Yankee\u3000eating\u3000their\u3000meager\u3000meal\u3000made\u3000her\u3000shake\u3000with\u3000anger\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000God\u3000damn\u3000them\u3000all\uff01\u3000They\u3000descended\u3000like\u3000locusts\u3000and\u3000left\u3000Tara\u3000to\u3000starve\u3000slowly\u3000and\u3000now\u3000they\u3000were\u3000back\u3000again\u3000to\u3000steal\u3000the\u3000poor\u3000leavings\u3002\u3000Her\u3000empty\u3000stomach\u3000writhed\u3000within\u3000her\u3002\u3000By\u3000God\uff1b\u3000this\u3000was\u3000one\u3000Yankee\u3000who\u3000would\u3000do\u3000no\u3000more\u3000stealing\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000slipped\u3000off\u3000her\u3000worn\u3000shoe\u3000and\uff1b\u3000barefooted\uff1b\u3000she\u3000pattered\u3000swiftly\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bureau\uff1b\u3000not\u3000even\u3000feeling\u3000her\u3000festered\u3000toe\u3002\u3000She\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000top\u3000drawer\u3000soundlessly\u3000and\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000the\u3000heavy\u3000pistol\u3000she\u3000had\u3000brought\u3000from\u3000Atlanta\uff1b\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000Charles\u3000had\u3000worn\u3000but\u3000never\u3000fired\u3002\u3000She\u3000fumbled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000leather\u3000box\u3000that\u3000hung\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000below\u3000his\u3000saber\u3000and\u3000brought\u3000out\u3000a\u3000cap\u3002\u3000She\u3000slipped\u3000it\u3000into\u3000place\u3000with\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000that\u3000did\u3000not\u3000shake\u3002\u3000Quickly\u3000and\u3000noiselessly\uff1b\u3000she\u3000ran\u3000into\u3000the\u3000upper\u3000hall\u3000and\u3000down\u3000the\u3000stairs\uff1b\u3000steadying\u3000herself\u3000on\u3000the\u3000banisters\u3000with\u3000one\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000pistol\u3000close\u3000to\u3000her\u3000thigh\u3000in\u3000the\u3000folds\u3000of\u3000her\u3000skirt\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWho\u2019s\u3000there\uff1f\u201d\u3000cried\u3000a\u3000nasal\u3000voice\u3000and\u3000she\u3000stopped\u3000on\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stairs\uff1b\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000thudding\u3000in\u3000her\u3000ears\u3000so\u3000loudly\u3000she\u3000could\u3000hardly\u3000hear\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u201cHalt\u3000or\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000shoot\uff01\u201d\u3000came\u3000the\u3000voice\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000He\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000the\u3000door\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dining\u3000room\uff1b\u3000crouched\u3000tensely\uff1b\u3000his\u3000pistol\u3000in\u3000one\u3000hand\u3000and\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000other\uff1b\u3000the\u3000small\u3000rosewood\u3000sewing\u3000box\u3000fitted\u3000with\u3000gold\u3000thimble\uff1b\u3000gold\u2026handled\u3000scissors\u3000and\u3000tiny\u3000gold\u2026topped\u3000acorn\u3000of\u3000emery\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000legs\u3000felt\u3000cold\u3000to\u3000the\u3000knees\u3000but\u3000rage\u3000scorched\u3000her\u3000face\u3002\u3000Ellen\u2019s\u3000sewing\u3000box\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hands\u3002\u3000She\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000cry\uff1a\u3000\u201cPut\u3000it\u3000down\uff01\u3000Put\u3000it\u3000down\uff1b\u3000you\u3000dirty\u2014\u201d\u3000but\u3000words\u3000would\u3000not\u3000come\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000only\u3000stare\u3000over\u3000the\u3000banisters\u3000at\u3000him\u3000and\u3000watch\u3000his\u3000face\u3000change\u3000from\u3000harsh\u3000tenseness\u3000to\u3000a\u3000half\u2026contemptuous\uff1b\u3000half\u2026ingratiating\u3000smile\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cSo\u3000there\u3000is\u3000somebody\u3000at\u3000home\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000slipping\u3000his\u3000pistol\u3000back\u3000into\u3000its\u3000holster\u3000and\u3000moving\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hall\u3000until\u3000he\u3000stood\u3000directly\u3000below\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u201cAll\u3000alone\uff1b\u3000little\u3000lady\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Like\u3000lightning\uff1b\u3000she\u3000shoved\u3000her\u3000weapon\u3000over\u3000the\u3000banisters\u3000and\u3000into\u3000the\u3000startled\u3000bearded\u3000face\u3002\u3000Before\u3000he\u3000could\u3000even\u3000fumble\u3000at\u3000his\u3000belt\uff1b\u3000she\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000trigger\u3002\u3000The\u3000back\u3000kick\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pistol\u3000made\u3000her\u3000reel\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000roar\u3000of\u3000the\u3000explosion\u3000filled\u3000her\u3000ears\u3000and\u3000the\u3000acrid\u3000smoke\u3000stung\u3000her\u3000nostrils\u3002\u3000The\u3000man\u3000crashed\u3000backwards\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000sprawling\u3000into\u3000the\u3000dining\u3000room\u3000with\u3000a\u3000violence\u3000that\u3000shook\u3000the\u3000furniture\u3002\u3000The\u3000box\u3000clattered\u3000from\u3000his\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000the\u3000contents\u3000spilling\u3000about\u3000him\u3002\u3000Hardly\u3000aware\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000moving\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000ran\u3000down\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3000and\u3000stood\u3000over\u3000him\uff1b\u3000gazing\u3000down\u3000into\u3000what\u3000was\u3000left\u3000of\u3000the\u3000face\u3000above\u3000the\u3000beard\uff1b\u3000a\u3000bloody\u3000pit\u3000where\u3000the\u3000nose\u3000had\u3000been\uff1b\u3000glazing\u3000eyes\u3000burned\u3000with\u3000powder\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000looked\uff1b\u3000two\u3000streams\u3000of\u3000blood\u3000crept\u3000across\u3000the\u3000shining\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000one\u3000from\u3000his\u3000face\u3000and\u3000one\u3000from\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000his\u3000head\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000dead\u3002\u3000Undoubtedly\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000killed\u3000a\u3000man\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000smoke\u3000curled\u3000slowly\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3000and\u3000the\u3000red\u3000streams\u3000widened\u3000about\u3000her\u3000feet\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000timeless\u3000moment\u3000she\u3000stood\u3000there\u3000and\u3000in\u3000the\u3000still\u3000hot\u3000hush\u3000of\u3000the\u3000summer\u3000morning\u3000every\u3000irrelevant\u3000sound\u3000and\u3000scent\u3000seemed\u3000magnified\uff1b\u3000the\u3000quick\u3000thudding\u3000of\u3000her\u3000heart\uff1b\u3000like\uff1b\u3000a\u3000drumbeat\uff1b\u3000the\u3000slight\u3000rough\u3000rustling\u3000of\u3000the\u3000magnolia\u3000leaves\uff1b\u3000the\u3000far\u2026off\u3000plaintive\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000a\u3000swamp\u3000bird\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sweet\u3000smell\u3000of\u3000the\u3000flowers\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000window\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000had\u3000killed\u3000a\u3000man\uff1b\u3000she\u3000who\u3000took\u3000care\u3000never\u3000to\u3000be\u3000in\u3000at\u3000the\u3000kill\u3000on\u3000a\u3000hunt\uff1b\u3000she\u3000who\u3000could\u3000not\u3000bear\u3000the\u3000squealing\u3000of\u3000a\u3000hog\u3000at\u3000slaughter\u3000or\u3000the\u3000squeak\u3000of\u3000a\u3000rabbit\u3000in\u3000a\u3000snare\u3002\u3000Murder\uff01\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000dully\u3002\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000done\u3000murder\u3002\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000this\u3000can\u2019t\u3000be\u3000happening\u3000to\u3000me\uff01\u3000Her\u3000eyes\u3000went\u3000to\u3000the\u3000stubby\u3000hairy\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000so\u3000close\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sewing\u3000box\u3000and\u3000suddenly\u3000she\u3000was\u3000vitally\u3000alive\u3000again\uff1b\u3000vitally\u3000glad\u3000with\u3000a\u3000cool\u3000tigerish\u3000joy\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000have\u3000ground\u3000her\u3000heel\u3000into\u3000the\u3000gaping\u3000wound\u3000which\u3000had\u3000been\u3000his\u3000nose\u3000and\u3000taken\u3000sweet\u3000pleasure\u3000in\u3000the\u3000feel\u3000of\u3000his\u3000warm\u3000blood\u3000on\u3000her\u3000bare\u3000feet\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000struck\u3000a\u3000blow\u3000of\u3000revenge\u3000for\u3000Tara\u2014and\u3000for\u3000Ellen\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000There\u3000were\u3000hurried\u3000stumbling\u3000steps\u3000in\u3000the\u3000upper\u3000hall\uff1b\u3000a\u3000pause\u3000and\u3000then\u3000more\u3000steps\uff1b\u3000weak\u3000dragging\u3000steps\u3000now\uff1b\u3000punctuated\u3000by\u3000metallic\u3000clankings\u3002\u3000A\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000time\u3000and\u3000reality\u3000coming\u3000back\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000Melanie\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stairs\uff1b\u3000clad\u3000only\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ragged\u3000chemise\u3000which\u3000served\u3000her\u3000as\u3000a\u3000nightgown\uff1b\u3000her\u3000weak\u3000arm\u3000weighed\u3000down\u3000with\u3000Charles\u2019\u3000saber\u3002\u3000Melanie\u2019s\u3000eyes\u3000took\u3000in\u3000the\u3000scene\u3000below\u3000in\u3000its\u3000entirety\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sprawling\u3000blue\u2026clad\u3000body\u3000in\u3000the\u3000red\u3000pool\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sewing\u3000box\u3000beside\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000barefooted\u3000and\u3000gray\u2026faced\uff1b\u3000clutching\u3000the\u3000long\u3000pistol\u3002<br 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        <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            ey\u3000were\u3000afraid\u3000it\u3000did\u3000not\u3000show\u3000on\u3000their\u3000faces\u3002\u3000Probably\uff1b\u3000thought\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000because\u3000Sally\u3000and\u3000Young\u3000Miss\u3000were\u3000too\u3000afraid\u3000of\u3000the\u3000porcelain\u2026frail\u3000but\u3000indomitable\u3000old\u3000Grandma\u3000to\u3000dare\u3000voice\u3000any\u3000qualms\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000herself\u3000was\u3000afraid\u3000of\u3000the\u3000old\u3000lady\uff1b\u3000for\u3000she\u3000had\u3000sharp\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000a\u3000sharper\u3000tongue\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000felt\u3000them\u3000both\u3000in\u3000the\u3000past\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cYou\u3000are\u3000so\u3000kind\u3000that\u3000I\u3000can\u2019t\u2014\u3000But\u3000I\u3000have\u3000to\u3000be\u3000going\u3000now\u3002\u3000The\u3000folks\u3000at\u3000home\u3000will\u3000be\u3000worrying\u3000about\u3000me\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Grandma\u3000rose\u3000abruptly\u3000and\u3000took\u3000Scarlett\u3000by\u3000the\u3000arm\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYou\u3000two\u3000stay\u3000here\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000commanded\uff1b\u3000pushing\u3000Scarlett\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000back\u3000porch\u3002\u3000\u201cI\u3000have\u3000a\u3000private\u3000word\u3000for\u3000this\u3000child         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000Grandma\u3000rose\u3000abruptly\u3000and\u3000took\u3000Scarlett\u3000by\u3000the\u3000arm\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Every\u3000morning\u3000when\u3000Scarlett\u3000arose\u3000she\u3000thanked\u3000God\u3000for\u3000the\u3000pale\u2026blue\u3000sky\u3000and\u3000the\u3000warm\u3000sun\uff1b\u3000for\u3000each\u3000day\u3000of\u3000good\u3000weather\u3000put\u3000off\u3000the\u3000inevitable\u3000time\u3000when\u3000warm\u3000clothing\u3000would\u3000be\u3000needed\u3002\u3000And\u3000each\u3000warm\u3000day\u3000saw\u3000more\u3000and\u3000more\u3000cotton\u3000piling\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000empty\u3000slave\u3000quarters\uff1b\u3000the\u3000only\u3000storage\u3000place\u3000left\u3000on\u3000the\u3000plantation\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000more\u3000cotton\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fields\u3000than\u3000she\u3000or\u3000Pork\u3000had\u3000estimated\uff1b\u3000probably\u3000four\u3000bales\uff1b\u3000and\u3000soon\u3000the\u3000cabins\u3000would\u3000be\u3000full\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000not\u3000intended\u3000to\u3000do\u3000any\u3000cotton\u3000picking\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000even\u3000after\u3000Grandma\u3000Fontaine\u2019s\u3000tart\u3000remark\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000unthinkable\u3000that\u3000she\uff1b\u3000an\u3000O\u2019Hara\u3000lady\uff1b\u3000now\u3000the\u3000mistress\u3000of\u3000Tara\uff1b\u3000should\u3000work\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fie         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            ara\uff1b\u3000should\u3000work\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fields\u3002\u3000It\u3000put\u3000her\u3000on\u3000the\u3000same\u3000level\u3000with\u3000the\u3000snarly\u3000haired\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Slattery\u3000and\u3000Emmie\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000intended\u3000that\u3000the\u3000negroes\u3000should\u3000do\u3000the\u3000field\u3000work\uff1b\u3000while\u3000she\u3000and\u3000the\u3000convalescent\u3000girls\u3000attended\u3000to\u3000the\u3000house\uff1b\u3000but\u3000here\u3000she\u3000was\u3000confronted\u3000with\u3000a\u3000caste\u3000feeling\u3000even\u3000stronger\u3000than\u3000her\u3000own\u3002\u3000Pork\uff1b\u3000Mammy\u3000and\u3000Prissy\u3000set\u3000up\u3000outcries\u3000at\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000working\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fields\u3002\u3000They\u3000reiterated\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000house\u3000niggers\uff1b\u3000not\u3000field\u3000hands\u3002\u3000Mammy\uff1b\u3000in\u3000particular\uff1b\u3000declared\u3000vehemently\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000never\u3000even\u3000been\u3000a\u3000yard\u3000nigger\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000been\u3000born\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Robillard\u3000great\u3000house\uff1b\u3000not\u3000in\u3000the\u3000quarters\uff1b\u3000and\u3000had\u3000been\u3000raised\u3000in\u3000Ole\u3000Miss\u2019\u3000bedroom\uff1b\u3000sleeping\u3000on\u3000a\u3000pallet\u3000at\u3000the\u3000foot\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bed\u3002\u3000Dilcey\u3000alone\u3000said\u3000nothing\u3000and\u3000she\u3000fixed\u3000her\u3000Prissy\u3000with\u3000an\u3000unwinking\u3000eye\u3000that\u3000made\u3000her\u3000squirm\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000refused\u3000to\u3000listen\u3000to\u3000the\u3000protests\u3000and\u3000drove\u3000them\u3000all\u3000into\u3000the\u3000cotton\u3000rows\u3002\u3000But\u3000Mammy\u3000and\u3000Pork\u3000worked\u3000so\u3000slowly\u3000and\u3000with\u3000so\u3000many\u3000lamentations\u3000that\u3000Scarlett\u3000sent\u3000Mammy\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000kitchen\u3000to\u3000cook\u3000and\u3000Pork\u3000to\u3000the\u3000woods\u3000and\u3000the\u3000river\u3000with\u3000snares\u3000for\u3000rabbits\u3000and\u3000possums\u3000and\u3000lines\u3000for\u3000fish\u3002\u3000Cotton\u3000picking\u3000was\u3000beneath\u3000Pork\u2019s\u3000dignity\u3000but\u3000hunting\u3000and\u3000fishing\u3000were\u3000not\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000next\u3000had\u3000tried\u3000her\u3000sisters\u3000and\u3000Melanie\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fields\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000had\u3000worked\u3000no\u3000better\u3002\u3000Melanie\u3000had\u3000picked\u3000neatly\uff1b\u3000quickly\u3000and\u3000willingly\u3000for\u3000an\u3000hour\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hot\u3000sun\u3000and\u3000then\u3000fainted\u3000quietly\u3000and\u3000had\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000in\u3000bed\u3000for\u3000a\u3000week\u3002\u3000Suellen\uff1b\u3000sullen\u3000and\u3000tearful\uff1b\u3000pretended\u3000to\u3000faint\u3000too\uff1b\u3000but\u3000came\u3000back\u3000to\u3000consciousness\u3000spitting\u3000like\u3000an\u3000angry\u3000cat\u3000when\u3000Scarlett\u3000poured\u3000a\u3000gourdful\u3000of\u3000water\u3000in\u3000her\u3000face\u3002\u3000Finally\u3000she\u3000refused\u3000point\u2026blank\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000won\u2019t\u3000work\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fields\u3000like\u3000a\u3000darky\uff01\u3000You\u3000can\u2019t\u3000make\u3000me\u3002\u3000What\u3000if\u3000any\u3000of\u3000our\u3000friends\u3000ever\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000it\uff1f\u3000What\u3000if\u2014if\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Kennedy\u3000ever\u3000knew\uff1f\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000if\u3000Mother\u3000knew\u3000about\u3000this\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYou\u3000just\u3000mention\u3000Mother\u2019s\u3000name\u3000once\u3000more\uff1b\u3000Suellen\u3000O\u2019Hara\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000slap\u3000you\u3000flat\uff1b\u201d\u3000cried\u3000Scarlett\u3002\u3000\u201cMother\u3000worked\u3000harder\u3000than\u3000any\u3000darky\u3000on\u3000this\u3000place\u3000and\u3000you\u3000know\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Fine\u3000Airs\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cShe\u3000did\u3000not\uff01\u3000At\u3000least\uff1b\u3000not\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fields\u3002\u3000And\u3000you\u3000can\u2019t\u3000make\u3000me\u3002\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000tell\u3000Papa\u3000on\u3000you\u3000and\u3000he\u3000won\u2019t\u3000make\u3000me\u3000work\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cDon\u2019t\u3000you\u3000dare\u3000go\u3000bothering\u3000Pa\u3000with\u3000any\u3000of\u3000our\u3000troubles\uff01\u201d\u3000cried\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000distracted\u3000between\u3000indignation\u3000at\u3000her\u3000sister\u3000and\u3000fear\u3000for\u3000Gerald\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u2019ll\u3000help\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Sissy\uff1b\u201d\u3000interposed\u3000Carreen\u3000docilely\u3002\u3000\u201cI\u2019ll\u3000work\u3000for\u3000Sue\u3000and\u3000me\u3000too\u3002\u3000She\u3000isn\u2019t\u3000well\u3000yet\u3000and\u3000she\u3000shouldn\u2019t\u3000be\u3000out\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sun\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000said\u3000gratefully\uff1a\u3000\u201cThank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Sugarbaby\uff1b\u201d\u3000but\u3000looked\u3000worriedly\u3000at\u3000her\u3000younger\u3000sister\u3002\u3000Carreen\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000always\u3000been\u3000as\u3000delicately\u3000pink\u3000and\u3000white\u3000as\u3000the\u3000orchard\u3000blossoms\u3000that\u3000are\u3000scattered\u3000by\u3000the\u3000spring\u3000wind\uff1b\u3000was\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000pink\u3000but\u3000still\u3000conveyed\u3000in\u3000her\u3000sweet\u3000thoughtful\u3000face\u3000a\u3000blossomlike\u3000quality\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000been\u3000silent\uff1b\u3000a\u3000little\u3000dazed\u3000since\u3000she\u3000came\u3000back\u3000to\u3000consciousness\u3000and\u3000found\u3000Ellen\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000a\u3000termagant\uff1b\u3000the\u3000world\u3000changed\u3000and\u3000unceasing\u3000labor\u3000the\u3000order\u3000of\u3000the\u3000new\u3000day\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000not\u3000in\u3000Carreen\u2019s\u3000delicate\u3000nature\u3000to\u3000adjust\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000change\u3002\u3000She\u3000simply\u3000could\u3000not\u3000comprehend\u3000what\u3000had\u3000happened\u3000and\u3000she\u3000went\u3000about\u3000Tara\u3000like\u3000a\u3000sleepwalker\uff1b\u3000doing\u3000exactly\u3000what\u3000she\u3000was\u3000told\u3002\u3000She\u3000looked\uff1b\u3000and\u3000was\uff1b\u3000frail\u3000but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000willing\uff1b\u3000obedient\u3000and\u3000obliging\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000was\u3000not\u3000doing\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000bidding\uff1b\u3000her\u3000rosary\u3000beads\u3000were\u3000always\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000her\u3000lips\u3000moving\u3000in\u3000prayers\u3000for\u3000her\u3000mother\u3000and\u3000for\u3000Brent\u3000Tarleton\u3002\u3000It\u3000did\u3000not\u3000occur\u3000to\u3000Scarlett\u3000that\u3000Carreen\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000Brent\u2019s\u3000death\u3000so\u3000seriously\u3000and\u3000that\u3000her\u3000grief\u3000was\u3000unhealed\u3002\u3000To\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000Carreen\u3000was\u3000still\u3000\u201cbaby\u3000sister\uff1b\u201d\u3000far\u3000too\u3000young\u3000to\u3000have\u3000had\u3000a\u3000really\u3000serious\u3000love\u3000affair\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000There\u3000remained\u3000with\u3000her\u3000now\u3000in\u3000the\u3000long\u3000rows\u3000only\u3000Dilcey\u3000and\u3000Prissy\u3002\u3000Prissy\u3000picked\u3000lazily\uff1b\u3000spasmodically\uff1b\u3000complaining\u3000of\u3000her\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000her\u3000back\uff1b\u3000her\u3000internal\u3000miseries\uff1b\u3000her\u3000complete\u3000weariness\uff1b\u3000until\u3000her\u3000mother\u3000took\u3000a\u3000cotton\u3000stalk\u3000to\u3000her\u3000and\u3000whipped\u3000her\u3000until\u3000she\u3000screamed\u3002\u3000After\u3000that\u3000she\u3000worked\u3000a\u3000little\u3000better\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000care\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000far\u3000from\u3000her\u3000mother\u2019s\u3000reach\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000The\u3000bronze\u3000giantess\u3000did\u3000not\u3000grin\u3000pleasedly\u3000or\u3000squirm\u3000under\u3000praise\u3000like\u3000the\u3000other\u3000negroes\u3002\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000an\u3000immobile\u3000face\u3000to\u3000Scarlett\u3000and\u3000said\u3000with\u3000dignity\uff1a\u3000\u201cThankee\uff1b\u3000Ma\u2019m\u3002\u3000But\u3000Mist\u2019\u3000Gerald\u3000and\u3000Miss\u3000Ellen\u3000been\u3000good\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3000Mist\u2019\u3000Gerald\u3000buy\u3000my\u3000Prissy\u3000so\u3000I\u3000wouldn\u2019\u3000grieve\u3000and\u3000I\u3000doan\u3000forgit\u3000it\u3002\u3000I\u3000is\u3000part\u3000Indian\u3000and\u3000Indians\u3000doan\u3000forgit\u3000them\u3000as\u3000is\u3000good\u3000to\u3000them\u3002\u3000I\u3000sorry\u3000\u2018bout\u3000my\u3000Prissy\u3002\u3000She\u3000mighty\u3000worthless\u3002\u3000Look\u3000lak\u3000she\u3000all\u3000nigger\u3000lak\u3000her\u3000pa\u3002\u3000Her\u3000pa\u3000was\u3000mighty\u3000flighty\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000In\u3000spite\u3000of\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000problem\u3000of\u3000getting\u3000help\u3000from\u3000the\u3000others\u3000in\u3000the\u3000picking\u3000and\u3000in\u3000spite\u3000of\u3000the\u3000weariness\u3000of\u3000doing\u3000the\u3000labor\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000her\u3000spirits\u3000lifted\u3000as\u3000the\u3000cotton\u3000slowly\u3000made\u3000its\u3000way\u3000from\u3000the\u3000fields\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cabins\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000something\u3000about\u3000cotton\u3000that\u3000was\u3000reassuring\uff1b\u3000steadying\u3002\u3000Tara\u3000had\u3000risen\u3000to\u3000riches\u3000on\u3000cotton\uff1b\u3000even\u3000as\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000South\u3000had\u3000risen\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\u3000was\u3000Southerner\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000that\u3000both\u3000Tara\u3000and\u3000the\u3000South\u3000would\u3000rise\u3000again\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000red\u3000fields\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000this\u3000little\u3000cotton\u3000she\u3000had\u3000gathered\u3000was\u3000not\u3000much\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000something\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000bring\u3000a\u3000little\u3000in\u3000Confederate\u3000money\u3000and\u3000that\u3000little\u3000would\u3000help\u3000her\u3000to\u3000save\u3000the\u3000hoarded\u3000greenbacks\u3000and\u3000gold\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Yankee\u2019s\u3000wallet\u3000until\u3000they\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000spent\u3002\u3000Next\u3000spring\u3000she\u3000would\u3000try\u3000to\u3000make\u3000the\u3000Confederate\u3000government\u3000send\u3000back\u3000Big\u3000Sam\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000field\u3000hands\u3000they\u3000had\u3000commandeered\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000the\u3000government\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u3000release\u3000them\uff1b\u3000she\u2019d\u3000use\u3000the\u3000Yankee\u2019s\u3000money\u3000to\u3000hire\u3000field\u3000hands\u3000from\u3000the\u3000neighbors\u3002\u3000Next\u3000spring\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000plant\u3000and\u3000plant\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000She\u3000straightened\u3000her\u3000tired\u3000back\u3000and\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000over\u3000the\u3000browning\u3000autumn\u3000fields\uff1b\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000next\u3000year\u2019s\u3000crop\u3000standing\u3000sturdy\u3000and\u3000green\uff1b\u3000acre\u3000upon\u3000acre\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000There\u3000was\u3000hope\u3000now\u3002\u3000The\u3000war\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000last\u3000forever\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000her\u3000little\u3000cotton\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000food\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000a\u3000horse\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000her\u3000small\u3000but\u3000treasured\u3000hoard\u3000of\u3000money\u3002\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000the\u3000worst\u3000was\u3000over\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000CHAPTER\u3000XXVII<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cThe\u3000Yankees\u3000are\u3000coming\uff01\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000them\uff01\u3000Down\u3000the\u3000road\uff01\u3000The\u3000Yankees\u2014\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000they\u3000stood\u3000paralyzed\u3000and\u3000then\u3000Suellen\u3000and\u3000Carreen\u3000began\u3000to\u3000sob\u3000and\u3000clutch\u3000each\u3000other\u2019s\u3000fingers\u3002\u3000Little\u3000Wade\u3000stood\u3000rooted\uff1b\u3000trembling\uff1b\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000cry\u3002\u3000What\u3000he\u3000had\u3000feared\u3000since\u3000the\u3000night\u3000he\u3000left\u3000Atlanta\u3000had\u3000happened\u3002\u3000The\u3000Yankees\u3000were\u3000coming\u3000to\u3000get\u3000him\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYankees\uff1f\u201d\u3000said\u3000Gerald\u3000vaguely\u3002\u3000\u201cBut\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000have\u3000already\u3000been\u3000here\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cMother\u3000of\u3000God\uff01\u201d\u3000cried\u3000Scarlett         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000\u201cYankees\uff1f\u201d\u3000said\u3000Gerald\u3000vaguely\u3002\u3000\u201cBut\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000have\u3000already\u3000been\u3000here\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cMother\u3000of\u3000God\uff01\u201d\u3000cried\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000meeting\u3000Melanie\u2019s\u3000frightened\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000swift\u3000instant\u3000there\u3000went\u3000through\u3000her\u3000memory\u3000again\u3000the\u3000horrors\u3000of\u3000her\u3000last\u3000night\u3000in\u3000Atlanta\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ruined\u3000homes\u3000that\u3000dotted\u3000the\u3000countryside\uff1b\u3000all\u3000the\u3000stories\u3000of\u3000rape\u3000and\u3000torture\u3000and\u3000murder\u3002\u3000She\u3000saw\u3000again\u3000the\u3000Yankee\u3000soldier\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hall\u3000with\u3000Ellen\u2019s\u3000sewing\u3000box\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002\u3000She\u3000thought\uff1a\u3000\u201cI\u3000shall\u3000die\u3002\u3000I\u3000shall\u3000die\u3000right\u3000here\u3002\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000we\u3000were\u3000through\u3000with\u3000all\u3000that\u3002\u3000I\u3000shall\u3000die\u3002\u3000I\u3000can\u2019t\u3000stand\u3000any\u3000more\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cThey\u3000shan\u2019t\u3000have\u3000them\uff01\u201d\u3000she\u3000cried\u3000aloud\u3000and\u3000they\u3000all\u3000turned\u3000startled\u3000faces\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000fearful\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000had\u3000cracked\u3000under\u3000the\u3000tidings\u3002\u3000\u201cI\u3000won\u2019t\u3000go\u3000hungry\uff01\u3000They\u3000shan\u2019t\u3000have\u3000them\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWhat\u3000is\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\uff1f\u3000What\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cThe\u3000horse\uff01\u3000The\u3000cow\uff01\u3000The\u3000pigs\uff01\u3000They\u3000shan\u2019t\u3000have\u3000them\uff01\u3000I\u3000won\u2019t\u3000let\u3000them\u3000have\u3000them\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000swiftly\u3000to\u3000the\u3000four\u3000negroes\u3000who\u3000huddled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000doorway\uff1b\u3000their\u3000black\u3000faces\u3000a\u3000peculiarly\u3000ashen\u3000shade\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cThe\u3000swamp\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000said\u3000rapidly\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWhut\u3000swamp\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cThe\u3000river\u3000swamp\uff1b\u3000you\u3000fools\uff01\u3000Take\u3000the\u3000pigs\u3000to\u3000the\u3000swamp\u3002\u3000All\u3000of\u3000you\u3002\u3000Quickly\u3002\u3000Pork\uff1b\u3000you\u3000and\u3000Prissy\u3000crawl\u3000under\u3000the\u3000house\u3000and\u3000get\u3000the\u3000pigs\u3000out\u3002\u3000Suellen\uff1b\u3000you\u3000and\u3000Carreen\u3000fill\u3000the\u3000baskets\u3000with\u3000as\u3000much\u3000food\u3000as\u3000you\u3000can\u3000carry\u3000and\u3000get\u3000to\u3000the\u3000woods\u3002\u3000Mammy\uff1b\u3000put\u3000the\u3000silver\u3000in\u3000the\u3000well\u3000again\u3002\u3000And\u3000Pork\uff01\u3000Pork\uff1b\u3000listen\u3000to\u3000me\uff1b\u3000don\u2019t\u3000stand\u3000there\u3000like\u3000that\uff01\u3000Take\u3000Pa\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u3000Don\u2019t\u3000ask\u3000me\u3000where\uff01\u3000Anywhere\uff01\u3000Go\u3000with\u3000Pork\uff1b\u3000Pa\u3002\u3000That\u2019s\u3000a\u3000sweet\u3000pa\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Even\u3000in\u3000her\u3000frenzy\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000what\u3000the\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000bluecoats\u3000might\u3000do\u3000to\u3000Gerald\u2019s\u3000wavering\u3000mind\u3002\u3000She\u3000stopped\u3000and\u3000wrung\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000the\u3000frightened\u3000sobbing\u3000of\u3000little\u3000Wade\u3000who\u3000was\u3000clutching\u3000Melanie\u2019s\u3000skirt\u3000added\u3000to\u3000her\u3000panic\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Before\u3000she\u3000could\u3000finish\u3000her\u3000sentence\uff1b\u3000Melanie\u3000shook\u3000off\u3000Wade\u2019s\u3000clutches\u3000and\u3000was\u3000down\u3000the\u3000front\u3000steps\u3000and\u3000running\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000horse\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000up\u3000her\u3000wide\u3000skirts\u3000as\u3000she\u3000ran\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000caught\u3000a\u3000flashing\u3000glimpse\u3000of\u3000thin\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000a\u3000flurry\u3000of\u3000skirts\u3000and\u3000underclothing\u3000and\u3000Melanie\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000saddle\uff1b\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000dangling\u3000far\u3000above\u3000the\u3000stirrups\u3002\u3000She\u3000gathered\u3000up\u3000the\u3000reins\u3000and\u3000clapped\u3000her\u3000heels\u3000against\u3000the\u3000animal\u2019s\u3000sides\u3000and\u3000then\u3000abruptly\u3000pulled\u3000him\u3000in\uff1b\u3000her\u3000face\u3000twisting\u3000with\u3000horror\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Melly\u3000looked\u3000despairingly\u3000backward\u3000but\u3000hammered\u3000her\u3000heels\u3000into\u3000the\u3000horse\u3000and\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000scattering\u3000of\u3000gravel\uff1b\u3000was\u3000off\u3000down\u3000the\u3000drive\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000pasture\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000thought\uff1a\u3000\u201cI\u3000never\u3000expected\u3000to\u3000see\u3000Melly\u3000Hamilton\u3000straddling\u3000a\u3000horse\uff01\u201d\u3000and\u3000then\u3000she\u3000ran\u3000into\u3000the\u3000house\u3002\u3000Wade\u3000was\u3000at\u3000her\u3000heels\uff1b\u3000sobbing\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000her\u3000flying\u3000skirts\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000went\u3000up\u3000the\u3000steps\uff1b\u3000three\u3000at\u3000a\u3000bound\uff1b\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000Suellen\u3000and\u3000Carreen\u3000with\u3000split\u2026oak\u3000baskets\u3000on\u3000their\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000running\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000pantry\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Pork\u3000tugging\u3000none\u3000too\u3000gently\u3000at\u3000Gerald\u2019s\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000dragging\u3000him\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000back\u3000porch\u3002\u3000Gerald\u3000was\u3000mumbling\u3000querulously\u3000and\u3000pulling\u3000away\u3000like\u3000a\u3000child\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000From\u3000the\u3000back\u3000yard\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000Mammy\u2019s\u3000strident\u3000voice\uff1a\u3000\u201cYou\uff1b\u3000Priss\uff01\u3000You\u3000git\u3000unner\u3000dat\u3000house\u3000an\u2019\u3000han\u2019\u3000me\u3000dem\u3000shoats\uff01\u3000You\u3000knows\u3000mighty\u3000well\u3000Ah\u2019s\u3000too\u3000big\u3000ter\u3000crawl\u3000thoo\u3000dem\u3000lattices\u3002\u3000Dilcey\uff1b\u3000comyere\u3000an\u2019\u3000mek\u3000dis\u3000wuthless\u3000chile\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cAnd\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000was\u3000such\u3000a\u3000good\u3000idea\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000the\u3000pigs\u3000under\u3000the\u3000house\uff1b\u3000so\u3000nobody\u3000could\u3000steal\u3000them\uff1b\u201d\u3000thought\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000running\u3000into\u3000her\u3000room\u3002\u3000\u201cWhy\uff1b\u3000oh\uff1b\u3000why\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000I\u3000build\u3000a\u3000pen\u3000for\u3000them\u3000down\u3000in\u3000the\u3000swamp\uff1f\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000He\u3000ran\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000small\u3000frightened\u3000animal\uff1b\u3000and\u3000clutching\u3000her\u3000wide\u3000skirt\uff1b\u3000buried\u3000his\u3000face\u3000in\u3000it\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000his\u3000small\u3000hands\u3000groping\u3000through\u3000the\u3000folds\u3000for\u3000her\u3000legs\u3002\u3000She\u3000started\u3000down\u3000the\u3000stairs\uff1b\u3000each\u3000step\u3000hampered\u3000by\u3000Wade\u2019s\u3000dragging\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000she\u3000said\u3000fiercely\uff1a\u3000\u201cTurn\u3000me\u3000loose\uff1b\u3000Wade\uff01\u3000Turn\u3000me\u3000loose\u3000and\u3000walk\uff01\u201d\u3000But\u3000the\u3000child\u3000only\u3000clung\u3000the\u3000closer\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000The\u3000Yankees\u3000would\u3000burn\u3000it\u3000all\u2014all\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000This\u3000was\u3000her\u3000last\u3000view\u3000of\u3000home\uff1b\u3000her\u3000last\u3000view\u3000except\u3000what\u3000she\u3000might\u3000see\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cover\u3000of\u3000the\u3000woods\u3000or\u3000the\u3000swamp\uff1b\u3000the\u3000tall\u3000chimneys\u3000wrapped\u3000in\u3000smoke\uff1b\u3000the\u3000roof\u3000crashing\u3000in\u3000flame\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000can\u2019t\u3000leave         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000the\u3000tall\u3000chimneys\u3000wrapped\u3000in\u3000smoke\uff1b\u3000the\u3000roof\u3000crashing\u3000in\u3000flame\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cTurn\u3000me\u3000loose\uff1b\u3000Wade\uff1b\u3000honey\uff01\u3000You\u3000run\u3000down\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3000quick\u3000and\u3000through\u3000the\u3000back\u3000yard\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000swamp\u3002\u3000Mammy\u3000will\u3000be\u3000there\u3000and\u3000Aunt\u3000Melly\u3002\u3000Run\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000darling\uff1b\u3000and\u3000don\u2019t\u3000be\u3000afraid\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000At\u3000the\u3000change\u3000in\u3000her\u3000tone\uff1b\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\u3000was\u3000appalled\u3000at\u3000the\u3000look\u3000in\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000baby\u3000rabbit\u3000in\u3000a\u3000trap\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000Mother\u3000of\u3000God\uff01\u201d\u3000she\u3000prayed\u3002\u3000\u201cDon\u2019t\u3000let\u3000him\u3000have\u3000a\u3000convulsion\uff01\u3000Not\u2014not\u3000before\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3002\u3000They\u3000mustn\u2019t\u3000know\u3000we\u3000are\u3000afraid\u3002\u201d\u3000And\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000child\u3000only\u3000gripped\u3000her\u3000skirt\u3000the\u3000tighter\uff1b\u3000she\u3000said\u3000clearly\uff1a\u3000\u201cBe\u3000a\u3000little\u3000man\uff1b\u3000Wade\u3002\u3000They\u2019re\u3000only\u3000a\u3000passel\u3000of\u3000damn\u3000Yankees\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000And\u3000she\u3000went\u3000down\u3000the\u3000steps\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000them\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000Sherman\u3000was\u3000marching\u3000through\u3000Georgia\uff1b\u3000from\u3000Atlanta\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sea\u3002\u3000Behind\u3000him\u3000lay\u3000the\u3000smoking\u3000ruins\u3000of\u3000Atlanta\u3000to\u3000which\u3000the\u3000torch\u3000had\u3000been\u3000set\u3000as\u3000the\u3000blue\u3000army\u3000tramped\u3000out\u3002\u3000Before\u3000him\u3000lay\u3000three\u3000hundred\u3000miles\u3000of\u3000territory\u3000virtually\u3000undefended\u3000save\u3000by\u3000a\u3000few\u3000state\u3000militia\u3000and\u3000the\u3000old\u3000men\u3000and\u3000young\u3000boys\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Home\u3000Guard\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Here\u3000lay\u3000the\u3000fertile\u3000state\uff1b\u3000dotted\u3000with\u3000plantations\uff1b\u3000sheltering\u3000the\u3000women\u3000and\u3000children\uff1b\u3000the\u3000very\u3000old\u3000and\u3000the\u3000negroes\u3002\u3000In\u3000a\u3000swath\u3000eighty\u3000miles\u3000wide\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000were\u3000looting\u3000and\u3000burning\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000homes\u3000in\u3000flames\uff1b\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000homes\u3000resounding\u3000with\u3000their\u3000footsteps\u3002\u3000But\uff1b\u3000to\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000bluecoats\u3000pour\u3000into\u3000the\u3000front\u3000hall\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000not\u3000a\u3000countrywide\u3000affair\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000entirely\u3000personal\uff1b\u3000a\u3000malicious\u3000action\u3000aimed\u3000directly\u3000at\u3000her\u3000and\u3000hers\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000stood\u3000at\u3000the\u3000foot\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stairs\uff1b\u3000the\u3000baby\u3000in\u3000her\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000Wade\u3000pressed\u3000tightly\u3000against\u3000her\uff1b\u3000his\u3000head\u3000hidden\u3000in\u3000her\u3000skirts\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000swarmed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000house\uff1b\u3000pushing\u3000roughly\u3000past\u3000her\u3000up\u3000the\u3000stairs\uff1b\u3000dragging\u3000furniture\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000front\u3000porch\uff1b\u3000running\u3000bayonets\u3000and\u3000knives\u3000into\u3000upholstery\u3000and\u3000digging\u3000inside\u3000for\u3000concealed\u3000valuables\u3002\u3000Upstairs\u3000they\u3000were\u3000ripping\u3000open\u3000mattresses\u3000and\u3000feather\u3000beds\u3000until\u3000the\u3000air\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hall\u3000was\u3000thick\u3000with\u3000feathers\u3000that\u3000floated\u3000softly\u3000down\u3000on\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000Impotent\u3000rage\u3000quelled\u3000what\u3000little\u3000fear\u3000was\u3000left\u3000in\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000as\u3000she\u3000stood\u3000helpless\u3000while\u3000they\u3000plundered\u3000and\u3000stole\u3000and\u3000ruined\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000sergeant\u3000in\u3000charge\u3000was\u3000a\u3000bow\u2026legged\uff1b\u3000grizzled\u3000little\u3000man\u3000with\u3000a\u3000large\u3000wad\u3000of\u3000tobacco\u3000in\u3000his\u3000cheek\u3002\u3000He\u3000reached\u3000Scarlett\u3000before\u3000any\u3000of\u3000his\u3000men\u3000and\uff1b\u3000spitting\u3000freely\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000and\u3000her\u3000skirts\uff1b\u3000said\u3000briefly\uff1a<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cLemme\u3000have\u3000what\u3000you\u3000got\u3000in\u3000yore\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000lady\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cAin\u2019t\u3000no\u3000smokehouse\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cDidja\u3000dig\u3000in\u3000the\u3000nigger\u3000cabins\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cNothin\u2019\u3000but\u3000cotton\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cabins\u3002\u3000We\u3000set\u3000fire\u3000to\u3000it\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000For\u3000a\u3000brief\u3000instant\u3000Scarlett\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000long\u3000hot\u3000days\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cotton\u3000field\uff1b\u3000felt\u3000again\u3000the\u3000terrible\u3000ache\u3000in\u3000her\u3000back\uff1b\u3000the\u3000raw\u3000bruised\u3000flesh\u3000of\u3000her\u3000shoulders\u3002\u3000All\u3000for\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000The\u3000cotton\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYou\u3000ain\u2019t\u3000got\u3000much\uff1b\u3000for\u3000a\u3000fac\u2019\uff1b\u3000have\u3000you\uff1b\u3000lady\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYour         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            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\/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000saw\u3000it\u3000was\u3000Ellen\u2019s\u3000gold\u3000thimble\u3000that\u3000he\u3000held\u3002\u3000How\u3000often\u3000she\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000it\u3000gleaming\u3000in\u3000and\u3000out\u3000of\u3000Ellen\u2019s\u3000fancy\u3000work\u3002\u3000The\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000it\u3000brought\u3000back\u3000too\u3000many\u3000hurting\u3000memories\u3000of\u3000the\u3000slender\u3000hand\u3000which\u3000had\u3000worn\u3000it\u3002\u3000There\u3000it\u3000lay\u3000in\u3000this\u3000stranger\u2019s\u3000calloused\u3000duly\u3000palm\u3000and\u3000soon\u3000it\u3000would\u3000find\u3000its\u3000way\u3000North\u3000and\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000finger\u3000of\u3000some\u3000Yankee\u3000woman\u3000who\u3000would\u3000be\u3000proud\u3000to\u3000wear\u3000stolen\u3000things\u3002\u3000Ellen\u2019s\u3000thimble\uff01<br 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\/>\n\u3000Fairhill\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Tarleton\u3000home\uff1b\u3000was\u3000burned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000foundations\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Tarleton\u3000and\u3000the\u3000four\u3000girls\u3000were\u3000existing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000overseer\u2019s\u3000house\u3002\u3000The\u3000Munroe\u3000house\u3000near\u3000Lovejoy\u3000was\u3000leveled\u3000too\u3002\u3000The\u3000wooden\u3000wing\u3000of\u3000Mimosa\u3000had\u3000burned\u3000and\u3000only\u3000the\u3000thick\u3000resistant\u3000stucco\u3000of\u3000the\u3000main\u3000house\u3000and\u3000the\u3000frenzied\u3000work\u3000of\u3000t         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            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\/>\n\u3000She\u3000was\u3000in\u3000a\u3000wild\u3000strange\u3000country\u3000so\u3000thick\u3000with\u3000swirling\u3000mist\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000see\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000before\u3000her\u3000face\u3002\u3000The\u3000earth\u3000beneath\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000was\u3000uneasy\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000haunted\u3000land\uff1b\u3000still\u3000with\u3000a\u3000terrible\u3000stillness\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000lost\u3000in\u3000it\uff1b\u3000lost\u3000and\u3000terrified\u3000as\u3000a\u3000child\u3000in\u3000the\u3000night\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000bitterly\u3000cold\u3000and\u3000hungry\u3000and\u3000so\u3000fearful\u3000of\u3000what\u3000lurked\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mists\u3000about\u3000her\u3000that\u3000she\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000scream\u3000and\u3000could\u3000not\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000things\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fog\u3000reaching\u3000out\u3000fingers\u3000to\u3000pluck\u3000at\u3000her\u3000skirt\uff1b\u3000to\u3000drag\u3000her\u3000down\u3000into\u3000the\u3000uneasy\u3000quaking\u3000earth\u3000on\u3000which\u3000she\u3000stood\uff1b\u3000silent\uff1b\u3000relentless\uff1b\u3000spectral\u3000hands\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000somewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000opaque\u3000gloom\u3000about\u3000her\u3000there\u3000was\u3000shelter\uff1b\u3000help\uff1b\u3000a\u3000heaven\u3000of\u3000refuge\u3000and\u3000warmth\u3002\u3000But\u3000where\u3000was\u3000it\uff1f\u3000Could\u3000she\u3000reach\u3000it\u3000before\u3000the\u3000hands\u3000clutched\u3000her\u3000and\u3000dragged\u3000her\u3000down\u3000into\u3000the\u3000quicksands\uff1f<br 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\/>\n\u3000The\u3000dream\u3000returned\u3000again\u3000and\u3000again\uff1b\u3000whenever\u3000she\u3000went\u3000to\u3000sleep\u3000with\u3000an\u3000empty\u3000stomach\u3002\u3000And\u3000that\u3000was\u3000frequently\u3000enough\u3002\u3000It\u3000so\u3000frightened\u3000her\u3000that\u3000she\u3000feared\u3000to\u3000sleep\uff1b\u3000although\u3000she\u3000feverishly\u3000told\u3000herself\u3000there\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000in\u3000such\u3000a\u3000dream\u3000to\u3000be\u3000afraid\u3000of\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000in\u3000a\u3000dream\u3000about\u3000fog\u3000to\u3000scare\u3000her\u3000so\u3002\u3000Nothing\u3000at\u3000all\u2014yet\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000dropping\u3000off\u3000into\u3000that\u3000mist\u2026filled\u3000country\u3000so\u3000terrified\u3000her\u3000she\u3000began\u3000sleeping\u3000with\u3000Melanie\uff1b\u3000who\u3000would\u3000wake\u3000her\u3000up\u3000when\u3000her\u3000moaning\u3000and\u3000twitching\u3000revealed\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000again\u3000in\u3000the\u3000clutch\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dream\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Under\u3000the\u3000strain\u3000she\u3000grew\u3000white\u3000and\u3000thin\u3002\u3000The\u3000pretty\u3000roundness\u3000left\u3000her\u3000face\uff1b\u3000throwing\u3000her\u3000cheek\u3000bones\u3000into\u3000prominence\uff1b\u3000emphasizing\u3000her\u3000slanting\u3000green\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000giving\u3000her\u3000the\u3000look\u3000of\u3000a\u3000prowling\uff1b\u3000hungry\u3000cat\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cDaytime\u3000is\u3000enough\u3000like\u3000a\u3000nightmare\u3000without\u3000my\u3000dreaming\u3000things\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            ling\uff1b\u3000hungry\u3000cat\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cDaytime\u3000is\u3000enough\u3000like\u3000a\u3000nightmare\u3000without\u3000my\u3000dreaming\u3000things\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000desperately\u3000and\u3000began\u3000hoarding\u3000her\u3000daily\u3000ration\u3000to\u3000eat\u3000it\u3000just\u3000before\u3000she\u3000went\u3000to\u3000sleep\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000At\u3000Christmas\u3000time\u3000Frank\u3000Kennedy\u3000and\u3000a\u3000small\u3000troop\u3000from\u3000the\u3000commissary\u3000department\u3000jogged\u3000up\u3000to\u3000Tara\u3000on\u3000a\u3000futile\u3000hunt\u3000for\u3000grain\u3000and\u3000animals\u3000for\u3000the\u3000army\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000a\u3000ragged\u3000and\u3000ruffianly\u3000appearing\u3000crew\uff1b\u3000mounted\u3000on\u3000lame\u3000and\u3000heaving\u3000horses\u3000which\u3000obviously\u3000were\u3000in\u3000too\u3000bad\u3000condition\u3000to\u3000be\u3000used\u3000for\u3000more\u3000active\u3000service\u3002\u3000Like\u3000their\u3000animals\u3000the\u3000men\u3000had\u3000been\u3000invalided\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000front\u2026line\u3000forces\u3000and\uff1b\u3000except\u3000for\u3000Frank\uff1b\u3000all\u3000of\u3000them\u3000had\u3000an\u3000arm\u3000missing\u3000or\u3000an\u3000eye\u3000gone\u3000or\u3000stiffened\u3000joints\u3002\u3000Most\u3000of\u3000them\u3000wore\u3000blue\u3000overcoats\u3000of\u3000captured\u3000Yankees\u3000and\uff1b\u3000for\u3000a\u3000brief\u3000instant\u3000of\u3000horror\uff1b\u3000those\u3000at\u3000Tara\u3000thought\u3000Sherman\u2019s\u3000men\u3000had\u3000returned\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000They\u3000stayed\u3000the\u3000night\u3000on\u3000the\u3000plantation\uff1b\u3000sleeping\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000in\u3000the\u3000parlor\uff1b\u3000luxuriating\u3000as\u3000they\u3000stretched\u3000themselves\u3000on\u3000the\u3000velvet\u3000rug\uff1b\u3000for\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000weeks\u3000since\u3000they\u3000had\u3000slept\u3000under\u3000a\u3000roof\u3000or\u3000on\u3000anything\u3000softer\u3000than\u3000pine\u3000needles\u3000and\u3000hard\u3000earth\u3002\u3000For\u3000all\u3000their\u3000dirty\u3000beards\u3000and\u3000tatters\u3000they\u3000were\u3000a\u3000well\u2026bred\u3000crowd\uff1b\u3000full\u3000of\u3000pleasant\u3000small\u3000talk\uff1b\u3000jokes\u3000and\u3000compliments\u3000and\u3000very\u3000glad\u3000to\u3000be\u3000spending\u3000Christmas\u3000Eve\u3000in\u3000a\u3000big\u3000house\uff1b\u3000surrounded\u3000by\u3000pretty\u3000women\u3000as\u3000they\u3000had\u3000been\u3000accustomed\u3000to\u3000do\u3000in\u3000days\u3000long\u3000past\u3002\u3000They\u3000refused\u3000to\u3000be\u3000serious\u3000about\u3000the\u3000war\uff1b\u3000told\u3000outrageous\u3000lies\u3000to\u3000make\u3000the\u3000girls\u3000laugh\u3000and\u3000brought\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bare\u3000and\u3000looted\u3000house\u3000the\u3000first\u3000lightness\uff1b\u3000the\u3000first\u3000hint\u3000of\u3000festivity\u3000it\u3000had\u3000known\u3000in\u3000many\u3000a\u3000day\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cIt\u2019s\u3000almost\u3000like\u3000the\u3000old\u3000days\u3000when\u3000we\u3000had\u3000house\u3000parties\uff1b\u3000isn\u2019t\u3000it\uff1f\u201d\u3000whispered\u3000Suellen\u3000happily\u3000to\u3000Scarlett\u3002\u3000Suellen\u3000was\u3000raised\u3000to\u3000the\u3000skies\u3000by\u3000having\u3000a\u3000beau\u3000of\u3000her\u3000own\u3000in\u3000the\u3000house\u3000again\u3000and\u3000she\u3000could\u3000hardly\u3000take\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000off\u3000Frank\u3000Kennedy\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000to\u3000see\u3000that\u3000Suellen\u3000could\u3000be\u3000almost\u3000pretty\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000the\u3000thinness\u3000which\u3000had\u3000persisted\u3000since\u3000her\u3000illness\u3002\u3000Her\u3000cheeks\u3000were\u3000flushed\u3000and\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000soft\u3000luminous\u3000look\u3000in\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cShe\u3000really\u3000must\u3000care\u3000about\u3000him\uff1b\u201d\u3000thought\u3000Scarlett\u3000in\u3000contempt\u3002\u3000\u201cAnd\u3000I\u3000guess\u3000she\u2019d\u3000be\u3000almost\u3000human\u3000if\u3000she\u3000ever\u3000had\u3000a\u3000husband\u3000of\u3000her\u3000own\uff1b\u3000even\u3000if\u3000her\u3000husband\u3000was\u3000old\u3000fuss\u2026budget\u3000Frank\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Carreen\u3000had\u3000brightened\u3000a\u3000little\u3000too\uff1b\u3000and\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sleep\u2026walking\u3000look\u3000left\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000that\u3000night\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000found\u3000that\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000men\u3000had\u3000known\u3000Brent\u3000Tarleton\u3000and\u3000had\u3000been\u3000with\u3000him\u3000the\u3000day\u3000he\u3000was\u3000killed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000promised\u3000herself\u3000a\u3000long\u3000private\u3000talk\u3000with\u3000him\u3000after\u3000supper\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000At\u3000supper\u3000Melanie\u3000surprised\u3000them\u3000all\u3000by\u3000forcing\u3000herself\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000timidity\u3000and\u3000being\u3000almost\u3000vivacious\u3002\u3000She\u3000laughed\u3000and\u3000joked\u3000and\u3000almost\u3000but\u3000not\u3000quite\u3000coquetted\u3000with\u3000a\u3000one\u2026eyed\u3000soldier\u3000who\u3000gladly\u3000repaid\u3000her\u3000efforts\u3000with\u3000extravagant\u3000gallantries\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000effort\u3000this\u3000involved\u3000both\u3000mentally\u3000and\u3000physically\uff1b\u3000for\u3000Melanie\u3000suffered\u3000torments\u3000of\u3000shyness\u3000in\u3000the\u3000presence\u3000of\u3000anything\u3000male\u3002\u3000Moreover\u3000she\u3000was\u3000far\u3000from\u3000well\u3002\u3000She\u3000insisted\u3000she\u3000was\u3000strong\u3000and\u3000did\u3000more\u3000work\u3000even\u3000than\u3000Dilcey\u3000but\u3000Scarlett\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000was\u3000sick\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000lifted\u3000things\u3000her\u3000face\u3000went\u3000white\u3000and\u3000she\u3000had\u3000a\u3000way\u3000of\u3000sitting\u3000down\u3000suddenly\u3000after\u3000exertions\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000her\u3000legs\u3000would\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000support\u3000her\u3002\u3000But\u3000tonight\u3000she\uff1b\u3000like\u3000Suellen\u3000and\u3000Carreen\uff1b\u3000was\u3000doing\u3000everything\u3000possible\u3000to\u3000make\u3000the\u3000soldiers\u3000enjoy\u3000their\u3000Christmas\u3000Eve\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000alone\u3000took\u3000no\u3000pleasure\u3000in\u3000the\u3000guests\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000no\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Scarlett\uff01\u201d\u3000cried\u3000Frank\uff1b\u3000shocked\u3002\u3000\u201cWe\u2019d\u3000never\u3000burn\u3000one\u3000of\u3000our\u3000own\u3000towns\u3000with\u3000our\u3000own\u3000folks\u3000in\u3000it\uff01\u3000What\u3000you\u3000saw\u3000burning\u3000was\u3000the\u3000warehouses\u3000and\u3000the\u3000supplies\u3000we\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000want\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000to\u3000capture\u3000and\u3000the\u3000foundries\u3000and\u3000the\u3000ammunition\u3002\u3000But\u3000that\u3000was\u3000all\u3002\u3000When\u3000Sherman\u3000took\u3000the\u3000town\u3000the\u3000houses\u3000and\u3000stores\u3000were\u3000standing\u3000there\u3000as\u3000pretty\u3000as\u3000you\u3000please\u3002\u3000And\u3000he\u3000quartered\u3000his\u3000men\u3000in\u3000them\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cBut\u3000what\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000the\u3000people\uff1f\u3000Did\u3000he\u2014did\u3000he\u3000kill\u3000them\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cHe\u3000killed\u3000some\u2014but\u3000not\u3000with\u3000bullets\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000the\u3000one\u2026eyed\u3000soldier\u3000grimly\u3002\u3000\u201cSoon\u2019s\u3000he\u3000marched\u3000into\u3000Atlanta\u3000he\u3000told\u3000the\u3000mayor\u3000that\u3000all\u3000the\u3000people\u3000in\u3000town\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000move\u3000out\uff1b\u3000every\u3000living\u3000soul\u3002\u3000And\u3000there\u3000were\u3000plenty\u3000of\u3000old\u3000folks\u3000that\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000stand\u3000the\u3000trip\u3000and\u3000sick\u3000folks\u3000that\u3000ought\u3000not\u3000to\u3000have\u3000been\u3000moved\u3000and\u3000ladies\u3000who\u3000were\u2014well\uff1b\u3000ladies\u3000who\u3000hadn\u2019t\u3000ought\u3000to\u3000be\u3000moved\u3000either\u3002\u3000And\u3000he\u3000moved\u3000them\u3000out\u3000in\u3000the\u3000biggest\u3000rainstorm\u3000you\u3000ever\u3000saw\uff1b\u3000hundreds\u3000and\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000dumped\u3000them\u3000in\u3000the\u3000woods\u3000near\u3000Rough\u3000and\u3000Ready\u3000and\u3000sent\u3000word\u3000to\u3000General\u3000Hood\u3000to\u3000come\u3000and\u3000get\u3000them\u3002\u3000And\u3000a\u3000plenty\u3000of\u3000the\u3000folks\u3000died\u3000of\u3000pneumonia\u3000and\u3000not\u3000being\u3000able\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000that\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000treatment\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000but\u3000why\u3000did\u3000he\u3000do\u3000that\uff1f\u3000They\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000have\u3000done\u3000him\u3000any\u3000harm\uff1b\u201d\u3000cried\u3000Melanie\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cHe\u3000said\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000the\u3000town\u3000to\u3000rest\u3000his\u3000men\u3000and\u3000horses\u3000in\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Frank\u3002\u3000\u201cAnd\u3000he\u3000rested\u3000them\u3000there\u3000till\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000November\u3000and\u3000then\u3000he\u3000lit\u3000out\u3002\u3000And\u3000he\u3000set\u3000fire\u3000to\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000town\u3000when\u3000he\u3000left\u3000and\u3000burne         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000November\u3000and\u3000then\u3000he\u3000lit\u3000out\u3002\u3000And\u3000he\u3000set\u3000fire\u3000to\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000town\u3000when\u3000he\u3000left\u3000and\u3000burned\u3000everything\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000surely\u3000not\u3000everything\uff01\u201d\u3000cried\u3000the\u3000girls\u3000in\u3000dismay\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000It\u3000was\u3000inconceivable\u3000that\u3000the\u3000bustling\u3000town\u3000they\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000so\u3000full\u3000of\u3000people\uff1b\u3000so\u3000crowded\u3000with\u3000soldiers\uff1b\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002\u3000All\u3000the\u3000lovely\u3000homes\u3000beneath\u3000shady\u3000trees\uff1b\u3000all\u3000the\u3000big\u3000stores\u3000and\u3000the\u3000fine\u3000hotels\u2014surely\u3000they\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000be\u3000gone\uff01\u3000Melanie\u3000seemed\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000burst\u3000into\u3000tears\uff1b\u3000for\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000born\u3000there\u3000and\u3000knew\u3000no\u3000other\u3000home\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000heart\u3000sank\u3000because\u3000she\u3000had\u3000come\u3000to\u3000love\u3000the\u3000place\u3000second\u3000only\u3000to\u3000Tara\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWell\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000everything\uff1b\u201d\u3000Frank\u3000amended\u3000hastily\uff1b\u3000disturbed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000expressions\u3000on\u3000their\u3000faces\u3002\u3000He\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000look\u3000cheerful\uff1b\u3000for\u3000he\u3000did\u3000not\u3000believe\u3000in\u3000upsetting\u3000ladies\u3002\u3000Upset\u3000ladies\u3000always\u3000upset\u3000him\u3000and\u3000made\u3000him\u3000feel\u3000helpless\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000not\u3000bring\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000them\u3000the\u3000worst\u3002\u3000Let\u3000them\u3000find\u3000out\u3000from\u3000some\u3000one\u3000else\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000And\u3000Frank\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000tell\u3000them\u3000about\u3000the\u3000dogs\u3000and\u3000the\u3000cats\u3002\u3000Ladies\u3000set\u3000such\u3000a\u3000store\u3000by\u3000pets\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000thousands\u3000of\u3000starving\u3000animals\uff1b\u3000left\u3000homeless\u3000when\u3000their\u3000masters\u3000had\u3000been\u3000so\u3000rudely\u3000evacuated\uff1b\u3000had\u3000shocked\u3000him\u3000almost\u3000as\u3000much\u3000as\u3000the\u3000cemetery\uff1b\u3000for\u3000Frank\u3000loved\u3000cats\u3000and\u3000dogs\u3002\u3000The\u3000animals\u3000had\u3000been\u3000frightened\uff1b\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000ravenous\uff1b\u3000wild\u3000as\u3000forest\u3000creatures\uff1b\u3000the\u3000strong\u3000attacking\u3000the\u3000weak\uff1b\u3000the\u3000weak\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000the\u3000weaker\u3000to\u3000die\u3000so\u3000they\u3000could\u3000eat\u3000them\u3002\u3000And\uff1b\u3000above\u3000the\u3000ruined\u3000town\uff1b\u3000the\u3000buzzards\u3000splotched\u3000the\u3000wintry\u3000sky\u3000with\u3000graceful\uff1b\u3000sinister\u3000bodies\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Frank\u3000cast\u3000about\u3000in\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000for\u3000some\u3000mitigating\u3000information\u3000that\u3000would\u3000make\u3000the\u3000ladies\u3000feel\u3000better\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cThere\u2019s\u3000some\u3000houses\u3000still\u3000standing\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u201chouses\u3000that\u3000set\u3000on\u3000big\u3000lots\u3000away\u3000from\u3000other\u3000houses\u3000and\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000catch\u3000fire\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000churches\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Masonic\u3000hall\u3000are\u3000left\u3000And\u3000a\u3000few\u3000stores\u3000too\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000business\u3000section\u3000and\u3000all\u3000along\u3000the\u3000railroad\u3000tracks\u3000and\u3000at\u3000Five\u3000Points\u2014well\uff1b\u3000ladies\uff1b\u3000that\u3000part\u3000of\u3000town\u3000is\u3000flat\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000have\u3000got\u3000plenty\uff1b\u201d\u3000cried\u3000Melanie\uff1b\u3000passionately\u3000bitter\u3002\u3000\u201cBut\u3000they\u3000don\u2019t\u3000give\u3000things\u3000to\u3000the\u3000prisoners\u3002\u3000You\u3000know\u3000they\u3000don\u2019t\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Kennedy\u3002\u3000You\u3000are\u3000just\u3000saying\u3000that\u3000to\u3000make\u3000me\u3000feel\u3000better\u3002\u3000You\u3000know\u3000that\u3000our\u3000boys\u3000freeze\u3000to\u3000death\u3000up\u3000there\u3000and\u3000starve\u3000too\u3000and\u3000die\u3000without\u3000doctors\u3000and\u3000medicine\uff1b\u3000simply\u3000because\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000hate\u3000us\u3000so\u3000much\uff01\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000if\u3000we\u3000could\u3000just\u3000wipe\u3000every\u3000Yankee\u3000off\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000the\u3000earth\uff01\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000I\u3000know\u3000that\u3000Ashley\u3000is\u2014\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u2019ll\u3000send\u3000her\u3000to\u2019\u3000you\uff1b\u201d\u3000smiled\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000starting\u3000for\u3000the\u3000parlor\u3002\u3000Melanie\u3000was\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000play\u3002\u3000The\u3000piano\u3000was\u3000sadly\u3000out\u3000of\u3000tune\u3000but\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chords\u3000were\u3000musical\u3000and\u3000Melanie\u3000was\u3000raising\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000to\u3000lead\u3000the\u3000others\u3000in\u3000\u201cHark\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Herald\u3000Angels\u3000Sing\uff01\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000But\u3000the\u3000fading\u3000hopes\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Confederacy\u3000weighed\u3000less\u3000heavily\u3000on\u3000Scarlett\u3000than\u3000his\u3000remark\u3000about\u3000the\u3000scarcity\u3000of\u3000food\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000been\u3000her\u3000intention\u3000to\u3000send\u3000Pork\u3000out\u3000with\u3000the\u3000horse\u3000and\u3000wagon\uff1b\u3000the\u3000gold\u3000pieces\u3000and\u3000the\u3000United\u3000States\u3000money\u3000to\u3000scour\u3000the\u3000countryside\u3000for\u3000provisions\u3000and\u3000material\u3000for\u3000clothes\u3002\u3000But\u3000if\u3000what\u3000Frank\u3000said\u3000was\u3000true\u2014<br \/>\n\u3000But\u3000Macon\u3000hadn\u2019t\u3000fallen\u3002\u3000There\u3000must\u3000be\u3000food\u3000in\u3000Macon\u3002\u3000Just\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000the\u3000commissary\u3000department\u3000was\u3000safely\u3000on\u3000its\u3000way\uff1b\u3000she\u2019d\u3000start\u3000Pork\u3000for\u3000Macon\u3000and\u3000take\u3000the\u3000chance\u3000of\u3000having\u3000the\u3000precious\u3000horse\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000by\u3000the\u3000army\u3002\u3000She\u2019d\u3000have\u3000to\u3000risk\u3000it\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWell\uff1b\u3000let\u2019s\u3000don\u2019t\u3000talk\u3000about\u3000unpleasant\u3000things\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Kennedy\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u201cYou\u3000go\u3000and\u3000sit\u3000in\u3000Mother\u2019s\u3000little\u3000office\u3000and\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000send\u3000Suellen\u3000to\u3000you\u3000so\u3000you\u3000can\u2014well\uff1b\u3000so\u3000you\u2019ll\u3000have\u3000a\u3000little\u3000privacy\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Blushing\uff1b\u3000smiling\uff1b\u3000Frank\u3000slipped\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\u3000watched\u3000him\u3000go\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWhat\u3000a\u3000pity\u3000he\u3000can\u2019t\u3000marry\u3000her\u3000now\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000thought\u3002\u3000\u201cThat\u3000would\u3000be\u3000one\u3000less\u3000mouth\u3000to\u3000feed\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000CHAPTER\u3000XXIX<br \/>\n\u3000THE\u3000FOLLOWING\u3000APRIL\u3000General\u3000Johnston\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000given\u3000back\u3000the\u3000shattered\u3000remnants\u3000of\u3000his\u3000old\u3000command\uff1b\u3000surrendered\u3000them\u3000in\u3000North\u3000Carolina\u3000and\u3000the\u3000war\u3000was\u3000over\u3002\u3000But\u3000not\u3000until\u3000two\u3000weeks\u3000later\u3000did\u3000the\u3000news\u3000reach\u3000Tara\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000too\u3000much\u3000to\u3000do\u3000at\u3000Tara\u3000for\u3000anyone\u3000to\u3000waste\u3000time\u3000traveling\u3000abroad\u3000and\u3000hearing\u3000gossip\u3000and\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000neighbors\u3000were\u3000just\u3000as\u3000busy\u3000as\u3000they\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000little\u3000visiting\u3000and\u3000news\u3000spread\u3000slowly\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Spring\u3000plowing\u3000was\u3000at\u3000its\u3000height\u3000and\u3000the\u3000cotton\u3000and\u3000garden\u3000seed\u3000Pork\u3000had\u3000brought\u3000from\u3000Macon\u3000was\u3000being\u3000put\u3000into\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000Pork\u3000had\u3000been\u3000almost\u3000worthless\u3000since\u3000the\u3000trip\uff1b\u3000so\u3000proud\u3000was\u3000he\u3000of\u3000returni         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            less\u3000since\u3000the\u3000trip\uff1b\u3000so\u3000proud\u3000was\u3000he\u3000of\u3000returning\u3000safely\u3000with\u3000his\u3000wagon\u2026load\u3000of\u3000dress\u3000goods\uff1b\u3000seed\uff1b\u3000fowls\uff1b\u3000hams\uff1b\u3000side\u3000meat\u3000and\u3000meal\u3002\u3000Over\u3000and\u3000over\uff1b\u3000he\u3000told\u3000the\u3000story\u3000of\uff1b\u3000his\u3000many\u3000narrow\u3000escapes\uff1b\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bypaths\u3000and\u3000country\u3000lanes\u3000he\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000on\u3000his\u3000return\u3000to\u3000Tara\uff1b\u3000the\u3000unfrequented\u3000roads\uff1b\u3000the\u3000old\u3000trails\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bridle\u3000paths\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000been\u3000five\u3000weeks\u3000on\u3000the\u3000road\uff1b\u3000agonizing\u3000weeks\u3000for\u3000Scarlett\u3002\u3000But\u3000she\u3000did\u3000not\u3000upbraid\u3000him\u3000on\u3000his\u3000return\uff1b\u3000for\u3000she\u3000was\u3000happy\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000made\u3000the\u3000trip\u3000successfully\u3000and\u3000pleased\u3000that\u3000he\u3000brought\u3000back\u3000so\u3000much\u3000of\u3000the\u3000money\u3000she\u3000had\u3000given\u3000him\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000a\u3000shrewd\u3000suspicion\u3000that\u3000the\u3000reason\u3000he\u3000had\u3000so\u3000much\u3000money\u3000left\u3000over\u3000was\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000not\u3000bought\u3000the\u3000fowls\u3000or\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000food\u3002\u3000Pork\u3000would\u3000have\u3000taken\u3000shame\u3000to\u3000himself\u3000had\u3000he\u3000spent\u3000her\u3000money\u3000when\u3000there\u3000were\u3000unguarded\u3000hen\u3000coops\u3000along\u3000the\u3000road\u3000and\u3000smokehouses\u3000handy\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Now\u3000that\u3000they\u3000had\u3000a\u3000little\u3000food\uff1b\u3000everyone\u3000at\u3000Tara\u3000was\u3000busy\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000restore\u3000some\u3000semblance\u3000of\u3000naturalness\u3000to\u3000life\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000work\u3000for\u3000every\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000too\u3000much\u3000work\uff1b\u3000never\u2026ending\u3000work\u3002\u3000The\u3000withered\u3000stalks\u3000of\u3000last\u3000year\u2019s\u3000cotton\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000removed\u3000to\u3000make\u3000way\u3000for\u3000this\u3000year\u2019s\u3000seeds\u3000and\u3000the\u3000balky\u3000horse\uff1b\u3000unaccustomed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000plow\uff1b\u3000dragged\u3000unwillingly\u3000through\u3000the\u3000fields\u3002\u3000Weeds\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000pulled\u3000from\u3000the\u3000garden\u3000and\u3000the\u3000seeds\u3000planted\uff1b\u3000firewood\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000cut\uff1b\u3000a\u3000beginning\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000made\u3000toward\u3000replacing\u3000the\u3000pens\u3000and\u3000the\u3000miles\u3000and\u3000miles\u3000of\u3000fences\u3000so\u3000casually\u3000burned\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3002\u3000The\u3000snares\u3000Pork\u3000set\u3000for\u3000rabbits\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000visited\u3000twice\u3000a\u3000day\u3000and\u3000the\u3000fishlines\u3000in\u3000the\u3000river\u3000rebaited\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000beds\u3000to\u3000be\u3000made\u3000and\u3000floors\u3000to\u3000be\u3000swept\uff1b\u3000food\u3000to\u3000be\u3000cooked\u3000and\u3000dishes\u3000washed\uff1b\u3000hogs\u3000and\u3000chickens\u3000to\u3000be\u3000fed\u3000and\u3000eggs\u3000gathered\u3002\u3000The\u3000cow\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000milked\u3000and\u3000pastured\u3000near\u3000the\u3000swamp\u3000and\u3000someone\u3000had\u3000to\u3000watch\u3000her\u3000all\u3000day\u3000for\u3000fear\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000or\u3000Frank\u3000Kennedy\u2019s\u3000men\u3000would\u3000return\u3000and\u3000take\u3000her\u3002\u3000Even\u3000little\u3000Wade\u3000had\u3000his\u3000duties\u3002\u3000Every\u3000morning\u3000he\u3000went\u3000out\u3000importantly\u3000with\u3000a\u3000basket\u3000to\u3000pick\u3000up\u3000twigs\u3000and\u3000chips\u3000to\u3000start\u3000the\u3000fires\u3000with\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cShe\u2019s\u3000a\u3000spunky\u3000girl\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Tony\uff1b\u3000\u201cand\u3000it\u2019s\u3000rotten\u3000luck\u3000for\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Joe\u3000getting\u3000killed\u3002\u3000You\u3000all\u3000got\u3000any\u3000chewing\u3000tobacco\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cNothing\u3000but\u3000rabbit\u3000tobacco\u3002\u3000Pa\u3000smokes\u3000it\u3000in\u3000a\u3000corn\u3000cob\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000haven\u2019t\u3000fallen\u3000that\u3000low\u3000yet\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Tony\uff1b\u3000\u201cbut\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000probably\u3000come\u3000to\u3000it\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cIs\u3000Dimity\u3000Munroe\u3000all\u3000right\uff1f\u201d\u3000asked\u3000Alex\uff1b\u3000eagerly\u3000but\u3000a\u3000little\u3000embarrassed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\u3000recalled\u3000vaguely\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000sweet\u3000on\u3000Sally\u2019s\u3000younger\u3000sister\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000yes\u3002\u3000She\u2019s\u3000living\u3000with\u3000her\u3000aunt\u3000over\u3000in\u3000Fayetteville\u3000now\u3002\u3000You\u3000know\u3000their\u3000house\u3000in\u3000Lovejoy\u3000was\u3000burned\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000her\u3000folks\u3000are\u3000in\u3000Macon\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWhat\u3000he\u3000means\u3000is\u2014has\u3000Dimity\u3000married\u3000some\u3000brave\u3000colonel\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Home\u3000Guard\uff1f\u201d\u3000jeered\u3000Tony\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Alex\u3000turned\u3000furious\u3000eyes\u3000upon\u3000him\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cOf\u3000course\uff1b\u3000she\u3000isn\u2019t\u3000married\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000amused\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cMaybe\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000better\u3000if\u3000she\u3000had\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Alex\u3000gloomily\u3002\u3000\u201cHow\u3000the\u3000hell\u2014I\u3000beg\u3000your\u3000pardon\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3002\u3000But\u3000how\u3000can\u3000a\u3000man\u3000ask\u3000a\u3000girl\u3000to\u3000marry\u3000him\u3000when\u3000his\u3000darkies\u3000are\u3000all\u3000freed\u3000and\u3000his\uff1b\u3000stock\u3000gone\u3000and\u3000he\u3000hasn\u2019t\u3000got\u3000a\u3000cent\u3000in\u3000his\u3000pockets\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYou\u3000know\u3000that\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u3000bother\u3000Dimity\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Scarlett\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000afford\u3000to\u3000be\u3000loyal\u3000to\u3000Dimity\u3000and\u3000say\u3000nice\u3000things\u3000about\u3000her\uff1b\u3000for\u3000Alex\u3000Fontaine\u3000had\u3000never\u3000been\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000own\u3000beaux\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cHell\u2019s\u3000afire\u2014\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000I\u3000beg\u3000your\u3000pardon\u3000again\u3002\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000have\u3000to\u3000quit\u3000swearing\u3000or\u3000Grandma\u3000will\u3000sure\u3000tan\u3000my\u3000hide\u3002\u3000I\u2019m\u3000not\u3000asking\u3000any\u3000girl\u3000to\u3000marry\u3000a\u3000pauper\u3002\u3000It\u3000mightn\u2019t\u3000bother\u3000her\u3000but\u3000it\u3000would\u3000bother\u3000me\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000While\u3000Scarlett\u3000talked\u3000to\u3000the\u3000boys\u3000on\u3000the\u3000front\u3000porch\uff1b\u3000Melanie\uff1b\u3000Suellen\u3000and\u3000Carreen\u3000slipped\u3000silently\u3000into\u3000the\u3000house\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000they\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000news\u3000of\u3000the\u3000surrender\u3002\u3000After\u3000the\u3000boys\u3000had\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000cutting\u3000across\u3000the\u3000back\u3000fields\u3000of\u3000Tara\u3000toward\u3000home\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000went\u3000inside\u3000and\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000girls\u3000sobbing\u3000together\u3000on\u3000the\u3000sofa\u3000in\u3000Ellen\u2019s\u3000little\u3000office\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000all\u3000over\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bright\u3000beautiful\u3000dream\u3000they\u3000had\u3000loved\u3000and\u3000hoped\u3000for\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Cause\u3000which\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000their\u3000friends\uff1b\u3000lovers\uff1b\u3000husbands\u3000and\u3000beggared\u3000their\u3000families\u3002\u3000The\u3000Cause\u3000they\u3000had\u3000thought\u3000could\u3000never\u3000fall\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000forever\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000But\u3000for\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000there\u3000were\u3000no\u3000tears\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000first\u3000moment\u3000when\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000news\u3000she\u3000thought\uff1a\u3000Thank\u3000God\uff01\u3000Now\u3000the\u3000cow\u3000won\u2019t\u3000be\u3000stolen\u3002\u3000Now\u3000the\u3000horse\u3000is\u3000safe\u3002\u3000Now\u3000we\u3000can\u3000take\u3000the\u3000silver\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000well\u3000and\u3000everybody\u3000can\u3000have\u3000a\u3000knife\u3000and\u3000fork\u3002\u3000Now\u3000I\u3000won\u2019t\u3000be\u3000afraid\u3000to\u3000drive\u3000round\u3000the\u3000country\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000something\u3000to\u3000eat\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000What\u3000a\u3000relief\uff01\u3000Never\u3000again\u3000would\u3000she\u3000start\u3000in\u3000fear\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000hooves\u3002\u3000Never\u3000again\u3000would\u3000she\u3000wake\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000nights\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000her\u3000breath\u3000to\u3000listen\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000if\u3000it\u3000were\u3000reality\u3000or\u3000only\u3000a\u3000dream\u3000that\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000in\u3000the\u3000yard\u3000the\u3000rattle\u3000of\u3000bits\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stamping\u3000of\u3000hooves\u3000and\u3000the\u3000harsh\u3000crying\u3000of\u3000orders\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3002\u3000And\uff1b\u3000best\u3000of\u3000all\uff1b\u3000Tara\u3000was\u3000safe\uff01\u3000Now\u3000her\u3000worst\u3000nightmare\u3000would\u3000never\u3000come\u3000true\u3002\u3000Now\u3000she\u3000would\u3000never\u3000have\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000on\u3000the\u3000lawn\u3000and\u3000see\u3000smoke\u3000billowing\u3000from\u3000the\u3000beloved\u3000house\u3000and\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000roar\u3000of\u3000flames\u3000as\u3000the\u3000roof\u3000fell\u3000in\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Cause\u3000was\u3000dead\u3000but\u3000war\u3000had\u3000always\u3000seemed\u3000foolish\u3000to\u3000her\u3000and\u3000peace\u3000was\u3000better\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000never\u3000stood\u3000starry\u3000eyed\u3000when\u3000the\u3000Stars\u3000and\u3000Bars\u3000ran\u3000up\u3000a\u3000pole\u3000or\u3000felt\u3000cold\u3000chills\u3000when\u3000\u201cDixie\u201d\u3000sounded\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000not\u3000been\u3000sustained\u3000through\u3000privations\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sickening\u3000duties\u3000of\u3000nursing\uff1b\u3000the\u3000fears\u3000of\u3000the\u3000siege\u3000and\u3000the\u3000hunger\u3000of\u3000the\u3000last\u3000few\u3000months\u3000by\u3000the\u3000fanatic\u3000glow\u3000which\u3000made\u3000all\u3000these\u3000things\u3000endurable\u3000to\u3000others\uff1b\u3000if\u3000only\u3000the\u3000Cause\u3000prospered\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000all\u3000over\u3000and\u3000done\u3000with\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000not\u3000going\u3000to\u3000cry\u3000about\u3000it\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Before\u3000the\u3000last\u3000year\u3000Suellen\u3000had\u3000nev         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            d\u3000rest\u3002\u3000If\u3000Suellen\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000go\u3000visiting\u3000she\u3000could\u3000go\u3000afoot\u3002<br 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rlett\uff1b\u3000who\u3000felt\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000endure\u3000the\u3000house\u3000another\u3000minute\uff1b\u3000followed\u3000them\u3002\u3000They\u3000went\u3000down\u3000the\u3000path\u3000through\u3000the\u3000garden\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\u3000saw\u3000they\u3000were\u3000going\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000burying\u3000ground\u3002\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000she\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000go\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000house\u3000now\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000seem\u3000too\u3000rude\u3002\u3000But\u3000what\u3000on\u3000earth\u3000did\u3000Carreen\u3000mean\u3000dragging\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Tarleton\u3000out\u3000to\u3000the\u3000boys\u2019\u3000graves\u3000when\u3000Beatrice\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000so\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000be\u3000brave\uff1f<br 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\/>\n\u3000Tombstones\uff01\u3000And\u3000what\u3000they\u3000must\u3000have\u3000cost\uff01\u3000Suddenly\u3000Scarlett\u3000did\u3000not\u3000feel\u3000as\u3000sorry\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Tarletons\u3000as\u3000she\u3000had\u3000at\u3000first\u3002\u3000Anybody\u3000who\u3000would\u3000waste\u3000precious\u3000money\u3000on\u3000tombstones\u3000when\u3000food\u3000was\u3000so\u3000dear\uff1b\u3000so\u3000almost\u3000unattainable\uff1b\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000deserve\u3000sympathy\u3002\u3000And\u3000there\u3000were\u3000several\u3000lines\u3000carved\u3000on\u3000each\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stones\u3002\u3000The\u3000more\u3000carving\uff1b\u3000the\u3000more\u3000money\u3002\u3000The\u3000whole\u3000family\u3000must\u3000be\u3000crazy\uff01\u3000And\u3000it\u3000had\u3000cost\u3000money\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000the\u3000three\u3000boys\u2019\u3000bodies\u3000home\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000never\u3000found\u3000Boyd\u3000or\u3000any\u3000trace\u3000of\u3000him\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Melanie\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000and\u3000met\u3000Cathleen\u2019s\u3000hard\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000bright\u3000tears\u3000on\u3000Melanie\u2019s\u3000lashes\u3000and\u3000understanding\u3000in\u3000her\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000before\u3000them\uff1b\u3000Cathleen\u2019s\u3000lips\u3000curved\u3000into\u3000the\u3000crooked\u3000smile\u3000of\u3000a\u3000brave\u3000child\u3000who\u3000tries\u3000not\u3000to\u3000cry\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000all\u3000very\u3000bewildering\u3000to\u3000Scarlett\u3000who\u3000was\u3000still\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000grasp\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000that\u3000C         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            es\u3000not\u3000to\u3000cry\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000all\u3000very\u3000bewildering\u3000to\u3000Scarlett\u3000who\u3000was\u3000still\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000grasp\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000that\u3000Cathleen\u3000Calvert\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000marry\u3000an\u3000overseer\u2014Cathleen\uff1b\u3000daughter\u3000of\u3000a\u3000rich\u3000planter\uff1b\u3000Cathleen\u3000who\uff1b\u3000next\u3000to\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000had\u3000had\u3000more\u3000beaux\u3000than\u3000any\u3000girl\u3000in\u3000the\u3000County\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Cathleen\u3000bent\u3000down\u3000and\u3000Melanie\u3000tiptoed\u3002\u3000They\u3000kissed\u3002\u3000Then\u3000Cathleen\u3000flapped\u3000the\u3000bridle\u3000reins\u3000sharply\u3000and\u3000the\u3000old\u3000mule\u3000moved\u3000off\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Melanie\u3000looked\u3000after\u3000her\uff1b\u3000the\u3000tears\u3000streaming\u3000down\u3000her\u3000face\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000stared\uff1b\u3000still\u3000dazed\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cGood\u3000Lord\uff01\u201d\u3000cried\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000shocked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000matter\u2026of\u2026fact\u3000way\u3000in\u3000which\u3000Melanie\u3000was\u3000offering\u3000Tara\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000certainly\u3000had\u3000no\u3000intention\u3000of\u3000feeding\u3000another\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000She\u3000started\u3000to\u3000say\u3000this\u3000but\u3000something\u3000in\u3000Melanie\u2019s\u3000stricken\u3000face\u3000halted\u3000the\u3000words\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cShe\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u3000come\uff1b\u3000Melly\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000amended\u3002\u3000\u201cYou\u3000know\u3000she\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u3002\u3000She\u2019s\u3000so\u3000proud\u3000and\u3000she\u2019d\u3000think\u3000it\u3000was\u3000charity\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000CHAPTER\u3000XXX<br 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\/>\n\u3000One\u3000afternoon\u3000in\u3000June\u3000when\u3000everyone\u3000at\u3000Tara\u3000was\u3000assembled\u3000on\u3000the\u3000back\u3000porch\u3000eagerly\u3000watching\u3000Pork\u3000cut\u3000the\u3000first\u3000half\u2026ripe\u3000watermelon\u3000of\u3000the\u3000season\uff1b\u3000they\u3000heard\u3000hooves\u3000on\u3000the\u3000gravel\u3000of\u3000the\u3000front\u3000drive\u3002\u3000Prissy\u3000started\u3000languidly\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000front\u3000door\uff1b\u3000while\u3000those\u3000left\u3000behind\u3000argued\u3000hotly\u3000as\u3000to\u3000whether\u3000they\u3000should\u3000hide\u3000the\u3000melon\u3000or\u3000keep\u3000it\u3000for\u3000supper\uff1b\u3000should\u3000the\u3000caller\u3000at\u3000the\u3000door\u3000prove\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000soldier\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Melly\u3000and\u3000Carreen\u3000whispered\u3000         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000it\u3000for\u3000supper\uff1b\u3000should\u3000the\u3000caller\u3000at\u3000the\u3000door\u3000prove\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000soldier\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Melly\u3000and\u3000Carreen\u3000whispered\u3000that\u3000the\u3000soldier\u3000guest\u3000should\u3000have\u3000a\u3000share\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000backed\u3000by\u3000Suellen\u3000and\u3000Mammy\uff1b\u3000hissed\u3000to\u3000Pork\u3000to\u3000hide\u3000it\u3000quickly\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cDon\u2019t\u3000be\u3000a\u3000goose\uff1b\u3000girls\uff01\u3000There\u2019s\u3000not\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000us\u3000as\u3000it\u3000is\u3000and\u3000if\u3000there\u3000are\u3000two\u3000or\u3000three\u3000famished\u3000soldiers\u3000out\u3000there\uff1b\u3000none\u3000of\u3000us\u3000will\u3000even\u3000get\u3000a\u3000taste\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Scarlett\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000While\u3000Pork\u3000stood\u3000with\u3000the\u3000little\u3000melon\u3000clutched\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000uncertain\u3000as\u3000to\u3000the\u3000final\u3000decision\uff1b\u3000they\u3000heard\u3000Prissy\u3000cry\u3000out\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cGawdlmighty\uff01\u3000Miss\u3000Scarlett\uff01\u3000Miss\u3000Melly\uff01\u3000Come\u3000quick\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWho\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u201d\u3000cried\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000leaping\u3000up\u3000from\u3000the\u3000steps\u3000and\u3000racing\u3000through\u3000the\u3000hall\u3000with\u3000Melly\u3000at\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000streaming\u3000after\u3000her\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Ashley\uff01\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u2014<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cIt\u2019s\u3000Uncle\u3000Peter\uff01\u3000Miss\u3000Pittypat\u2019s\u3000Uncle\u3000Peter\uff01\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000Carreen\u3000had\u3000very\u3000little\u3000to\u3000say\u3000these\u3000days\u3000as\u3000she\u3000moved\uff1b\u3000delicate\u3000and\u3000wraithlike\uff1b\u3000about\u3000the\u3000tasks\u3000which\u3000were\u3000within\u3000her\u3000strength\u3002\u3000She\u3000prayed\u3000a\u3000good\u3000deal\uff1b\u3000for\u3000when\u3000Scarlett\u3000came\u3000into\u3000her\u3000room\u3000without\u3000knocking\uff1b\u3000she\u3000always\u3000found\u3000her\u3000on\u3000her\u3000knees\u3000by\u3000her\u3000bed\u3002\u3000The\u3000sight\u3000never\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000annoy\u3000her\uff1b\u3000for\u3000Scarlett\u3000felt\u3000that\u3000the\u3000time\u3000for\u3000prayer\u3000had\u3000passed\u3002\u3000If\u3000God\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000fit\u3000to\u3000punish\u3000them\u3000so\uff1b\u3000then\u3000God\u3000could\u3000very\u3000well\u3000do\u3000without\u3000prayers\u3002\u3000Religion\u3000had\u3000always\u3000been\u3000a\u3000bargaining\u3000process\u3000with\u3000Scarlett\u3002\u3000She\u3000promised\u3000God\u3000good\u3000behavior\u3000in\u3000exchange\u3000for\u3000favors\u3002\u3000God\u3000had\u3000broken\u3000the\u3000bargain\u3000time\u3000and\u3000again\uff1b\u3000to\u3000her\u3000way\u3000of\u3000thinking\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000that\u3000she\u3000owed\u3000Him\u3000nothing\u3000at\u3000all\u3000now\u3002\u3000And\u3000whenever\u3000she\u3000found\u3000Carreen\u3000on\u3000her\u3000knees\u3000when\u3000she\u3000should\u3000have\u3000been\u3000taking\u3000an\u3000afternoon\u3000nap\u3000or\u3000doing\u3000the\u3000mending\uff1b\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000that\u3000Carreen\u3000was\u3000shirking\u3000her\u3000share\u3000of\u3000the\u3000burdens\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000said\u3000as\u3000much\u3000to\u3000Will\u3000Benteen\u3000one\u3000afternoon\u3000when\u3000he\u3000was\u3000able\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000up\u3000in\u3000a\u3000chair\u3000and\u3000was\u3000startled\u3000when\u3000he\u3000said\u3000in\u3000his\u3000flat\u3000voice\uff1a\u3000\u201cLet\u3000her\u3000be\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Scarlett\u3002\u3000It\u3000comforts\u3000her\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cComforts\u3000her\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYes\uff1b\u3000she\u2019s\u3000prayin\u2019\u3000for\u3000your\u3000ma\u3000and\u3000him\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWho\u3000is\u3000\u2018him\u2019\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000His\u3000faded\u3000blue\u3000eyes\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000her\u3000from\u3000under\u3000sandy\u3000lashes\u3000without\u3000surprise\u3002\u3000Nothing\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000surprise\u3000or\u3000excite\u3000him\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000too\u3000much\u3000of\u3000the\u3000unexpected\u3000ever\u3000to\u3000be\u3000startled\u3000again\u3002\u3000That\u3000Scarlett\u3000did\u3000not\u3000know\u3000what\u3000was\u3000in\u3000her\u3000sister\u2019s\u3000heart\u3000did\u3000not\u3000seem\u3000odd\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000took\u3000it\u3000as\u3000naturally\u3000as\u3000he\u3000did\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000Carreen\u3000had\u3000found\u3000comfort\u3000in\u3000talking\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000a\u3000stranger\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cHer\u3000beau\uff1b\u3000that\u3000boy\u3000Brent\u3000something\u2026or\u2026other\u3000who\u3000was\u3000killed\u3000at\u3000Gettysburg\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cHer\u3000beau\uff1f\u201d\u3000said\u3000Scarlett\u3000shortly\u3002\u3000\u201cHer\u3000beau\uff1b\u3000nothing\uff01\u3000He\u3000and\u3000his\u3000brother\u3000were\u3000my\u3000beaux\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYes\uff1b\u3000so\u3000she\u3000told\u3000me\u3002\u3000Looks\u3000like\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000County\u3000was\u3000your\u3000beaux\u3002\u3000But\uff1b\u3000all\u3000the\u3000same\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000her\u3000beau\u3000after\u3000you\u3000turned\u3000him\u3000down\uff1b\u3000because\u3000when\u3000he\u3000come\u3000home\u3000on\u3000his\u3000last\u3000furlough\u3000they\u3000go         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000\u201cYes\uff1b\u3000so\u3000she\u3000told\u3000me\u3002\u3000Looks\u3000like\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000County\u3000was\u3000your\u3000beaux\u3002\u3000But\uff1b\u3000all\u3000the\u3000same\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000her\u3000beau\u3000after\u3000you\u3000turned\u3000him\u3000down\uff1b\u3000because\u3000when\u3000he\u3000come\u3000home\u3000on\u3000his\u3000last\u3000furlough\u3000they\u3000got\u3000engaged\u3002\u3000She\u3000said\u3000he\u3000was\u3000the\u3000only\u3000boy\u3000she\u2019d\u3000ever\u3000cared\u3000about\u3000and\u3000so\u3000it\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000comforts\u3000her\u3000to\u3000pray\u3000for\u3000him\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWell\uff1b\u3000fiddle\u2026dee\u2026dee\uff01\u201d\u3000said\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000a\u3000very\u3000small\u3000dart\u3000of\u3000jealousy\u3000entering\u3000her\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000curiously\u3000at\u3000this\u3000lanky\u3000man\u3000with\u3000his\u3000bony\u3000stooped\u3000shoulders\uff1b\u3000his\u3000pinkish\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000calm\u3000unwavering\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000So\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000things\u3000about\u3000her\u3000own\u3000family\u3000which\u3000she\u3000had\u3000not\u3000troubled\u3000to\u3000discover\u3002\u3000So\u3000that\u3000was\u3000why\u3000Carreen\u3000mooned\u3000about\uff1b\u3000praying\u3000all\u3000the\u3000time\u3002\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000she\u2019d\u3000get\u3000over\u3000it\u3002\u3000Lots\u3000of\u3000girls\u3000got\u3000over\u3000dead\u3000sweethearts\uff1b\u3000yes\uff1b\u3000dead\u3000husbands\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000She\u2019d\u3000certainly\u3000gotten\u3000over\u3000Charles\u3002\u3000And\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000one\u3000girl\u3000in\u3000Atlanta\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000widowed\u3000three\u3000times\u3000by\u3000the\u3000war\u3000and\u3000was\u3000still\u3000able\u3000to\u3000take\u3000notice\u3000of\u3000men\u3002\u3000She\u3000said\u3000as\u3000much\u3000to\u3000Will\u3000but\u3000he\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cNot\u3000Miss\u3000Carreen\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000said\u3000with\u3000finality\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Will\u3000was\u3000pleasant\u3000to\u3000talk\u3000to\u3000because\u3000he\u3000had\u3000so\u3000little\u3000to\u3000say\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000was\u3000so\u3000understanding\u3000a\u3000listener\u3002\u3000She\u3000told\u3000him\u3000about\u3000her\u3000problems\u3000of\u3000weeding\u3000and\u3000hoeing\u3000and\u3000planting\uff1b\u3000of\u3000fattening\u3000the\u3000hogs\u3000and\u3000breeding\u3000the\u3000cow\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000gave\u3000good\u3000advice\u3000for\u3000he\u3000had\u3000owned\u3000a\u3000small\u3000farm\u3000in\u3000south\u3000Georgia\u3000and\u3000two\u3000negroes\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000his\u3000slaves\u3000were\u3000free\u3000now\u3000and\u3000the\u3000farm\u3000gone\u3000to\u3000weeds\u3000and\u3000seedling\u3000pines\u3002\u3000His\u3000sister\uff1b\u3000his\u3000only\u3000relative\uff1b\u3000had\u3000moved\u3000to\u3000Texas\u3000with\u3000her\u3000husband\u3000years\u3000ago\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000alone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3002\u3000Yet\uff1b\u3000none\u3000of\u3000these\u3000things\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000bother\u3000him\u3000any\u3000more\u3000than\u3000the\u3000leg\u3000he\u3000had\u3000left\u3000in\u3000Virginia\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000Will\u3000was\u3000a\u3000comfort\u3000to\u3000Scarlett\u3000after\u3000hard\u3000days\u3000when\u3000the\u3000negroes\u3000muttered\u3000and\u3000Suellen\u3000nagged\u3000and\u3000cried\u3000and\u3000Gerald\u3000asked\u3000too\u3000frequently\u3000where\u3000Ellen\u3000was\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000tell\u3000Will\u3000anything\u3002\u3000She\u3000even\u3000told\u3000him\u3000of\u3000killing\u3000the\u3000Yankee\u3000and\u3000glowed\u3000with\u3000pride\u3000when\u3000he\u3000commented\u3000briefly\uff1a\u3000\u201cGood\u3000work\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Eventually\u3000all\u3000the\u3000family\u3000found\u3000their\u3000way\u3000to\u3000Will\u2019s\u3000room\u3000to\u3000air\u3000their\u3000troubles\u2014even\u3000Mammy\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000at\u3000first\u3000been\u3000distant\u3000with\u3000him\u3000because\u3000he\u3000was\u3000not\u3000quality\u3000and\u3000had\u3000owned\u3000only\u3000two\u3000slaves\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000When\u3000he\u3000was\u3000able\u3000to\u3000totter\u3000about\u3000the\u3000house\uff1b\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000to\u3000weaving\u3000baskets\u3000of\u3000split\u3000oak\u3000and\u3000mending\u3000the\u3000furniture\u3000ruined\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000clever\u3000at\u3000whittling\u3000and\u3000Wade\u3000was\u3000constantly\u3000by\u3000his\u3000side\uff1b\u3000for\u3000he\u3000whittled\u3000out\u3000toys\u3000for\u3000him\uff1b\u3000the\u3000only\u3000toys\u3000the\u3000little\u3000boy\u3000had\u3002\u3000With\u3000Will\u3000in\u3000the\u3000house\uff1b\u3000everyone\u3000felt\u3000safe\u3000in\u3000leaving\u3000Wade\u3000and\u3000the\u3000two\u3000babies\u3000while\u3000they\u3000went\u3000about\u3000their\u3000tasks\uff1b\u3000for\u3000he\u3000could\u3000care\u3000for\u3000them\u3000as\u3000deftly\u3000as\u3000Mammy\u3000and\u3000only\u3000Melly\u3000surpassed\u3000him\u3000at\u3000soothing\u3000the\u3000screaming\u3000black\u3000and\u3000white\u3000babies\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYou\u2019ve\u3000been\u3000mighty\u3000good\u3000to\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u201cand\u3000me\u3000a\u3000stranger\u3000and\u3000nothin\u2019\u3000to\u3000you\u3000all\u3002\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000caused\u3000you\u3000a\u3000heap\u3000of\u3000trouble\u3000and\u3000worry\u3000and\u3000if\u3000it\u2019s\u3000all\u3000the\u3000same\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3000I\u2019m\u3000goin\u2019\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000here\u3000and\u3000help\u3000you\u3000all\u3000with\u3000the\u3000work\u3000till\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000paid\u3000you\u3000back\u3000some\u3000for\u3000your\u3000trouble\u3002\u3000I\u3000can\u2019t\u3000ever\u3000pay\u3000it\u3000all\uff1b\u3000\u2018cause\u3000there\u3000ain\u2019t\u3000no\u3000payment\u3000a\u3000man\u3000can\u3000give\u3000for\u3000his\u3000life\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000So\u3000he\u3000stayed\u3000and\uff1b\u3000gradually\uff1b\u3000unobtrusively\uff1b\u3000a\u3000large\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000burden\u3000of\u3000Tara\u3000shifted\u3000from\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000shoulders\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bony\u3000shoulders\u3000of\u3000Will\u3000Benteen\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000It\u3000was\u3000September\u3000and\u3000time\u3000to\u3000pick\u3000the\u3000cotton\u3002\u3000Will\u3000Benteen\u3000sat\u3000on\u3000the\u3000front\u3000steps\u3000at\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000feet\u3000in\u3000the\u3000pleasant\u3000sunshine\u3000of\u3000the\u3002\u3000early\u3000autumn\u3000afternoon\u3000and\u3000his\u3000flat\u3000voice\u3000went\u3000on\u3000and\u3000on\u3000languidly\u3000about\u3000the\u3000exorbitant\u3000costs\u3000of\u3000ginning\u3000the\u3000cotton\u3000at\u3000the\u3000new\u3000gin\u3000near\u3000Fayetteville\u3002\u3000However\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000learned\u3000that\u3000day\u3000in\u3000Fayetteville\u3000that\u3000he\u3000could\u3000cut\u3000this\u3000expense\u3000a\u3000fourth\u3000by\u3000lending\u3000the\u3000horse\u3000and\u3000wagon\u3000for\u3000two\u3000weeks\u3000to\u3000the\u3000gin\u3000owner\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000delayed\u3000closing\u3000the\u3000bargain\u3000until\u3000he\u3000discussed\u3000it\u3000with\u3000Scarlett\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cWhen\u3000I\u3000was\u3000over\u3000to\u3000Fayetteville\u3000today\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Will\uff1b\u3000\u201cI\u3000found\u3000somethin\u2019\u3000right\u3000cute\u3000that\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000would\u3000interest\u3000you\u3000ladies\u3000and\u3000I\u3000brought\u3000it\u3000home\u3002\u201d\u3000He\u3000fumbled\u3000in\u3000his\u3000back\u3000pants\u3000pocket\u3000and\u3000brought\u3000out\u3000the\u3000wallet\u3000of\u3000calico\uff1b\u3000stiffened\u3000with\u3000bark\uff1b\u3000which\u3000Carreen\u3000had\u3000made\u3000him\u3002\u3000From\u3000it\uff1b\u3000he\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000Confederate\u3000bill\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cIf\u3000you\u3000think\u3000Confederate\u3000money\u3000is\u3000cute\uff1b\u3000Will\uff1b\u3000I\u3000certainly\u3000don\u2019t\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Scarlett\u3000shortly\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000very\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000Confederate\u3000money\u3000made\u3000her\u3000mad\u3002\u3000\u201cWe\u2019ve\u3000got\u3000three\u3000thousand\u3000dollars\u3000of\u3000it\u3000in\u3000Pa\u2019s\u3000trunk\u3000this\u3000minute\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Mammy\u2019s\u3000after\u3000me\u3000to\u3000let\u3000her\u3000paste\u3000it\u3000over\u3000the\u3000holes\u3000in\u3000the\u3000attic\u3000walls\u3000so\u3000the\u3000draft\u3000won\u2019t\u3000get\u3000her\u3002\u3000And\u3000I\u3000think\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000do\u3000it\u3002\u3000Then\u3000it\u2019ll\u3000be\u3000good\u3000for\u3000something\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201c\u3000\u2018Imperious\u3000Caesar\uff1b\u3000dead\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000clay\uff1b\u2019\u3000\u201d\u3000said\u3000Melanie\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sad\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u201cDon\u2019t\u3000do\u3000that\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3002\u3000Keep\u3000it\u3000for\u3000Wade\u3002\u3000He\u2019ll\u3000be\u3000proud\u3000of\u3000it\u3000some\u3000day\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWell\uff1b\u3000I\u3000don\u2019t\u3000know\u3000nothin\u2019\u3000about\u3000imperious\u3000Caesar\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Will\uff1b\u3000patiently\uff1b\u3000\u201cbut\u3000what\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000got\u3000is\u3000         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000\u201cWell\uff1b\u3000I\u3000don\u2019t\u3000know\u3000nothin\u2019\u3000about\u3000imperious\u3000Caesar\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Will\uff1b\u3000patiently\uff1b\u3000\u201cbut\u3000what\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000got\u3000is\u3000in\u3000line\u3000with\u3000what\u3000you\u2019ve\u3000just\u3000said\u3000about\u3000Wade\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Melly\u3002\u3000It\u2019s\u3000a\u3000poem\uff1b\u3000pasted\u3000on\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000this\u3000bill\u3002\u3000I\u3000know\u3000Miss\u3000Scarlett\u3000ain\u2019t\u3000much\u3000on\u3000poems\u3000but\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000this\u3000might\u3000interest\u3000her\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000the\u3000bill\u3000over\u3002\u3000On\u3000its\u3000back\u3000was\u3000pasted\u3000a\u3000strip\u3000of\u3000coarse\u3000brown\u3000wrapping\u3000paper\uff1b\u3000inscribed\u3000in\u3000pale\u3000homemade\u3000ink\u3002\u3000Will\u3000cleared\u3000his\u3000throat\u3000and\u3000read\u3000slowly\u3000and\u3000with\u3000difficulty\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cThe\u3000name\u3000is\u3000\u2018Lines\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Back\u3000of\u3000a\u3000Confederate\u3000Note\uff1b\u2019\u3000\u201d\u3000he\u3000said\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cRepresenting\u3000nothing\u3000on\u3000God\u2019s\u3000earth\u3000now<br \/>\n\u3000And\u3000naught\u3000in\u3000the\u3000waters\u3000below\u3000it\u2014<br \/>\n\u3000As\u3000the\u3000pledge\u3000of\u3000nation\u3000that\u2019s\u3000passed\u3000away<br \/>\n\u3000Keep\u3000it\uff1b\u3000dear\u3000friend\uff1b\u3000and\u3000show\u3000it\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000Show\u3000it\u3000to\u3000those\u3000who\u3000will\u3000lend\u3000an\u3000ear<br \/>\n\u3000To\u3000the\u3000tale\u3000this\u3000trifle\u3000will\u3000tell<br \/>\n\u3000Of\u3000Liberty\uff1b\u3000born\u3000of\u3000patriots\u2019\u3000dream\uff1b<br \/>\n\u3000Of\u3000a\u3000storm\u2026cradled\u3000nation\u3000that\u3000fell\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000how\u3000beautiful\uff01\u3000How\u3000touching\uff01\u201d\u3000cried\u3000Melanie\u3002\u3000\u201cScarlett\uff1b\u3000you\u3000mustn\u2019t\u3000give\u3000the\u3000money\u3000to\u3000Mammy\u3000to\u3000paste\u3000in\u3000the\u3000attic\u3002\u3000It\u2019s\u3000more\u3000than\u3000paper\u2014just\u3000like\u3000this\u3000poem\u3000said\uff1a\u3000\u2018The\u3000pledge\u3000of\u3000a\u3000nation\u3000that\u2019s\u3000passed\u3000away\uff01\u2019\u3000\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000Melly\uff1b\u3000don\u2019t\u3000be\u3000sentimental\uff01\u3000Paper\u3000is\u3000paper\u3000and\u3000we\u2019ve\u3000got\u3000little\u3000enough\u3000of\u3000it\u3000and\u3000I\u2019m\u3000tired\u3000of\u3000hearing\u3000Mammy\u3000grumble\u3000about\u3000the\u3000cracks\u3000in\u3000the\u3000attic\u3002\u3000I\u3000hope\u3000when\u3000Wade\u3000grows\u3000up\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000have\u3000plenty\u3000of\u3000greenbacks\u3000to\u3000give\u3000him\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000Confederate\u3000trash\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Will\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000enticing\u3000little\u3000Beau\u3000across\u3000the\u3000blanket\u3000with\u3000the\u3000bill\u3000during\u3000this\u3000argument\uff1b\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000and\uff1b\u3000shading\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000glanced\u3000down\u3000the\u3000driveway\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cMore\u3000company\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000squinting\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sun\u3002\u3000\u201cAnother\u3000soldier\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000followed\u3000his\u3000gaze\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000familiar\u3000sight\uff1b\u3000a\u3000bearded\u3000man\u3000coming\u3000slowly\u3000up\u3000the\u3000avenue\u3000under\u3000the\u3000cedars\uff1b\u3000a\u3000man\u3000clad\u3000in\u3000a\u3000ragged\u3000mixture\u3000of\u3000blue\u3000and\u3000gray\u3000uniforms\uff1b\u3000head\u3000bowed\u3000tiredly\uff1b\u3000feet\u3000dragging\u3000slowly\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000thought\u3000we\u3000were\u3000about\u3000through\u3000with\u3000soldiers\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u201cI\u3000hope\u3000this\u3000one\u3000isn\u2019t\u3000very\u3000hungry\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cHe\u2019ll\u3000be\u3000hungry\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Will\u3000briefly\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Melanie\u3000rose\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Heartbreak\u3000and\u3000weariness\u3000sweeping\u3000over\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000dropped\u3000her\u3000head\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000cried\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000her\u3000cry\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000never\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000women\u3000of\u3000her\u3000strong\u3000mettle\u3000had\u3000tears\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000flood\u3000of\u3000tenderness\u3000and\u3000remorse\u3000swept\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000came\u3000to\u3000her\u3000swiftly\u3000and\u3000in\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000had\u3000her\u3000in\u3000his\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000cradling\u3000her\u3000comfortingly\uff1b\u3000pressing\u3000her\u3000black\u3000head\u3000to\u3000his\u3000heart\uff1b\u3000whispering\uff1a\u3000\u201cDear\uff01\u3000My\u3000brave\u3000dear\u2014don\u2019t\uff01\u3000You\u3000mustn\u2019t\u3000cry\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000At\u3000his\u3000touch\uff1b\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000her\u3000change\u3000within\u3000his\u3000grip\u3000and\u3000there\u3000was\u3000madness\u3000and         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            t\uff01\u3000You\u3000mustn\u2019t\u3000cry\uff01\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000They\u3000fell\u3000silent\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000each\u3000other\u3002\u3000Suddenly\u3000Scarlett\u3000shivered\u3000and\u3000saw\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000coming\u3000back\u3000from\u3000a\u3000long\u3000journey\uff1b\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000winter\u3000and\u3000the\u3000fields\u3000were\u3000bare\u3000and\u3000harsh\u3000with\u3000stubble\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000very\u3000cold\u3002\u3000She\u3000saw\u3000too\u3000that\u3000the\u3000old\u3000aloof\u3000face\u3000of\u3000Ashley\uff1b\u3000the\u3000one\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000so\u3000well\uff1b\u3000had\u3000come\u3000back\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000wintry\u3000too\uff1b\u3000and\u3000harsh\u3000with\u3000hurt\u3000and\u3000remorse\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cYou\u3000need\u3000not\u3000go\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000said\u3000clearly\u3002\u3000\u201cI\u3000won\u2019t\u3000have\u3000you\u3000all\u3000starve\uff1b\u3000simply\u3000because\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000thrown\u3000myself\u3000at\u3000your\u3000head\u3002\u3000It\u3000will\u3000never\u3000happen\u3000again\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000away\u3000and\u3000started\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000house\u3000across\u3000the\u3000rough\u3000fields\uff1b\u3000twisting\u3000her\u3000hair\u3000into\u3000a\u3000knot\u3000upon\u3000her\u3000neck\u3002\u3000Ashley\u3000watched\u3000her\u3000go\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000her\u3000square\u3000her\u3000small\u3000thin\u3000shoulders\u3000as\u3000she\u3000went\u3002\u3000And\u3000that\u3000gesture\u3000went\u3000to\u3000his\u3000heart\uff1b\u3000more\u3000than\u3000any\u3000words\u3000she\u3000had\u3000spoken\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000CHAPTER\u3000XXXII<br \/>\n\u3000SHE\u3000WAS\u3000STILL\u3000CLUTCHING\u3000the\u3000ball\u3000of\u3000red\u3000clay\u3000when\u3000she\u3000went\u3000up\u3000the\u3000front\u3000steps\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000carefully\u3000avoided\u3000the\u3000back\u3000entrance\uff1b\u3000for\u3000Mammy\u2019s\u3000sharp\u3000eyes\u3000would\u3000certainly\u3000have\u3000seen\u3000that\u3000something\u3000was\u3000greatly\u3000amiss\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000did\u3000not\u3000want\u3000to\u3000see\u3000Mammy\u3000or\u3000anyone\u3000else\u3002\u3000She\u3000did\u3000not\u3000feel\u3000that\u3000she\u3000could\u3000endure\u3000seeing\u3000anyone\u3000or\u3000talking\u3000to\u3000anyone\u3000again\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000no\u3000feeling\u3000of\u3000shame\u3000or\u3000disappointment\u3000or\u3000bitterness\u3000now\uff1b\u3000only\u3000a\u3000weakness\u3000of\u3000the\u3000knees\u3000and\u3000a\u3000great\u3000emptiness\u3000of\u3000heart\u3002\u3000She\u3000squeezed\u3000the\u3000clay\u3000so\u3000tightly\u3000it\u3000ran\u3000out\u3000from\u3000her\u3000clenched\u3000fist\u3000and\u3000she\u3000said\u3000over\u3000and\u3000over\uff1b\u3000parrot\u2026like\uff1a\u3000\u201cI\u2019ve\u3000still\u3000got\u3000this\u3002\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000still\u3000got\u3000this\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000There\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000else\u3000she\u3000did\u3000have\uff1b\u3000nothing\u3000but\u3000this\u3000red\u3000land\uff1b\u3000this\u3000land\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000throw\u3000away\u3000like\u3000a\u3000torn\u3000handkerchief\u3000only\u3000a\u3000few\u3000minutes\u3000before\uff1b\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000dear\u3000to\u3000her\u3000again\u3000and\u3000she\u3000wondered\u3000dully\u3000what\u3000madness\u3000had\u3000possessed\u3000her\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000it\u3000so\u3000lightly\u3002\u3000Had\u3000Ashley\u3000yielded\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000have\u3000gone\u3000away\u3000with\u3000him\u3000and\u3000left\u3000family\u3000and\u3000friends\u3000without\u3000a\u3000backward\u3000look\u3000but\uff1b\u3000even\u3000in\u3000her\u3000emptiness\uff1b\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000would\u3000have\u3000torn\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000these\u3000dear\u3000red\u3000hills\u3000and\u3000long\u3000washed\u3000gullies\u3000and\u3000gaunt\u3000black\u3000pines\u3002\u3000Her\u3000thoughts\u3000would\u3000have\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000them\u3000hungrily\u3000until\u3000the\u3000day\u3000she\u3000died\u3002\u3000Not\u3000even\u3000Ashley\u3000could\u3000have\u3000filled\u3000the\u3000empty\u3000spaces\u3000in\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000where\u3000Tara\u3002\u3000had\u3000been\u3000uprooted\u3002\u3000How\u3000wise\u3000Ashley\u3000was\u3000and\u3000how\u3000well\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000her\uff01\u3000He\u3000had\u3000only\u3000to\u3000press\u3000the\u3000damp\u3000earth\u3000into\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000her\u3000to\u3000her\u3000senses\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hall\u3000preparing\u3000to\u3000close\u3000the\u3000door\u3000when\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000horse\u2019s\u3000hooves\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000look\u3000down\u3000the\u3000driveway\u3002\u3000To\u3000have\u3000visitors\u3000at\u3000this\u3000of\u3000all\u3000times\u3000was\u3000too\u3000much\u3002\u3000She\u2019d\u3000hurry\u3000to\u3000her\u3000room\u3000and\u3000plead\u3000a\u3000headache\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000She\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3000watching\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cold\u3000draft\u3000blowing\u3000her\u3000skirts\u3000about\u3000her\u3000damp\u3000ankles\u3002\u3000Then\u3000the\u3000carriage\u3000stopped\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000house\u3000and\u3000Jonas\u3000Wilkerson\u3000alighted\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000was\u3000so\u3000surprised\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000their\u3000former\u3000overseer\u3000driving\u3000so\u3000fine\u3000a\u3000rig\u3000and\u3000in\u3000so\u3000splendid\u3000a\u3000greatcoat\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000believe\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000Will\u3000had\u3000told\u3000her\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000quite\u3000prosperous\u3000since\u3000he\u3000got\u3000his\u3000new\u3000job\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Freedmen\u2019s\u3000Bureau\u3002\u3000Made\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000money\uff1b\u3000Will\u3000said\uff1b\u3000swindling\u3000the\u3000niggers\u3000or\u3000the\u3000government\uff1b\u3000one\u3000or\u3000tuther\uff1b\u3000or\u3000confiscating\u3000folks\u2019\u3000cotton\u3000and\u3000swearing\u3000it\u3000was\u3000Confederate\u3000government\u3000cotton\u3002\u3000Certainly\u3000he\u3000never\u3000came\u3000by\u3000all\u3000that\u3000money\u3000honestly\u3000in\u3000these\u3000hard\u3000times\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000And\u3000here\u3000he\u3000was\u3000now\uff1b\u3000stepping\u3000out\u3000of\u3000an\u3000elegant\u3000carriage\u3000and\u3000handing\u3000down\u3000a\u3000woman\u3000dressed\u3000within\u3000an\u3000inch\u3000of\u3000her\u3000life\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000saw\u3000in\u3000a\u3000glance\u3000that\u3000the\u3000dress\u3000was\u3000bright\u3000in\u3000color\u3000to\u3000the\u3000point\u3000of\u3000vulgarity\u3000but\u3000nevertheless\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000went\u3000over\u3000the\u3000outfit\u3000hungrily\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000been\u3000so\u3000long\u3000since\u3000she\u3000had\u3000even\u3000seen\u3000stylish\u3000new\u3000clothes\u3002\u3000Well\uff01\u3000So\u3000hoops\u3000aren\u2019t\u3000so\u3000wide\u3000this\u3000year\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000scanning\u3000the\u3000red\u3000plaid\u3000gown\u3002\u3000And\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000took\u3000in\u3000the\u3000black\u3000velvet\u3000paletot\uff1b\u3000how\u3000short\u3000jackets\u3000are\uff01\u3000And\u3000what\u3000a\u3000cunning\u3000hat\uff01\u3000Bonnets\u3000must\u3000be\u3000out\u3000of\u3000style\uff1b\u3000for\u3000this\u3000hat\u3000was\u3000only\u3000an\u3000absurd\u3000flat\u3000red\u3000velvet\u3000affair\uff1b\u3000perched\u3000on\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000woman\u2019s\u3000head\u3000like\u3000a\u3000stiffened\u3000pancake\u3002\u3000The\u3000ribbons\u3000did\u3000not\u3000tie\u3000under\u3000the\u3000chin\u3000as\u3000bonnet\u3000ribbons\u3000tied\u3000but\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000under\u3000the\u3000massive\u3000bunch\u3000of\u3000curls\u3000which\u3000fell\u3000from\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hat\uff1b\u3000curls\u3000which\u3000Scarlett\u3000could\u3000not\u3000help\u3000noticing\u3000did\u3000not\u3000match         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            urls\u3000which\u3000fell\u3000from\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hat\uff1b\u3000curls\u3000which\u3000Scarlett\u3000could\u3000not\u3000help\u3000noticing\u3000did\u3000not\u3000match\u3000the\u3000woman\u2019s\u3000hair\u3000in\u3000either\u3000color\u3000or\u3000texture\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000As\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000stepped\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000house\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000saw\u3000there\u3000was\u3000something\u3000familiar\u3000about\u3000the\u3000rabbity\u3000face\uff1b\u3000caked\u3000with\u3000white\u3000powder\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWhy\uff1b\u3000it\u2019s\u3000Emmie\u3000Slattery\uff01\u201d\u3000she\u3000cried\uff1b\u3000so\u3000surprised\u3000she\u3000spoke\u3000the\u3000words\u3000aloud\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYes\u2019m\uff1b\u3000it\u2019s\u3000me\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Emmie\uff1b\u3000tossing\u3000her\u3000head\u3000with\u3000an\u3000ingratiating\u3000smile\u3000and\u3000starting\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000steps\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Emmie\u3000Slattery\uff01\u3000The\u3000dirty\u3000tow\u2026headed\u3000slut\u3000whose\u3000illegitimate\u3000baby\u3000Ellen\u3000had\u3000baptized\uff1b\u3000Emmie\u3000who\u3000had\u3000given\u3000typhoid\u3000to\u3000Ellen\u3000and\u3000killed\u3000her\u3002\u3000This\u3000overdressed\uff1b\u3000common\uff1b\u3000nasty\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000poor\u3000white\u3000trash\u3000was\u3000coming\u3000up\u3000the\u3000steps\u3000of\u3000Tara\uff1b\u3000bridling\u3000and\u3000grinning\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she\u3000belonged\u3000here\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000Ellen\u3000and\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000rush\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000came\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000emptiness\u3000of\u3000her\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000a\u3000murderous\u3000rage\u3000so\u3000strong\u3000it\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000like\u3000the\u3000ague\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cGet\u3000off\u3000those\u3000steps\uff1b\u3000you\u3000trashy\u3000wench\uff01\u201d\u3000she\u3000cried\u3002\u3000\u201cGet\u3000off\u3000this\u3000land\uff01\u3000Get\u3000out\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Emmie\u2019s\u3000jaw\u3000sagged\u3000suddenly\u3000and\u3000she\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000Jonas\u3000who\u3000came\u3000up\u3000with\u3000lowering\u3000brows\u3002\u3000He\u3000made\u3000an\u3000effort\u3000at\u3000dignity\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000his\u3000anger\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYou\u3000must\u3000not\u3000speak\u3000that\u3000way\u3000to\u3000my\u3000wife\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000said\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWife\uff1f\u201d\u3000said\u3000Scarlett\u3000and\u3000burst\u3000into\u3000a\u3000laugh\u3000that\u3000was\u3000cutting\u3000with\u3000contempt\u3002\u3000\u201cHigh\u3000time\u3000you\u3000made\u3000her\u3000your\u3000wife\u3002\u3000Who\u3000baptized\u3000your\u3000other\u3000brats\u3000after\u3000you\u3000killed\u3000my\u3000mother\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Emmie\u3000said\u3000\u201cOh\uff01\u201d\u3000and\u3000retreated\u3000hastily\u3000down\u3000the\u3000steps\u3000but\u3000Jonas\u3000stopped\u3000her\u3000flight\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000carriage\u3000with\u3000a\u3000rough\u3000grip\u3000on\u3000her\u3000arm\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWe\u3000came\u3000out\u3000here\u3000to\u3000pay\u3000a\u3000call\u2014a\u3000friendly\u3000call\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000snarled\u3002\u3000\u201cAnd\u3000talk\u3000a\u3000little\u3000business\u3000with\u3000old\u3000friends\u2014\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000And\uff1b\u3000if\u3000he\u3000would\u3000not\u3000marry\u3000her\u3000but\u3000still\u3000wanted\u3000her\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000way\u3000to\u3000get\u3000the\u3000money\u3002\u3000After\u3000all\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000once\u3000asked\u3000her\u3000to\u3000be\u3000his\u3000mistress\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000In\u3000the\u3000dim\u3000grayness\u3000of\u3000the\u3000parlor\u3000she\u3000fought\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000decisive\u3000battle\u3000with\u3000the\u3000three\u3000most\u3000binding\u3000ties\u3000of\u3000her\u3000soul\u2014the\u3000memory\u3000of\u3000Ellen\uff1b\u3000the\u3000teachings\u3000of\u3000her\u3000religion\u3000and\u3000her\u3000love\u3000for\u3000Ashley\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000what\u3000she\u3000had\u3000in\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000must\u3000be\u3000hideous\u3000to\u3000her\u3000mother\u3000even\u3000in\u3000that\u3000warm\u3000far\u2026off\u3000Heaven\u3000where\u3000she\u3000surely\u3000was\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000fornication\u3000was\u3000a\u3000mortal\u3000sin\u3002\u3000And\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000that\uff1b\u3000loving\u3000Ashley\u3000as\u3000she\u3000did\uff1b\u3000her\u3000plan\u3000was\u3000doubly\u3000prostitution\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000But\u3000all\u3000these\u3000things\u3000went\u3000down\u3000before\u3000the\u3000merciless\u3000coldness\u3000of\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000and\u3000the\u3000goad\u3000of\u3000desperation\u3002\u3000Ellen\u3000was\u3000dead\u3000and\u3000perhaps\u3000death\u3000gave\u3000an\u3000understanding\u3000of\u3000all\u3000things\u3002\u3000Religion\u3000forbade\u3000fornication\u3000on\u3000pain\u3000of\u3000hell\u3000fire\u3000but\u3000if\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000one\u3000stone\u3000unturned\u3000in\u3000saving\u3000Tara\u3000and\u3000saving\u3000the\u3000family\u3000from\u3000starving\u2014well\uff1b\u3000let\u3000the\u3000Church\u3000bother\u3000about\u3000that\u3002\u3000She\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u3002\u3000At\u3000least\uff1b\u3000not\u3000now\u3002\u3000And\u3000Ashley\u2014Ashley\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000want\u3000her\u3002\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000he\u3000did\u3000want\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000memory\u3000of\u3000his\u3000warm\u3000mouth\u3000on\u3000hers\u3000told\u3000her\u3000that\u3002\u3000But\u3000he\u3000would\u3000never\u3000take\u3000her\u3000away\u3000with\u3000him\u3002\u3000Strange\u3000that\u3000going\u3000away\u3000with\u3000Ashley\u3000did\u3000not\u3000seem\u3000like\u3000a\u3000sin\uff1b\u3000but\u3000with\u3000Rhett\u2014<br \/>\n\u3000In\u3000the\u3000dull\u3000twilight\u3000of\u3000the\u3000winter\u3000afternoon\u3000she\u3000came\u3000to\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000long\u3000road\u3000which\u3000had\u3000begun\u3000the\u3000night\u3000Atlanta\u3000fell\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000set\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000upon\u3000that\u3000road\u3000a\u3000spoiled\uff1b\u3000selfish\u3000and\u3000untried\u3000girl\uff1b\u3000full\u3000of\u3000youth\uff1b\u3000warm\u3000of\u3000emotion\uff1b\u3000easily\u3000bewildered\u3000by\u3000life\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000road\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000left\u3000of\u3000that\u3000girl\u3002\u3000Hunger\u3000and\u3000hard\u3000labor\uff1b\u3000fear\u3000and\u3000constant\u3000strain\uff1b\u3000the\u3000terrors\u3000of\u3000war\u3000and\u3000the\u3000terrors\u3000of\u3000Reconstruction\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000away\u3000all\u3000warmth\u3000and\u3000youth\u3000and\u3000softness\u3002\u3000About\u3000the\u3000core\u3000of\u3000her\u3000being\uff1b\u3000a\u3000shell\u3000of\u3000hardness\u3000had\u3000formed\u3000and\uff1b\u3000little\u3000by\u3000little\uff1b\u3000layer\u3000by\u3000layer\uff1b\u3000the\u3000shell\u3000had\u3000thickened\u3000during\u3000the\u3000endless\u3000months\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000But\u3000until\u3000this\u3000very\u3000day\uff1b\u3000two\u3000hopes\u3000had\u3000been\u3000left\u3000to\u3000sustain\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000hoped\u3000that\u3000the\u3000war\u3000being\u3000over\uff1b\u3000life\u3000would\u3000gradually\u3000resume\u3000its\u3000old\u3000face\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000hoped\u3000that\u3000Ashley\u2019s\u3000return\u3000would\u3000bring\u3000back\u3000some\u3000meaning\u3000into\u3000life\u3002\u3000Now\u3000both\u3000hopes\u3000were\u3000gone\u3002\u3000The\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000Jonas\u3000Wilkerson\u3000in\u3000the\u3000front\u3000walk\u3000of\u3000Tara\u3000had\u3000made\u3000her\u3000realize\u3000that\u3000for\u3000her\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000South\uff1b\u3000the\u3000war\u3000would\u3000never\u3000end\u3002\u3000The\u3000bitterest\u3000fighting\uff1b\u3000the\u3000most\u3000brutal\u3000retaliations\uff1b\u3000were\u3000just\u3000beginning\u3002\u3000And\u3000Ashley\u3000was\u3000imprisoned\u3000forever\u3000by\u3000words\u3000which\u3000were\u3000stronger\u3000than\u3000any\u3000jail\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000won\u2019t\u3000think\u3000of\u3000that\u3000now\u3002\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000think\u3000of\u3000it\u3000later\uff1b\u201d\u3000and\u3000she\u3000pushed\u3000the\u3000unwelcome\u3000idea\u3000into\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000lest\u3000it\u3000shake\u3000her\u3000resolution\u3002\u3000She\u2019d\u3000tell\u3000the\u3000family\u3000tonight\u3000she\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000Atlanta\u3000to\u3000borrow\u3000money\uff1b\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000mortgage\u3000the\u3000farm\u3000if\u3000necessary\u3002\u3000That\u3000would\u3000be\u3000all\u3000they\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000know\u3000until\u3000such\u3000an\u3000evil\u3000day\u3000when\u3000they\u3000might\u3000find\u3000out\u3000differently\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cHuh\uff01\u201d\u3000said\u3000Mammy\u3002\u3000\u201cDoan\u3000do\u3000no\u3000good\u3000ter\u3000sweet\u3000talk\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Scarlett\u3002\u3000Ah\u3000been\u3000knowin\u2019\u3000you\u3000sence\u3000Ah\u3000put\u3000de\u3000fust\u3000pa\u2019r\u3000of\u3000diapers\u3000on\u3000you\u3002\u3000Ah\u2019s\u3000said\u3000Ah\u2019s\u3000gwine\u3000ter\u3000\u2018Lanta\u3000wid\u3000you\u3000an\u2019\u3000gwine\u3000Ah\u3000is\u3002\u3000Miss\u3000Ellen\u3000be\u3000tuhnin\u2019\u3000in\u3000her\u3000grabe\u3000at\u3000you\u3000gwine\u3000up\u3000dar\u3000by\u3000yo\u2019seff\u3000wid\u3000dat\u3000town\u3000full\u3000up\u3000wid\u3000Yankees\u3000an\u2019\u3000free\u3000niggers\u3000an\u2019\u3000sech\u3000like\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cBut\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000be\u3000at\u3000Aunt\u3000Pittypat\u2019s\uff1b\u201d\u3000Scarlett\u3000offered\u3000frantically\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cMiss\u3000Pittypat\u3000a\u3000fine\u3000woman\u3000an\u2019\u3000she\u3000think\u3000she\u3000see\u3000eve\u2019ything\u3000but\u3000she\u3000doan\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Mammy\uff1b\u3000and\u3000turning\u3000with\u3000the\u3000majestic\u3000air\u3000of\u3000having\u3000closed\u3000the\u3000interview\uff1b\u3000she\u3000went\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hall\u3002\u3000The\u3000boards\u3000trembled\u3000as\u3000she\u3000called\uff1a<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cPrissy\uff1b\u3000child\uff01\u3000Fly\u3000up\u3000de\u3000stairs\u3000an\u2019\u3000fotch\u3000Miss\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000pattun\u3000box\u3000frum\u3000de\u3000attic\u3000an\u2019\u3000try\u3000an\u2019\u3000fine\u3000de\u3000scissors\u3000without\u3000takin\u2019\u3000all\u3000night\u3000\u2018bout\u3000it\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cThis\u3000is\u3000a\u3000fine\u3000mess\uff1b\u201d\u3000thought\u3000Scarlett\u3000dejectedly\u3002\u3000\u201cI\u2019d\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000have\u3000a\u3000bloodhound\u3000after\u3000me\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000After\u3000supper\u3000had\u3000been\u3000cleared\u3000away\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000and\u3000Mammy\u3000spread\u3000patterns\u3000on\u3000the\u3000dining\u2026room\u3000table\u3000while\u3000Suellen\u3000and\u3000Carreen\u3000busily\u3000ripped\u3000satin\u3000linings\u3000from\u3000curtains\u3000and\u3000Melanie\u3000brushed\u3000the\u3000velvet\u3000with\u3000a\u3000clean\u3000hairbrush\u3000to\u3000remove\u3000the\u3000dust\u3002\u3000Gerald\uff1b\u3000Will\u3000and\u3000Ashley\u3000sat\u3000about\u3000the\u3000room\u3000smoking\uff1b\u3000smiling\u3000at\u3000the\u3000feminine\u3000tumult\u3002\u3000A\u3000feeling\u3000of\u3000pleasurable\u3000excitement\u3000which\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000emanate\u3000from\u3000Scarlett\u3000was\u3000on\u3000them\u3000all\uff1b\u3000an\u3000excitement\u3000they\u3000could\u3000not\u3000understand\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000color\u3000in\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000face\u3000and\u3000a\u3000bright\u3000hard\u3000glitter\u3000in\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000she\u3000laughed\u3000a\u3000good\u3000deal\u3002\u3000Her\u3000laughter\u3000pleased\u3000them\u3000all\uff1b\u3000for\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000months\u3000since\u3000they\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000her\u3000really\u3000laugh\u3002\u3000Especially\u3000did\u3000it\u3000please\u3000Gerald\u3002\u3000His\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000less\u3000vague\u3000than\u2026usual\u3000as\u3000they\u3000followed\u3000her\u3000swishing\u3000figure\u3000about\u3000the\u3000room\u3000and\u3000he\u3000patted\u3000her\u3000approvingly\u3000whenever\u3000she\u3000was\u3000within\u3000reach\u3002\u3000The\u3000girls\u3000were\u3000as\u3000excited\u3000as\u3000if\u3000preparing\u3000for\u3000a\u3000ball\u3000and\u3000they\u3000ripped\u3000and\u3000cut\u3000and\u3000basted\u3000as\u3000if\u3000making\u3000a\u3000ball\u3000dress\u3000of\u3000their\u3000own\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000Atlanta\u3000to\u3000borrow\u3000money\u3000or\u3000to\u3000mortgage\u3000Tara\u3000if\u3000necessary\u3002\u3000But\u3000what\u3000was\u3000a\u3000mortgage\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\uff1f\u3000Scarlett\u3000said\u3000they\u3000could\u3000easily\u3000pay\u3000it\u3000off\u3000out\u3000of\u3000next\u3000year\u2019s\u3000cotton\u3000and\u3000have\u3000money\u3000left\u3000over\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000said\u3000it\u3000with\u3000such\u3000finality\u3000they\u3000did\u3000not\u3000think\u3000to\u3000question\u3002\u3000And\u3000when\u3000they\u3000asked\u3000who\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000lend\u3000the\u3000money\u3000she\u3000said\uff1a\u3000\u201cLayovers\u3000catch\u3000meddlers\uff1b\u201d\u3000so\u3000archly\u3000they\u3000all\u3000laughed\u3000and\u3000teased\u3000her\u3000about\u3000her\u3000millionaire\u3000friend\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cIt\u3000must\u3000be\u3000Captain\u3000Rhett\u3000Butler\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Melanie\u3000slyly\u3000and\u3000they\u3000exploded\u3000with\u3000mirth\u3000at\u3000this\u3000absurdity\uff1b\u3000knowing\u3000how\u3000Scarlett\u3000hated\u3000him\u3000and\u3000never\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000refer\u3000to\u3000him\u3000as\u3000\u201cthat\u3000skunk\uff1b\u3000Rhett\u3000Butler\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000But\u3000Scarlett\u3000did\u3000not\u3000laugh\u3000         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            him\u3000and\u3000never\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000refer\u3000to\u3000him\u3000as\u3000\u201cthat\u3000skunk\uff1b\u3000Rhett\u3000Butler\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000But\u3000Scarlett\u3000did\u3000not\u3000laugh\u3000at\u3000this\u3000and\u3000Ashley\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000laughed\uff1b\u3000stopped\u3000abruptly\u3000as\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000Mammy\u3000shoot\u3000a\u3000quick\uff1b\u3000guarded\u3000glance\u3000at\u3000Scarlett\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Suellen\uff1b\u3000moved\u3000to\u3000generosity\u3000by\u3000the\u3000party\u3000spirit\u3000of\u3000the\u3000occasion\uff1b\u3000produced\u3000her\u3000Irish\u2026lace\u3000collar\uff1b\u3000somewhat\u3000worn\u3000but\u3000still\u3000pretty\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Carreen\u3000insisted\u3000that\u3000Scarlett\u3000wear\u3000her\u3000slippers\u3000to\u3000Atlanta\uff1b\u3000for\u3000they\u3000were\u3000in\u3000better\u3000condition\u3000than\u3000any\u3000others\u3000at\u3000Tara\u3002\u3000Melanie\u3000begged\u3000Mammy\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000her\u3000enough\u3000velvet\u3000scraps\u3000to\u3000recover\u3000the\u3000frame\u3000of\u3000her\u3000battered\u3000bonnet\u3000and\u3000brought\u3000shouts\u3000of\u3000laughter\u3000when\u3000she\u3000said\u3000the\u3000old\u3000rooster\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000part\u3000with\u3000his\u3000gorgeous\u3000bronze\u3000and\u3000green\u2026black\u3000tail\u3000feathers\u3000unless\u3000he\u3000took\u3000to\u3000the\u3000swamp\u3000immediately\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000flying\u3000fingers\uff1b\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000laughter\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000them\u3000all\u3000with\u3000concealed\u3000bitterness\u3000and\u3000contempt\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Mammy\u3000finally\u3000turned\u3000the\u3000men\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dining\u3000room\u3000and\u3000closed\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000so\u3000the\u3000fitting\u3000could\u3000begin\u3002\u3000Pork\u3000helped\u3000Gerald\u3000upstairs\u3000to\u3000bed\u3000and\u3000Ashley\u3000and\u3000Will\u3000were\u3000left\u3000alone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000lamplight\u3000in\u3000the\u3000front\u3000hall\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000silent\u3000for\u3000a\u3000while\u3000and\u3000Will\u3000chewed\u3000his\u3000tobacco\u3000like\u3000a\u3000placid\u3000ruminant\u3000animal\u3002\u3000But\u3000his\u3000mild\u3000face\u3000was\u3000far\u3000from\u3000placid\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cThis\u3000goin\u2019\u3000to\u3000Atlanta\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000said\u3000at\u3000last\u3000in\u3000a\u3000slow\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000\u201cI\u3000don\u2019t\u3000like\u3000it\u3002\u3000Not\u3000one\u3000bit\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Ashley\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000Will\u3000quickly\u3000and\u3000then\u3000looked\u3000away\uff1b\u3000saying\u3000nothing\u3000but\u3000wondering\u3000if\u3000Will\u3000had\u3000the\u3000same\u3000awful\u3000suspicion\u3000which\u3000was\u3000haunting\u3000him\u3002\u3000But\u3000that\u3000was\u3000impossible\u3002\u3000Will\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000place\u3000in\u3000the\u3000orchard\u3000that\u3000afternoon\u3000and\u3000how\u3000it\u3000had\u3000driven\u3000Scarlett\u3000to\u3000desperation\u3002\u3000Will\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000have\u3000noticed\u3000Mammy\u2019s\u3000face\u3000when\u3000Rhett\u3000Butler\u2019s\u3000name\u3000was\u3000mentioned\u3000and\uff1b\u3000besides\uff1b\u3000Will\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000know\u3000about\u3000Rhett\u2019s\u3000money\u3000or\u3000his\u3000foul\u3000reputation\u3002\u3000At\u3000least\uff1b\u3000Ashley\u3000did\u3000not\u3000think\u3000he\u3000could\u3000know\u3000these\u3000things\uff1b\u3000but\u3000since\u3000coming\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Tara\u3000he\u3000had\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000Will\uff1b\u3000like\u3000Mammy\uff1b\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000know\u3000things\u3000without\u3000being\u3000told\uff1b\u3000to\u3000sense\u3000them\u3000before\u3000they\u3000happened\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000something\u3000ominous\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000exactly\u3000what\u3000Ashley\u3000did\u3000nut\u3000know\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000powerless\u3000to\u3000save\u3000Scarlett\u3000from\u3000it\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000not\u3000met\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000once\u3000that\u3000evening\u3000and\u3000the\u3000hard\u3000bright\u3000gaiety\u3000with\u3000which\u3000she\u3000had\u3000treated\u3000him\u3000was\u3000frightening\u3002\u3000The\u3000suspicions\u3000which\u3000tore\u3000at\u3000him\u3000were\u3000too\u3000terrible\u3000to\u3000be\u3000put\u3000into\u3000words\u3002\u3000He\u3000did\u3000not\u3000have\u3000the\u3000right\u3000to\u3000insult\u3000her\u3000by\u3000asking\u3000her\u3000if\u3000they\u3000were\u3000true\u3002\u3000He\u3000clenched\u3000his\u3000fists\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000no\u3000rights\u3000at\u3000all\u3000where\u3000she\u3000was\u3000concerned\uff1b\u3000this\u3000afternoon\u3000he\u3000had\u3000forfeited\u3000them\u3000all\uff1b\u3000forever\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000not\u3000help\u3000her\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000could\u3000help\u3000her\u3002\u3000But\u3000when\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000Mammy\u3000and\u3000the\u3000look\u3000of\u3000grim\u3000determination\u3000she\u3000wore\u3000as\u3000she\u3000cut\u3000into\u3000the\u3000velvet\u3000curtains\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000cheered\u3000a\u3000little\u3002\u3000Mammy\u3000would\u3000take\u3000care\u3000of\u3000Scarlett\u3000whether\u3000Scarlett\u3000wished\u3000it\u3000or\u3000not\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000have\u3000caused\u3000all\u3000this\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000despairingly\u3002\u3000\u201cI\u3000have\u3000driven\u3000her\u3000to\u3000this\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000He\u3000remembered\u3000the\u3000way\u3000she\u3000had\u3000squared\u3000her\u3000shoulders\u3000when\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000away\u3000from\u3000him\u3000that\u3000afternoon\uff1b\u3000remembered\u3000the\u3000stubborn\u3000lift\u3000of\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000His\u3000heart\u3000went\u3000out\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000torn\u3000with\u3000his\u3000own\u3000helplessness\uff1b\u3000wrenched\u3000with\u3000admiration\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000had\u3000no\u3000such\u3000word\u3000in\u3000her\u3000vocabulary\u3000as\u3000gallantry\uff1b\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000stared\u3000blankly\u3000if\u3000he\u3000had\u3000told\u3000her\u3000she\u3000was\u3000the\u3000most\u3000gallant\u3000soul\u3000he\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000known\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000would\u3000not\u3000understand\u3000how\u3000many\u3000truly\u3000fine\u3000things\u3000he\u3000ascribed\u3000to\u3000her\u3000when\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000her\u3000as\u3000gallant\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000she\u3000took\u3000life\u3000as\u3000it\u3000came\uff1b\u3000opposed\u3000her\u3000tough\u2026fibered\u3000mind\u3000to\u3000whatever\u3000obstacles\u3000there\u3000might\u3000be\uff1b\u3000fought\u3000on\u3000with\u3000a\u3000determination\u3000that\u3000would\u3000not\u3000recognize\u3000defeat\uff1b\u3000and\u3000kept\u3000on\u3000fighting\u3000even\u3000when\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000defeat\u3000was\u3000inevitable\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000But\uff1b\u3000for\u3000four\u3000years\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000others\u3000who\u3000had\u3000refused\u3000to\u3000recognize\u3000defeat\uff1b\u3000men\u3000who\u3000rode\u3000gaily\u3000into\u3000sure\u3000disaster\u3000because\u3000they\u3000were\u3000gallant\u3000And\u3000they\u3000had\u3000been\u3000defeated\uff1b\u3000just\u3000the\u3000same\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000He\u3000thought\u3000as\u3000he\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000Will\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shadowy\u3000hall\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000never\u3000known\u3000such\u3000gallantry\u3000as\u3000the\u3000gallantry\u3000of\u3000Scarlett\u3000O\u2019Hara\u3000going\u3000forth\u3000to\u3000conquer\u3000the\u3000world\u3000in\u3000her\u3000mother\u2019s\u3000velvet\u3000curtains\u3000and\u3000the\u3000tail\u3000feathers\u3000of\u3000a\u3000rooster\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000CHAPTER\u3000XXXIII<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cDen\u3000us\u2019ll\u3000walk\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Mammy\u3000sternly\u3002\u3000\u201cDrive\u3000on\uff1b\u3000nigger\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000carpetbag\u3000which\u3000held\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000new\u3000velvet\u3000frock\u3000and\u3000bonnet\u3000and\u3000nightgown\u3000and\u3000tucked\u3000the\u3000neat\u3000bandanna\u3000bundle\u3000that\u3000contained\u3000her\u3000own\u3000belongings\u3000under\u3000her\u3000arm\u3000and\u3000shepherded\u3000Scarlett\u3000across\u3000th         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            at\u3000bandanna\u3000bundle\u3000that\u3000contained\u3000her\u3000own\u3000belongings\u3000under\u3000her\u3000arm\u3000and\u3000shepherded\u3000Scarlett\u3000across\u3000the\u3000wet\u3000expanse\u3000of\u3000cinders\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000did\u3000not\u3000argue\u3000the\u3000matter\uff1b\u3000much\u3000as\u3000she\u3000preferred\u3000to\u3000ride\uff1b\u3000for\u3000she\u3000wished\u3000no\u3000disagreement\u3000with\u3000Mammy\u3002\u3000Ever\u3000since\u3000yesterday\u3000afternoon\u3000when\u3000Mammy\u3000had\u3000caught\u3000her\u3000with\u3000the\u3000velvet\u3000curtains\uff1b\u3000there\u3000had\u3000been\u3000an\u3000alert\u3000suspicious\u3000look\u3000in\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000which\u3000Scarlett\u3000did\u3000not\u3000like\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000difficult\u3000to\u3000escape\u3000from\u3000her\u3000chaperonage\u3000and\u3000she\u3000did\u3000not\u3000intend\u3000to\u3000rouse\u3000Mammy\u2019s\u3000fighting\u3000blood\u3000before\u3000it\u3000was\u3000absolutely\u3000necessary\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cYes\uff1b\u3000he\u2019s\u3000in\u3000the\u3000firehouse\u3002\u3000The\u3000Yankees\u3000use\u3000it\u3000for\u3000a\u3000military\u3000jail\u3000now\u3002\u3000The\u3000Yankees\u3000are\u3000camped\u3000in\u3000huts\u3000all\u3000round\u3000the\u3000city\u3000hall\u3000in\u3000the\u3000square\u3000and\u3000the\u3000firehouse\u3000is\u3000just\u3000down\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000so\u3000that\u2019s\u3000where\u3000Captain\u3000Butler\u3000is\u3002\u3000And\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000I\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000funniest\u3000thing\u3000yesterday\u3000about\u3000Captain\u3000Butler\u3002\u3000I\u3000forget\u3000who\u3000told\u3000me\u3002\u3000You\u3000know\u3000how\u3000well\u3000groomed\u3000he\u3000always\u3000was\u2014really\u3000a\u3000dandy\u2014and\u3000they\u2019ve\u3000been\u3000keeping\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000firehouse\u3000and\u3000not\u3000letting\u3000him\u3000bathe\u3000and\u3000every\u3000day\u3000he\u2019s\u3000been\u3000insisting\u3000that\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000a\u3000bath\u3000and\u3000finally\u3000they\u3000led\u3000him\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000cell\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000square\u3000and\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000long\uff1b\u3000horse\u3000trough\u3000where\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000regiment\u3000had\u3000bathed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000water\uff01\u3000And\u3000they\u3000told\u3000him\u3000he\u3000could\u3000bathe\u3000there\u3000and\u3000he\u3000said\u3000No\uff1b\u3000that\u3000he\u3000preferred\u3000his\u3000own\u3000brand\u3000of\u3000Southern\u3000dirt\u3000to\u3000Yankee\u3000dirt\u3000and\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000cheerful\u3000babbling\u3000voice\u3000going\u3000on\u3000and\u3000on\u3000but\u3000she\u3000did\u3000not\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000words\u3002\u3000In\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000there\u3000were\u3000only\u3000two\u3000ideas\uff1b\u3000Rhett\u3000had\u3000more\u3000money\u3000than\u3000she\u3000had\u3000even\u3000hoped\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000in\u3000jail\u3002\u3000The\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000in\u3000jail\u3000and\u3000possibly\u3000might\u3000be\u3000hanged\u3000changed\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000matters\u3000somewhat\uff1b\u3000in\u3000fact\u3000made\u3000them\u3000look\u3000a\u3000little\u3000brighter\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000very\u3000little\u3000feeling\u3000about\u3000Rhett\u3000being\u3000hanged\u3002\u3000Her\u3000need\u3000of\u3000money\u3000was\u3000too\u3000pressing\uff1b\u3000too\u3000desperate\uff1b\u3000for\u3000her\u3000to\u3000bother\u3000about\u3000his\u3000ultimate\u3000fate\u3002\u3000Besides\uff1b\u3000she\u3000half\u3000shared\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Meade\u2019s\u3000opinion\u3000that\u3000hanging\u3000was\u3000too\u3000good\u3000for\u3000him\u3002\u3000Any\u3000man\u3000who\u2019d\u3000leave\u3000a\u3000woman\u3000stranded\u3000between\u3000two\u3000armies\u3000in\u3000the 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he\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000night\uff1b\u3000just\u3000to\u3000go\u3000off\u3000and\u3000fight\u3000for\u3000a\u3000Cause\u3000already\u3000lost\uff1b\u3000deserved\u3000hanging\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000If\u3000she\u3000could\u3000somehow\u3000manage\u3000to\u3000marry\u3000him\u3000while\u3000he\u3000was\u3000in\u3000jail\uff1b\u3000all\u3000those\u3000millions\u3000would\u3000be\u3000hers\u3000and\u3000hers\u3000alone\u3000should\u3000he\u3000be\u3000executed\u3002\u3000And\u3000if\u3000marriage\u3000was\u3000not\u3000possible\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000she\u3000could\u3000get\u3000a\u3000loan\u3000from\u3000him\u3000by\u3000promising\u3000to\u3000marry\u3000him\u3000when\u3000he\u3000was\u3000released\u3000or\u3000by\u3000promising\u2014oh\uff1b\u3000promising\u3000anything\uff01\u3000And\u3000if\u3000they\u3000hanged\u3000him\uff1b\u3000her\u3000day\u3000of\u3000settlement\u3000would\u3000never\u3000come\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000her\u3000imagination\u3000flamed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000being\u3000made\u3000a\u3000widow\u3000by\u3000the\u3000kindly\u3000intervention\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Yankee\u3000government\u3002\u3000Millions\u3000in\u3000gold\uff01\u3000She\u3000could\u3000repair\u3000Tara\u3000and\u3000hire\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000plant\u3000miles\u3000and\u3000miles\u3000of\u3000cotton\u3002\u3000And\u3000she\u3000could\u3000have\u3000pretty\u3000clothes\u3000and\u3000all\u3000she\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000eat\u3000and\u3000so\u3000could\u3000Suellen\u3000and\u3000Carreen\u3002\u3000And\u3000Wade\u3000could\u3000have\u3000nourishing\u3000food\u3000to\u3000fill\u3000out\u3000his\u3000thin\u3000cheeks\u3000and\u3000warm\u3000clothes\u3000and\u3000a\u3000governess\u3000and\u3000afterward\u3000go\u3000to\u3000the\u3000university\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000and\u3000not\u3000grow\u3000up\u3000barefooted\u3000and\u3000ignorant\u3000like\u3000a\u3000Cracker\u3002\u3000And\u3000a\u3000good\u3000doctor\u3000could\u3000look\u3000after\u3000Pa\u3000and\u3000as\u3000for\u3000Ashley\u2014what\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000she\u3000do\u3000for\u3000Ashley\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000Aunt\u3000Pittypat\u2019s\u3000monologue\u3000broke\u3000off\u3000suddenly\u3000as\u3000she\u3000said\u3000inquiringly\uff1a\u3000\u201cYes\uff1b\u3000Mammy\uff1f\u201d\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000coming\u3000back\u3000from\u3000dreams\uff1b\u3000saw\u3000Mammy\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000doorway\uff1b\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000under\u3000her\u3000apron\u3000and\u3000in\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000an\u3000alert\u3000piercing\u3000look\u3002\u3000She\u3000wondered\u3000how\u3000long\u3000Mammy\u3000had\u3000been\u3000standing\u3000there\u3000and\u3000how\u3000much\u3000she\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000and\u3000observed\u3002\u3000Probably\u3000everything\uff1b\u3000to\u3000judge\u3000by\u3000the\u3000gleam\u3000in\u3000her\u3000old\u3000eyes\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cMiss\u3000Scarlett\u3000look\u3000lak\u3000she\u3000tared\u3002\u3000Ah\u3000spec\u3000she\u3000better\u3000go\u3000ter\u3000bed\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000am\u3000tired\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000rising\u3000and\u3000meeting\u3000Mammy\u2019s\u3000eyes\u3000with\u3000a\u3000childlike\uff1b\u3000helpless\u3000look\uff1b\u3000\u201cand\u3000I\u2019m\u3000afraid\u3000I\u2019m\u3000catching\u3000a\u3000cold\u3000too\u3002\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\uff1b\u3000would\u3000you\u3000mind\u3000if\u3000I\u3000stayed\u3000in\u3000bed\u3000tomorrow\u3000and\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000go\u3000calling\u3000with\u3000you\uff1f\u3000I\u3000can\u3000go\u3000calling\u3000any\u3000time\u3000and\u3000I\u2019m\u3000so\u3000anxious\u3000to\u3000go\u3000to\u3000Fanny\u2019s\u3000wedding\u3000tomorrow\u3000night\u3002\u3000And\u3000if\u3000my\u3000cold\u3000gets\u3000worse\u3000I\u3000won\u2019t\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000go\u3002\u3000And\u3000a\u3000day\u3000in\u3000bed\u3000would\u3000be\u3000such\u3000a\u3000lovely\u3000treat\u3000for\u3000me\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Mammy\u2019s\u3000look\u3000changed\u3000to\u3000faint\u3000worry\u3000as\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000into\u3000her\u3000face\u3002\u3000She\u3000certainly\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000look\u3000well\u3002\u3000The\u3000excitement\u3000of\u3000her\u3000thoughts\u3000had\u3000abruptly\u3000ebbed\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000her\u3000white\u3000and\u3000shaking\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYo\u2019\u3000han\u2019s\u3000lak\u3000ice\uff1b\u3000honey\u3002\u3000You\u3000come\u3000ter\u3000bed\u3000an\u2019\u3000Ah\u2019ll\u3000brew\u3000you\u3000some\u3000sassfrass\u3000tea\u3000an\u2019\u3000git\u3000you\u3000a\u3000hot\u3000brick\u3000ter\u3000mek\u3000you\u3000sweat\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cHow\u3000thoughtless\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000been\uff1b\u201d\u3000cried\u3000the\u3000plump\u3000old\u3000lady\uff1b\u3000hopping\u3000from\u3000her\u3000chair\u3000and\u3000patting\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000arm\u3002\u3000\u201cJust\u3000chattering\u3000on\u3000and\u3000not\u3000thinking\u3000of\u3000you\u3002\u3000Honey\uff1b\u3000you\u3000shall\u3000stay\u3000in\u3000bed\u3000all\u3000tomorrow\u3000and\u3000rest\u3000up\u3000and\u3000we\u3000can\u3000gossip\u3000together\u2014\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000dear\uff1b\u3000no\uff01\u3000I\u3000can\u2019t\u3000be\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000promised\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000with\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Bonnell\u3000tomorrow\u3002\u3000She\u3000is\u3000down\u3000with\u3000la\u3000grippe\u3000and\u3000so\u3000is\u3000her\u3000cook\u3002\u3000Mammy\uff1b\u3000I\u2019m\u3000so\u3000glad\u3000you\u3000are\u3000here\u3002\u3000You\u3000must\u3000go\u3000over\u3000with\u3000me\u3000in\u3000the\u3000morning\u3000and\u3000help\u3000me\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Mammy\u3000hurried\u3000Scarlett\u3000up\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000stairs\uff1b\u3000muttering\u3000fussy\u3000remarks\u3000about\u3000cold\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000thin\u3000shoes\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\u3000looked\u3000meek\u3000and\u3000was\u3000well\u3000content\u3002\u3000If\u3000she\u3000could\u3000only\u3000lull\u3000Mammy\u2019s\u3000suspicions\u3000further\u3000and\u3000get\u3000her\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000house\u3000in\u3000the\u3000morning\uff1b\u3000all\u3000would\u3000be\u3000well\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000could\u3000go\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Yankee\u3000jail\u3000and\u3000see\u3000Rhett\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000climbed\u3000the\u3000stairs\uff1b\u3000the\u3000faint\u3000rumbling\u3000of\u3000thunder\u3000began\u3000and\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000well\u2026remembered\u3000landing\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000how\u3000like\u3000the\u3000siege\u3000cannon\u3000it\u3000sounded\u3002\u3000She\u3000shivered\u3002\u3000Forever\uff1b\u3000thunder\u3000would\u3000mean\u3000cannon\u3000and\u3000war\u3000to\u3000her\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000CHAPTER\u3000XXXIV<br \/>\n\u3000THE\u3000SUN\u3000SHONE\u3000intermittently\u3000the\u3000next\u3000morning\u3000and\u3000the\u3000hard\u3000wind\u3000that\u3000drove\u3000dark\u3000clouds\u3000swiftly\u3000across\u3000its\u3000face\u3000rattled\u3000the\u3000windowpanes\u3000and\u3000moaned\u3000faintly\u3000about\u3000the\u3000house\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000said\u3000a\u3000brief\u3000prayer\u3000of\u3000thanksgiving\u3000that\u3000the\u3000rain\u3000of\u3000the\u3000previous\u3000night\u3000had\u3000ceased\uff1b\u3000for\u3000she\u3000had\u3000lain\u3000awake\u3000listening\u3000to\u3000it\uff1b\u3000knowing\u3000that\u3000it\u3000would\u3000mean\u3000the\u3000ruin\u3000of\u3000her\u3000velvet\u3000dress\u3000and\u3000new\u3000bonnet\u3002\u3000Now\u3000that\u3000she\u3000could\u3000catch\u3000fleeting\u3000glimpses\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sun\uff1b\u3000her\u3000spirits\u3000soared\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000hardly\u3000remain\u3000in\u3000bed\u3000and\u3000look\u3000languid\u3000and\u3000make\u3000croaking\u3000noises\u3000until\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\uff1b\u3000Mammy\u3000and\u3000Uncle\u3000Peter\u3000were\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000house\u3000and\u3000on\u3000their\u3000way\u3000to\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Bonnell\u2019s\u3002\u3000When\uff1b\u3000at\u3000last\uff1b\u3000the\u3000front\u3000gate\u3000banged\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000alone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000house\uff1b\u3000except\u3000for\u3000Cookie\u3000who\u3000was\u3000singing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000kitchen\uff1b\u3000she\u3000leaped\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bed\u3000and\u3000lifted\u3000her\u3000new\u3000clothes\u3000from\u3000the\u3000closet\u3000hooks\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Sleep\u3000had\u3000refreshed\u3000her\u3000and\u3000given\u3000her\u3000strength\u3000and\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cold\u3000hard\u3000core\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000her\u3000heart\uff1b\u3000she\u3000drew\u3000courage\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000something\u3000about\u3000the\u3000prospect\u3000of\u3000a\u3000straggle\u3000of\u3000wits\u3000with\u3000a\u3000man\u2014with\u3000any\u3000man\u2014that\u3000put\u3000her\u3000on\u3000her\u3000mettle\u3000and\uff1b\u3000after\u3000months\u3000of\u3000battling\u3000against\u3000countless\u3000discouragements\uff1b\u3000the\u3000knowledge\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000at\u3000last\u3000facing\u3000a\u3000definite\u3000adversary\uff1b\u3000one\u3000whom\u3000she\u3000might\u3000unhorse\u3000by\u3000her\u3000own\u3000efforts\uff1b\u3000gave\u3000her\u3000a\u3000buoyant\u3000sensation\u3002<br 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\u3000\u201cWhat\u3000is\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Ma\u2019m\uff1f\u201d\u3000His\u3000voice\u3000had\u3000a\u3000strange\u3000mid\u2026Western\u3000twang\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000polite\u3000and\u3000respectful\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000want\u3000to\u3000see\u3000a\u3000man\u3000in\u3000there\u2014he\u3000is\u3000a\u3000prisoner\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWell\uff1b\u3000I\u3000don\u2019t\u3000know\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000the\u3000sentry\uff1b\u3000scratching\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u201cThey\u3000are\u3000mighty\u3000particular\u3000about\u3000visitors\u3000and\u2014\u201d\u3000He\u3000stopped\u3000and\u3000peered\u3000into\u3000her\u3000face\u3000sharply\u3002\u3000\u201cLord\uff1b\u3000lady\uff01\u3000Don\u2019t\u3000you\u3000cry\uff01\u3000You\u3000go\u3000over\u3000to\u3000post\u3000headquarters\u3000and\u3000ask\u3000the\u3000officers\u3002\u3000They\u2019ll\u3000let\u3000you\u3000see\u3000him\uff1b\u3000I\u3000bet\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u2014guess\u3000I\u3000must\u3000have\u3000fainted\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000sounded\u3000so\u3000far\u3000away\u3000it\u3000frightened\u3000her\u3002         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000\u201cI\u2014guess\u3000I\u3000must\u3000have\u3000fainted\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000sounded\u3000so\u3000far\u3000away\u3000it\u3000frightened\u3000her\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cDrink\u3000this\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Rhett\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000the\u3000glass\u3000and\u3000pushing\u3000it\u3000against\u3000her\u3000lips\u3002\u3000Now\u3000she\u3000remembered\u3000and\u3000glared\u3000feebly\u3000at\u3000him\u3000but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000too\u3000tired\u3000for\u3000anger\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cMiss\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000what\u3000are\u3000you\u3000doing\u3000over\u3000in\u3000this\u3000section\u3000by\u3000your         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000\u201cMiss\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000what\u3000are\u3000you\u3000doing\u3000over\u3000in\u3000this\u3000section\u3000by\u3000yourself\uff1f\u3000Don\u2019t\u3000you\u3000know\u3000ifs\u3000dangerous\u3000these\u3000days\uff1f\u3000And\u3000you\u3000are\u3000soaking\u3000wet\u3002\u3000Here\uff1b\u3000wrap\u3000the\u3000robe\u3000around\u3000your\u3000feet\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000As\u3000Scarlett\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000Suellen\u2019s\u3000secure\u3000future\u3000and\u3000the\u3000precarious\u3000one\u3000of\u3000herself\u3000and\u3000Tara\uff1b\u3000anger\u3000flamed\u3000in\u3000her\u3000at\u3000the\u3000unfairness\u3000of\u3000life\u3002\u3000Hastily\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000buggy\u3000into\u3000the\u3000muddy\u3000street\uff1b\u3000lest\u3000Frank\u3000should\u3000see\u3000her\u3000expression\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000lose\u3000everything\u3000she\u3000had\uff1b\u3000while\u3000Sue\u2014\u3000Suddenly\u3000a\u3000determination\u3000was\u3000born\u3000in\u3000her\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Suellen\u3000should\u3000not\u3000have\u3000Frank\u3000and\u3000his\u3000store\u3000and\u3000his\u3000mill\uff01<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cYes\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000answered\u3000helplessly\u3002\u3000\u201cWould\u3000you\u3000mind\u2014\u201d\u3000She\u3000hesitated\u3000timidly\u3002\u3000\u201cWould\u3000you\u3000mind\u3000if\u3000I\u3000put\u3000my\u3000hand\u3000in\u3000your\u3000coat\u3000pocket\uff1f\u3000It\u2019s\u3000so\u3000cold\u3000and\u3000my\u3000muff\u3000is\u3000soaked\u3000through\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWhy\u2014why\u2014of\u3000course\u3000not\uff01\u3000And\u3000you\u3000haven\u2019t\u3000any\u3000gloves\uff01\u3000My\uff1b\u3000my\uff1b\u3000what\u3000a\u3000brute\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000been\u3000idling\u3000along\u3000like\u3000this\uff1b\u3000talking\u3000my\u3000head\u3000off\u3000when\u3000you\u3000must\u3000be\u3000freezing\u3000and\u3000wanting\u3000to\u3000get\u3000to\u3000a\u3000fire\u3002\u3000Giddap\uff1b\u3000Sally\uff01\u3000By\u3000the\u3000way\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000been\u3000so\u3000busy\u3000talking\u3000about\u3000myself\u3000I\u3000haven\u2019t\u3000even\u3000asked\u3000you\u3000what\u3000you\u3000were\u3000doing\u3000in\u3000this\u3000section\u3000in\u3000this\u3000weather\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000was\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Yankee\u3000headquarters\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000answered\u3000before\u3000she\u3000thought\u3002\u3000His\u3000sandy\u3000brows\u3000went\u3000up\u3000in\u3000astonishment\u3002<br 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\u3000\u201cWritten\u3000me\u3000what\uff1f\u201d\u3000He\u3000was\u3000trembling\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000to\u3000do\u3000this\u3000to\u3000a\u3000fine\u3000man\u3000like\u3000you\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWhat\u2019s\u3000she\u3000done\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cShe\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000write\u3000you\uff1f\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000I\u3000guess\u3000she\u3000was\u3000too\u3000ashamed\u3000to\u3000write\u3000you\u3002\u3000She\u3000should\u3000be\u3000ashamed\uff01\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000to\u3000have\u3000such\u3000a\u3000mean\u3000sister\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000By\u3000this\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Frank\u3000could\u3000not\u3000even\u3000get\u3000questions\u3000to\u3000his\u3000lips\u3002\u3000He\u3000sat\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000gray\u3000faced\uff1b\u3000the\u3000reins\u3000slack\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hands\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000But\u3000if\u3000they\u3000were\u3000suffering\u3000as\u3000acutely\u3000from\u3000brutal\u3000circumstances\u3000as\u3000she\u3000was\u2014and\u3000they\u3000were\u2014how\u3000could\u3000they\u3000this\u3000air\u3000of\u3000gaiety\u3000and\u3000lightness\u3000of\u3000heart\uff1f\u3000Why\uff1b\u3000indeed\uff1b\u3000should\u3000they\u3000even\u3000try\u3000to\u3000do\u3000it\uff1f\u3000They\u3000were\u3000beyond\u3000her\u3000comprehension\u3000and\u3000vaguely\u3000irritating\u3002\u3000She\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000be\u3000like\u3000them\u3002\u3000She\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000survey\u3000the\u3000wreck\u3000of\u3000the\u3000world\u3000with\u3000an\u3000air\u3000of\u3000casual\u3000unconcern\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000as\u3000hunted\u3000as\u3000a\u3000fox\uff1b\u3000running\u3000with\u3000a\u3000bursting\u3000heart\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000a\u3000burrow\u3000before\u3000the\u3000hounds\u3000caught\u3000up\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Suddenly\u3000she\u3000hated\u3000them\u3000all\u3000be         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            sting\u3000heart\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000a\u3000burrow\u3000before\u3000the\u3000hounds\u3000caught\u3000up\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cAh\uff01\u201d\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000angrily\uff1b\u3000sucking\u3000in\u3000her\u3000breath\u3002\u3000That\u2019s\u3000the\u3000difference\uff01\u3000Even\u3000though\u3000they\u2019re\u3000poor\uff1b\u3000they\u3000still\u3000feel\u3000like\u3000ladies\u3000and\u3000I\u3000don\u2019t\u3002\u3000The\u3000silly\u3000fools\u3000don\u2019t\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000realize\u3000that\u3000you\u3000can\u2019t\u3000be\u3000a\u3000lady\u3000without\u3000money\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Even\u3000in\u3000this\u3000flash\u3000of\u3000revelation\uff1b\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000vaguely\u3000that\uff1b\u3000foolish\u3000though\u3000they\u3000seemed\uff1b\u3000theirs\u3000was\u3000the\u3000right\u3000attitude\u3002\u3000Ellen\u3000would\u3000have\u3000thought\u3000so\u3002\u3000This\u3000disturbed\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000should\u3000feel\u3000as\u3000these\u3000people\u3000felt\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000should\u3000believe\u3000devoutly\uff1b\u3000as\u3000they\u3000did\uff1b\u3000that\u3000a\u3000born\u3000lady\u3000remained\u3000a\u3000lady\uff1b\u3000even\u3000if\u3000reduced\u3000to\u3000poverty\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000make\u3000herself\u3000believe\u3000it\u3000now\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000All\u3000her\u3000life\u3000she\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000sneers\u3000hurled\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000because\u3000their\u3000pretensions\u3000to\u3000gentility\u3000were\u3000based\u3000on\u3000wealth\uff1b\u3000not\u3000breeding\u3002\u3000But\u3000at\u3000this\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000heresy\u3000though\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000help\u3000thinking\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000were\u3000right\u3000on\u3000this\u3000one\u3000matter\uff1b\u3000even\u3000if\u3000wrong\u3000in\u3000all\u3000others\u3002\u3000It\u3000took\u3000money\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000lady\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000Ellen\u3000would\u3000have\u3000fainted\u3000had\u3000she\u3000ever\u3000heard\u3000such\u3000words\u3000from\u3000her\u3000daughter\u3002\u3000No\u3000depth\u3000of\u3000poverty\u3000could\u3000ever\u3000have\u3000made\u3000Ellen\u3000feel\u3000ashamed\u3002\u3000Ashamed\uff01\u3000Yet\uff1b\u3000that\u3000was\u3000how\u3000Scarlett\u3000felt\u3002\u3000Ashamed\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000poor\u3000and\u3000reduced\u3000to\u3000galling\u3000shifts\u3000and\u3000penury\u3000and\u3000work\u3000that\u3000negroes\u3000should\u3000do\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000shrugged\u3000in\u3000irritation\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000these\u3000people\u3000were\u3000right\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000wrong\u3000but\uff1b\u3000just\u3000the\u3000same\uff1b\u3000these\u3000proud\u3000fools\u3000weren\u2019t\u3000looking\u3000forward\u3000as\u3000she\u3000was\u3000doing\uff1b\u3000straining\u3000every\u3000nerve\uff1b\u3000risking\u3000even\u3000honor\u3000and\u3000good\u3000name\u3000to\u3000get\u3000back\u3000what\u3000they\u3000had\u3000lost\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000dignity\u3000of\u3000any\u3000of\u3000them\u3000to\u3000indulge\u3000in\u3000a\u3000scramble\u3000for\u3000money\u3002\u3000The\u3000times\u3000were\u3000rude\u3000and\u3000hard\u3002\u3000They\u3000called\u3000for\u3000rude\u3000and\u3000hard\u3000struggle\u3000if\u3000one\u3000was\u3000to\u3000conquer\u3000them\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000family\u3000tradition\u3000would\u3000forcibly\u3000restrain\u3000many\u3000of\u3000these\u3000people\u3000from\u3000such\u3000a\u3000struggle\u2014with\u3000the\u3000making\u3000of\u3000money\u3000admittedly\u3000its\u3000aim\u3002\u3000They\u3000all\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000obvious\u3000money\u2026making\u3000and\u3000even\u3000talk\u3000of\u3000money\u3000were\u3000vulgar\u3000in\u3000the\u3000extreme\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000there\u3000were\u3000exceptions\u3002\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Merriwether\u3000and\u3000her\u3000baking\u3000and\u3000Ren\u00e9\u3000driving\u3000the\u3000pie\u3000wagon\u3002\u3000And\u3000Hugh\u3000Elsing\u3000cutting\u3000and\u3000peddling\u3000firewood\u3000and\u3000Tommy\u3000contracting\u3002\u3000And\u3000Frank\u3000having\u3000the\u3000gumption\u3000to\u3000start\u3000a\u3000store\u3002\u3000But\u3000what\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rank\u3000and\u3000file\u3000of\u3000them\uff1f\u3000The\u3000planters\u3000would\u3000scratch\u3000a\u3000few\u3000acres\u3000and\u3000live\u3000in\u3000poverty\u3002\u3000The\u3000lawyers\u3000and\u3000doctors\u3000would\u3000go\u3000back\u3000to\u3000their\u3000professions\u3000and\u3000wait\u3000for\u3000clients\u3000who\u3000might\u3000never\u3000come\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000rest\uff1b\u3000those\u3000who\u3000had\u3000lived\u3000in\u3000leisure\u3000on\u3000their\u3000incomes\uff1f\u3000What\u3000would\u3000happen\u3000to\u3000them\uff1f<br \/>\n\u3000But\u3000she\u3000wasn\u2019t\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000poor\u3000all\u3000her\u3000life\u3002\u3000She\u3000wasn\u2019t\u3000going\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000down\u3000and\u3000patiently\u3000wait\u3000for\u3000a\u3000miracle\u3000to\u3000help\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000rush\u3000into\u3000life\u3000and\u3000wrest\u3000from\u3000it\u3000what\u3000she\u3000could\u3002\u3000Her\u3000father\u3000had\u3000started\u3000as\u3000a\u3000poor\u3000immigrant\u3000boy\u3000and\u3000had\u3000won\u3000the\u3000broad\u3000acres\u3000of\u3000Tara\u3002\u3000What\u3000he\u3000had\u3000done\uff1b\u3000his\u3000daughter\u3000could\u3000do\u3002\u3000She\u3000wasn\u2019t\u3000like\u3000these\u3000people\u3000who\u3000had\u3000gambled\u3000everything\u3000on\u3000a\u3000Cause\u3000that\u3000was\u3000gone\u3000and\u3000were\u3000content\u3000to\u3000be\u3000proud\u3000of\u3000having\u3000lost\u3000that\u3000Cause\uff1b\u3000because\u3000it\u3000was\u3000worth\u3000any\u3000sacrifice\u3002\u3000They\u3000drew\u3000their\u3000courage\u3000from\u3000the\u3000past\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000drawing\u3000hers\u3000from\u3000the\u3000future\u3002\u3000Frank\u3000Kennedy\uff1b\u3000at\u3000present\uff1b\u3000was\u3000her\u3000future\u3002\u3000At\u3000least\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000the\u3000store\u3000and\u3000he\u3000had\u3000cash\u3000money\u3002\u3000And\u3000if\u3000she\u3000could\u3000only\u3000marry\u3000him\u3000and\u3000get\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000on\u3000that\u3000money\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000make\u3000ends\u3000meet\u3000at\u3000Tara\u3000for\u3000another\u3000year\u3002\u3000And\u3000after\u3000that\u2014Frank\u3000must\u3000buy\u3000the\u3000sawmill\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000see\u3000for\u3000herself\u3000how\u3000quickly\u3000the\u3000town\u3000was\u3000rebuilding\u3000and\u3000anyone\u3000who\u3000could\u3000establish\u3000a\u3000lumber\u3000business\u3000now\uff1b\u3000when\u3000there\u3000was\u3000so\u3000little\u3000competition\uff1b\u3000would\u3000have\u3000a\u3000gold\u3000mine\u3002<br 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        <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000a\u3000fine\u3000little\u3000woman\u3000should\u3000be\u3000alone\u3000and\u3000helpless\u3000in\u3000a\u3000world\u3000so\u3000rough\u3000that\u3000she\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000even\u3000understand\u3000its\u3000harshness\u3002\u3000No\u3000husband\u3000nor\u3000brother\u3000nor\u3000even\u3000a\u3000father\u3000now\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000her\u3002\u3000Frank\u3000thought\u3000the\u3000world\u3000too\u3000rude\u3000a\u3000place\u3000for\u3000a\u3000lone\u3000woman\u3000and\uff1b\u3000in\u3000that\u3000idea\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000silently\u3000and\u3000heartily\u3000concurred\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000No\u3000friend\u3000or\u3000relative\u3000stood\u3000up\u3000with\u3000them\u3000at\u3000their\u3000marriage\u3002\u3000The\u3000witnesses\u3000were\u3000strangers\u3000called\u3000in\u3000from\u3000the\u3000street\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000insisted\u3000on\u3000that\u3000and\u3000he\u3000had\u3000given\u3000in\uff1b\u3000though\u3000reluctantly\uff1b\u3000for\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000liked\u3000his\u3000sister\u3000and\u3000his\u3000brother\u2026in\u2026law\u3000from\u3000Jonesboro\u3000to\u3000be\u3000with\u3000him\u3002\u3000And\u3000a\u3000reception\u3000with\u3000toasts\u3000drunk\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bride\u3000in\u3000Miss\u3000Pitty\u2019s\u3000parlor\u3000amid\u3000happy\u3000friends\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000a\u3000joy\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000But\u3000Scarlett\u3000would\u3000not\u3000hear\u3000of\u3000even\u3000Miss\u3000Pitty\u3000being\u3000present\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cJust\u3000us\u3000two\uff1b\u3000Frank\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000begged\uff1b\u3000squeezing\u3000his\u3000arm\u3002\u3000\u201cLike\u3000an\u3000elopement\u3002\u3000I\u3000always\u3000did\u3000want\u3000to\u3000run\u3000away\u3000and\u3000be\u3000married\uff01\u3000Please\uff1b\u3000sweetheart\uff1b\u3000just\u3000for\u3000me\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000It\u3000was\u3000that\u3000endearing\u3000term\uff1b\u3000still\u3000so\u3000new\u3000to\u3000his\u3000ears\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000bright\u3000teardrops\u3000which\u3000edged\u3000her\u3000pale\u3000green\u3000eyes\u3000as\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000pleadingly\u3000at\u3000him\u3000that\u3000won\u3000him\u3000over\u3002\u3000After\u3000all\uff1b\u3000a\u3000man\u3000had\u3000to\u3000make\u3000some\u3000concessions\u3000to\u3000his\u3000bride\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000about\u3000the\u3000wedding\uff1b\u3000for\u3000women\u3000set\u3000such\u3000a\u3000store\u3000by\u3000sentimental\u3000things\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000Atlanta\u3000was\u3000talking\u3000but\u3000she\u3000did\u3000not\u3000care\u3002\u3000After\u3000all\uff1b\u3000there\u3000wasn\u2019t\u3000anything\u3000immoral\u3000in\u3000marrying\u3000a\u3000man\u3002\u3000Tare\u3000was\u3000safe\u3002\u3000Let\u3000people\u3000talk\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000too\u3000many\u3000other\u3000matters\u3000to\u3000occupy\u3000her\u3000mind\u3002\u3000The\u3000most\u3000important\u3000was\u3000how\u3000to\u3000make\u3000Frank\u3000realize\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000tactful\u3000manner\uff1b\u3000that\u3000his\u3000store\u3000should\u3000bring\u3000in\u3000more\u3000money\u3002\u3000After\u3000the\u3000fright\u3000Jonas\u3000Wilkerson\u3000had\u3000given\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000never\u3000rest\u3000easy\u3000until\u3000she\u3000and\u3000Frank\u3000had\u3000some\u3000money\u3000ahead\u3002\u3000And\u3000even\u3000if\u3000no\u3000emergency\u3000developed\uff1b\u3000Frank\u3000would\u3000need\u3000to\u3000make\u3000more\u3000money\uff1b\u3000if\u3000she\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000save\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000next\u3000year\u2019s\u3000taxes\u3002\u3000Moreover\uff1b\u3000what\u3000Frank\u3000had\u3000said\u3000about\u3000the\u3000sawmill\u3000stuck\u3000in\u3000her\u3000mind\u3002\u3000Frank\u3000could\u3000make\u3000lots\u3000of\u3000money\u3000out\u3000of\u3000a\u3000mill\u3002\u3000Anybody\u3000could\uff1b\u3000with\u3000lumber\u3000selling\u3000at\u3000such\u3000outrageous\u3000prices\u3002\u3000She\u3000fretted\u3000silently\u3000because\u3000Frank\u2019s\u3000money\u3000had\u3000not\u3000been\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000pay\u3000the\u3000taxes\u3000on\u3000Tara\u3000and\u3000buy\u3000the\u3000mill\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000And\u3000she\u3000made\u3000up\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000make\u3000more\u3000money\u3000on\u3000the\u3000store\u3000somehow\uff1b\u3000and\u3000do\u3000it\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000so\u3000he\u3000could\u3000buy\u3000that\u3000mill\u3000before\u3000some\u3000one\u3000else\u3000snapped\u3000it\u3000up\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000see\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000bargain\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000If\u3000she\u3000were\u3000a\u3000man\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000that\u3000mill\uff1b\u3000if\u3000she\u3000had\u3000to\u3000mortgage\u3000the\u3000store\u3000to\u3000raise\u3000the\u3000money\u3002\u3000But\uff1b\u3000when\u3000she\u3000intimated\u3000this\u3000delicately\u3000to\u3000Frank\uff1b\u3000the\u3000day\u3000after\u3000they\u3000married\uff1b\u3000he\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000told\u3000her\u3000not\u3000to\u3000bother\u3000her\u3000sweet\u3000pretty\u3000little\u3000head\u3000about\u3000business\u3000matters\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000come\u3000as\u3000a\u3000surprise\u3000to\u3000him\u3000that\u3000she\u3000even\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000a\u3000mortgage\u3000was\u3000and\uff1b\u3000at\u3000first\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000amused\u3002\u3000But\u3000this\u3000amusement\u3000quickly\u3000passed\u3000and\u3000a\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000shock\u3000took\u3000its\u3000place\u3000in\u3000the\u3000early\u3000days\u3000of\u3000their\u3000marriage\u3002\u3000Once\uff1b\u3000incautiously\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000told\u3000her\u3000that\u3000\u201cpeople\u201d\u3000\uff08he\u3000was\u3000careful\u3000not\u3000to\u3000mention\u3000names\uff09\u3000owed\u3000him\u3000money\u3000but\u3000could\u3000not\u3000pay\u3000just\u3000now\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000unwilling\u3000to\u3000press\u3000old\u3000friends\u3000and\u3000gentlefolk\u3002\u3000Frank\u3000regretted\u3000ever\u3000mentioning\u3000it\u3000for\uff1b\u3000thereafter\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000questioned\u3000him\u3000about\u3000it\u3000again\u3000and\u3000again\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000the\u3000most\u3000charmingly\u3000childlike\u3000air\u3000but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000just\u3000curious\uff1b\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000to\u3000know\u3000who\u3000owed\u3000him\u3000and\u3000how\u3000much\u3000they\u3000owed\u3002\u3000Frank\u3000was\u3000very\u3000evasive\u3000about\u3000the\u3000matter\u3002\u3000He\u3000coughed\u3000nervously\u3000and\u3000waved\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000repeated\u3000his\u3000annoying\u3000remark\u3000about\u3000her\u3000sweet\u3000pretty\u3000little\u3000head\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000It\u3000had\u3000begun\u3000to\u3000dawn\u3000on\u3000him\u3000that\u3000this\u3000same\u3000sweet\u3000pretty\u3000little\u3000head\u3000was\u3000a\u3000\u201cgood\u3000head\u3000for\u3000figures\u3002\u201d\u3000In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000a\u3000much\u3000better\u3000one\u3000than\u3000his\u3000own\u3000and\u3000the\u3000knowledge\u3000was\u3000disquieting\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000thunderstruck\u3000to\u3000discover\u3000that\u3000she\u3000could\u3000swiftly\u3000add\u3000a\u3000long\u3000column\u3000of\u3000figures\u3000in\u3000her\u3000head\u3000when\u3000he\u3000needed\u3000a\u3000pencil\u3000and\u3000paper\u3000for\u3000more\u3000than\u3000three\u3000figures\u3002\u3000And\u3000fractions\u3000presented\u3000no\u3000difficulties\u3000to\u3000her\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000He\u3000felt\u3000there\u3000was\u3000something\u3000unbecoming\u3000about\u3000a\u3000woman\u3000understanding\u3000fractions\u3000and\u3000business\u3000matters\u3000and\u3000he\u3000believed\u3000that\uff1b\u3000should\u3000a\u3000woman\u3000be\u3000so\u3000unfortunate\u3000as\u3000to\u3000have\u3000such\u3000unladylike\u3000comprehension\uff1b\u3000she\u3000should\u3000pretend\u3000not\u3000to\u3002\u3000Now\u3000he\u3000disliked\u3000talking\u3000business\u3000with\u3000her\u3000as\u3000much\u3000as\u3000be\u3000had\u3000enjoyed\u3000it\u3000before\u3000they\u3000were\u3000married\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000had\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000all\u3000beyond\u3000her\u3000mental\u3000grasp\u3000and\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000pleasant\u3000to\u3000explain\u3000things\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000Now\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000she\u3000understood\u3000entirely\u3000too\u3000well\u3000and\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000usual\u3000masculine\u3000indignation\u3000at\u3000the\u3000duplicity\u3000of\u3000women\u3002\u3000Added\u3000to\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000usual\u3000masculine\u3000disillusionment\u3000in\u3000discovering\u3000that\u3000a\u3000woman\u3000has\u3000a\u3000brain\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Just\u3000how\u3000early\u3000in\u3000his\u3000married\u3000life\u3000Frank\u3000learned\u3000of\u3000the\u3000deception\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000used\u3000in\u3000marrying\u3000him\uff1b\u3000no\u3000one\u3000ever\u3000knew\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000dawned\u3000on\u3000him\u3000when\u3000Tony\u3000Fontaine\uff1b\u3000obviously\u3000fancy\u3000free\uff1b\u3000came\u3000to\u3000Atlanta\u3000on\u3000business\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000it\u3000was\u3000told\u3000him\u3000more\u3000directly\u3000in\u3000letters\u3000from\u3000his\u3000sister\u3000in\u3000Jonesboro\u3000who\u3000was\u3000astounded\u3000at\u3000his\u3000marriage\u3002\u3000Certainly\u3000he\u3000ne         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000directly\u3000in\u3000letters\u3000from\u3000his\u3000sister\u3000in\u3000Jonesboro\u3000who\u3000was\u3000astounded\u3000at\u3000his\u3000marriage\u3002\u3000Certainly\u3000he\u3000never\u3000learned\u3000from\u3000Suellen\u3000herself\u3002\u3000She\u3000never\u3000wrote\u3000him\u3000and\u3000naturally\u3000he\u3000could\u3000not\u3000write\u3000her\u3000and\u3000explain\u3002\u3000What\u3000good\u3000would\u3000explanations\u3000do\u3000anyway\uff1b\u3000now\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000married\uff1f\u3000He\u3000writhed\u3000inwardly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000Suellen\u3000would\u3000never\u3000know\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000and\u3000would\u3000always\u3000think\u3000he\u3000had\u3000senselessly\u3000jilted\u3000her\u3002\u3000Probably\u3000everyone\u3000else\u3000was\u3000thinking\u3000this\u3000too\u3000and\u3000criticizing\u3000him\u3002\u3000It\u3000certainly\u3000put\u3000him\u3000in\u3000an\u3000awkward\u3000position\u3002\u3000And\u3000he\u3000had\u3000no\u3000way\u3000of\u3000clearing\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000for\u3000a\u3000man\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000go\u3000about\u3000saying\u3000he\u3000had\u3000lost\u3000his\u3000head\u3000about\u3000a\u3000woman\u2014and\u3000a\u3000gentleman\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000advertise\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000his\u3000wife\u3000had\u3000entrapped\u3000him\u3000with\u3000a\u3000lie\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000was\u3000his\u3000wife\u3000and\u3000a\u3000wife\u3000was\u3000entitled\u3000to\u3000the\u3000loyalty\u3000of\u3000her\u3000husband\u3002\u3000Furthermore\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000not\u3000bring\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000she\u3000had\u3000married\u3000him\u3000coldly\u3000and\u3000with\u3000no\u3000affection\u3000for\u3000him\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000His\u3000masculine\u3000vanity\u3000would\u3000not\u3000permit\u3000such\u3000a\u3000thought\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000long\u3000in\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000more\u3000pleasant\u3000to\u3000think\u3000she\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000so\u3000suddenly\u3000in\u3000love\u3000with\u3000him\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000lie\u3000to\u3000get\u3000him\u3002\u3000But\u3000it\u3000was\u3000all\u3000very\u3000puzzling\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000was\u3000no\u3000great\u3000catch\u3000for\u3000a\u3000woman\u3000half\u3000his\u3000age\u3000and\u3000pretty\u3000and\u3000smart\u3000to\u3000boot\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Frank\u3000was\u3000a\u3000gentleman\u3000and\u3000he\u3000kept\u3000his\u3000bewilderment\u3000to\u3000himself\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000was\u3000his\u3000wife\u3000and\u3000he\u3000could\u3000not\u3000insult\u3000her\u3000by\u3000asking\u3000awkward\u3000questions\u3000which\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\uff1b\u3000would\u3000not\u3000remedy\u3000matters\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Not\u3000that\u3000Frank\u3000especially\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000remedy\u3000matters\uff1b\u3000for\u3000it\u3000appeared\u3000that\u3000his\u3000marriage\u3000would\u3000be\u3000a\u3000happy\u3000one\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000was\u3000the\u3000most\u3000charming\u3000and\u3000exciting\u3000of\u3000women\u3000and\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000her\u3000perfect\u3000in\u3000all\u3000things\u2014except\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000so\u3000headstrong\u3002\u3000Frank\u3000learned\u3000early\u3000in\u3000his\u3000marriage\u3000that\u3000so\u3000long\u3000as\u3000she\u3000had\u3000her\u3000own\u3000way\uff1b\u3000life\u3000could\u3000be\u3000very\u3000pleasant\uff1b\u3000but\u3000when\u3000she\u3000was\u3000opposed\u2014\u3000Given\u3000her\u3000own\u3000way\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000as\u3000gay\u3000as\u3000a\u3000child\uff1b\u3000laughed\u3000a\u3000good\u3000deal\uff1b\u3000made\u3000foolish\u3000little\u3000jokes\uff1b\u3000sat\u3000on\u3000his\u3000knee\u3000and\u3000tweaked\u3000his\u3000beard\u3000until\u3000he\u3000vowed\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000twenty\u3000years\u3000younger\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000be\u3000unexpectedly\u3000sweet\u3000and\u3000thoughtful\uff1b\u3000having\u3000his\u3000slippers\u3000toasting\u3000at\u3000the\u3000fire\u3000when\u3000he\u3000came\u3000home\u3000at\u3000night\uff1b\u3000fussing\u3000affectionately\u3000about\u3000his\u3000wet\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000interminable\u3000head\u3000colds\uff1b\u3000remembering\u3000that\u3000he\u3000always\u3000liked\u3000the\u3000gizzard\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chicken\u3000and\u3000three\u3000spoonfuls\u3000of\u3000sugar\u3000in\u3000his\u3000coffee\u3002\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000life\u3000was\u3000very\u3000sweet\u3000and\u3000cozy\u3000with\u3000Scarlett\u2014as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000she\u3000had\u3000her\u3000own\u3000way\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000When\u3000the\u3000marriage\u3000was\u3000two\u3000weeks\u3000old\uff1b\u3000Frank\u3000contracted\u3000the\u3000grippe\u3000and\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Meade\u3000put\u3000him\u3000to\u3000bed\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000first\u3000year\u3000of\u3000the\u3000war\uff1b\u3000Frank\u3000had\u3000spent\u3000two\u3000months\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hospital\u3000with\u3000pneumonia\u3000and\u3000he\u3000had\u3000lived\u3000in\u3000dread\u3000of\u3000another\u3000attack\u3000since\u3000that\u3000time\uff1b\u3000so\u3000he\u3000was\u3000only\u3000too\u3000glad\u3000to\u3000lie\u3000sweating\u3000under\u3000three\u3000blankets\u3000and\u3000drink\u3000the\u3000hot\u3000concoctions\u3000Mammy\u3000and\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\u3000brought\u3000him\u3000every\u3000hour\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000illness\u3000dragged\u3000on\u3000and\u3000Frank\u3000worried\u3000more\u3000and\u3000more\u3000about\u3000the\u3000store\u3000as\u3000each\u3000day\u3000passed\u3002\u3000The\u3000place\u3000was\u3000in\u3000charge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000counter\u3000boy\uff1b\u3000who\u3000came\u3000to\u3000the\u3000house\u3000every\u3000night\u3000to\u3000report\u3000on\u3000the\u3000day\u2019s\u3000transactions\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Frank\u3000was\u3000not\u3000satisfied\u3002\u3000He\u3000fretted\u3000until\u3000Scarlett\u3000who\u3000had\u3000only\u3000been\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000such\u3000an\u3000opportunity\u3000laid\u3000a\u3000cool\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000his\u3000forehead\u3000and\u3000said\uff1a\u3000\u201cNow\uff1b\u3000sweetheart\uff1b\u3000I\u3000shall\u3000be\u3000vexed\u3000if\u3000you\u3000take\u3000on\u3000so\u3002\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000go\u3000to\u3000town\u3000and\u3000see\u3000how\u3000things\u3000are\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000And\u3000she\u3000went\uff1b\u3000smiling\u3000as\u3000she\u3000smothered\u3000his\u3000feeble\u3000protests\u3002\u3000During\u3000the\u3000three\u3000weeks\u3000of\u3000her\u3000new\u3000marriage\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000in\u3000a\u3000fever\u3000to\u3000see\u3000his\u3000account\u3000books\u3000and\u3000find\u3000out\u3000just\u3000how\u3000money\u3000matters\u3000stood\u3002\u3000What\u3000luck\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000bedridden\uff01<br 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\/>\n\u3000Here\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000flooring\u3000and\u3000the\u3000assorted\u3000jumble\u3000of\u3000stock\u3000was\u3000piled\u3000helter\u2026skelter\u3000on\u3000the\u3000hard\u2026packed\u3000earth\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000semi\u2026darkness\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000boxes\u3000and\u3000bales\u3000of\u3000goods\uff1b\u3000plows\u3000and\u3000harness\u3000and\u3000saddles\u3000and\u3000cheap\u3000pine\u3000coffins\u3002\u3000Secondhand\u3000furniture\uff1b\u3000ranging\u3000from\u3000cheap\u3000gum\u3000to\u3000mahogany\u3000and\u3000rosewood\uff1b\u3000reared\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000gloom\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rich\u3000but\u3000worn\u3000brocade\u3000and\u3000horsehair\u3000upholstery\u3000gleamed\u3000incongruously\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dingy\u3000surroundings\u3002\u3000China\u3000chambers\u3000and\u3000bowl\u3000and\u3000pitcher\u3000sets\u3000littered\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000and\u3000all\u3000around\u3000the\u3000four\u3000walls\u3000were\u3000deep\u3000bins\uff1b\u3000so\u3000dark\u3000she\u3000had\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000the\u3000lamp\u3000directly\u3000over\u3000them\u3000to\u3000discover\u3000they\u3000contained\u3000seeds\uff1b\u3000nails\uff1b\u3000bolts\u3000and\u3000carpenters\u2019\u3000tools\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u2019d\u3000think\u3000a\u3000man\u3000as\u3000fussy\u3000and\u3000old\u3000maidish\u3000as\u3000Frank\u3000would\u3000keep\u3000things\u3000tidier\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000scrubbing\u3000her\u3000grimy\u3000hands\u3000with\u3000her\u3000handkerchief\u3002\u3000\u201cThis\u3000place\u3000is\u3000a\u3000pig\u3000pen\u3002\u3000What\u3000a\u3000way\u3000to\u3000run\u3000a\u3000store\uff01\u3000If\u3000he\u2019d\u3000only\u3000dust\u3000up\u3000this\u3000stuff\u3000and\u3000put\u3000it\u3000out\u3000in\u3000front\u3000where\u3000folks\u3000could\u3000see\u3000it\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000sell\u3000things\u3000much\u3000quicker\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000And\u3000if\u3000his\u3000stock\u3000was\u3000in\u3000such\u3000condition\uff1b\u3000what\u3000mustn\u2019t\u3000his\u3000accounts\u3000be\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000look\u3000at\u3000his\u3000account\u3000book\u3000now\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000and\uff1b\u3000picking\u3000up\u3000the\u3000lamp\uff1b\u3000she\u3000went\u3000into\u3000the\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000store\u3002\u3000Willie\uff1b\u3000the\u3000counter\u3000boy\uff1b\u3000was\u3000reluctant\u3000to\u3000give\u3000her\u3000the\u3000large\u3000dirty\u2026backed\u3000ledger\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000obvious\u3000that\uff1b\u3000young\u3000as\u3000he\u3000was\uff1b\u3000he\u3000shared\u3000Frank\u2019s\u3000opinion\u3000that\u3000women\u3000had\u3000no\u3000place\u3000in\u3000business\u3002\u3000But\u3000Scarlett\u3000silenced\u3000him\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sharp\u3000word\u3000and\u3000sent\u3000him\u3000out\u3000to\u3000get\u3000his\u3000dinner\u3002\u3000She\u3000felt\u3000better\u3000when\u3000he\u3000was\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000for\u3000his\u3000disapproval\u3000annoyed\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000settled\u3000herself\u3000in\u3000a\u3000split\u2026bottomed\u3000chair\u3000by\u3000the\u3000roaring\u3000stove\uff1b\u3000tucked\u3000one\u3000foot\u3000under\u3000her\u3000and\u3000spread\u3000the\u3000book\u3000across\u3000her\u3000lap\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000dinner\u3000time\u3000and\u3000the\u3000streets\u3000were\u3000deserted\u3002\u3000No\u3000customers\u3000called\u3000and\u3000she\u3000had\u3000the\u3000store\u3000to\u3000herself\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000the\u3000pages\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000narrowly\u3000scanning\u3000the\u3000rows\u3000of\u3000names\u3000and\u3000figures\u3000written\u3000in\u3000Frank\u2019s\u3000cramped\u3000copperplate\u3000hand\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000just\u3000as\u3000she\u3000had\u3000expected\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000frowned\u3000as\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000this\u3000newest\u3000evidence\u3000of\u3000Frank\u2019s\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000business\u3000sense\u3002\u3000At\u3000least\u3000five\u3000hundred\u3000dollars\u3000in\u3000debts\uff1b\u3000some\u3000of\u3000them\u3000months\u3000old\uff1b\u3000were\u3000set\u3000down\u3000against\u3000the\u3000names\u3000of\u3000people\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000well\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Merriwethers\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Elsings\u3000among\u3000other\u3000familiar\u3000names\u3002\u3000From\u3000Frank\u2019s\u3000deprecatory\u3000remarks\u3000about\u3000the\u3000money\u3000\u201cpeople\u201d\u3000owed\u3000him\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000imagined\u3000the\u3000sums\u3000to\u3000be\u3000small\u3002\u3000But\u3000this\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cIf\u3000they\u3000can\u2019t\u3000pay\uff1b\u3000why\u3000do\u3000they\u3000keep\u3000on\u3000buying\uff1f\u201d\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000irritably\u3002\u3000\u201cAnd\u3000if\u3000he\u3000knows\u3000they\u3000can\u2019t\u3000pay\uff1b\u3000why\u3000does\u3000he\u3000keep\u3000on\u3000selling\u3000them\u3000stuff\uff1f\u3000Lots\u3000of\u3000them\u3000could\u3000pay\u3000if\u3000he\u2019d\u3000just\u3000make\u3000them\u3000do\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000Elsings\u3000certainly\u3000could\u3000if\u3000they\u3000could\u3000give\u3000Fanny\u3000a\u3000new\u3000satin\u3000dress\u3000and\u3000an\u3000expensive\u3000wedding\u3002\u3000Frank\u2019s\u3000just\u3000too\u3000soft\u3000hearted\uff1b\u3000and\u3000people\u3000take\u3000advantage\u3000of\u3000him\u3002\u3000Why\uff1b\u3000if\u3000he\u2019d\u3000collected\u3000half\u3000this\u3000money\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000have\u3000bought\u3000the\u3000sawmill\u3000and\u3000easily\u3000spared\u3000me\u3000the\u3000tax\u3000money\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000thought\uff1a\u3000\u201cJust\u3000imagine\u3000Frank\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000operate\u3000a\u3000sawmill\uff01\u3000God\u2019s\u3000nightgown\uff01\u3000If\u3000he\u3000runs\u3000this\u3000store\u3000like\u3000a\u3000charitable\u3000institution\uff1b\u3000how\u3000could\u3000he\u3000expect\u3000to\u3000make\u3000money\u3000on\u3000a\u3000mill\uff1f\u3000The\u3000sheriff\u3000would\u3000have\u3000it\u3000in\u3000a\u3000month\u3002\u3000Why\uff1b\u3000I\u3000could\u3000run\u3000this\u3000store\u3000better\u3000than\u3000he\u3000does\uff01\u3000And\u3000I\u3000could\u3000run\u3000a\u3000mill\u3000better\u3000than\u3000he\u3000could\uff1b\u3000even\u3000if\u3000I\u3000don\u2019t\u3000know\u3000anything\u3000about\u3000the\u3000lumber\u3000business\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000A\u3000startling\u3000thought\u3000this\uff1b\u3000that\u3000a\u3000woman\u3000could\u3000handle\u3000business\u3000matters\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000or\u3000better\u3000than\u3000a\u3000man\uff1b\u3000a\u3000revolutionary\u3000thought\u3000to\u3000Scarlett\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000reared\u3000in\u3000the\u3000tradition\u3000that\u3000men\u3000were\u3000omniscient\u3000and\u3000women\u3000none\u3000too\u3000bright\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000discovered\u3000that\u3000this\u3000was\u3000not\u3000altogether\u3000true\u3000but\u3000the\u3000pleasant\u3000fiction\u3000still\u3000stuck\u3000in\u3000her\u3000mind\u3002\u3000Never\u3000before\u3000had\u3000she\u3000put\u3000this\u3000remarkable\u3000idea\u3000into\u3000words\u3002\u3000She\u3000sat\u3000quite\u3000still\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000heavy\u3000book\u3000across\u3000her\u3000lap\uff1b\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3000a\u3000little\u3000open\u3000with\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000thinking\u3000that\u3000during\u3000the\u3000lean\u3000months\u3000at\u3000Tara\u3000she\u3000had\u3000done\u3000a\u3000man\u2019s\u3000work\u3000and\u3000done\u3000it\u3000well\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000been\u3000brought\u3000up\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000that\u3000a\u3000woman\u3000alone\u3000could\u3000accomplish\u3000nothing\uff1b\u3000yet\u3000she\u3000had\u3000managed\u3000the\u3000plantation\u3000without\u3000men\u3000to\u3000help\u3000her\u3000until\u3000Will\u3000came\u3002\u3000Why\uff1b\u3000why\uff1b\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000stuttered\uff1b\u3000I\u3000believe\u3000women\u3000could\u3000manage\u3000everything\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3000without\u3000men\u2019s\u3000help\u2014except\u3000having\u3000babies\uff1b\u3000and\u3000God\u3000knows\uff1b\u3000no\u3000woman\u3000in\u3000her\u3000right\u3000mind\u3000would\u3000have\u3000babies\u3000if\u3000she\u3000could\u3000help\u3000it\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000With\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000as\u3000capable\u3000as\u3000a\u3000man\u3000came\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000rush\u3000of\u3000pride\u3000and\u3000a\u3000violent\u3000longing\u3000to\u3000prove\u3000it\uff1b\u3000to\u3000make\u3000money\u3000for\u3000herself\u3000as\u3000men\u3000made\u3000money\u3002\u3000Money\u3000which\u3000would\u3000be\u3000her\u3000own\uff1b\u3000which\u3000she\u3000would\u3000neither\u3000have\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000for\u3000nor\u3000account\u3000for\u3000to\u3000any\u3000man\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000wish\u3000I\u3000had\u3000money\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000buy\u3000that\u3000mill\u3000myself\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000said\u3000aloud\u3000and\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000\u201cI\u2019d\u3000sure\u3000make\u3000it\u3000hum\u3002\u3000And\u3000I\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u3000let\u3000even\u3000one\u3000splinter\u3000go\u3000out\u3000on\u3000credit\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000sighed\u3000again\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000nowhere\u3000she\u3000could\u3000get\u3000any\u3000money\uff1b\u3000so\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000was\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000question\u3002\u3000Frank\u3000would\u3000simply\u3000have\u3000to\u3000collect\u3000this\u3000money\u3000owing\u3000him\u3000and\u3000buy\u3000the\u3000mill\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000sure\u3000way\u3000to\u3000make\u3000money\uff1b\u3000and\u3000when\u3000he\u3000got\u3000the\u3000mill\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000certainly\u3000find\u3000some\u3000way\u3000to\u3000make\u3000him\u3000be\u3000more\u3000businesslike\u3000in\u3000its\u3000op         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            d\u3000when\u3000he\u3000got\u3000the\u3000mill\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000certainly\u3000find\u3000some\u3000way\u3000to\u3000make\u3000him\u3000be\u3000more\u3000businesslike\u3000in\u3000its\u3000operation\u3000than\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000with\u3000the\u3000store\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000pulled\u3000a\u3000back\u3000page\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ledger\u3000and\u3000began\u3000copying\u3000the\u3000list\u3000of\u3000debtors\u3000who\u3000had\u3000made\u3000no\u3000payments\u3000in\u3000several\u3000months\u3002\u3000She\u2019d\u3000take\u3000the\u3000matter\u3000up\u3000with\u3000Frank\u3000just\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000she\u3000reached\u3000home\u3002\u3000She\u2019d\u3000make\u3000him\u3000realize\u3000that\u3000these\u3000people\u3000had\u3000to\u3000pay\u3000their\u3000bills\u3000even\u3000if\u3000they\u3000were\u3000old\u3000friends\uff1b\u3000even\u3000if\u3000it\u3000did\u3000embarrass\u3000him\u3000to\u3000press\u3000them\u3000for\u3000money\u3002\u3000That\u3000would\u3000probably\u3000upset\u3000Frank\uff1b\u3000for\u3000he\u3000was\u3000timid\u3000and\u3000fond\u3000of\u3000the\u3000approbation\u3000of\u3000his\u3000friends\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000so\u3000thin\u3000skinned\u3000he\u2019d\u3000rather\u3000lose\u3000the\u3000money\u3000than\u3000be\u3000businesslike\u3000about\u3000collecting\u3000it\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000And\u3000he\u2019d\u3000probably\u3000tell\u3000her\u3000that\u3000no\u3000one\u3000had\u3000any\u3000money\u3000with\u3000which\u3000to\u3000pay\u3000him\u3002\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000that\u3000was\u3000true\u3002\u3000Poverty\u3000was\u3000certainly\u3000no\u3000news\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000But\u3000nearly\u3000everybody\u3000had\u3000saved\u3000some\u3000silver\u3000or\u3000jewelry\u3000or\u3000was\u3000hanging\u3000on\u3000to\u3000a\u3000little\u3000real\u3000estate\u3002\u3000Frank\u3000could\u3000take\u3000them\u3000in\u3000lieu\u3000of\u3000cash\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000could\u3000imagine\u3000how\u3000Frank\u3000would\u3000moan\u3000when\u3000she\u3000broached\u3000such\u3000an\u3000idea\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000Take\u3000the\u3002\u3000jewelry\u3000and\u3000property\u3000of\u3000his\u3000friends\uff01\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000she\u3000shrugged\uff1b\u3000he\u3000can\u3000moan\u3000all\u3000he\u3000likes\u3002\u3000I\u2019m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000him\u3000that\u3000he\u3000may\u3000be\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000poor\u3000for\u3000friendship\u2019s\u3000sake\u3000but\u3000I\u2019m\u3000not\u3002\u3000Frank\u3000will\u3000never\u3000get\u3000anywhere\u3000if\u3000he\u3000doesn\u2019t\u3000get\u3000up\u3000some\u3000gumption\u3002\u3000And\u3000he\u2019s\u3000got\u3000to\u3000get\u3000somewhere\uff01\u3000He\u2019s\u3000got\u3000to\u3000make\u3000money\uff1b\u3000even\u3000if\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000wear\u3000the\u3000pants\u3000in\u3000the\u3000family\u3000to\u3000make\u3000him\u3000do\u3000it\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cHalf\u3000the\u3000money\u3000is\u3000honestly\u3000mine\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u201chonestly\u3000made\u3000with\u3000the\u3000aid\u3000of\u3000honest\u3000Union\u3000patriots\u3000who\u3000were\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000sell\u3000out\u3000the\u3000Union\u3000behind\u3000its\u3000back\u2014for\u3000one\u2026hundred\u2026per\u2026cent\u3000profit\u3000on\u3000their\u3000goods\u3002\u3000Part\u3000I\u3000made\u3000o         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            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\/>\n\u3000Ostensibly\u3000it\u3000w         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000Federal\u3000treasury\u3002\u3000But\u3000whether\u3000Frank\u3000liked\u3000it\u3000or\u3000not\u3000Rhett\u3000was\u3000a\u3000frequent\u3000caller\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cMy\uff01\u3000My\uff01\u201d\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000helplessly\u3002\u3000\u201cShe\u3000can\u3000get\u3000mad\u3000quicker\u3000and\u3000stay\u3000mad\u3000longer\u3000than\u3000any\u3000woman\u3000I\u3000ever\u3000saw\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Even\u3000at\u3000the\u3000times\u3000when\u3000things\u3000were\u3000most\u3000pleasant\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000amazing\u3000how\u3000completely\u3000and\u3000how\u3000quickly\u3000the\u3000teasing\uff1b\u3000affectionate\u3000wife\u3000who\u3000hummed\u3000to\u3000herself\u3000as\u3000she\u3000went\u3000about\u3000the\u3000house\u3000could\u3000be\u3000transformed\u3000into\u3000an\u3000entirely\u3000different\u3000person\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000only\u3000to\u3000say\uff1a\u3000\u201cSugar\uff1b\u3000if\u3000I\u3000were\u3000you\uff1b\u3000I\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u2014\u201d\u3000and\u3000the\u3000tempest\u3000would\u3000break\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cWhat\u3000can\u3000we\u3000do\uff1f\u201d\u3000she\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000wringing\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000in\u3000an\u3000agony\u3000of\u3000helpless\u3000fear\u3002\u3000\u201cWhat\u3000can\u3000we\u3000do\u3000         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000\u201cWhat\u3000can\u3000we\u3000do\uff1f\u201d\u3000she\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000wringing\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000in\u3000an\u3000agony\u3000of\u3000helpless\u3000fear\u3002\u3000\u201cWhat\u3000can\u3000we\u3000do\u3000with\u3000devils\u3000who\u2019d\u3000hang\u3000a\u3000nice\u3000boy\u3000like\u3000Tony\u3000just\u3000for\u3000killing\u3000a\u3000drunken\u3000buck\u3000and\u3000a\u3000scoundrelly\u3000Scalawag\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000his\u3000women\u3000folks\uff1f\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000For\u3000weeks\u3000after\u3000Tony\u2019s\u3000escape\uff1b\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\u2019s\u3000house\u3000was\u3000subjected\u3000to\u3000repeated\u3000searches\u3000by\u3000parties\u3000of\u3000Yankee\u3000soldiers\u3002\u3000They\u3000invaded\u3000the\u3000house\u3000at\u3000all\u3000hours\u3000and\u3000without\u3000warning\u3002\u3000They\u3000swarmed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000rooms\uff1b\u3000asking\u3000questions\uff1b\u3000opening\u3000closets\uff1b\u3000prodding\u3000clothes\u3000hampers\uff1b\u3000peering\u3000under\u3000beds\u3002\u3000The\u3000military\u3000authorities\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000that\u3000Tony\u3000had\u3000been\u3000advised\u3000to\u3000go\u3000to\u3000Miss\u3000Pitty\u2019s\u3000house\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000were\u3000certain\u3000he\u3000was\u3000still\u3000hiding\u3000there\u3000or\u3000somewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000neighborhood\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000As\u3000a\u3000result\uff1b\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\u3000was\u3000chronically\u3000in\u3000what\u3000Uncle\u3000Peter\u3000called\u3000a\u3000\u201cstate\uff1b\u201d\u3000never\u3000knowing\u3000when\u3000her\u3000bedroom\u3000would\u3000be\u3000entered\u3000by\u3000an\u3000officer\u3000and\u3000a\u3000squad\u3000of\u3000men\u3002\u3000Neither\u3000Frank\u3000nor\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000mentioned\u3000Tony\u2019s\u3000brief\u3000visit\uff1b\u3000so\u3000the\u3000old\u3000lady\u3000could\u3000have\u3000revealed\u3000nothing\uff1b\u3000even\u3000had\u3000she\u3000been\u3000so\u3000inclined\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000entirely\u3000honest\u3000in\u3000her\u3000fluttery\u3000protestations\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000Tony\u3000Fontaine\u3000only\u3000once\u3000in\u3000her\u3000life\u3000and\u3000that\u3000was\u3000at\u3000Christmas\u3000time\u3000in\u30001862\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cAnd\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000would\u3000add\u3000breathlessly\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Yankee\u3000soldiers\uff1b\u3000in\u3000an\u3000effort\u3000to\u3000be\u3000helpful\uff1b\u3000\u201che\u3000was\u3000quite\u3000intoxicated\u3000at\u3000the\u3000time\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000For\u3000some\u3000time\u3000there\u3000had\u3000been\u3000an\u3000agitation\u3000in\u3000Washington\u3000to\u3000confiscate\u3000all\u3000\u201cRebel\u3000property\u201d\u3000to\u3000pay\u3000the\u3000United\u3000States\u2019\u3000war\u3000debt\u3000and\u3000this\u3000agitation\u3000had\u3000kept\u3000Scarlett\u3000in\u3000a\u3000state\u3000of\u3000anguished\u3000apprehension\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000in\u3000addition\u3000to\u3000this\uff1b\u3000Atlanta\u3000was\u3000full\u3000of\u3000wild\u3000rumors\u3000about\u3000the\u3000confiscation\u3000of\u3000property\u3000of\u3000offenders\u3000against\u3000military\u3000law\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\u3000quaked\u3000lest\u3000she\u3000and\u3000Frank\u3000lose\u3000not\u3000only\u3000their\u3000freedom\u3000but\u3000the\u3000house\uff1b\u3000the\u3000store\u3000and\u3000the\u3000mill\u3002\u3000And\u3000even\u3000if\u3000their\u3000property\u3000were\u3000not\u3000appropriated\u3000by\u3000the\u3000military\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000as\u3000good\u3000as\u3000lost\u3000if\u3000she\u3000and\u3000Frank\u3000went\u3000to\u3000jail\uff1b\u3000for\u3000who\u3000would\u3000look\u3000after\u3000their\u3000business\u3000in\u3000their\u3000absence\uff1f<br 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        <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            n\u3000weeks\u3000went\u3000by\u3000and\u3000they\u3000heard\u3000no\u3000bad\u3000news\uff1b\u3000they\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000Ashley\u3000had\u3000somehow\u3000come\u3000clear\u3002\u3000And\u3000finally\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000ceased\u3000annoying\u3000them\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000But\u3000even\u3000this\u3000relief\u3000did\u3000not\u3000free\u3000Scarlett\u3000from\u3000the\u3000state\u3000of\u3000dread\u3000which\u3000began\u3000when\u3000Tony\u3000came\u3000knocking\u3000at\u3000their\u3000door\uff1b\u3000a\u3000dread\u3000which\u3000was\u3000worse\u3000than\u3000the\u3000quaking\u3000fear\u3000of\u3000the\u3000siege\u3000shells\uff1b\u3000worse\u3000even\u3000than\u3000the\u3000terror\u3000of\u3000Sherman\u2019s\u3000men\u3000during\u3000the\u3000last\u3000days\u3000of\u3000the\u3000war\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000as\u3000if\u3000Tony\u2019s\u3000appearance\u3000that\u3000wild\u3000rainy\u3000night\u3000had\u3000stripped\u3000merciful\u3000blinders\u3000from\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000forced\u3000her\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000true\u3000uncertainty\u3000of\u3000her\u3000life\u3002<br 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        <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            s\u3000with\u3000thin\u3000rickety\u3000legs\u3000and\u3000mothers\u3000who\u3000could\u3000not\u3000nurse\u3000them\u3002\u3000Once\u3000the\u3000old\u3000doctor\u3000had\u3000been\u3000wont\u3000to\u3000thank\u3000God\u3000reverently\u3000for\u3000each\u3000child\u3000he\u3000brought\u3000into\u3000the\u3000world\u3002\u3000Now\u3000he\u3000did\u3000not\u3000think\u3000life\u3000was\u3000such\u3000a\u3000boon\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000hard\u3000world\u3000for\u3000little\u3000babies\u3000and\u3000so\u3000many\u3000died\u3000in\u3000their\u3000first\u3000few\u3000months\u3000of\u3000life\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Bright\u3000lights\u3000and\u3000wine\uff1b\u3000fiddles\u3000and\u3000dancing\uff1b\u3000brocade\u3000and\u3000broadcloth\u3000in\u3000the\u3000showy\u3000big\u3000houses\u3000and\uff1b\u3000just\u3000around\u3000the\u3000corners\uff1b\u3000slow\u3000starvation\u3000and\u3000cold\u3002\u3000Arrogance\u3000and\u3000callousness\u3000for\u3000the\u3000conquerors\uff1b\u3000bitter\u3000endurance\u3000and\u3000hatred\u3000for\u3000the\u3000conquered\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000CHAPTER\u3000XXXVIII<br \/>\n\u3000SCARLETT\u3000SAW\u3000IT\u3000ALL\uff1b\u3000lived\u3000with\u3000it\u3000by\u3000day\uff1b\u3000took\u3000it\u3000to\u3000bed\u3000with\u3000her\u3000at\u3000night\uff1b\u3000dreading\u3000always\u3000what\u3000might\u3000happen\u3000next\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000she\u3000and\u3000Frank\u3000were\u3000already\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u2019\u3000black\u3000books\uff1b\u3000because\u3000of\u3000Tony\uff1b\u3000and\u3000disaster\u3000might\u3000descend\u3000on\u3000them\u3000at\u3000any\u3000hour\u3002\u3000But\uff1b\u3000now\u3000of\u3000all\u3000times\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000afford\u3000to\u3000be\u3000pushed\u3000back\u3000to\u3000her\u3000beginnings\u2014not\u3000now\u3000with\u3000a\u3000baby\u3000coming\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mill\u3000just\u3000commencing\u3000to\u3000pay\u3000and\u3000Tara\u3000depending\u3000on\u3000her\u3000for\u3000money\u3000until\u3000the\u3000cotton\u3000came\u3000in\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fall\u3002\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000suppose\u3000she\u3000should\u3000lose\u3000everything\uff01\u3000Suppose\u3000she\u3000should\u3000have\u3000to\u3000start\u3000all\u3000over\u3000again\u3000with\u3000only\u3000her\u3000puny\u3000weapons\u3000against\u3000this\u3000mad\u3000world\uff01\u3000To\u3000have\u3000to\u3000pit\u3000her\u3000red\u3000lips\u3000and\u3000green\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000her\u3000shrewd\u3000shallow\u3000brain\u3000against\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000and\u3000everything\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000stood\u3000for\u3002\u3000Weary\u3000with\u3000dread\uff1b\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000that\u3000she\u3000would\u3000rather\u3000kill\u3000herself\u3000than\u3000try\u3000to\u3000make\u3000a\u3000new\u3000beginning\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000In\u3000the\u3000ruin\u3000and\u3000chaos\u3000of\u3000that\u3000spring\u3000of\u30001866\uff1b\u3000she\u3000single\u3000mindedly\u3000turned\u3000her\u3000energies\u3000to\u3000making\u3000the\u3000mill\u3000pay\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000money\u3000in\u3000Atlanta\u3002\u3000The\u3000wave\u3000of\u3000rebuilding\u3000was\u3000giving\u3000her\u3000the\u3000opportunity\u3000she\u3000wanted\u3000and\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000could\u3000make\u3000money\u3000if\u3000only\u3000she\u3000could\u3000stay\u3000out\u3000of\u3000jail\u3002\u3000But\uff1b\u3000she\u3000told\u3000herself\u3000time\u3000and\u3000again\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000walk\u3000easily\uff1b\u3000gingerly\uff1b\u3000be\u3000meek\u3000under\u3000insults\uff1b\u3000yielding\u3000to\u3000injustices\uff1b\u3000never\u3000giving\u3000offense\u3000to\u3000anyone\uff1b\u3000black\u3000or\u3000white\uff1b\u3000who\u3000might\u3000do\u3000her\u3000harm\u3002\u3000She\u3000hated\u3000the\u3000impudent\u3000free\u3000negroes\u3000as\u3000much\u3000as\u3000anyone\u3000and\u3000her\u3000flesh\u3000crawled\u3000with\u3000fury\u3000every\u3000time\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000their\u3000insulting\u3000remarks\u3000and\u3000high\u2026pitched\u3000laughter\u3000as\u3000she\u3000went\u3000by\u3002\u3000But\u3000she\u3000never\u3000even\u3000gave\u3000them\u3000a\u3000glance\u3000of\u3000contempt\u3002\u3000She\u3000hated\u3000the\u3000Carpetbaggers\u3000and\u3000Scalawags\u3000who\u3000were\u3000getting\u3000rich\u3000with\u3000ease\u3000while\u3000she\u3000struggled\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000said\u3000nothing\u3000in\u3000condemnation\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000in\u3000Atlanta\u3000could\u3000have\u3000loathed\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000more\u3000than\u3000she\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000very\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000a\u3000blue\u3000uniform\u3000made\u3000her\u3000sick\u3000with\u3000rage\uff1b\u3000but\u3000even\u3000in\u3000the\u3000privacy\u3000of\u3000her\u3000family\u3000she\u3000kept\u3000silent\u3000about\u3000them\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000I\u3000won\u2019t\u3000be\u3000a\u3000big\u2026mouthed\u3000fool\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000grimly\u3002\u3000Let\u3000others\u3000break\u3000their\u3000hearts\u3000over\u3000the\u3000old\u3000days\u3000and\u3000the\u3000men\u3000who\u2019ll\u3000never\u3000come\u3000back\u3002\u3000Let\u3000others\u3000burn\u3000with\u3000fury\u3000over\u3000the\u3000Yankee\u3000rule\u3000and\u3000losing\u3000the\u3000ballot\u3002\u3000Let\u3000others\u3000go\u3000to\u3000jail\u3000for\u3000speaking\u3000their\u3000minds\u3000and\u3000get\u3000themselves\u3000hanged\u3000for\u3000being\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Ku\u3000Klux\u3000Klan\u3002\u3000\uff08Oh\uff1b\u3000what\u3000a\u3000dreaded\u3000name\u3000that\u3000was\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000as\u3000terrifying\u3000to\u3000Scarlett\u3000as\u3000to\u3000the\u3000negroes\u3002\uff09\u3000Let\u3000other\u3000women\u3000be\u3000proud\u3000that\u3000their\u3000husbands\u3000belonged\u3002\u3000Thank\u3000God\uff1b\u3000Frank\u3000had\u3000never\u3000been\u3000mixed\u3000up\u3000in\u3000it\uff01\u3000Let\u3000others\u3000stew\u3000and\u3000fume\u3000and\u3000plot\u3000and\u3000plan\u3000about\u3000things\u3000they\u3000could\u3000not\u3000help\u3002\u3000What\u3000did\u3000the\u3000past\u3000matter\u3000compared\u3000with\u3000the\u3000tense\u3000present\u3000and\u3000the\u3000dubious\u3000future\uff1f\u3000What\u3000did\u3000the\u3000ballot\u3000matter\u3000when\u3000bread\uff1b\u3000a\u3000roof\u3000and\u3000staying\u3000out\u3000of\u3000jail\u3000were\u3000the\u3000real\u3000problems\uff1f\u3000And\uff1b\u3000please\u3000God\uff1b\u3000just\u3000let\u3000me\u3000stay\u3000out\u3000of\u3000trouble\u3000until\u3000June\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000Only\u3000till\u3000June\uff01\u3000By\u3000that\u3000month\u3000Scarlett\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000would\u3000be\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000retire\u3000into\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\u2019s\u3000house\u3000and\u3000remain\u3000secluded\u3000there\u3000until\u3000after\u3000her\u3000child\u3000was\u3000born\u3002\u3000Already\u3000people\u3000were\u3000criticizing\u3000her\u3000for\u3000appearing\u3000in\u3000public\u3000when\u3000she\u3000was\u3000in\u3000such\u3000a\u3000condition\u3002\u3000No\u3000lady\u3000ever\u3000showed\u3000herself\u3000when\u3000she\u3000was\u3000pregnant\u3002\u3000Already\u3000Frank\u3000and\u3000Pitty\u3000were\u3000begging\u3000her\u3000not\u3000to\u3000expose\u3000herself\u2014and\u3000them\u2014to\u3000embarrassment\u3000and\u3000she\u3000had\u3000promised\u3000them\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000work\u3000in\u3000June\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Only\u3000till\u3000June\uff01\u3000By\u3000June\u3000she\u3000must\u3000have\u3000the\u3000mill\u3000well\u3000enough\u3000established\u3000for\u3000her\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000it\u3002\u3000By\u3000June\u3000she\u3000must\u3000have\u3000money\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000give\u3000her\u3000at\u3000least\u3000some\u3000little\u3000protection\u3000against\u3000misfortune\u3002\u3000So\u3000much\u3000to\u3000do\u3000and\u3000so\u3000little\u3000time\u3000to\u3000do\u3000it\uff01\u3000She\u3000wished\u3000for\u3000more\u3000hours\u3000of\u3000the\u3000day\u3000and\u3000counted\u3000the\u3000minutes\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000strained\u3000forward\u3000feverishly\u3000in\u3000her\u3000pursuit\u3000of\u3000money\u3000and\u3000still\u3000more\u3000money\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Because\u3000she\u3000nagged\u3000the\u3000timid\u3000Frank\uff1b\u3000the\u3000store\u3000was\u3000doing\u3000better\u3000now\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000even\u3000collecting\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000old\u3000bills\u3002\u3000But\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000sawmill\u3000on\u3000which\u3000her\u3000hopes\u3000were\u3000pinned\u3002\u3000Atlanta\u3000these\u3000days\u3000was\u3000like\u3000a\u3000giant\u3000plant\u3000which\u3000had\u3000been\u3000cut\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000but\u3000now\u3000was\u3000springing\u3000up\u3000again\u3000with\u3000sturdier\u3000shoots\uff1b\u3000thicker\u3000foliage\uff1b\u3000more\u3000numerous\u3000branches\u3002\u3000The\u3000demand\u3000for\u3000building\u3000materials\u3000was\u3000far\u3000greater\u3000than\u3000could\u3000be\u3000supplied\u3002\u3000Prices\u3000of\u3000lumber\uff1b\u3000brick\u3000and\u3000stone\u3000soared\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\u3000kept\u3000the\u3000mill\u3000running\u3000from\u3000dawn\u3000until\u3000lantern\u3000light\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000A\u3000part\u3000of\u3000every\u3000day\u3000she\u3000spent\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mill\uff1b\u3000prying\u3000into\u3000everything\uff1b\u3000doing\u3000her\u3000best\u3000to\u3000check\u3000the\u3000thievery\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000sure\u3000was\u3000going\u3000on\u3002\u3000But\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000time\u3000she\u3000was\u3000riding\u3000about\u3000the\u3000town\uff1b\u3000making\u3000the\u3000rounds\u3000of\u3000builders\uff1b\u3000contractors\u3000and\u3000carpenters\uff1b\u3000even\u3000calling\u3000on\u3000strangers\u3000she\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000might\u3000build\u3000at\u3000future\u3000dates\uff1b\u3000cajoling\u3000them\u3000into\u3000promises\u3000of\u3000buying\u3000from\u3000her\u3000and\u3000her\u3000only\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Soon\u3000she\u3000was\u3000a\u3000familiar\u3000sight\u3000on\u3000Atlanta\u2019s\u3000streets\uff1b\u3000sitting\u3000in\u3000her\u3000buggy\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000dignified\uff1b\u3000disapproving\u3000old\u3000darky\u3000driver\uff1b\u3000a\u3000lap\u3000robe\u3000pulled\u3000high\u3000about\u3000her\uff1b\u3000her\u3000little\u3000mittened\u3000hands\u3000clasped\u3000in\u3000her\u3000lap\u3002\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\u3000had\u3000made\u3000her\u3000a\u3000pretty\u3000green\u3000mantelet\u3000which\u3000hid\u3000her\u3000figure\u3000and\u3000a\u3000green\u3000pancake\u3000hat\u3000which\u3000matched\u3000her\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000always\u3000wore\u3000these\u3000becoming\u3000garments\u3000on\u3000her\u3000business\u3000calls\u3002\u3000A\u3000faint\u3000dab\u3000of\u3000rouge\u3000on\u3000her\u3000cheeks\u3000and\u3000a\u3000fainter\u3000fragrance\u3000of\u3000cologne\u3000made\u3000her\u3000a\u3000charming\u3000picture\uff1b\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000she\u3000did\u3000not\u3000alight\u3000from\u3000the\u3000buggy\u3000and\u3000show\u3000her\u3000figure\u3002\u3000And\u3000there\u3000was\u3000seldom\u3000any\u3000need\u3000for\u3000this\uff1b\u3000for\u3000she\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000beckoned\u3000and\u3000the\u3000men\u3000came\u3000quickly\u3000to\u3000the\u3000buggy\u3000and\u3000frequently\u3000stood\u3000bareheaded\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rain\u3000to\u3000talk\u3000business\u3000with\u3000her\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000was\u3000not\u3000the\u3000only\u3000one\u3000who\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000the\u3000opportunities\u3000for\u3000making\u3000money\u3000out\u3000of\u3000lumber\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000did\u3000not\u3000fear\u3000her\u3000competitors\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000with\u3000conscious\u3000pride\u3000in\u3000her\u3000own\u3000smartness\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000the\u3000equal\u3000of\u3000any\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000Gerald\u2019s\u3000own\u3000daughter\u3000and\u3000the\u3000shrewd\u3000trading\u3000instinct\u3000she\u3000had\u3000inherited\u3000was\u3000now\u3000sharpened\u3000by\u3000her\u3000needs\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000The\u3000first\u3000time\u3000Scarlett\u3000lied\u3000in\u3000this\u3000fashion\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000disconcerted\u3000and\u3000guilty\u2014disconcerted\u3000because\u3000the\u3000lie\u3000sprang\u3000so\u3000easily\u3000and\u3000naturally\u3000to\u3000her\u3000lips\uff1b\u3000guilty\u3000because\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000flashed\u3000into\u3000her\u3000mind\uff1a\u3000What\u3000would\u3000Mother\u3000say\uff1f<br 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\/>\n\u3000But\u3000she\u3000never\u3000again\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000Ellen\u3000in\u3000connection\u3000with\u3000her\u3000business\u3000practices\uff1b\u3000never\u3000again\u3000regretted\u3000any\u3000means\u3000she\u3000used\u3000to\u3000take\u3000trade\u3000away\u3000from\u3000other\u3000lumber\u3000dealers\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000was\u3000perfectly\u3000safe\u3000in\u3000lying\u3000about\u3000them\u3002\u3000Southern\u3000chivalry\u3000protected\u3000her\u3002\u3000A\u3000Southern\u3000lady\u3000could\u3000lie\u3000about\u3000a\u3000gentleman\u3000but\u3000a\u3000Southern\u3000gentleman\u3000could\u3000not\u3000lie\u3000about\u3000a\u3000lady\u3000or\uff1b\u3000worse\u3000still\uff1b\u3000call\u3000the\u3000lady\u3000a\u3000liar\u3002\u3000Other\u3000lumbermen\u3000could\u3000only\u3000fume\u3000inwardly\u3000and\u3000state\u3000heatedly\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bosoms\u3000of\u3000their\u3000families\uff1b\u3000that\u3000they\u3000wished\u3000to\u3000God\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Kennedy\u3000was\u3000a\u3000man\u3000for\u3000just\u3000about\u3000five\u3000minutes\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000One\u3000poor\u3000white\u3000who\u3000operated\u3000a\u3000mill\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Decatur\u3000road\u3000did\u3000try\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000Scarlett\u3000with\u3000her\u3000own\u3000weapons\uff1b\u3000saying\u3000openly\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000a\u3000liar\u3000and\u3000a\u3000swindler\u3002\u3000But\u3000it\u3000hurt\u3000him\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000helped\uff1b\u3000for\u3000everyone\u3000was\u3000appalled\u3000that\u3000even\u3000a\u3000poor\u3000white\u3000should\u3000say\u3000such\u3000shocking\u3000things\u3000about\u3000a\u3000lady\u3000of\u3000good\u3000family\uff1b\u3000even\u3000when\u3000the\u3000lady\u3000was\u3000conducting\u3000herself\u3000in\u3000such\u3000an\u3000unwomanly\u3000way\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000bore\u3000his\u3000remarks\u3000with\u3000silent\u3000dignity\u3000and\uff1b\u3000as\u3000time\u3000went\u3000by\uff1b\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000all\u3000her\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000him\u3000and\u3000his\u3000customers\u3002\u3000She\u3000undersold\u3000him\u3000so\u3000relentlessly\u3000and\u3000delivere         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            he\u3000turned\u3000all\u3000her\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000him\u3000and\u3000his\u3000customers\u3002\u3000She\u3000undersold\u3000him\u3000so\u3000relentlessly\u3000and\u3000delivered\uff1b\u3000with\u3000secret\u3000groans\uff1b\u3000such\u3000an\u3000excellent\u3000quality\u3000of\u3000lumber\u3000to\u3000prove\u3000her\u3000probity\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000soon\u3000bankrupt\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000to\u3000Frank\u2019s\u3000horror\uff1b\u3000she\u3000triumphantly\u3000bought\u3000his\u3000mill\u3000at\u3000her\u3000own\u3000price\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Once\u3000in\u3000her\u3000possession\u3000there\u3000arose\u3000the\u3000perplexing\u3000problem\u3000of\u3000finding\u3000a\u3000trustworthy\u3000man\u3000to\u3000put\u3000in\u3000charge\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000She\u3000did\u3000not\u3000want\u3000another\u3000man\u3000like\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Johnson\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000despite\u3000all\u3000her\u3000watchfulness\u3000he\u3000was\u3000still\u3000selling\u3000her\u3000lumber\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000back\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000easy\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000right\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000man\u3002\u3000Wasn\u2019t\u3000everybody\u3000as\u3000poor\u3000as\u3000Job\u2019s\u3000turkey\uff1b\u3000and\u3000weren\u2019t\u3000the\u3000streets\u3000full\u3000of\u3000men\uff1b\u3000some\u3000of\u3000them\u3000formerly\u3000rich\uff1b\u3000who\u3000were\u3000without\u3000work\uff1f\u3000The\u3000day\u3000never\u3000went\u3000by\u3000that\u3000Frank\u3000did\u3000not\u3000give\u3000money\u3000to\u3000some\u3000hungry\u3000ex\u2026soldier\u3000or\u3000that\u3000Pitty\u3000and\u3000Cookie\u3000did\u3000not\u3000wrap\u3000up\u3000food\u3000for\u3000gaunt\u3000beggars\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cMe\uff1b\u3000I\u3000am\u3000dead\u3000to\u3000shame\uff1b\u201d\u3000grinned\u3000Ren\u00e9\u3002\u3000\u201cWho\u3000would\u3000be\u3000respectable\uff1f\u3000All\u3000of\u3000my\u3000days\u3000I\u3000was\u3000respectable\u3000until\u3000ze\u3000war\u3000set\u3000me\u3000free\u3000lak\u3000ze\u3000darkies\u3002\u3000Nevaire\u3000again\u3000must\u3000I\u3000be\u3000deegneefied\u3000and\u3000full\u3000of\u3000ennui\u3002\u3000Free\u3000lak\u3000ze\u3000bird\uff01\u3000I\u3000lak\u3000my\u3000pie\u3000wagon\u3002\u3000I\u3000lak\u3000my\u3000mule\u3002\u3000I\u3000lak\u3000ze\u3000dear\u3000Yankees\u3000who\u3000so\u3000kindly\u3000buy\u3000ze\u3000pie\u3000of\u3000Madame\u3000Belle\u3000M\u00e8re\u3002\u3000No\uff1b\u3000my\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000I\u3000must\u3000be\u3000ze\u3000King\u3000of\u3000ze\u3000Pies\u3002\u3000Eet\u3000ees\u3000my\u3000destiny\uff01\u3000Lak\u3000Napoleon\uff1b\u3000I\u3000follow\u3000my\u3000star\u3002\u201d\u3000He\u3000flourished\u3000his\u3000whip\u3000dramatically\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cBut\u3000you\u3000weren\u2019t\u3000raised\u3000to\u3000sell\u3000pies\u3000any\u3000more\u3000than\u3000Tommy\u3000was\u3000raised\u3000to\u3000wrastle\u3000with\u3000a\u3000bunch\u3000of\u3000wild\u3000Irish\u3000masons\u3002\u3000My\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000work\u3000is\u3000more\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cAnd\u3000I\u3000suppose\u3000you\u3000were\u3000raised\u3000to\u3000run\u3000a\u3000lumber\u3000mill\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Tommy\uff1b\u3000the\u3000corners\u3000of\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000twitching\u3002\u3000\u201cYes\uff1b\u3000I\u3000can\u3000just\u3000see\u3000little\u3000Scarlett\u3000at\u3000her\u3000mother\u2019s\u3000knee\uff1b\u3000lisping\u3000her\u3000lesson\uff1b\u3000\u2018Never\u3000sell\u3000good\u3000lumber\u3000if\u3000you\u3000can\u3000get\u3000a\u3000better\u3000price\u3000for\u3000bad\u3002\u2019\u3000\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000don\u2019t\u3000want\u3000a\u3000Carpetbagger\u3002\u3000Carpetbaggers\u3000will\u3000steal\u3000anything\u3000that\u3000isn\u2019t\u3000red\u3000hot\u3000or\u3000nailed\u3000down\u3002\u3000If\u3000they\u3000amounted\u3000to\u3000anything\u3000they\u2019d\u3000have\u3000stayed\u3000where\u3000they\u3000were\uff1b\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000coming\u3000down\u3000here\u3000to\u3000pick\u3000our\u3000bones\u3002\u3000I\u3000want\u3000a\u3000nice\u3000man\uff1b\u3000from\u3000nice\u3000folks\uff1b\u3000who\u3000is\u3000smart\u3000and\u3000honest\u3000and\u3000energetic\u3000and\u2014\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000If\uff01\u3000If\uff01\u3000If\uff01\u3000There\u3000were\u3000so\u3000many\u3000ifs\u3000in\u3000life\uff1b\u3000never\u3000any\u3000certainty\u3000of\u3000anything\uff1b\u3000never\u3000any\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000security\uff1b\u3000always\u3000the\u3000dread\u3000of\u3000losing\u3000everything\u3000and\u3000being\u3000cold\u3000and\u3000hungry\u3000ag         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000If\uff01\u3000If\uff01\u3000If\uff01\u3000There\u3000were\u3000so\u3000many\u3000ifs\u3000in\u3000life\uff1b\u3000never\u3000any\u3000certainty\u3000of\u3000anything\uff1b\u3000never\u3000any\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000security\uff1b\u3000always\u3000the\u3000dread\u3000of\u3000losing\u3000everything\u3000and\u3000being\u3000cold\u3000and\u3000hungry\u3000again\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000Frank\u3000was\u3000making\u3000a\u3000little\u3000more\u3000money\u3000now\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Frank\u3000was\u3000always\u3000ailing\u3000with\u3000colds\u3000and\u3000frequently\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000in\u3000bed\u3000for\u3000days\u3002\u3000Suppose\u3000he\u3000should\u3000become\u3000an\u3000invalid\u3002\u3000No\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000afford\u3000to\u3000count\u3000on\u3000Frank\u3000for\u3000much\u3002\u3000She\u3000must\u3000not\u3000count\u3000on\u3000anything\u3000or\u3000anybody\u3000but\u3000herself\u3002\u3000And\u3000what\u3000she\u3000could\u3000earn\u3000seemed\u3000so\u3000pitiably\u3000small\u3002\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000what\u3000would\u3000she\u3000do\u3000if\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000came\u3000and\u3000took\u3000it\u3000all\u3000away\u3000from\u3000her\uff1f\u3000If\uff01\u3000If\uff01\u3000If\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000Half\u3000of\u3000what\u3000she\u3000made\u3000every\u3000month\u3000went\u3000to\u3000Will\u3000at\u3000Tara\uff1b\u3000part\u3000to\u3000Rhett\u3000to\u3000repay\u3000his\u3000loan\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000she\u3000hoarded\u3002\u3000No\u3000miser\u3000ever\u3000counted\u3000his\u3000gold\u3000oftener\u3000than\u3000she\u3000and\u3000no\u3000miser\u3000ever\u3000had\u3000greater\u3000fear\u3000of\u3000losing\u3000it\u3002\u3000She\u3000would\u3000not\u3000put\u3000the\u3000money\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bank\uff1b\u3000for\u3000it\u3000might\u3000fail\u3000or\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000might\u3000confiscate\u3000it\u3002\u3000So\u3000she\u3000carried\u3000what\u3000she\u3000could\u3000with\u3000her\uff1b\u3000tucked\u3000into\u3000her\u3000corset\uff1b\u3000and\u3000hid\u3000small\u3000wads\u3000of\u3000bills\u3000about\u3000the\u3000house\uff1b\u3000under\u3000loose\u3000bricks\u3000on\u3000the\u3000hearth\uff1b\u3000in\u3000her\u3000scrap\u3000bag\uff1b\u3000between\u3000the\u3000pages\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Bible\u3002\u3000And\u3000her\u3000temper\u3000grew\u3000shorter\u3000and\u3000shorter\u3000as\u3000the\u3000weeks\u3000went\u3000by\uff1b\u3000for\u3000every\u3000dollar\u3000she\u3000saved\u3000would\u3000be\u3000just\u3000one\u3000more\u3000dollar\u3000to\u3000lose\u3000if\u3000disaster\u3000descended\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Frank\uff1b\u3000Pitty\u3000and\u3000the\u3000servants\u3000bore\u3000her\u3000outbursts\u3000with\u3000maddening\u3000kindness\uff1b\u3000attributing\u3000her\u3000bad\u3000disposition\u3000to\u3000her\u3000pregnancy\uff1b\u3000never\u3000realizing\u3000the\u3000true\u3000cause\u3002\u3000Frank\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000pregnant\u3000women\u3000must\u3000be\u3000humored\uff1b\u3000so\u3000he\u3000put\u3000his\u3000pride\u3000in\u3000his\u3000pocket\u3000and\u3000said\u3000nothing\u3000more\u3000about\u3000her\u3000running\u3000the\u3000mills\u3000and\u3000her\u3000going\u3000about\u3000town\u3000at\u3000such\u3000a\u3000time\uff1b\u3000as\u3000no\u3000lady\u3000should\u3000do\u3002\u3000Her\u3000conduct\u3000was\u3000a\u3000constant\u3000embarrassment\u3000to\u3000him\u3000but\u3000he\u3000reckoned\u3000he\u3000could\u3000endure\u3000it\u3000for\u3000a\u3000while\u3000longer\u3002\u3000After\u3000the\u3000baby\u3000came\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000would\u3000be\u3000the\u3000same\u3000sweet\u3000feminine\u3000girl\u3000he\u3000had\u3000courted\u3002\u3000But\u3000in\u3000spite\u3000of\u3000everything\u3000he\u3000did\u3000to\u3000appease\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000have\u3000her\u3000tantrums\u3000and\u3000often\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000acted\u3000like\u3000one\u3000possessed\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000No\u3000one\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000realize\u3000what\u3000really\u3000possessed\u3000her\uff1b\u3000what\u3000drove\u3000her\u3000like\u3000a\u3000mad\u3000woman\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000passion\u3000to\u3000get\u3000her\u3000affairs\u3000in\u3000order\u3000before\u3000she\u3000had\u3000to\u3000retire\u3000behind\u3000doors\uff1b\u3000to\u3000have\u3000as\u3000much\u3000money\u3000as\u3000possible\u3000in\u3000case\u3000the\u3000deluge\u3000broke\u3000upon\u3000her\u3000again\uff1b\u3000to\u3000have\u3000a\u3000stout\u3000levee\u3000of\u3000cash\u3000against\u3000the\u3000rising\u3000tide\u3000of\u3000Yankee\u3000hate\u3002\u3000Money\u3000was\u3000the\u3000obsession\u3000dominating\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000these\u3000days\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000the\u3000baby\u3000at\u3000all\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000with\u3000baffled\u3000rage\u3000at\u3000the\u3000untimeliness\u3000of\u3000it\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cDeath\u3000and\u3000taxes\u3000and\u3000childbirth\uff01\u3000There\u2019s\u3000never\u3000any\u3000convenient\u3000time\u3000for\u3000any\u3000of\u3000them\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000<br 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\/>\n\u3000This\u3000warmth\u3000was\u3000very\u3000profitable\u2014as\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000intended\u3000it\u3000to\u3000be\u3002\u3000Many\u3000of\u3000the\u3000officers\u3000of\u3000the\u3000garrison\uff1b\u3000not\u3000knowing\u3000how\u3000long\u3000they\u3000would\u3000be\u3000stationed\u3000in\u3000Atlanta\uff1b\u3000had\u3000sent\u3000for\u3000their\u3000wives\u3000and\u3000families\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000hotels\u3000and\u3000boarding\u3000houses\u3000were\u3000overflowing\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000building\u3000small\u3000houses\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000were\u3000glad\u3000to\u3000buy\u3000their\u3000lumber\u3000from\u3000the\u3000gracious\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Kennedy\uff1b\u3000who\u3000treated\u3000them\u3000more\u3000politely\u3000than\u3000anyone\u3000else\u3000in\u3000town\u3002\u3000The\u3000Carpetbaggers\u3000and\u3000Scalawags\u3000also\uff1b\u3000who\u3000were\u3000building\u3000fine\u3000homes\u3000and\u3000stores\u3000and\u3000hotels\u3000with\u3000their\u3000new\u3000wealth\uff1b\u3000found\u3000it\u3000more\u3000pleasant\u3000to\u3000do\u3000business\u3000with\u3000her\u3000than\u3000with\u3000the\u3000former\u3000Confederate\u3000soldiers\u3000who\u3000were\u3000courteous\u3000but\u3000with\u3000a\u3000courtesy\u3000more\u3000formal\u3000and\u3000cold\u3000than\u3000outspoken\u3000hate\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Any\u3000other\u3000Atlanta\u3000woman\u3000would\u3000have\u3000expired\u3000in\u3000rage\u3000at\u3000having\u3000to\u3000listen\u3000to\u3000such\u3000bigoted\u3000ignorance\u3000but\u3000Scarlett\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000control\u3000herself\u3002\u3000Assisting\u3000her\u3000in\u3000this\u3000was\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000they\u3000aroused\u3000her\u3000contemp         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            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\/>\n\u3000\u201cYou\u3000are\u3000just\u3000the\u3000person\u3000I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000see\uff1b\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Kennedy\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000a\u3000tall\u3000thin\u3000woman\u3000from\u3000Maine\u3002\u3000\u201cI\u3000want\u3000to\u3000get\u3000some\u3000information\u3000about\u3000this\u3000benighted\u3000town\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000swallowed\u3000the\u3000insult\u3000to\u3000Atlanta\u3000with\u3000the\u3000contempt\u3000it\u3000deserved\u3000and\u3000smiled\u3000her\u3000best\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cAnd\u3000what\u3000can\u3000I\u3000tell\u3000you\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cMy\u3000nurse\uff1b\u3000my\u3000Bridget\uff1b\u3000has\u3000gone\u3000back\u3000North\u3002\u3000She\u3000said\u3000she\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u3000stay\u3000another\u3000day\u3000down\u3000here\u3000among\u3000the\u3000\u2018nay\u2026gurs\u2019\u3000as\u3000she\u3000calls\u3000them\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000children\u3000are\u3000just\u3000driving\u3000me\u3000distracted\uff01\u3000Do\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000how\u3000to\u3000go\u3000about\u3000getting\u3000another\u3000nurse\u3002\u3000I\u3000do\u3000not\u3000know\u3000where\u3000to\u3000apply\u3002\u201d<br 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        <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            ite\u3000folks\u3000and\u3000worked\u3000much\u3000harder\u3000than\u3000they\u3000ever\u3000worked\u3000in\u3000slave\u3000times\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000understand\u3000these\u3000things\u3000and\u3000would\u3000never\u3000understand\u3000them\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYet\u3000they\u3000set\u3000you\u3000free\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000said\u3000aloud\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Peter\u2019s\u3000criticism\u3000hurt\u3000worse\u3000than\u3000anything\u3000Frank\u3000or\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\u3000or\u3000the\u3000neighbors\u3000had\u3000said\u3000and\u3000it\u3000so\u3000annoyed\u3000her\u3000she\u3000longed\u3000to\u3000shake\u3000the\u3000old\u3000darky\u3000until\u3000his\u3000toothless\u3000gums\u3000clapped\u3000together\u3002\u3000What\u3000Peter\u3000said\u3000was\u3000true\u3000but\u3000she\u3000hated\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000it\u3000from\u3000a\u3000negro\u3000and\u3000a\u3000family\u3000negro\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000Not\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000high\u3000in\u3000the\u3000opinion\u3000of\u3000one\u2019s\u3000servants\u3000was\u3000as\u3000humiliating\u3000a\u3000thing\u3000as\u3000could\u3000happen\u3000to\u3000a\u3000Southerner\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cAh\u2019ll\u3000git\u3000a\u3000mizry\u3000in\u3000mah\u3000back\uff1b\u201d\u3000warned\u3000Peter\u3000darkly\u3002\u3000\u201cMah\u3000back\u3000huttin\u2019\u3000me\u3000so\u3000bad\u3000dis\u3000minute\u3000Ah\u3000kain\u3000sceercely\u3000set\u3000up\u3002\u3000Mah\u3000Miss\u3000ain\u2019\u3000gwine\u3000want\u3000me\u3000ter\u3000do\u3000no\u3000drivin\u2019\u3000w\u2019en\u3000Ah\u3000got\u3000a\u3000mizry\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000Miss\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000it\u3000ain\u2019\u3000gwine\u3000do\u3000you\u3000no\u3000good\u3000ter\u3000stan\u2019\u3000high\u3000wid\u3000de\u3000Yankees\u3000an\u2019\u3000de\u3000w\u2019ite\u3000trash\uff1b\u3000ef\u3000yo\u2019\u3000own\u3000folks\u3000doan\u3000\u2018prove\u3000of\u3000you\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000That\u3000was\u3000as\u3000accurate\u3000a\u3000summing\u3000up\u3000of\u3000the\u3000situation\u3000as\u3000could\u3000be\u3000made\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\u3000relapsed\u3000into\u3000infuriated\u3000silence\u3002\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000the\u3000conquerors\u3000did\u3000approve\u3000of\u3000her\u3000and\u3000her\u3000family\u3000and\u3000her\u3000neighbors\u3000did\u3000not\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000all\u3000the\u3000things\u3000the\u3000town\u3000was\u3000saying\u3000about\u3000her\u3002\u3000And\u3000now\u3000even\u3000Peter\u3000disapproved\u3000of\u3000her\u3000to\u3000the\u3000point\u3000of\u3000not\u3000caring\u3000to\u3000be\u3000seen\u3000in\u3000public\u3000with\u3000her\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000the\u3000last\u3000straw\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000found\u3000that\u3000a\u3000drink\u3000of\u3000neat\u3000brandy\u3000before\u3000supper\u3000helped\u3000immeasurably\u3000and\u3000she\u3000would\u3000always\u3000chew\u3000coffee\u3000or\u3000gargle\u3000cologne\u3000to\u3000disguise\u3000the\u3000smell\u3002\u3000Why\u3000were\u3000people\u3000so\u3000silly\u3000about\u3000women\u3000drinking\uff1b\u3000when\u3000men\u3000could\u3000and\u3000did\u3000get\u3000reeling\u3000drunk\u3000whenever\u3000they\u3000wanted\u3000to\uff1f\u3000Sometimes\u3000when\u3000Frank\u3000lay\u3000snoring\u3000beside\u3000her\u3000an         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            ld\u3000and\u3000did\u3000get\u3000reeling\u3000drunk\u3000whenever\u3000they\u3000wanted\u3000to\uff1f\u3000Sometimes\u3000when\u3000Frank\u3000lay\u3000snoring\u3000beside\u3000her\u3000and\u3000sleep\u3000would\u3000not\u3000come\uff1b\u3000when\u3000she\u3000lay\u3000tossing\uff1b\u3000torn\u3000with\u3000fears\u3000of\u3000poverty\uff1b\u3000dreading\u3000the\u3000Yankees\uff1b\u3000homesick\u3000for\u3000Tara\u3000and\u3000yearning\u3000for\u3000Ashley\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000would\u3000go\u3000crazy\u3000were\u3000it\u3000not\u3000for\u3000the\u3000brandy\u3000bottle\u3002\u3000And\u3000when\u3000the\u3000pleasant\u3000familiar\u3000warmth\u3000stole\u3000through\u3000her\u3000veins\uff1b\u3000her\u3000troubles\u3000began\u3000to\u3000fade\u3002\u3000After\u3000three\u3000drinks\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000always\u3000say\u3000to\u3000herself\uff1a\u3000\u201cI\u2019ll\u3000think\u3000of\u3000these\u3000things\u3000tomorrow\u3000when\u3000I\u3000can\u3000stand\u3000them\u3000better\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000go\u3000home\u3000in\u3000June\u3002\u3000I\u3000can\u2019t\u3000do\u3000anything\u3000here\u3000after\u3000that\u3002\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000go\u3000home\u3000for\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000months\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000would\u3000rise\u3002\u3000She\u3000did\u3000go\u3000home\u3000in\u3000June\u3000but\u3000not\u3000as\u3000she\u3000longed\u3000to\u3000go\uff1b\u3000for\u3000early\u3000in\u3000that\u3000month\u3000came\u3000a\u3000brief\u3000message\u3000from\u3000Will\u3000that\u3000Gerald\u3000was\u3000dead\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000CHAPTER\u3000XXXIX<br 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\/>\n\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000hadn\u2019t\u3000they\u3000all\u3000changed\uff1f\u3000Alex\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000at\u3000his\u3000rough\u3000clothes\u3000and\u3000his\u3000face\u3000fell\u3000into\u3000its\u3000usual\u3000bitter\u3000lines\u3002\u3000Sometimes\u3000at\u3000night\u3000when\u3000he\u3000lay\u3000awake\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000how\u3000his\u3000mother\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000get\u3000that\u3000operation\u3000and\u3000how\u3000poor\u3000dead\u3000Joe\u2019s\u3000little\u3000boy\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000get\u3000an\u3000education\u3000and\u3000how\u3000he\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000get\u3000money\u3000for\u3000another\u3000mule\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wish         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            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e\u2019s\u3000earnin\u2019\u3000his\u3000keep\u3002\u3000He\u2019s\u3000a\u3000mighty\u3000pore\u3000farmer\u3000and\u3000he\u3000knows\u3000it\u3002\u3000God\u3000knows\u3000he\u3000tries\u3000his\u3000best\u3000but\u3000he\u3000warn\u2019t\u3000cut\u3000out\u3000for\u3000farmin\u2019\u3000and\u3000you\u3000know\u3000it\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000I\u3000do\u3002\u3000If\u3000he\u3000splits\u3000kindlin\u2019\uff1b\u3000like\u3000as\u3000not\u3000he\u2019ll\u3000slice\u3000off\u3000his\u3000foot\u3002\u3000He\u3000can\u2019t\u3000no\u3000more\u3000keep\u3000a\u3000plow\u3000straight\u3000in\u3000a\u3000furrow\u3000than\u3000little\u3000Beau\u3000can\uff1b\u3000and\u3000what\u3000he\u3000don\u2019t\u3000know\u3000about\u3000makin\u2019\u3000things\u3000grow\u3000would\u3000fill\u3000a\u3000book\u3002\u3000It\u3000ain\u2019t\u3000his\u3000fault\u3002\u3000He\u3000just\u3000warn\u2019t\u3000bred\u3000for\u3000it\u3002\u3000And\u3000it\u3000worries\u3000him\u3000that\u3000he\u2019s\u3000a\u3000man\u3000livin\u2019\u3000at\u3000Tara\u3000on\u3000a\u3000woman\u2019s\u3000charity\u3000and\u3000not\u3000givin\u2019\u3000much\u3000in\u3000return\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000The\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stormy\u3000faces\u3000of\u3000these\u3000three\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dim\u3000parlor\u3000where\u3000Gerald\u3000lay\u3000before\u3000the\u3000funeral\u3000had\u3000caused\u3000Ashley\u3000and\u3000Will\u3000some\u3000uneasiness\u3000and\u3000they\u3000had\u3000retired\u3000to\u3000Ellen\u2019s\u3000office\u3000for\u3000a\u3000consultation\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cThere\u2019s\u3000no\u3000help\u3000for\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Will\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000rumpling\u3000his\u3000bright\u3000hair\u3002\u3000\u201cI\u3000can\u2019t\u3000knock\u3000Grandma\u3000Fontaine\u3000down\u3000or\u3000old\u3000man\u3000McRae\u3000either\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000can\u2019t\u3000hold\u3000my\u3000hand\u3000over\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Tarleton\u2019s\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000mildest\u3000thing\u3000they\u2019ll\u3000say\u3000is\u3000that\u3000Suellen\u3000is\u3000a\u3000murderess\u3000and\u3000a\u3000traitor\u3000and\u3000but\u3000for\u3000her\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000O\u2019Hara\u3000would\u3000still\u3000be\u3000alive\u3002\u3000Damn\u3000this\u3000custom\u3000of\u3000speaking\u3000over\u3000the\u3000dead\u3002\u3000It\u2019s\u3000barbarous\u3002\u201d<br 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        <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            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\/>\n\u3000\u201cNo\uff1b\u201d\u3000answered\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000helping\u3000the\u3000old\u3000lady\u3000up\u3000the\u3000Steps\uff1b\u3000faintly\u3000surprised\u3000at\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000that\u3000sounded\u3000in\u3000the\u3000reedy\u3000old\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u201cI\u2019ve\u3000never\u3000had\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000sustain\u3000me\u2014except\u3000Mother\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cLook\u3000here\uff1b\u3000Grandma\uff1b\u201d\u3000interrupted\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Tarleton\uff1b\u3000\u201cyou\u3000ought\u3000not\u3000to\u3000talk\u3000to\u3000Scarlett\u3000like\u3000that\u3002\u3000She\u2019s\u3000upset\u3000enough\u3000already\u3002\u3000What\u3000with\u3000her\u3000trip\u3000down\u3000here\u3000and\u3000that\u3000tight\u3000dress\u3000and\u3000her\u3000grief\u3000and\u3000the\u3000heat\uff1b\u3000she\u2019s\u3000got\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000make\u3000her\u3000miscarry\u3000without\u3000your\u3000adding\u3000to\u3000it\uff1b\u3000talking\u3000grief\u3000and\u3000sorrow\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cGod\u2019s\u3000nightgown\uff01\u201d\u3000cried\u3000Scarlett\u3000in\u3000irritation\u3002\u3000I\u2019m\u3000not\u3000upset\uff01\u3000And\u3000I\u2019m\u3000not\u3000one\u3000of\u3000those\u3000sickly\u3000miscarrying\u3000fools\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYou\u3000never\u3000can\u3000tell\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Tarleton\u3000omnisciently\u3002\u3000\u201cI\u3000lost\u3000my\u3000first\u3000when\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000bull\u3000gore\u3000one\u3000of\u3000our\u3000darkies\u3000and\u2014you\u3000remember\u3000my\u3000red\u3000mare\uff1b\u3000Nellie\uff1f\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000the\u3000healthiest\u2026looking\u3000mare\u3000you\u3000ever\u3000saw\u3000but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000nervous\u3000and\u3000high\u3000strung\u3000and\u3000if\u3000I\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000watch\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u2019d\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cBeatrice\uff1b\u3000hush\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Grandma\u3002\u3000\u201cScarlett\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u3000miscarry\u3000on\u3000a\u3000bet\u3002\u3000Let\u2019s\u3000us\u3000sit\u3000here\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hall\u3000where\u3000it\u2019s\u3000cool\u3002\u3000There\u2019s\u3000a\u3000nice\u3000draft\u3000through\u3000here\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000you\u3000go\u3000fetch\u3000us\u3000a\u3000glass\u3000of\u3000buttermilk\uff1b\u3000Beetrice\uff1b\u3000if\u3000there\u2019s\u3000any\u3000in\u3000the\u3000kitchen\u3002\u3000Or\u3000look\u3000in\u3000the\u3000pantry\u3000and\u3000see\u3000if\u3000there\u2019s\u3000any\u3000wine\u3002\u3000I\u3000could\u3000do\u3000with\u3000a\u3000glass\u3002\u3000We\u2019ll\u3000sit\u3000here\u3000till\u3000the\u3000folks\u3000come\u3000up\u3000to\u3000say\u3000good\u2026by\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000lay\u3000back\u3000in\u3000her\u3000chair\u3000and\u3000unbuttoned\u3000the\u3000two\u3000top\u3000buttons\u3000of\u3000her\u3000tight\u3000basque\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000cool\u3000and\u3000dim\u3000in\u3000the\u3000high\u2026ceilinged\u3000hall\u3000and\u3000the\u3000vagrant\u3000draft\u3000that\u3000went\u3000from\u3000back\u3000to\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000house\u3000was\u3000refreshing\u3000after\u3000the\u3000heat\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sun\u3002\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000across\u3000the\u3000hall\u3000into\u3000the\u3000parlor\u3000where\u3000Gerald\u3000had\u3000lain\u3000and\uff1b\u3000wrenching\u3000her\u3000thoughts\u3000from\u3000him\uff1b\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000portrait\u3000of\u3000Grandma\u3000Robillard\u3000hanging\u3000above\u3000the\u3000fireplace\u3002\u3000The\u3000bayonet\u2026scarred\u3000portrait\u3000with\u3000its\u3000high\u2026piled\u3000hair\uff1b\u3000half\u2026exposed\u3000breasts\u3000and\u3000cool\u3000insolence\u3000had\uff1b\u3000as\u3000always\uff1b\u3000a\u3000tonic\u3000effect\u3000upon\u3000her\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000But\u3000I\u3000do\u3000like\u3000it\uff1b\u3000thought\u3000Scarlett\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000grasp\u3000the\u3000old\u3000lady\u2019s\u3000meaning\u3002\u3000I\u2019m\u3000glad\u3000Will\u3000is\u3000going\u3000to\u3000marry\u3000her\u3002\u3000Why\u3000should\u3000she\u3000think\u3000I\u3000minded\uff1f\u3000She\u2019s\u3000taking\u3000it\u3000for\u3000granted\u3000that\u3000I\u3000do\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000just\u3000like\u3000her\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000felt\u3000puzzled\u3000and\u3000a\u3000little\u3000ashamed\uff1b\u3000as\u3000always\u3000when\u3000people\u3000attributed\u3000to\u3000her\u3000emotions\u3000and\u3000motives\u3000they\u3000possessed\u3000and\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000shared\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Grandma\u3000fanned\u3000herself\u3000with\u3000her\u3000palmetto\u3000leaf\u3000and\u3000went\u3000on\u3000briskly\uff1a\u3000\u201cI\u3000don\u2019t\u3000approve\u3000of\u3000the\u3000match\u3000any\u3000more\u3000than\u3000you\u3000do\u3000but\u3000I\u2019m\u3000practical\u3000and\u3000so\u3000are\u3000you\u3002\u3000And\u3000when\u3000it\u3000c         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            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\/>\n\u3000Her\u3000eyes\u3000blazed\u3000with\u3000enthusiasm\u3000and\u3000happiness\u3000and\u3000the\u3000two\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Ashley\u3000with\u3000a\u3000queer\u3000stunned\u3000look\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000with\u3000surprise\u3000mingled\u3000with\u3000shame\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000never\u3000occurred\u3000to\u3000her\u3000that\u3000Melanie\u3000missed\u3000Atlanta\u3000so\u3000much\u3000and\u3000longed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000back\uff1b\u3000longed\u3000for\u3000a\u3000home\u3000of\u3000her\u3000own\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000seemed\u3000so\u3000contented\u3000at\u3000Tara\u3000it\u3000came\u3000to\u3000Scarlett\u3000as\u3000a\u3000shock\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000homesick\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000how\u3000good\u3000of\u3000you\u3000to\u3000plan\u3000all\u3000this         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000Scarlett\u3000as\u3000a\u3000shock\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000homesick\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000how\u3000good\u3000of\u3000you\u3000to\u3000plan\u3000all\u3000this\u3000for\u3000us\uff01\u3000You\u3000knew\u3000how\u3000I\u3000longed\u3000for\u3000home\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000As\u3000usual\u3000when\u3000confronted\u3000by\u3000Melanie\u2019s\u3000habit\u3000of\u3000attributing\u3000worthy\u3000motives\u3000where\u3000no\u3000worth\u3000existed\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000was\u3000ashamed\u3000and\u3000irritated\uff1b\u3000and\u3000suddenly\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000meet\u3000either\u3000Ashley\u2019s\u3000or\u3000Melanie\u2019s\u3000eyes\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cScarlett\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Ashley\u3000and\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000toneless\uff1b\u3000\u201clook\u3000at\u3000me\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Startled\uff1b\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000and\u3000met\u3000gray\u3000eyes\u3000that\u3000were\u3000bitter\u3000and\u3000full\u3000of\u3000tired\u3000futility\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cScarlett\uff1b\u3000I\u3000will\u3000come\u3000to\u3000Atlanta\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000I\u3000cannot\u3000fight\u3000you\u3000both\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000walked\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000Some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000triumph\u3000in\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000was\u3000dulled\u3000by\u3000a\u3000nagging\u3000fear\u3002\u3000The\u3000look\u3000in\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000when\u3000he\u3000spoke\u3000had\u3000been\u3000the\u3000same\u3000as\u3000when\u3000he\u3000said\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000lost\u3000forever\u3000if\u3000he\u3000came\u3000to\u3000Atlanta\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000<br 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\/>\n\u3000The\u3000little\u3000house\u3000was\u3000always\u3000full\u3000of\u3000company\u3002\u3000Melanie\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000favorite\u3000even\u3000as\u3000a\u3000child\u3000and\u3000the\u3000town\u3000flocked\u3000to\u3000welcome\u3000her\u3000home\u3000again\u3002\u3000Everyone\u3000brought\u3000presents\u3000for\u3000the\u3000house\uff1b\u3000bric\u2026a\u2026brac\uff1b\u3000pictures\uff1b\u3000a\u3000silver\u3000spoon\u3000or\u3000two\uff1b\u3000linen\u3000pillow\u3000cases\uff1b\u3000napkins\uff1b\u3000rag\u3000rugs\uff1b\u3000small\u3000articles\u3000which\u3000they\u3000had\u3000saved\u3000from\u3000Sherman\u3000and\u3000treasured\u3000but\u3000which\u3000they\u3000now\u3000swore\u3000were\u3000of\u3000no\u3000earthly\u3000use\u3000to\u3000them\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Old\u3000men\u3000who\u3000had\u3000campaigned\u3000in\u3000Mexico\u3000with\u3000her\u3000father\u3000came\u3000to\u3000see\u3000her\uff1b\u3000bringing\u3000visitors\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000\u201cold\u3000Colonel\u3000Hamilton\u2019s\u3000sweet\u3000daughter\u3002\u201d\u3000Her\u3000mother\u2019s\u3000old\u3000friends\u3000clustered\u3000about\u3000her\uff1b\u3000for\u3000Melanie\u3000had\u3000a\u3000respectful\u3000deference\u3000to\u3000her\u3000elders\u3000that\u3000was\u3000very\u3000soothing\u3000to\u3000dowagers\u3000in\u3000these\u3000wild\u3000days\u3000when\u3000young\u3000people\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000forgotten\u3000all\u3000their\u3000manners\u3002\u3000Her\u3000contemporaries\uff1b\u3000the\u3000young\u3000wives\uff1b\u3000mothers\u3000and\u3000widows\uff1b\u3000loved\u3000her\u3000because\u3000she\u3000had\u3000suffered\u3000what\u3000they\u3000had\u3000suffered\uff1b\u3000had\u3000not\u3000\u2018become\u3000embittered\u3000and\u3000always\u3000lent\u3000them\u3000a\u3000sympathetic\u3000ear\u3002\u3000The\u3000young\u3000people\u3000came\uff1b\u3000as\u3000young\u3000people\u3000always\u3000come\uff1b\u3000simply\u3000because\u3000they\u3000had\u3000a\u3000good\u3000time\u3000at\u3000her\u3000home\u3000and\u3000met\u3000there\u3000the\u3000friends\u3000they\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000meet\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Around\u3000Melanie\u2019s\u3000tactful\u3000and\u3000self\u2026effacing\u3000perso         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000and\u3000met\u3000there\u3000the\u3000friends\u3000they\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000meet\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cBut\u3000how\u3000nice\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000to\u3000know\u3000that\u3000some\u3000good\u3000Yankee\u3000woman\u2014\u3000And\u3000there\u3000must\u3000be\u3000some\u3000good\u3000Yankee\u3000women\u3002\u3000I\u3000don\u2019t\u3000care\u3000what\u3000people\u3000say\uff1b\u3000they\u3000can\u2019t\u3000all\u3000be         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            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\/>\n\u3000But\u3000no\u3000one\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000forget\uff1b\u3000no\u3000one\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\uff1b\u3000except\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000so\u3000Scarlett\u3000was\u3000glad\u3000when\u3000she\u3000cou         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000But\u3000no\u3000one\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000forget\uff1b\u3000no\u3000one\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\uff1b\u3000except\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000so\u3000Scarlett\u3000was\u3000glad\u3000when\u3000she\u3000could\u3000truthfully\u3000tell\u3000Melanie\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000embarrassed\u3000at\u3000appearing\uff1b\u3000even\u3000in\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3002\u3000This\u3000explanation\u3000was\u3000readily\u3000understood\u3000by\u3000Melanie\u3000who\u3000was\u3000hypersensitive\u3000about\u3000all\u3000matters\u3000relating\u3000to\u3000childbirth\u3002\u3000Melanie\u3000wanted\u3000another\u3000baby\u3000badly\uff1b\u3000but\u3000both\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Meade\u3000and\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Fontaine\u3000had\u3000said\u3000another\u3000child\u3000would\u3000cost\u3000her\u3000her\u3000life\u3002\u3000So\uff1b\u3000only\u3000half\u3000resigned\u3000to\u3000her\u3000fate\uff1b\u3000she\u3000spent\u3000most\u3000of\u3000her\u3000time\u3000with\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000vicariously\u3000enjoying\u3000a\u3000pregnancy\u3000not\u3000her\u3000own\u3002\u3000To\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000scarcely\u3000wanting\u3000her\u3000coming\u3000child\u3000and\u3000irritated\u3000at\u3000its\u3000untimeliness\uff1b\u3000this\u3000attitude\u3000seemed\u3000the\u3000height\u3000of\u3000sentimental\u3000stupidity\u3002\u3000But\u3000she\u3000had\u3000a\u3000guilty\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000pleasure\u3000that\u3000the\u3000doctors\u2019\u3000edict\u3000had\u3000made\u3000impossible\u3000any\u3000real\u3000intimacy\u3000between\u3000Ashley\u3000and\u3000his\u3000wife\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000saw\u3000Ashley\u3000frequently\u3000now\u3000but\u3000she\u3000never\u3000saw\u3000him\u3000alone\u3002\u3000He\u3000came\u3000by\u3000the\u3000house\u3000every\u3000night\u3000on\u3000his\u3000way\u3000home\u3000from\u3000the\u3000mill\u3000to\u3000report\u3000on\u3000the\u3000day\u2019s\u3000work\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Frank\u3000and\u3000Pitty\u3000were\u3000usually\u3000present\u3000or\uff1b\u3000worse\u3000still\uff1b\u3000Melanie\u3000and\u3000India\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000only\u3000ask\u3000businesslike\u3000questions\u3000and\u3000make\u3000suggestions\u3000and\u3000then\u3000say\uff1a\u3000\u201cIt\u3000was\u3000nice\u3000of\u3000you\u3000to\u3000come\u3000by\u3002\u3000Good\u3000night\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000If\u3000only\u3000she\u3000wasn\u2019t\u3000having\u3000a\u3000baby\uff01\u3000Here\u3000was\u3000a\u3000God\u2026given\u3000opportunity\u3000to\u3000ride\u3000out\u3000to\u3000the\u3000mill\u3000with\u3000him\u3000every\u3000morning\uff1b\u3000through\u3000the\u3000lonely\u3000woods\uff1b\u3000far\u3000from\u3000prying\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000where\u3000they\u3000could\u3000imagine\u3000themselves\u3000back\u3000In\u3000the\u3000County\u3000again\u3000in\u3000the\u3000unhurried\u3000days\u3000before\u3000the\u3000war\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000No\uff1b\u3000she\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u3000try\u3000to\u3000make\u3000him\u3000say\u3000one\u3000word\u3000of\u3000love\uff01\u3000She\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u3000refer\u3000to\u3000love\u3000in\u3000any\u3000way\u3002\u3000She\u2019d\u3000sworn\u3000an\u3000oath\u3000to\u3000herself\u3000that\u3000she\u3000would\u3000never\u3000do\u3000that\u3000again\u3002\u3000But\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000if\u3000she\u3000were\u3000alone\u3000with\u3000him\u3000once\u3000more\uff1b\u3000he\u3000might\u3000drop\u3000that\u3000mask\u3000of\u3000impersonal\u3000courtesy\u3000he\u3000had\u3000worn\u3000since\u3000coming\u3000to\u3000Atlanta\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000he\u3000might\u3000be\u3000his\u3000old\u3000self\u3000again\uff1b\u3000be\u3000the\u3000Ashley\u3000she\u3000had\u3000known\u3000before\u3000the\u3000barbecue\uff1b\u3000before\u3000any\u3000word\u3000of\u3000love\u3000had\u3000been\u3000spoken\u3000between\u3000them\u3002\u3000If\u3000they\u3000could\u3000not\u3000be\u3000lovers\uff1b\u3000they\u3000could\u3000be\u3000friends\u3000again\u3000and\u3000she\u3000could\u3000warm\u3000her\u3000cold\u3000and\u3000lonely\u3000heart\u3000in\u3000the\u3000glow\u3000of\u3000his\u3000friendship\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cIf\u3000only\u3000I\u3000could\u3000get\u3000this\u3000baby\u3000over\u3000and\u3000done\u3000with\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000impatiently\uff1b\u3000\u201cthen\u3000I\u3000could\u3000ride\u3000with\u3000him\u3000every\u3000day\u3000and\u3000we\u3000could\u3000talk\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000It\u3000was\u3000not\u3000only\u3000the\u3000desire\u3000to\u3000be\u3000with\u3000him\u3000that\u3000made\u3000her\u3000writhe\u3000with\u3000helpless\u3000impatience\u3000at\u3000her\u3000confinement\u3002\u3000The\u3000mills\u3000needed\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000mills\u3000had\u3000been\u3000losing\u3000money\u3000ever\u3000since\u3000she\u3000retired\u3000from\u3000active\u3000supervision\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000Hugh\u3000and\u3000Ashley\u3000in\u3000charge\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Hugh\u3000was\u3000so\u3000incompetent\uff1b\u3000for\u3000all\u3000that\u3000he\u3000tried\u3000so\u3000hard\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000a\u3000poor\u3000trader\u3000and\u3000a\u3000poorer\u3000boss\u3000of\u3000labor\u3002\u3000Anyone\u3000could\u3000Jew\u3000him\u3000down\u3000on\u3000prices\u3002\u3000If\u3000any\u3000slick\u3000contractor\u3000chose\u3000to\u3000say\u3000that\u3000the\u3000lumber\u3000was\u3000of\u3000an\u3000inferior\u3000grade\u3000and\u3000not\u3000worth\u3000the\u3000price\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000Hugh\u3000felt\u3000that\u3000all\u3000a\u3000gentleman\u3000could\u3000do\u3000was\u3000to\u3000apologize\u3000and\u3000take\u3000a\u3000lower\u3000price\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000the\u3000price\u3000he\u3000received\u3000for\u3000a\u3000thousand\u3000feet\u3000of\u3000flooring\uff1b\u3000she\u3000burst\u3000into\u3000angry\u3000tears\u3002\u3000The\u3000best\u3000grade\u3000of\u3000flooring\u3000the\u3000mill\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000and\u3000he\u3000had\u3000practically\u3000given\u3000it\u3000away\uff01\u3000And\u3000he\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000manage\u3000his\u3000labor\u3000crews\u3002\u3000The\u3000negroes\u3000insisted\u3000on\u3000being\u3000paid\u3000every\u3000day\u3000and\u3000they\u3000frequently\u3000got\u3000drunk\u3000on\u3000their\u3000wages\u3000and\u3000did\u3000not\u3000turn\u3000up\u3000for\u3000work\u3000the\u3000next\u3000morning\u3002\u3000On\u3000these\u3000occasions\u3000Hugh\u3000was\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000hunt\u3000up\u3000new\u3000workmen\u3000and\u3000the\u3000mill\u3000was\u3000late\u3000in\u3000starting\u3002\u3000With\u3000these\u3000difficulties\u3000Hugh\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000get\u3000into\u3000town\u3000to\u3000sell\u3000the\u3000lumber\u3000for\u3000days\u3000on\u3000end\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Seeing\u3000the\u3000profits\u3000slip\u3000from\u3000Hugh\u2019s\u3000fingers\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000became\u3000frenzied\u3000at\u3000her\u3000impotence\u3000and\u3000his\u3000stupidity\u3002\u3000Just\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000the\u3000baby\u3000was\u3000born\u3000and\u3000she\u3000could\u3000go\u3000back\u3000to\u3000work\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000get\u3000rid\u3000of\u3000Hugh\u3000and\u3000hire\u3000some\u3000one\u3000else\u3002\u3000Anyone\u3000would\u3000do\u3000better\u3002\u3000And\u3000she\u3000would\u3000never\u3000fool\u3000with\u3000free\u3000niggers\u3000again\u3002\u3000How\u3000could\u3000anyone\u3000get\u3000any\u3000work\u3000done\u3000with\u3000free\u3000niggers\u3000quitting\u3000all\u3000the\u3000time\uff1f<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cFrank\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000after\u3000a\u3000stormy\u3000interview\u3000with\u3000Hugh\u3000over\u3000his\u3000missing\u3000workmen\uff1b\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000about\u3000made\u3000up\u3000my\u3000mind\u3000that\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000lease\u3000convicts\u3000to\u3000work\u3000the\u3000mills\u3002\u3000A\u3000while\u3000back\u3000I\u3000was\u3000talking\u3000to\u3000Johnnie\u3000Gallegher\uff1b\u3000Tommy\u3000Wellburn\u2019s\u3000foreman\uff1b\u3000about\u3000the\u3000trouble\u3000we\u3000were\u3000having\u3000getting\u3000any\u3000work\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000darkies\u3000and\u3000he\u3000asked\u3000me\u3000why\u3000I\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000get\u3000convicts\u3002\u3000It\u3000sounds\u3000like\u3000a\u3000good\u3000idea\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3000He\u3000said\u3000I\u3000could\u3000sublease\u3000them\u3000for\u3000next\u3000to\u3000nothing\u3000and\u3000feed\u3000them\u3000dirt\u3000cheap\u3002\u3000And\u3000he\u3000said\u3000I\u3000could\u3000get\u3000work\u3000out\u3000of\u3000them\u3000in\u3000any\u3000way\u3000I\u3000liked\uff1b\u3000without\u3000having\u3000the\u3000Freedman\u2019s\u3000Bureau\u3000swarming\u3000down\u3000on\u3000me\u3000like\u3000hornets\uff1b\u3000sticking\u3000their\u3000bills\u3000into\u3000things\u3000that\u3000aren\u2019t\u3000any\u3000of\u3000their\u3000business\u3002\u3000And\u3000just\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000Johnnie\u3000Gallegher\u2019s\u3000contract\u3000with\u3000Tommy\u3000is\u3000up\uff1b\u3000I\u2019m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000hire\u3000him\u3000to\u3000run\u3000Hugh\u2019s\u3000mill\u3002\u3000Any\u3000man\u3000who\u3000can\u3000get\u3000work\u3000out\u3000of\u3000that\u3000bunch\u3000of\u3000wild\u3000Irish\u3000he\u3000bosses\u3000can\u3000certainly\u3000get\u3000plenty\u3000of\u3000work\u3000out\u3000of\u3000convicts\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Convicts\uff01\u3000Frank\u3000was\u3000speechless\u3002\u3000Leasing\u3000convicts\u3000was\u3000the\u3000very\u3000worst\u3000of\u3000all\u3000the\u3000wild\u3000schemes\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000suggested\uff1b\u3000worse\u3000even\u3000than\u3000her\u3000notion\u3000of\u3000building\u3000a\u3000saloon\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000At\u3000least\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000worse\u3000to\u3000Frank\u3000and\u3000the\u3000conservative\u3000circles\u3000in\u3000which\u3000he\u3000moved\u3002\u3000This\u3000new\u3000system\u3000of\u3000leasing\u3000convicts\u3000had\u3000come\u3000into\u3000being\u3000because\u3000of\u3000the\u3000poverty\u3000of\u3000the\u3000state\u3000after\u3000the\u3000war\u3002\u3000Unable\u3000to\u3000support\u3000the\u3000convicts\uff1b\u3000the\u3000State\u3000was\u3000hiring\u3000them\u3000out\u3000to\u3000those\u3000needing\u3000large\u3000labor\u3000crews\u3000in\u3000the\u3000building\u3000of\u3000railroads\uff1b\u3000in\u3000turpentine\u3000forests\u3000and\u3000lumber\u3000camps\u3002\u3000While\u3000Frank\u3000and\u3000his\u3000quiet\u3000churchgoing\u3000friends\u3000realized\u3000the\u3000necessity\u3000of\u3000the\u3000system\uff1b\u3000they\u3000deplored\u3000it\u3000just\u3000the\u3000same\u3002\u3000Many\u3000of\u3000them\u3000had\u3000not\u3000even\u3000believed\u3000in\u3000slavery\u3000and\u3000they\u3000thought\u3000this\u3000was\u3000far\u3000worse\u3000than\u3000slavery\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000been\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000From\u3000this\u3000conviction\u3000of\u3000wrongness\uff1b\u3000Frank\u3000gathered\u3000courage\u3000to\u3000forbid\u3000Scarlett\u3000to\u3000do\u3000such\u3000a\u3000thing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000strong\u3000were\u3000his\u3000remarks\u3000that\u3000she\uff1b\u3000startled\uff1b\u3000relapsed\u3000into\u3000silence\u3002\u3000Finally\u3000to\u3000quiet\u3000him\uff1b\u3000she\u3000said\u3000meekly\u3000she\u3000hadn\u2019t\u3000really\u3000meant\u3000it\u3000She\u3000was\u3000just\u3000so\u3000outdone\u3000with\u3000Hugh\u3000and\u3000the\u3000free\u3000niggers\u3000she\u3000had\u3000lost\u3000her\u3000temper\u3002\u3000Secretly\uff1b\u3000she\u3000still\u3000thought\u3000about\u3000it\u3000and\u3000with\u3000some\u3000longing\u3002\u3000Convict\u3000labor\u3000would\u3000settle\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000hardest\u3000problems\uff1b\u3000but\u3000if\u3000Frank\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000take\u3000on\u3000so\u3000about\u3000it\u2014<br 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\/>\n\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000Gallegher\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000an\u3000unscrupulous\u3000man\uff1b\u3000for\u3000all\u3000of\u3000his\u3000smartness\uff1b\u3000but\u2014who\u3000else\u3000could\u3000she\u3000get\uff1f\u3000Why\u3000had\u3000the\u3000other\u3000men\u3000who\u3000were\u3000both\u3000smart\u3000and\u3000honest\u3000been\u3000so\u3000perverse\u3000about\u3000working\u3000for\u3000her\uff1f\u3000If\u3000she\u3000only\u3000had\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000working\u3000for\u3000her\u3000now\u3000in\u3000place\u3000of\u3000Hugh\uff1b\u3000she\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u3000have\u3000to\u3000worry\u3000         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            place\u3000of\u3000Hugh\uff1b\u3000she\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u3000have\u3000to\u3000worry\u3000so\u3000much\uff1b\u3000but\u2014<br 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\/>\n\u3000In\u3000this\u3000atmosphere\uff1b\u3000as\u3000nerve\u3000straining\u3000as\u3000watching\u3000a\u3000slow\u3000fuse\u3000burn\u3000toward\u3000a\u3000barrel\u3000of\u3000gunpowder\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000came\u3000rapidly\u3000back\u3000to\u3000strength\u3002\u3000The\u3000healthy\u3000vigor\u3000which\u3000had\u3000carried\u3000her\u3000through\u3000the\u3000hard\u3000days\u3000at\u3000Tara\u3000stood\u3000her\u3000in\u3000good\u3000stead\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000within\u3000two\u3000weeks\u3000of\u3000Ella\u3000Lorena\u2019s\u3000birth\u3000she\u3000was\u3000strong\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000up\u3000and\u3000chafe\u3000at\u3000her\u3000inactivity\u3002\u3000In\u3000three\u3000weeks\u3000she\u3000was\u3000up\uff1b\u3000declaring\u3000she\u3000had\u3000to\u3000see\u3000to\u3000the\u3000mills\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000standing\u3000idle\u3000because\u3000both\u3000Hugh\u3000and\u3000Ashley\u3000feared\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000their\u3000families\u3000alone\u3000all\u3000day\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Frequently\uff1b\u3000brown\u3000and\u3000withered\u3000country\u3000women\u3000with\u3000broods\u3000of\u3000tow\u2026haired\u3000silent\u3000children\u3000spent\u3000the\u3000night\u3000there\uff1b\u3000women\u3000widowed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000war\uff1b\u3000dispossessed\u3000of\u3000their\u3000farms\uff1b\u3000seeking\u3000relatives\u3000who\u3000were\u3000scattered\u3000and\u3000lost\u3002\u3000Sometimes\u3000the\u3000neighborhood\u3000was\u3000scandalized\u3000by\u3000the\u3000presence\u3000of\u3000foreigners\uff1b\u3000speaking\u3000little\u3000or\u3000no\u3000English\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000drawn\u3000South\u3000by\u3000glowing\u3000tales\u3000of\u3000fortunes\u3000easily\u3000made\u3002\u3000Once\u3000a\u3000Republican\u3000had\u3000slept\u3000there\u3002\u3000At\u3000least\uff1b\u3000Mammy\u3000insisted\u3000he\u3000was\u3000a\u3000Republican\uff1b\u3000saying\u3000she\u3000could\u3000smell\u3000a\u3000Republican\uff1b\u3000same\u3000as\u3000a\u3000horse\u3000could\u3000smell\u3000a\u3000         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            my\u3000insisted\u3000he\u3000was\u3000a\u3000Republican\uff1b\u3000saying\u3000she\u3000could\u3000smell\u3000a\u3000Republican\uff1b\u3000same\u3000as\u3000a\u3000horse\u3000could\u3000smell\u3000a\u3000rattlesnake\uff1b\u3000but\u3000no\u3000one\u3000believed\u3000Mammy\u2019s\u3000story\uff1b\u3000for\u3000there\u3000must\u3000be\u3000some\u3000limit\u3000even\u3000to\u3000Melanie\u2019s\u3000charity\u3002\u3000At\u3000least\u3000everyone\u3000hoped\u3000so\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000The\u3000man\u3000who\u3000was\u3000making\u3000his\u3000way\u3000across\u3000the\u3000back\u3000yard\u3000stumped\uff1b\u3000like\u3000Will\u3000Benteen\uff1b\u3000on\u3000a\u3000wooden\u3000leg\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000a\u3000tall\uff1b\u3000thin\u3000old\u3000man\u3000with\u3000a\u3000bald\u3000head\uff1b\u3000which\u3000shone\u3000pinkishly\u3000dirty\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000grizzled\u3000beard\u3000so\u3000long\u3000he\u3000could\u3000tuck\u3000it\u3000in\u3000his\u3000belt\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000over\u3000sixty\uff1b\u3000to\u3000judge\u3000by\u3000his\u3000hard\uff1b\u3000seamed\u3000face\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000sag\u3000of\u3000age\u3000to\u3000his\u3000body\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000lank\u3000and\u3000ungainly\u3000but\uff1b\u3000even\u3000with\u3000his\u3000wooden\u3000peg\uff1b\u3000he\u3000moved\u3000as\u3000swiftly\u3000as\u3000a\u3000snake\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000He\u3000returned\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000stare\u3000coldly\u3000and\u3000spat\u3000across\u3000the\u3000rail\u3000of\u3000the\u3000banister\u3000before\u3000he\u3000spoke\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000contempt\u3000in\u3000his\u3000one\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000not\u3000a\u3000personal\u3000contempt\u3000for\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000for\u3000her\u3000whole\u3000sex\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cMiz\u3000Wilkes\u3000sont\u3000me\u3000to\u3000work\u3000for\u3000you\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000said\u3000shortly\u3002\u3000He\u3000spoke\u3000rustily\uff1b\u3000as\u3000one\u3000unaccustomed\u3000to\u3000speaking\uff1b\u3000the\u3000words\u3000coming\u3000slowly\u3000and\u3000almost\u3000with\u3000difficulty\u3002\u3000\u201cM\u2019\u3000name\u2019s\u3000Archie\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u2019m\u3000sorry\u3000but\u3000I\u3000have\u3000no\u3000work\u3000for\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Archie\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cArchie\u2019s\u3000m\u2019fuss\u3000name\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000beg\u3000your\u3000pardon\u3002\u3000What\u3000is\u3000your\u3000last\u3000name\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000He\u3000spat\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u201cI\u3000reckon\u3000that\u2019s\u3000my\u3000bizness\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u201cArchie\u2019ll\u3000do\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000don\u2019t\u3000care\u3000what\u3000your\u3000last\u3000name\u3000is\uff01\u3000I\u3000have\u3000nothing\u3000for\u3000you\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000reckon\u3000you\u3000have\u3002\u3000Miz\u3000Wilkes\u3000was\u3000upsot\u3000about\u3000yore\u3000wantin\u2019\u3000to\u3000run\u3000aroun\u2019\u3000like\u3000a\u3000fool\u3000by\u3000yoreself\u3000and\u3000she\u3000sont\u3000me\u3000over\u3000here\u3000to\u3000drive\u3000aroun\u2019\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cIndeed\uff1f\u201d\u3000cried\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000indignant\u3000both\u3000at\u3000the\u3000man\u2019s\u3000rudeness\u3000and\u3000Melly\u2019s\u3000meddling\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000His\u3000one\u3000eye\u3000met\u3000hers\u3000with\u3000an\u3000impersonal\u3000animosity\u3002\u3000\u201cYes\u3002\u3000A\u3000woman\u2019s\u3000got\u3000no\u3000bizness\u3000botherin\u2019\u3000her\u3000men\u3000folks\u3000when\u3000they\u2019re\u3000tryin\u2019\u3000to\u3000take\u3000keer\u3000of\u3000her\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u2019re\u3000bound\u3000to\u3000gad\u3000about\uff1b\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000drive\u3000you\u3002\u3000I\u3000hates\u3000niggers\u2014Yankees\u3000too\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000He\u3000shifted\u3000his\u3000wad\u3000of\u3000tobacco\u3000to\u3000the\u3000other\u3000cheek\u3000and\uff1b\u3000without\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000an\u3000invitation\uff1b\u3000sat\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000top\u3000step\u3002\u3000\u201cI\u3000ain\u2019t\u3000sayin\u2019\u3000I\u3000like\u3000drivin\u2019\u3000women\u3000aroun\u2019\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Miz\u3000Wilkes\u3000been\u3000good\u3000to\u3000me\uff1b\u3000lettin\u2019\u3000me\u3000sleep\u3000in\u3000her\u3000cellar\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000sont\u3000me\u3000to\u3000drive\u3000you\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cBut\u2014\u201d\u3000began\u3000Scarlett\u3000helplessly\u3000and\u3000then\u3000she\u3000stopped\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000After\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000she\u3000began\u3000to\u3000smile\u3002\u3000She\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000like\u3000the\u3000looks\u3000of\u3000this\u3000elderly\u3000desperado\u3000but\u3000his\u3000presence\u3000would\u3000simplify\u3000matters\u3002\u3000With\u3000him\u3000beside\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000go\u3000to\u3000town\uff1b\u3000drive\u3000to\u3000the\u3000mills\uff1b\u3000call\u3000on\u3000customers\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000could\u3000doubt\u3000her\u3000safety\u3000with\u3000him\u3000and\u3000his\u3000very\u3000appearance\u3000was\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000from\u3000giving\u3000rise\u3000to\u3000scandal\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cIt\u2019s\u3000a\u3000bargain\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u201cThat\u3000is\uff1b\u3000if\u3000my\u3000husband\u3000agrees\u3002\u201d<br 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\/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            f\u3000regaining\u3000the\u3000ballot\u3000and\u3000Frank\u3000never\u3000missed\u3000a\u3000meeting\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000thought\u3000this\u3000organization\u3000did\u3000little\u3000else\u3000except\u3000argue\u3000the\u3000merits\u3000of\u3000General\u3000John\u3000B\u3002\u3000Gordon\u3000over\u3000every\u3000otter\u3000general\uff1b\u3000except\u3000General\u3000Lee\uff1b\u3000and\u3000refight\u3000the\u3000war\u3002\u3000Certainly\u3000she\u3000could\u3000observe\u3000no\u3000progress\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000of\u3000the\u3000recovery\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ballot\u3002\u3000But\u3000Frank\u3000evidently\u3000enjoyed\u3000the\u3000meetings\u3000for\u3000he\u3000stayed\u3000out\u3000until\u3000all\u3000hours\u3000on\u3000those\u3000nights\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cYou\u3000didn\u2019t         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            yone\u3000said\u3000it\u3000was\u3000wrong\u3000to\u3000take\u3000advantage\u3000of\u3000the\u3000miseries\u3000and\u3000misfortunes\u3000of\u3000others\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYou\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000have\u3000any\u3000objections\u3000to\u3000working\u3000slaves\uff01\u201d\u3000Scarlett\u3000cried\u3000indignantly\u3002<br 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        <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            use\u3000they\u3000are\u3000of\u3000use\u3000again\u3000and\u3000feel\u3000that\u3000they\u3000are\u3000needed\u3002\u3000And\u3000they\u3000like\u3000this\u3000new\u3000day\u3000that\u3000gives\u3000old\u3000men\u3000another\u3000chance\u3002\u3000But\u3000there\u3000are\u3000plenty\u3000of\u3000people\uff1b\u3000young\u3000people\uff1b\u3000who\u3000feel\u3000like\u3000my\u3000father\u3000and\u3000your\u3000father\u3002\u3000They\u3000can\u2019t\u3000and\u3000won\u2019t\u3000adjust\u3000and\u3000that\u3000brings\u3000me\u3000to\u3000the\u3000unpleasant\u3000subject\u3000I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000discuss\u3000with\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000fiddle\u2026dee\u2026dee\uff01\u3000Melly\u2019s\u3000a\u3000fool\u3002\u3000She\u3000might\u3000have\u3000died\u3000that\u3000night\u3000because\u3000you\u3000acted\u3000so\u3000heroic\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000imagine\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000thought\u3000her\u3000life\u3000given\u3000in\u3000a\u3000good\u3000cause\u3002\u3000And\u3000when\u3000I\u3000asked\u3000her\u3000what\u3000she\u3000was\u3000doing\u3000in\u3000Atlanta\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000quite\u3000surprised\u3000at\u3000my\u3000ignorance\u3000and\u3000told\u3000me\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000living\u3000here\u3000now\u3000and\u3000that\u3000you\u3000had\u3000been\u3000kind\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000make\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Wilkes\u3000a\u3000partner\u3000in\u3000your\u3000mill\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWell\uff1b\u3000what\u3000of\u3000it\uff1f\u201d\u3000questioned\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000shortly\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWhen\u3000I\u3000lent\u3000you\u3000the\u3000money\u3000to\u3000buy\u3000that\u3000mill\u3000I\u3000made\u3000one\u3000stipulation\uff1b\u3000to\u3000which\u3000you\u3000agreed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000was\u3000that\u3000it\u3000should\u3000not\u3000go\u3000to\u3000the\u3000support\u3000of\u3000Ashley\u3000Wilkes\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYou\u3000are\u3000being\u3000very\u3000offensive\u3002\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000paid\u3000you\u3000back\u3000your\u3000money\u3000and\u3000I\u3000own\u3000the\u3000mill\u3000and\u3000what\u3000I\u3000do\u3000with\u3000it\u3000is\u3000my\u3000own\u3000business\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWould\u3000you\u3000mind\u3000telling\u3000me\u3000how\u3000you\u3000made\u3000the\u3000money\u3000to\u3000pay\u3000back\u3000my\u3000loan\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000made\u3000it\u3000selling\u3000lumber\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000As\u3000she\u3000drove\u3000off\u3000down\u3000the\u3000path\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Decatur\u3000road\u3000her\u3000conscience\u3000battled\u3000with\u3000her\u3000desire\u3000for\u3000money\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000had\u3000no\u3000business\u3000exposing\u3000human\u3000lives\u3000to\u3000the\u3000hard\u3000little\u3000man\u2019s\u3000mercies\u3002\u3000If\u3000he\u3000should\u3000cause\u3000the\u3000death\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000she\u3000would\u3000be\u3000as\u3000guilty\u3000as\u3000he\u3000was\uff1b\u3000for\u3000she\u3000had\u3000kept\u3000him\u3000in\u3000charge\u3000after\u3000learning\u3000of\u3000his\u3000brutalities\u3002\u3000But\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000hand\u2014well\uff1b\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000men\u3000had\u3000no\u3000business\u3000getting\u3000to\u3000be\u3000convicts\u3002\u3000If\u3000they\u3000broke\u3000laws\u3000and\u3000got\u3000caught\uff1b\u3000then\u3000they\u3000deserved\u3000what\u3000they\u3000got\u3002\u3000This\u3000partly\u3000salved\u3000her\u3000conscience\u3000but\u3000as\u3000she\u3000drove\u3000down\u3000the\u3000road\u3000the\u3000dull\u3000thin\u3000faces\u3000of\u3000the\u3000convicts\u3000would\u3000keep\u3000coming\u3000back\u3000into\u3000her\u3000mind\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000With\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000swift\u3000movement\u3000the\u3000man\u2019s\u3000hand\u3000was\u3000on\u3000the\u3000horse\u2019s\u3000bridle\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cGrab\u3000her\uff01\u201d\u3000he\u3000shouted\u3000to\u3000the\u3000negro\u3002\u3000\u201cShe\u2019s\u3000probably\u3000got\u3000her\u3000money\u3000in\u3000her\u3000bosom\uff01\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cShut\u3000her\u3000up\uff01\u3000Drag\u3000her\u3000out\uff01\u201d\u3000cried\u3000the\u3000white\u3000man\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000black\u3000hand\u3000fumbled\u3000across\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000face\u3000to\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000She\u3000bit\u3000as\u3000savagely\u3000as\u3000she\u3000could\u3000and\u3000then\u3000screamed\u3000again\uff1b\u3000and\u3000through\u3000her\u3000screaming\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000white\u3000man\u3000swear\u3000and\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000third\u3000man\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000road\u3002\u3000The\u3000black\u3000hand\u3000dropped\u3000from\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3000and\u3000the\u3000negro\u3000leaped\u3000away\u3000as\u3000Big\u3000Sam\u3000charged\u3000at\u3000him\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cRun\uff1b\u3000Miss\u3000Scarlett\uff01\u201d\u3000yelled\u3000Sam\uff1b\u3000grappling\u3000with\u3000the\u3000negro\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000and\u3000screaming\uff1b\u3000clutched\u3000up\u3000the\u3000reins\u3000and\u3000whip\u3000and\u3000laid\u3000them\u3000both\u3000over\u3000the\u3000horse\u3002\u3000It\u3000went\u3000off\u3000at\u3000a\u3000jump\u3000and\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000wheels\u3000pass\u3000over\u3000something\u3000soft\uff1b\u3000something\u3000resistant\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000white\u3000man\u3000who\u3000lay\u3000in\u3000the\u3000road\u3000where\u3000Sam\u3000had\u3000knocked\u3000him\u3000down\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Maddened\u3000by\u3000terror\uff1b\u3000she\u3000lashed\u3000the\u3000horse\u3000again\u3000and\u3000again\u3000and\u3000it\u3000struck\u3000a\u3000gait\u3000that\u3000made\u3000the\u3000buggy\u3000rock\u3000and\u3000sway\u3002\u3000Through\u3000her\u3000terror\u3000she\u3000was\u3000conscious\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000feet\u3000running\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000and\u3000she\u3000screamed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000horse\u3000to\u3000go\u3000faster\u3002\u3000If\u3000that\u3000black\u3000ape\u3000got\u3000her\u3000again\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000die\u3000before\u3000he\u3000even\u3000got\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000upon\u3000her\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000A\u3000voice\u3000yelled\u3000behind\u3000her\uff1a\u3000\u201cMiss\u3000Scarlett\uff01\u3000Stop\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Without\u3000slacking\uff1b\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000trembling\u3000over\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000Big\u3000Sam\u3000racing\u3000down\u3000the\u3000road\u3000behind\u3000her\uff1b\u3000his\u3000long\u3000legs\u3000working\u3000like\u3000hard\u2026driven\u3000pistons\u3002\u3000She\u3000drew\u3000rein\u3000as\u3000he\u3000came\u3000up\u3000and\u3000he\u3000flung\u3000himself\u3000into\u3000the\u3000buggy\uff1b\u3000his\u3000big\u3000body\u3000crowding\u3000her\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\u3002\u3000Sweat\u3000and\u3000blood\u3000were\u3000streaming\u3000down\u3000his\u3000face\u3000as\u3000he\u3000pante         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            wn\u3000his\u3000face\u3000as\u3000he\u3000panted\uff1a<br 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\/>\n\u3000Before\u3000dawn\u3000the\u3000news\u3000had\u3000trickled\u3000ab         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000another\u3000squad\u3000about\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\u2019s\u3000house\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000Frank\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000She\u3000had\u3000made\u3000him\u3000very\u3000unhappy\u3000and\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000had\u3000borne\u3000it\u3000all\u3000like\u3000a\u3000gentleman\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000thing\u3000sh         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            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     \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            had\u3000to\u3000avenge\u3000you\u3002\u3000If\u3000he\u3000had\u3000married\u3000Sister\u3000Sue\uff1b\u3000she\u3000might\u3000not\u3000have\u3000caused\u3000his\u3000death\u3000but\u3000she\u2019d\u3000probably\u3000have\u3000made\u3000him\u3000twice\u3000as\u3000unhappy\u3000as\u3000you\u3000did\u3002\u3000It\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000have\u3000happened\u3000differently\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cBut\u3000I\u3000could\u3000have\u3000been\u3000nicer\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u201d<br 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-->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000\u201cPersonally\uff1b\u3000I\u3000do\u3000not\u3000intend\u3000to\u3000call\u3000on\u3000Scarlett\u3000now\u3000or\u3000ever\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000the\u3000chill\u3000elegance\u3000of\u3000her\u3000face\u3000colder\u3000than\u3000usual\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u2019ll\u3000go\u3000with\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Henry\u3002\u3000Dolly\u3000will\u3000be\u3000fit\u3000to\u3000be\u3000tied\u3000when\u3000she\u3000hears\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000gone\u3002\u3000Wait\u3000till\u3000I\u3000get\u3000one\u3000more\u3000drink\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cNo\uff1b\u3000we\u2019ll\u3000get\u3000a\u3000drink\u3000off\u3000Captain\u3000Butler\u3002\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000say\u3000this\u3000for\u3000him\uff1b\u3000he\u3000always\u3000has\u3000good\u3000licker\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000<br 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\/>\n\u3000There\u3000were\u3000many\u3000\u201cnew\u3000people\u201d\u3000staying\u3000at\u3000the\u3000National\u3000Hotel\u3000who\uff1b\u3000like\u3000Rhett\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000were\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000their\u3000houses\u3000to\u3000be\u3000completed\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000gay\uff1b\u3000wealthy\u3000people\uff1b\u3000very\u3000much\u3000like\u3000Rhett\u2019s\u3000New\u3000Orleans\u3000friends\uff1b\u3000elegant\u3000of\u3000dress\uff1b\u3000free\u3000with\u3000their\u3000money\uff1b\u3000vague\u3000as\u3000to\u3000their\u3000antecedents\u3002\u3000All\u3000the\u3000men\u3000were\u3000Republicans\u3000and\u3000were\u3000\u201cin\u3000Atlanta\u3000on\u3000business\u3000connected\u3000with\u3000the\u3000state\u3000government\u3002\u201d\u3000Just\u3000what\u3000the\u3000business\u3000was\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000did\u3000not\u3000know\u3000and\u3000did\u3000not\u3000trouble\u3000to\u3000learn\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Rhett\u3000could\u3000have\u3000told\u3000her\u3000exactly\u3000what\u3000it\u3000was\u2014the\u3000same\u3000business\u3000that\u3000buzzards\u3000have\u3000with\u3000dying\u3000animals\u3002\u3000They\u3000smelted\u3000death\u3000from\u3000afar\u3000and\u3000were\u3000drawn\u3000unerringly\u3000to\u3000it\uff1b\u3000to\u3000gorge\u3000themselves\u3002\u3000Government\u3000of\u3000Georgia\u3000by\u3000its\u3000own\u3000citizens\u3000was\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000the\u3000state\u3000was\u3000helpless\u3000and\u3000the\u3000adventurers\u3000were\u3000swarming\u3000in\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000wives\u3000of\u3000Rhett\u2019s\u3000Scalawag\u3000and\u3000Carpetbagger\u3000friends\u3000called\u3000in\u3000droves\u3000and\u3000so\u3000did\u3000the\u3000\u201cnew\u3000people\u201d\u3000she\u3000had\u3000met\u3000when\u3000she\u3000sold\u3000lumber\u3000for\u3000their\u3000homes\u3002\u3000Rhett\u3000said\u3000that\uff1b\u3000having\u3000done\u3000business\u3000with\u3000them\uff1b\u3000she\u3000should\u3000receive\u3000them\u3000and\uff1b\u3000having\u3000received\u3000them\uff1b\u3000she\u3000found\u3000them\u3000pleasant\u3000company\u3002\u3000They\u3000wore\u3000lovely\u3000clothes\u3000and\u3000never\u3000talked\u3000about\u3000the\u3000war\u3000or\u3000hard\u3000times\uff1b\u3000but\u3000confined\u3000the\u3000conversation\u3000to\u3000fashions\uff1b\u3000scandals\u3000and\u3000whist\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000never\u3000played\u3000cards\u3000before\u3000and\u3000she\u3000took\u3000to\u3000whist\u3000with\u3000joy\uff1b\u3000becoming\u3000a\u3000good\u3000player\u3000in\u3000a\u3000short\u3000time\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Whenever\u3000she\u3000was\u3000at\u3000the\u3000hotel\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000crowd\u3000of\u3000whist\u3000players\u3000in\u3000her\u3000suite\u3002\u3000But\u3000she\u3000was\u3000not\u3000often\u3000in\u3000her\u3000suite\u3000these\u3000days\uff1b\u3000for\u3000she\u3000was\u3000too\u3000busy\u3000with\u3000the\u3000building\u3000of\u3000her\u3000new\u3000house\u3000to\u3000be\u3000bothered\u3000with\u3000callers\u3002\u3000These\u3000days\u3000she\u3000did\u3000not\u3000much\u3000care\u3000whether\u3000she\u3000had\u3000callers\u3000or\u3000not\u3002\u3000She\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000delay\u3000her\u3000social\u3000activities\u3000until\u3000the\u3000day\u3000when\u3000the\u3000house\u3000was\u3000finished\u3000and\u3000she\u3000could\u3000emerge\u3000as\u3000the\u3000mistress\u3000of\u3000Atlanta\u2019s\u3000largest\u3000mansion\uff1b\u3000the\u3000hostess\u3000of\u3000the\u3000town\u2019s\u3000most\u3000elaborate\u3000entertainments\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Through\u3000the\u3000long\u3000warm\u3000days\u3000she\u3000watched\u3000her\u3000red\u3000stone\u3000and\u3000gray\u3000shingle\u3000house\u3000rise\u3000grandly\uff1b\u3000to\u3000tower\u3000above\u3000any\u3000other\u3000house\u3000on\u3000Peachtree\u3000Street\u3002\u3000Forgetful\u3000of\u3000the\u3000store\u3000and\u3000the\u3000mills\uff1b\u3000she\u3000spent\u3000her\u3000time\u3000on\u3000the\u3000lot\uff1b\u3000arguing\u3000with\u3000carpenters\uff1b\u3000bickering\u3000with\u3000masons\uff1b\u3000harrying\u3000the\u3000contractor\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3002\u3000walls\u3000went\u3000swiftly\u3000up\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000with\u3000satisfaction\u3000that\uff1b\u3000when\u3000finished\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000larger\u3000and\u3000finer\u3000looking\u3000than\u3000any\u3000other\u3000house\u3000in\u3000town\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000be\u3000even\u3000more\u3000imposing\u3000than\u3000the\u3000near\u2026by\u3000James\u3000residence\u3000which\u3000had\u3000just\u3000been\u3000purchased\u3000for\u3000the\u3000official\u3000mansion\u3000of\u3000Governor\u3000Bullock\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000governor\u2019s\u3000mansion\u3000was\u3000brave\u3000with\u3000jigsaw\u3000work\u3000on\u3000banisters\u3000and\u3000eaves\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000intricate\u3000scrollwork\u3000on\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000house\u3000put\u3000the\u3000mansion\u3000to\u3000shame\u3002\u3000The\u3000mansion\u3000had\u3000a\u3000ballroom\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000a\u3000billiard\u3000table\u3000compared\u3000with\u3000the\u3000enormous\u3000room\u3000that\u3000covered\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000third\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000house\u3002\u3000In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000her\u3000house\u3000had\u3000more\u3000of\u3000everything\u3000than\u3000the\u3000mansion\uff1b\u3000or\u3000any\u3000other\u3000house\u3000in\u3000town\u3000for\u3000that\u3000matter\uff1b\u3000more\u3000cupolas\u3000and\u3000turrets\u3000and\u3000towers\u3000and\u3000balconies\u3000and\u3000lightning\u3000rods\u3000and\u3000far\u3000more\u3000windows\u3000with\u3000colored\u3000panes\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000A\u3000veranda\u3000encircled\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000house\uff1b\u3000and\u3000four\u3000flights\u3000of\u3000steps\u3000on\u3000the\u3000four\u3000sides\u3000of\u3000the\u3000building\u3000led\u3000up\u3000to\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000yard\u3000was\u3000wide\u3000and\u3000green\u3000and\u3000scattered\u3000about\u3000it\u3000were\u3000rustic\u3000iron\u3000benches\uff1b\u3000an\u3000iron\u3000summerhouse\uff1b\u3000fashionably\u3000called\u3000a\u3000\u201cgazebo\u201d\u3000which\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000been\u3000assured\uff1b\u3000was\u3000of\u3000pure\u3000Gothic\u3000design\uff1b\u3000and\u3000two\u3000large\u3000iron\u3000statues\uff1b\u3000one\u3000a\u3000stag\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000a\u3000mastiff\u3000as\u3000large\u3000as\u3000a\u3000Shetland\u3000pony\u3002\u3000To\u3000Wade\u3000and\u3000Ella\uff1b\u3000a\u3000little\u3000dazzled\u3000by\u3000the\u3000size\uff1b\u3000splendor\u3000and\u3000fashionable\u3000dark\u3000gloom\u3000of\u3000their\u3000new\u3000home\uff1b\u3000these\u3000two\u3000metal\u3000animals\u3000were\u3000the\u3000only\u3000cheerful\u3000notes\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Within\uff1b\u3000the\u3000house\u3000was\u3000furnished\u3000as\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000desired\uff1b\u3000with\u3000thick\u3000red\u3000carpeting\u3000which\u3000ran\u3000from\u3000wall\u3000to\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000red\u3000velvet\u3000portieres\u3000and\u3000the\u3000newest\u3000of\u3000highly\u3000varnished\u3000black\u2026walnut\u3000furniture\uff1b\u3000carved\u3000wherever\u3000there\u3000was\u3000an\u3000inch\u3000for\u3000carving\u3000and\u3000upholstered\u3000in\u3000such\u3000slick\u3000horsehair\u3000that\u3000ladies\u3000had\u3000to\u3000deposit\u3000themselves\u3000thereon\u3000with\u3000great\u3000care\u3000for\u3000fear\u3000of\u3000sliding\u3000off\u3002\u3000Everywhere\u3000on\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000were\u3000gilt\u2026framed\u3000mirrors\u3000and\u3000long\u3000pier\u3000glasses\u2014as\u3000many\uff1b\u3000Rhett\u3000said\u3000idly\uff1b\u3000as\u3000there\u3000were\u3000in\u3000Belle\u3000Watling\u2019s\u3000establishment\u3002\u3000Interspread\u3000were\u3000steel\u3000engravings\u3000in\u3000heavy\u3000frames\uff1b\u3000some\u3000of\u3000them\u3000eight\u3000feet\u3000long\uff1b\u3000which\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000ordered\u3000especially\u3000from\u3000New\u3000York\u3002\u3000The\u3000walls\u3000were\u3000covered\u3000with\u3000rich\u3000dark\u3000paper\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ceilings\u3000were\u3000high\u3000and\u3000the\u3000house\u3000was\u3000always\u3000dim\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000windows\u3000were\u3000overdraped\u3000with\u3000plum\u2026colored\u3000plush\u3000hangings\u3000that\u3000shut\u3000out\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sunlight\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000All\u3000in\u3000all\u3000it\u3000was\u3000an\u3000establishment\u3000to\u3000take\u3000one\u2019s\u3000breath\u3000away\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000stepping\u3000on\u3000the\u3000soft\u3000carpets\u3000and\u3000sinking\u3000into\u3000the\u3000embrace\u3000of\u3000the\u3000deep\u3000feather\u3000beds\uff1b\u3000remembered\u3000the\u3000cold\u3000floors\u3000and\u3000the\u3000straw\u2026stuffed\u3000bedticks\u3000of\u3000Tara\u3000and\u3000was\u3000satisfied\u3002\u3000She\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000the\u3000most\u3000beautiful\u3000and\u3000most\u3000elegantly\u3000furnished\u3000house\u3000she\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000seen\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Rhett\u3000said\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000nightmare\u3002\u3000However\uff1b\u3000if\u3000it\u3000made\u3000her\u3000happy\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000welcome\u3000to\u3000it\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cA\u3000stranger\u3000without\u3000being\u3000told\u3000a\u3000word\u3000about\u3000us\u3000would\u3000know\u3000this\u3000house\u3000was\u3000built\u3000with\u3000ill\u2026gotten\u3000gains\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u201cYou\u3000know\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000money\u3000ill\u3000come\u3000by\u3000never\u3000comes\u3000to\u3000good\u3000and\u3000this\u3000house\u3000is\u3000proof\u3000of\u3000the\u3000axiom\u3002\u3000It\u2019s\u3000just\u3000the\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000house\u3000a\u3000profiteer\u3000would\u3000build\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000But\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000abrim\u3000with\u3000pride\u3000and\u3000happiness\u3000and\u3000full\u3000of\u3000plans\u3000for\u3000the\u3000entertainments\u3000she\u3000would\u3000give\u3000when\u3000they\u3000were\u3000thoroughly\u3000settled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000house\uff1b\u3000only\u3000pinched\u3000his\u3000ear\u3000playfully\u3000and\u3000said\uff1a\u3000\u201cFiddle\u2026dee\u2026dee\uff01\u3000How\u3000you\u3000do\u3000run\u3000on\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000by\u3000now\uff1b\u3000that\u3000Rhett\u3000loved\u3000to\u3000take\u3000her\u3000down\u3000a\u3000peg\uff1b\u3000and\u3000would\u3000spoil\u3000her\u3000fun\u3000whenever\u3000he\u3000could\uff1b\u3000if\u3000she\u3000lent\u3000an\u3000attentive\u3000ear\u3000to\u3000his\u3000jibes\u3002\u3000Should\u3000she\u3000take\u3000him\u3000seriously\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000be\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000quarrel\u3000with\u3000him\u3000and\u3000she\u3000did\u3000not\u3000care\u3000to\u3000match\u3000swords\uff1b\u3000for\u3000she\u3000always\u3000came\u3000off\u3000second\u3000best\u3002\u3000So\u3000she\u3000hardly\u3000ever\u3000listened\u3000to\u3000anything\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000and\u3000what\u3000she\u3000was\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000she\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000off\u3000as\u3000a\u3000joke\u3002\u3000At\u3000least\uff1b\u3000she\u3000tried\u3000for\u3000a\u3000while\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000During\u3000their\u3000honeymoon\u3000and\u3000for\u3000the\u3000greater\u3000part\u3000of\u3000their\u3000stay\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Natio         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            ed\u3000for\u3000a\u3000while\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000It\u3000was\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000say\u3000which\u3000class\u3000was\u3000more\u3000cordially\u3000hated\u3000by\u3000the\u3000settled\u3000citizenry\uff1b\u3000the\u3000impractical\u3000Yankee\u3000schoolmarms\u3000or\u3000the         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            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\/>\n\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000hating\u3000the\u3000bright\u3000hard\u3000blue\u3000they\u3000wore\uff1b\u3000enjoyed\u3000snubbing\u3000them\u3000all\u3000the\u3000more\u3000because\u3000it\u3000so\u3000bewildered\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000garrison\u3000families\u3000had\u3000a\u3000right\u3000to\u3000be\u3000bewildered\u3000for\u3000most\u3000of\u3000them\u3000were\u3000quiet\uff1b\u3000well\u2026bred\u3000folk\uff1b\u3000lonely\u3000in\u3000a\u3000hostile\u3000land\uff1b\u3000anxious\u3000to\u3000go\u3000home\u3000to\u3000the\u3000North\uff1b\u3000a\u3000little\u3000ashamed\u3000of\u3000the\u3000riffraff\u3000whose\u3000rule\u3000they\u3000were\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000uphold\u2014an\u3000infinitely\u3000better\u3000class\u3000than\u3000that\u3000of\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000associates\u3002\u3000Naturally\uff1b\u3000the\u3000officers\u2019\u3000wives\u3000were\u3000puzzled\u3000that\u3000the\u3000dashing\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Butler\u3000took\u3000to\u3000her\u3000bosom\u3000such\u3000women\u3000as\u3000the\u3000common\u3000red\u2026haired\u3000Bridget\u3000Flaherty\u3000and\u3000went\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000way\u3000to\u3000slight\u3000them\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000There\u3000was\u3000never\u3000any\u3000knowing\u3000when\u3000be\u3000would\u3000remark\u3000affabl         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            scurity\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000She\u3000pushed\u3000a\u3000small\u3000cushio         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            really\u3000want\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000baby\u3000but\u2014but\u3000I\u3000would\u3000so\u3000like\u3000a\u3000baby\u3000of\u3000my\u3000own\uff01<br 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\/>\n\u3000When\u3000Lou\u3000had\u3000stitched\u3000up\u3000the\u3000ripped\u3000seams\uff1b\u3000pressed\u3000them\u3000smooth\u3000and\u3000buttoned\u3000Scarlett\u3000into\u3000the\u3000dress\uff1b\u3000she\u3000called\u3000the\u3000carriage\u3000and\u3000Scarlett\u3000set\u3000out\u3000for\u3000the\u3000lumber\u3000yard\u3002\u3000Her\u3000spirits\u3000rose\u3000as\u3000she\u3000went\u3000and\u3000she\u3000forgot\u3000about\u3000her\u3000waist\u3000line\uff1b\u3000for\u3000she\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000Ashley\u3000at\u3000the\u3000yard\u3000to\u3000go\u3000over\u3000the\u3000books\u3000with\u3000him\u3002\u3000And\uff1b\u3000if\u3000she\u3000was\u3000lucky\uff1b\u3000she\u3000might\u3000see\u3000him\u3000alone\u3002\u3000She\u3000hadn\u2019t\u3000seen\u3000him\u3000since\u3000long\u3000before\u3000Bonnie\u3000was\u3000born\u3002\u3000She\u3000hadn\u2019t\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000see\u3000him\u3000at\u3000all\u3000when\u3000she\u3000was\u3000so\u3000obviously\u3000pregnant\u3002\u3000And\u3000she\u3000had\u3000missed\u3000the\u3000daily\u3000contact\u3000with\u3000him\uff1b\u3000even\u3000if\u3000there\u3000was\u3000always\u3000someone\u3000around\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000m         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            with\u3000him\uff1b\u3000even\u3000if\u3000there\u3000was\u3000always\u3000someone\u3000around\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000missed\u3000the\u3000importance\u3000and\u3000activity\u3000of\u3000her\u3000lumber\u3000business\u3000while\u3000she\u3000was\u3000immured\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000she\u3000did\u3000not\u3000have\u3000to\u3000work\u3000now\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000easily\u3000sell\u3000the\u3000mills\u3000and\u3000invest\u3000the\u3000money\u3000for\u3000Wade\u3000and\u3000Ella\u3002\u3000But\u3000that\u3000would\u3000mean\u3000she\u3000would\u3000hardly\u3000ever\u3000see\u3000Ashley\uff1b\u3000except\u3000in\u3000a\u3000formal\u3000social\u3000way\u3000with\u3000crowds\u3000of\u3000people\u3000around\u3002\u3000And\u3000working\u3000by\u3000Ashley\u2019s\u3000side\u3000was\u3000her\u3000greatest\u3000pleasure\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Ashley\u3000came\u3000to\u3000the\u3000door\u3000of\u3000the\u3000little\u3000office\uff1b\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000joyful\u3000with\u3000the\u3000pleasure\u3000of\u3000seeing\u3000her\u3000again\u3000and\u3000he\u3000handed\u3000her\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000carriage\u3000and\u3000into\u3000the\u3000office\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she\u3000were\u3000a\u3000queen\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000But\u3000some\u3000of\u3000her\u3000pleasure\u3000was\u3000dimmed\u3000when\u3000she\u3000went\u3000over\u3000the\u3000books\u3000of\u3000his\u3000null\u3000and\u3000compared\u3000them\u3000with\u3000Johnnie\u3000Gallegher\u2019s\u3000books\u3002\u3000Ashley\u3000had\u3000barely\u3000made\u3000expenses\u3000and\u3000Johnnie\u3000had\u3000a\u3000remarkable\u3000sum\u3000to\u3000his\u3000credit\u3002\u3000She\u3000forbore\u3000to\u3000say\u3000anything\u3000as\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000two\u3000sheets\u3000but\u3000Ashley\u3000read\u3000her\u3000face\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cScarlett\uff1b\u3000I\u2019m\u3000sorry\u3002\u3000All\u3000I\u3000can\u3000say\u3000is\u3000that\u3000I\u3000wish\u3000you\u2019d\u3000let\u3000me\u3000hire\u3000free\u3000darkies\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000using\u3000convicts\u3002\u3000I\u3000believe\u3000I\u3000could\u3000do\u3000better\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cDarkies\uff01\u3000Why\uff1b\u3000their\u3000pay\u3000would\u3000break\u3000us\u3002\u3000Convicts\u3000are\u3000dirt\u3000cheap\u3002\u3000If\u3000Johnnie\u3000can\u3000make\u3000this\u3000much\u3000with\u3000them\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Ashley\u2019s\u3000eyes\u3000went\u3000over\u3000her\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000something\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000see\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000glad\u3000light\u3000went\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000can\u2019t\u3000work\u3000convicts\u3000like\u3000Johnnie\u3000Gallegher\u3002\u3000I\u3000can\u2019t\u3000drive\u3000men\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cGod\u2019s\u3000nightgown\uff01\u3000Johnnie\u2019s\u3000a\u3000wonder\u3000at\u3000it\u3002\u3000Ashley\uff1b\u3000you\u3000are\u3000just\u3000too\u3000soft\u3000hearted\u3002\u3000You\u3000ought\u3000to\u3000get\u3000more\u3000work\u3000out\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000Johnnie\u3000told\u3000me\u3000that\u3000any\u3000time\u3000a\u3000malingerer\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000work\u3000he\u3000told\u3000you\u3000he\u3000was\u3000sick\u3000and\u3000you\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000day\u3000off\u3002\u3000Good\u3000Lord\uff1b\u3000Ashley\uff01\u3000That\u2019s\u3000no\u3000way\u3000to\u3000make\u3000money\u3002\u3000A\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000licks\u3000will\u3000cure\u3000most\u3000any\u3000sickness\u3000short\u3000of\u3000a\u3000broken\u3000leg\u2014\u201d<br 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     \u3000\u201cWhy\u3000bother\uff1f\u3000If\u3000I\u3000wanted\u3000you\uff1b\u3000no\u3000lock\u3000would\u3000keep\u3000me\u3000out\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000When\u3000he\u3000came\u3000back\u3000he\u3000was\u3000smiling\u3000blandly\uff1b\u3000saying\u3000that\u3000there\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000mistake\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000he\u3000had\u3000thought\u3002\u3000The\u3000two\u3000thousand\u3000dollars\u3000was\u3000right\u3000there\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000her\u3000whenever\u3000she\u3000cared\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000against\u3000it\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000ab         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000two\u3000thousand\u3000dollars\u3000was\u3000right\u3000there\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000her\u3000whenever\u3000she\u3000cared\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000against\u3000it\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000about\u3000her\u3000house\u2014would\u3000she\u3000just\u3000sign\u3000right\u3000here\uff1f<br \/>\n\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Merriwether\uff1b\u3000torn\u3000with\u3000indignation\u3000and\u3000insult\uff1b\u3000furious\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000to\u3000take\u3000this\u3000favor\u3000from\u3000a\u3000man\u3000she\u3000disliked\u3000and\u3000distrusted\uff1b\u3000was\u3000hardly\u3000gracious\u3000in\u3000her\u3000thanks\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000But\u3000he\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000notice\u3000it\u3000As\u3000he\u3000escorted\u3000her\u3000to\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000he\u3000said\uff1a\u3000\u201cMrs\u3002\u3000Merriwether\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000always\u3000had\u3000a\u3000great\u3000regard\u3000for\u3000your\u3000knowledge\u3000and\u3000I\u3000wonder\u3000if\u3000you\u3000could\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000something\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000The\u3000plumes\u3000on\u3000her\u3000bonnet\u3000barely\u3000moved\u3000as\u3000she\u3000nodded\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWhat\u3000did\u3000you\u3000do\u3000when\u3000your\u3000Maybelle\u3000was\u3000little\u3000and\u3000she\u3000sucked\u3000her\u3000thumb\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWhat\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cMy\u3000Bonnie\u3000sucks\u3000her\u3000thumb\u3002\u3000I\u3000can\u2019t\u3000make\u3000her\u3000stop\u3000it\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYou\u3000should\u3000make\u3000her\u3000stop\u3000it\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Merriwether\u3000vigorously\u3002\u3000\u201cIt\u3000will\u3000ruin\u3000the\u3000shape\u3000of\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000know\uff01\u3000I\u3000know\uff01\u3000And\u3000she\u3000has\u3000a\u3000beautiful\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000But\u3000I\u3000don\u2019t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000He\u3000gave\u3000her\u3000a\u3000smile\uff1b\u3000so\u3000pleasant\uff1b\u3000so\u3000grateful\u3000that\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Merriwether\u3000stood\u3000uncertainly\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000But\u3000as\u3000she\u3000told\u3000him\u3000good\u2026by\u3000she\u3000was\u3000smiling\u3000too\u3002\u3000She\u3000hated\u3000to\u3000admit\u3000to\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Elsing\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000misjudged\u3000the\u3000man\u3000but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000an\u3000honest\u3000person\u3000and\u3000she\u3000said\u3000there\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000something\u3000good\u3000about\u3000a\u3000man\u3000who\u3000loved\u3000his\u3000child\u3002\u3000What\u3000a\u3000pity\u3000Scarlett\u3000took\u3000no\u3000interest\u3000in\u3000so\u3000pretty\u3000a\u3000creature\u3000as\u3000Bonnie\uff01\u3000There\u3000was\u3000something\u3000pathetic\u3000about\u3000a\u3000man\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000raise\u3000a\u3000little\u3000girl\u3000all\u3000by\u3000himself\uff01\u3000Rhett\u3000knew\u3000very\u3000well\u3000the\u3000pathos\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spectacle\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000it\u3000blackened\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000reputation\u3000he\u3000did\u3000not\u3000care\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Atlanta\u3000had\u3000a\u3000long\u3000memory\u3000and\u3000was\u3000suspicious\u3000and\u3000slow\u3000to\u3000change\u3002\u3000Times\u3000were\u3000hard\u3000and\u3000feeling\u3000was\u3000bitter\u3000against\u3000anyone\u3000who\u3000had\u3000had\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000Bullock\u3000and\u3000his\u3000crowd\u3002\u3000But\u3000Bonnie\u3000had\u3000the\u3000combined\u3000charm\u3000of\u3000Scarlett\u3000and\u3000Rhett\u3000at\u3000their\u3000best\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000the\u3000small\u3000opening\u3000wedge\u3000Rhett\u3000drove\u3000into\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000Atlanta\u2019s\u3000coldness\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000yes\uff01\u3000Dretfull\u3000big\u3002\u3000And\u3000claws\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cAh\uff1b\u3000claws\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000now\u3002\u3000I\u3000shall\u3000certainly\u3000sit\u3000up\u3000all\u3000night\u3000and\u3000shoot\u3000him\u3000if\u3000he\u3000comes\u3000back\u3002\u201d\u3000Rhett\u2019s\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000interested\u3000and\u3000soothing\u3000and\u3000Bonnie\u2019s\u3000sobs\u3000died\u3000away\u3002\u3000Her\u3000voice\u3000became\u3000less\u3000choked\u3000as\u3000she\u3000went\u3000into\u3000detailed\u3000description\u3000of\u3000her\u3000monster\u3000guest\u3000in\u3000a\u3000language\u3000which\u3000only\u3000he\u3000could\u3000understand\u3002\u3000Irritation\u3000stirred\u3000in\u3000Scarlett\u3000as\u3000R         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000her\u3000monster\u3000guest\u3000in\u3000a\u3000language\u3000which\u3000only\u3000he\u3000could\u3000understand\u3002\u3000Irritation\u3000stirred\u3000in\u3000Scarlett\u3000as\u3000Rhett\u3000discussed\u3000the\u3000matter\u3000as\u3000if\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000something\u3000real\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cFor\u3000Heaven\u2019s\u3000sake\uff1b\u3000Rhett\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000But\u3000he\u3000made\u3000a\u3000sign\u3000for\u3000silence\u3002\u3000When\u3000Bonnie\u3000was\u3000at\u3000last\u3000asleep\uff1b\u3000he\u3000laid\u3000her\u3000in\u3000her\u3000bed\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000up\u3000the\u3000sheet\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000are\u3000you\u3000going\u3000to\u3000the\u3000lumber\u3000yard\uff1f\u201d\u3000asked\u3000Melanie\u3002\u3000\u201cAshley\u3000is\u3000coming\u3000in\u3000to\u3000the\u3000yard\u3000in\u3000the\u3000late\u3000afternoon\u3000to\u3000see\u3000Hugh\u3002\u3000Can\u3000you\u3000possibly\u3000hold\u3000him\u3000there\u3000till\u3000five\u3000o\u2019clock\uff1f\u3000If\u3000he\u3000come         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            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\u3000\u201cWe\u2019ve\u3000come\u3000a\u3000long\u3000way\uff1b\u3000both\u3000of\u3000us\uff1b\u3000since\u3000that\u3000day\uff1b\u3000haven\u2019t\u3000we\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\uff1f\u3000We\u2019ve\u3000traveled\u3000roads\u3000we\u3000never\u3000expected\u3000to\u3000travel\u3002\u3000You\u2019ve\u3000come\u3000swiftly\uff1b\u3000directly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\uff1b\u3000slowly\u3000and\u3000reluctantly\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000He\u3000sat\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000table\u3000again\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000her\u3000and\u3000a\u3000small\u3000smile\u3000crept\u3000back\u3000into\u3000his\u3000face\u3002\u3000But\u3000it\u3000was\u3000not\u3000the\u3000smile\u3000that\u3000had\u3000made\u3000her\u3000so\u3000happy\u3000so\u3000short\u3000a\u3000while\u3000before\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000bleak\u3000smile\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000I\u3000can\u2019t\u3000go\u3000in\u2014I\u3000can\u2019t\uff1b\u3000thought\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000sitting\u3000in\u3000the\u3000carriage\uff1b\u3000gripping\u3000her\u3000balled\u2026up\u3000handkerchief\u3002\u3000I\u3000can\u2019t\u3002\u3000I\u3000won\u2019t\u3002\u3000I\u3000will\u3000jump\u3000out\u3000and\u3000run\u3000away\uff1b\u3000somewhere\uff1b\u3000back\u3000home\u3000to\u3000Tara\uff1b\u3000Why\u3000did\u3000Rhett\u3000force\u3000me\u3000to\u3000come\u3000here\uff1f\u3000What\u3000will\u3000people\u3000do\uff1f\u3000What\u3000will\u3000Melanie\u3000do\uff1f\u3000What\u3000will\u3000she\u3000look\u3000like\uff1f\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000I\u3000can\u2019t\u3000face\u3000her\u3002\u3000I\u3000will\u3000run\u3000away\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000She\u3000was\u3000leaning\u3000over\u3000to\u3000pluck\u3000off\u3000her\u3000slippers\uff1b\u3000so\u3000she\u3000might\u3000hurry\u3000back\u3000in\u3000silence\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000dining\u2026room\u3000door\u3000swung\u3000open\u3000abruptly\u3000and\u3000Rhett\u3000stood\u3000silhouetted\u3000against\u3000the\u3000dim\u3000candleli         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            dlelight\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000huge\uff1b\u3000larger\u3000than\u3000she\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000seen\u3000him\uff1b\u3000a\u3000terrifying\u3000faceless\u3000black\u3000bulk\u3000that\u3000swayed\u3000slightly\u3000on\u3000its\u3000feet\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cPray\u3000join\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Butler\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000said\u3000and\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000a\u3000little\u3000thick\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000He\u3000was\u3000drunk\u3000and\u3000showing\u3000it\u3000and\u3000she\u3000had\u3000never\u3000before\u3000seen\u3000him\u3000show\u3000his\u3000liquor\uff1b\u3000no\u3000matter\u3000how\u3000much\u3000he\u3000drank\u3002\u3000She\u3000paused\u3000irresolutely\uff1b\u3000saying\u3000nothing\u3000and\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000went\u3000up\u3000in\u3000gesture\u3000of\u3000command\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cCome\u3000here\uff1b\u3000damn\u3000you\uff01\u201d\u3000he\u3000said\u3000roughly\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000He\u3000must\u3000be\u3000very\u3000drunk\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000with\u3000a\u3000fluttering\u3000heart\u3002\u3000Usually\uff1b\u3000the\u3000more\u3000he\u3000drank\uff1b\u3000the\u3000more\u3000polished\u3000became\u3000his\u3000manners\u3002\u3000He\u3000sneered\u3000more\uff1b\u3000his\u3000words\u3000were\u3000apt\u3000to\u3000be\u3000more\u3000biting\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000manner\u3000that\u3000accompanied\u3000them\u3000was\u3000always\u3000punctilious\u2014too\u3000punctilious\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000must\u3000never\u3000let\u3000him\u3000know\u3000I\u2019m\u3000afraid\u3000to\u3000face\u3000him\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000clutching\u3000the\u3000wrapper\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000her\u3000throat\u3000she\u3000went\u3000down\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3000with\u3000her\u3000head\u3000up\u3000and\u3000her\u3000heels\u3000clacking\u3000noisily\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Of\u3000all\u3000the\u3000family\uff1b\u3000poor\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\u3000suffered\u3000the\u3000most\u3002\u3000Pitty\uff1b\u3000who\u3000desired\u3000nothing\u3000except\u3000to\u3000live\u3000comfortably\u3000amid\u3000the\u3000love\u3000of\u3000her\u3000relatives\uff1b\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000very\u3000pleased\uff1b\u3000in\u3000this\u3000matter\uff1b\u3000to\u3000run\u3000with\u3000the\u3000hares\u3000and\u3000hunt\u3000with\u3000the\u3000hounds\u3002\u3000But\u3000neither\u3000the\u3000hares\u3000nor\u3000the\u3000hounds\u3000would\u3000permit\u3000this\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000India\u3000lived\u3000with\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\u3000and\uff1b\u3000if\u3000Pitty\u3000sided\u3000with\u3000Melanie\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000wished\u3000to\u3000do\uff1b\u3000India\u3000would\u3000leave\u3002\u3000And\u3000if\u3000India\u3000left\u3000her\uff1b\u3000what\u3000would\u3000poor\u3000Pitty\u3000do         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000India\u3000lived\u3000with\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\u3000and\uff1b\u3000if\u3000Pitty\u3000sided\u3000with\u3000Melanie\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000wished\u3000to\u3000do\uff1b\u3000India\u3000would\u3000leave\u3002\u3000And\u3000if\u3000India\u3000left\u3000her\uff1b\u3000what\u3000would\u3000poor\u3000Pitty\u3000do\u3000then\uff1f\u3000She\u3000could\u3000not\u3000live\u3000alone\u3002\u3000She\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000get\u3000a\u3000stranger\u3000to\u3000live\u3000with\u3000her\u3000or\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000close\u3000up\u3000her\u3000house\u3000and\u3000go\u3000and\u3000live\u3000with\u3000Scarlett\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\u3000felt\u3000vaguely\u3000that\u3000Captain\u3000Butler\u3000would\u3000not\u3000care\u3000for\u3000this\u3002\u3000Or\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000go\u3000and\u3000live\u3000with\u3000Melanie\u3000and\u3000sleep\u3000in\u3000the\u3000little\u3000cubbyhole\u3000that\u3000was\u3000Beau\u2019s\u3000nursery\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Pitty\u3000was\u3000not\u3000overly\u3000fond\u3000of\u3000India\uff1b\u3000for\u3000India\u3000intimidated\u3000her\u3000with\u3000her\u3000dry\uff1b\u3000stiff\u2026necked\u3000ways\u3000and\u3000her\u3000passionate\u3000convictions\u3002\u3000But\u3000she\u3000made\u3000it\u3000possible\u3000for\u3000Pitty\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000her\u3000own\u3000comfortable\u3000establishment\u3000and\u3000Pitty\u3000was\u3000always\u3000swayed\u3000more\u3000by\u3000considerations\u3000of\u3000personal\u3000comfort\u3000than\u3000by\u3000moral\u3000issues\u3002\u3000And\u3000so\u3000India\u3000remained\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000But\u3000her\u3000presence\u3000in\u3000the\u3000house\u3000made\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\u3000a\u3000storm\u3000center\uff1b\u3000for\u3000both\u3000Scarlett\u3000and\u3000Melanie\u3000took\u3000that\u3000to\u3000mean\u3000that\u3000she\u3000sided\u3000with\u3000India\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000curtly\u3000refused\u3000to\u3000contribute\u3000more\u3000money\u3000to\u3000Pitty\u2019s\u3000establishment\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000India\u3000was\u3000under\u3000the\u3000same\u3000roof\u3002\u3000Ashley\u3000sent\u3000India\u3000money\u3000every\u3000week\u3000and\u3000every\u3000week\u3000India\u3000proudly\u3000and\u3000silently\u3000returned\u3000it\uff1b\u3000much\u3000to\u3000the\u3000old\u3000lady\u2019s\u3000alarm\u3000and\u3000regret\u3002\u3000Finances\u3000at\u3000the\u3000red\u2026brick\u3000house\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000in\u3000a\u3000deplorable\u3000state\uff1b\u3000but\u3000for\u3000Uncle\u3000Henry\u2019s\u3000intervention\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000humiliated\u3000Pitty\u3000to\u3000take\u3000money\u3000from\u3000him\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Pitty\u3000loved\u3000Melanie\u3000better\u3000than\u3000anyone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\uff1b\u3000except\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000and\u3000now\u3000Melly\u3000acted\u3000like\u3000a\u3000cool\uff1b\u3000polite\u3000stranger\u3002\u3000Though\u3000she\u3000practically\u3000lived\u3000in\u3000Pitty\u2019s\u3000back\u3000yard\uff1b\u3000she\u3000never\u3000once\u3000came\u3000through\u3000the\u3000hedge\u3000and\u3000she\u3000used\u3000to\u3000run\u3000in\u3000and\u3000out\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000times\u3000a\u3000day\u3002\u3000Pitty\u3000called\u3000on\u3000her\u3000and\u3000wept\u3000and\u3000protested\u3000her\u3000love\u3000and\u3000devotion\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Melanie\u3000always\u3000refused\u3000to\u3000discuss\u3000matters\u3000and\u3000never\u3000returned\u3000the\u3000calls\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Pitty\u3000knew\u3000very\u3000well\u3000what\u3000she\u3000owed\u3000Scarlett\u2014almost\u3000her\u3000very\u3000existence\u3002\u3000Certainly\u3000in\u3000those\u3000black\u3000days\u3000after\u3000the\u3000war\u3000when\u3000Pitty\u3000was\u3000faced\u3000with\u3000the\u3000alternative\u3000of\u3000Brother\u3000Henry\u3000or\u3000starvation\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000kept\u3000her\u3000home\u3000for\u3000her\uff1b\u3000fed\u3000her\uff1b\u3000clothed\u3000her\u3000and\u3000enabled\u3000her\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000up\u3000her\u3000head\u3000in\u3000Atlanta\u3000society\u3002\u3000And\u3000since\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000married\u3000and\u3000moved\u3000into\u3000her\u3000own\u3000home\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000generosity\u3000itself\u3002\u3000And\u3000that\u3000frightening\u3000fascinating\u3000Captain\u3000Butler\u2014frequently\u3000after\u3000he\u3000called\u3000with\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000Pitty\u3000found\u3000brand\u2026new\u3000purses\u3000stuffed\u3000with\u3000bills\u3000on\u3000her\u3000console\u3000table\u3000or\u3000lace\u3000handkerchiefs\u3000knotted\u3000about\u3000gold\u3000pieces\u3000which\u3000had\u3000been\u3000slyly\u3000slipped\u3000into\u3000her\u3000sewing\u3000box\u3002\u3000Rhett\u3000always\u3000vowed\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000nothing\u3000about\u3000them\u3000and\u3000accused\u3000her\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000very\u3000unrefined\u3000way\uff1b\u3000of\u3000having\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000admirer\uff1b\u3000usually\u3000the\u3000bewhiskered\u3000Grandpa\u3000Merriwether\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000Pitty\u3000owed\u3000love\u3000to\u3000Melanie\uff1b\u3000security\u3000to\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000and\u3000what\u3000did\u3000she\u3000owe\u3000India\uff1f\u3000Nothing\uff1b\u3000except\u3000that\u3000India\u2019s\u3000presence\u3000kept\u3000her\u3000from\u3000having\u3000to\u3000break\u3000up\u3000her\u3000pleasant\u3000life\u3000and\u3000make\u3000decisions\u3000for\u3000herself\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000all\u3000most\u3000distressing\u3000and\u3000too\uff1b\u3000too\u3000vulgar\u3000and\u3000Pitty\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000never\u3000made\u3000a\u3000decision\u3000for\u3000herself\u3000in\u3000her\u3000whole\u3000life\uff1b\u3000simply\u3000let\u3000matters\u3000go\u3000on\u3000as\u3000they\u3000were\u3000and\u3000as\u3000a\u3000result\u3000spent\u3000much\u3000time\u3000in\u3000uncomforted\u3000tears\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000CHAPTER\u3000LVI<br \/>\n\u3000RHETT\u3000WAS\u3000GONE\u3000for\u3000three\u3000months\u3000and\u3000during\u3000that\u3000time\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000no\u3000word\u3000from\u3000him\u3002\u3000She\u3000did\u3000not\u3000know\u3000where\u3000he\u3000was\u3000or\u3000how\u3000long\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000gone\u3002\u3000Indeed\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000if\u3000he\u3000would\u3000ever\u3000return\u3002\u3000During\u3000this\u3000time\uff1b\u3000she\u3000went\u3000about\u3000her\u3000business\u3000with\u3000her\u3000head\u3000high\u3000and\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000sick\u3002\u3000She\u3000did\u3000not\u3000feel\u3000well\u3000physically\u3000but\uff1b\u3000forced\u3000by\u3000Melanie\uff1b\u3000she\u3000went\u3000to\u3000the\u3000store\u3000every\u3000day\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000up\u3000a\u3000superficial\u3000interest\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mills\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000store\u3000palled\u3000on\u3000her\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000and\uff1b\u3000although\u3000the\u3000business\u3000was\u3000treble\u3000what\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000the\u3000year\u3000before\u3000and\u3000the\u3000money\u3000rolling\u3000in\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000take\u3000no\u3000interest\u3000in\u3000it\u3000and\u3000was\u3000sharp\u3000and\u3000cross\u3000with\u3000the\u3000clerks\u3002\u3000Johnnie\u3000Gallegher\u2019s\u3000mill\u3000was\u3000thriving\u3000and\u3000the\u3000lumber\u3000yard\u3000selling\u3000all\u3000his\u3000supply\u3000easily\uff1b\u3000but\u3000nothing\u3000Johnnie\u3000did\u3000or\u3000said\u3000pleased\u3000her\u3002\u3000Johnnie\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Irish\u3000as\u3000she\uff1b\u3000finally\u3000erupted\u3000into\u3000rage\u3000at\u3000her\u3000naggings\u3000and\u3000threatened\u3000to\u3000quit\uff1b\u3000after\u3000a\u3000long\u3000tirade\u3000which\u3000ended\u3000with\u3000\u201cand\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000both\u3000me\u3000hands\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Ma\u2019m\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000curse\u3000of\u3000Cromwell\u3000on\u3000you\u3002\u201d\u3000She\u3000had\u3000to\u3000appease\u3000him\u3000with\u3000the\u3000most\u3000abject\u3000of\u3000apologies\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000never\u3000went\u3000to\u3000Ashley\u2019s\u3000mill\u3002\u3000Nor\u3000did\u3000she\u3000go\u3000to\u3000the\u3000lumber\u2026yard\u3000office\u3000when\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000there\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000was\u3000avoiding\u3000her\uff1b\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000her\u3000constant\u3000presence\u3000in\u3000his\u3000house\uff1b\u3000at\u3000Melanie\u2019s\u3000inescapable\u3000invitations\uff1b\u3000was\u3000a\u3000torment\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000They\u3000never\u3000spoke\u3000alone\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000desperate\u3000to\u3000question\u3000him\u3002\u3000She\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000know\u3000whether\u3000he\u3000now\u3000hated\u3000her\u3000and\u3000exactly\u3000what\u3000he\u3000had\u3000told\u3000Melanie\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000held\u3000her\u3000at\u3000arm\u2019s\u3000length\u3000and\u3000silently\u3000pleaded\u3000with\u3000her\u3000not\u3000to\u3000speak\u3002\u3000The\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000his\u3000face\uff1b\u3000old\uff1b\u3000haggard\u3000with\u3000remorse\uff1b\u3000added\u3000to\u3000her\u3000load\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000his\u3000mill\u3000lost\u3000money\u3000every\u3000week\u3000was\u3000an\u3000extra\u3000irritant\u3000which\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000voice\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cIt\u2019s\u3000Gettysburg\uff1b\u201d         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            uching\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000sofa\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cIt\u2019s\u3000Gettysburg\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000explained\u3002\u3000\u201cAnd\u3000I\u2019m\u3000the\u3000Yankees\u3000and\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000gotten\u3000the\u3000worst\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000This\u3000is\u3000General\u3000Lee\uff1b\u201d\u3000pointing\u3000to\u3000Beau\uff1b\u3000\u201cand\u3000this\u3000is\u3000General\u3000Pickett\uff1b\u201d\u3000putting\u3000an\u3000arm\u3000about\u3000Wade\u2019s\u3000shoulder\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000Melanie\u3000had\u3000a\u3000way\u3000with\u3000children\u3000that\u3000Scarlett\u3000could\u3000never\u3000fathom\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cDamn\u3000you\uff01\u201d\u3000she\u3000began\uff1b\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000shaking\u3000with\u3000sick\u3000rage\u3002\u3000\u201cYou\u2014you\u3000know\u3000it\u2019s\u3000yours\u3002\u3000And\u3000I\u3000don\u2019t\u3000want\u3000it\u3000any\u3000more\u3000than\u3000you\u3000do\u3002\u3000No\u2014no\u3000woman\u3000would\u3000want\u3000the\u3000children\u3000of\u3000a\u3000cad\u3000like\u3000you\u3002\u3000I\u3000wish\u2014\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000God\uff1b\u3000I\u3000wish\u3000it\u3000was\u3000anybody\u2019s\u3000baby\u3000but\u3000yours\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000saw\u3000his\u3000swarthy\u3000face\u3000change\u3000suddenly\uff1b\u3000anger\u3000and\u3000something\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000analyze\u3000making\u3000it\u3000twitch\u3000as\u3000though\u3000stung\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cThere\uff01\u201d\u3000she\u3000th         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000She\u3000saw\u3000his\u3000swarthy\u3000face\u3000change\u3000suddenly\uff1b\u3000anger\u3000and\u3000something\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000analyze\u3000making\u3000it\u3000twitch\u3000as\u3000though\u3000stung\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cThere\uff01\u201d\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000in\u3000a\u3000hot\u3000rage\u3000of\u3000pleasure\u3002\u3000\u201cThere\uff01\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000hurt\u3000him\u3000now\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000But\u3000the\u3000old\u3000impassive\u3000mask\u3000was\u3000back\u3000across\u3000his\u3000face\u3000and\u3000he\u3000stroked\u3000one\u3000side\u3000of\u3000his\u3000mustache\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cCheer\u3000up\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000from\u3000her\u3000and\u3000starting\u3000up\u3000the\u3000stairs\uff1b\u3000\u201cmaybe\u3000you\u2019ll\u3000have\u3000a\u3000miscarriage\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000For\u3000a\u3000dizzy\u3000moment\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000what\u3000childbearing\u3000meant\uff1b\u3000the\u3000nausea\u3000that\u3000tore\u3000her\uff1b\u3000the\u3000tedious\u3000waiting\uff1b\u3000the\u3000thickening\u3000of\u3000her\u3000figure\uff1b\u3000the\u3000hours\u3000of\u3000pain\u3002\u3000Things\u3000no\u3000man\u3000could\u3000ever\u3000realize\u3002\u3000And\u3000he\u3000dared\u3000to\u3000joke\u3002\u3000She\u3000would\u3000claw\u3000him\u3002\u3000Nothing\u3000but\u3000the\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000blood\u3000upon\u3000his\u3000dark\u3000face\u3000would\u3000ease\u3000this\u3000pain\u3000in\u3000her\u3000heart\u3002\u3000She\u3000lunged\u3000for\u3000him\uff1b\u3000swift\u3000as\u3000a\u3000cat\uff1b\u3000but\u3000with\uff1b\u3000a\u3000light\u3000startled\u3000movement\uff1b\u3000he\u3000sidestepped\uff1b\u3000throwing\u3000up\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000to\u3000ward\u3000her\u3000off\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000freshly\u3000waxed\u3000top\u3000step\uff1b\u3000and\u3000as\u3000her\u3000arm\u3000with\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000weight\u3000of\u3000her\u3000body\u3000behind\u3000it\uff1b\u3000struck\u3000his\u3000out\u2026thrust\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000she\u3000lost\u3000her\u3000balance\u3002\u3000She\u3000made\u3000a\u3000wild\u3000clutch\u3000for\u3000the\u3000newel\u3000post\u3000and\u3000missed\u3000it\u3002\u3000She\u3000went\u3000down\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3000backwards\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000a\u3000sickening\u3000dart\u3000of\u3000pain\u3000in\u3000her\u3000ribs\u3000as\u3000she\u3000landed\u3002\u3000And\uff1b\u3000too\u3000dazed\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000she\u3000rolled\u3000over\u3000and\u3000over\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000flight\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000Scarlett\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000been\u3000ill\uff1b\u3000except\u3000when\u3000she\u3000had\u3000her\u3000babies\uff1b\u3000and\u3000somehow\u3000those\u3000times\u3000did\u3000not\u3000count\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000not\u3000been\u3000forlorn\u3000and\u3000frightened\u3000then\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000was\u3000now\uff1b\u3000weak\u3000and\u3000pain\u3000racked\u3000and\u3000bewildered\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000was\u3000sicker\u3000than\u3000they\u3000dared\u3000tell\u3000her\uff1b\u3000feebly\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000she\u3000might\u3000die\u3002\u3000The\u3000broken\u3000rib\u3000stabbed\u3000when\u3000she\u3000breathed\uff1b\u3000her\u3000bruised\u3000face\u3000and\u3000head\u3000ached\u3000and\u3000her\u3000whole\u3000body\u3000was\u3000given\u3000over\u3000to\u3000demons\u3000who\u3000plucked\u3000at\u3000her\u3000with\u3000hot\u3000pinchers\u3000and\u3000sawed\u3000on\u3000her\u3000with\u3000dull\u3000knives\u3000and\u3000left\u3000her\uff1b\u3000for\u3000short\u3000intervals\uff1b\u3000so\u3000drained\u3000of\u3000strength\u3000that\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000regain\u3000grip\u3000on\u3000herself\u3000before\u3000they\u3000returned\u3002\u3000No\uff1b\u3000childbirth\u3000had\u3000not\u3000been\u3000like\u3000this\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000been\u3000able\u3000to\u3000eat\u3000hearty\u3000meals\u3000two\u3000hours\u3000after\u3000Wade\u3000and\u3000Ella\u3000and\u3000Bonnie\u3000had\u3000been\u3000born\uff1b\u3000but\u3000now\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000anything\u3000but\u3000cool\u3000water\u3000brought\u3000on\u3000feeble\u3000nausea\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000How\u3000easy\u3000it\u3000was\u3000to\u3000have\u3000a\u3000child\u3000and\u3000how\u3000painful\u3000not\u3000to\u3000have\u3000one\uff01\u3000Strange\uff1b\u3000what\u3000a\u3000pang\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000even\u3000in\u3000her\u3000pain\uff1b\u3000to\u3000know\u3000that\u3000she\u3000would\u3000not\u3000have\u3000this\u3000child\u3002\u3000Stranger\u3000still\u3000that\u3000it\u3000should\u3000have\u3000been\u3000the\u3000first\u3000child\u3000she\u3000really\u3000wanted\u3002\u3000She\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000think\u3000why\u3000she\u3000wanted\u3000it\u3000but\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000was\u3000too\u3000tired\u3002\u3000Her\u3000mind\u3000was\u3000too\u3000tired\u3000to\u3000think\u3000of\u3000anything\u3000except\u3000fear\u3000of\u3000death\u3002\u3000Death\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000room\u3000and\u3000she\u3000had\u3000no\u3000strength\u3000to\u3000confront\u3000it\uff1b\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000it\u3000back\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000frightened\u3002\u3000She\u3000wanted\u3000someone\u3000strong\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000by\u3000her\u3000and\u3000hold\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000fight\u3000off\u3000death\u3000until\u3000enough\u3000strength\u3000came\u3000back\u3000for\u3000her\u3000to\u3000do\u3000her\u3000own\u3000fighting\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Rage\u3000had\u3000been\u3000swallowed\u3000up\u3000in\u3000pain\u3000and\u3000she\u3000wanted\u3000Rhett\u3002\u3000But\u3000he\u3000was\u3000not\u3000there\u3000and\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000bring\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000for\u3000him\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Her\u3000last\u3000memory\u3000of\u3000him\u3000was\u3000how\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000he\u3000picked\u3000her\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000hall\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000steps\uff1b\u3000his\u3000face\u3000white\u3000and\u3000wiped\u3000clean\u3000of\u3000all\u3000save\u3000hideous\u3000fear\uff1b\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000hoarsely\u3000calling\u3000for\u3000Mammy\u3002\u3000And\u3000then\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000faint\u3000memory\u3000of\u3000being\u3000carried\u3000upstairs\uff1b\u3000before\u3000darkness\u3000came\u3000over\u3000her\u3000mind\u3002\u3000And\u3000then\u3000pain\u3000and\u3000more\u3000pain\u3000and\u3000the\u3000room\u3000full\u3000of\u3000buzzing\u3000voices\u3000and\u3000Aunt\u3000Pittypat\u2019s\u3000sobs\u3000and\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Meade\u2019s\u3000brusque\u3000orders\u3000and\u3000feet\u3000that\u3000hurried\u3000on\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3000and\u3000tiptoes\u3000in\u3000the\u3000upper\u3000hall\u3002\u3000And\u3000then\u3000like\u3000a\u3000blinding\u3000ray\u3000of\u3000lightning\uff1b\u3000the\u3000knowledge\u3000of\u3000death\u3000and\u3000fear\u3000that\u3000suddenly\u3000made\u3000her\u3000try\u3000to\u3000scream\u3000a\u3000name\u3000and\u3000the\u3000scream\u3000was\u3000only\u3000a\u3000whisper\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000But\u3000that\u3000forlorn\u3000whisper\u3000brought\u3000instant\u3000response\u3000from\u3000somewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000bed\u3000and\u3000the\u3000soft\u3000voice\u3000of\u3000the\u3000one\u3000she\u3000called\u3000made\u3000answer\u3000in\u3000lullaby\u3000tones\uff1a\u3000\u201cI\u2019m\u3000here\uff1b\u3000dear\u3002\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000been\u3000right\u3000here\u3000all\u3000the\u3000time\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000But\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Meade\u3000was\u3000there\u3000after\u3000all\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000come\uff1b\u3000even\u3000if\u3000the\u3000soldiers\u3000at\u3000the\u3000depot\u3000did\u3000need\u3000him\u3000for\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000him\u3000say\uff1a\u3000\u201cDelirious\u3002\u3000Where\u2019s\u3000Captain\u3000Butler\uff1f\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000Once\u3000she\u3000said\u3000\u201cMelly\uff1f\u201d\u3000and\u3000Mammy\u2019s\u3000voice\u3000said\uff1a\u3000\u201cS\u2019me\uff1b\u3000chile\uff1b\u201d\u3000and\u3000put\u3000a\u3000cold\u3000rag\u3000on\u3000her\u3000forehead\u3000and\u3000she\u3000cried\u3000fretfully\uff1a\u3000\u201cMelly\u2014Melanie\u201d\u3000over\u3000and\u3000over\u3000but\u3000for\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\u3000Melanie\u3000did\u3000not\u3000come\u3002\u3000For\u3000Melanie\u3000was\u3000sitting\u3000on\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000Rhett\u2019s\u3000bed\u3000and\u3000Rhett\uff1b\u3000drunk\u3000and\u3000sobbing\uff1b\u3000was\u3000sprawled\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000crying\uff1b\u3000his\u3000head\u3000in\u3000her\u3000lap\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000But\u3000when\uff1b\u3000at\u3000last\uff1b\u3000she\u3000went\u3000joyfully\u3000to\u3000his\u3000door\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000him\u3000that\u3000Scarlett\u3000was\u3000better\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000unprepared\u3000for\u3000what\u3000she\u3000found\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000half\u2026empty\u3000bottle\u3000of\u3000whisky\u3000on\u3000the\u3000table\u3000by\u3000the\u3000bed\u3000and\u3000the\u3000room\u3000reeked\u3000with\u3000the\u3000odor\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000her\u3000with\u3000bright\u3000glazed\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000his\u3000jaw\u3000muscles\u3000trembled\u3000despite\u3000his\u3000efforts\u3000to\u3000set\u3000his\u3000teeth\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cShe\u2019s\u3000dead\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000no\u3002\u3000She\u2019s\u3000much\u3000better\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000He\u3000said\uff1a\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000my\u3000God\uff1b\u201d\u3000and\u3000put\u3000his\u3000head\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hands\u3002\u3000She\u3000saw\u3000his\u3000wide\u3000shoulders\u3000shake\u3000as\u3000with\u3000a\u3000nervous\u3000chill\u3000and\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000watched\u3000him\u3000pityingly\uff1b\u3000her\u3000pity\u3000changed\u3000to\u3000honor\u3000for\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000crying\u3002\u3000Melanie\u3000had\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000a\u3000man\u3000cry\u3000and\u3000of\u3000all\u3000men\uff1b\u3000Rhett\uff1b\u3000so\u3000suave\uff1b\u3000so\u3000mocking\uff1b\u3000so\u3000eternally\u3000sure\u3000of\u3000himself\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000It\u3000frightened\u3000her\uff1b\u3000the\u3000desperate\u3000choking\u3000sound\u3000he\u3000made\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000a\u3000terrified\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000drunk\u3000and\u3000Melanie\u3000was\u3000afraid\u3000of\u3000drunkenness\u3002\u3000But\u3000when\u3000he\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000head\u3000and\u3000she\u3000caught\u3000one\u3000glimpse\u3000of\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000she\u3000stepped\u3000swiftly\u3000into\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000closed\u3000the\u3000door\u3000softly\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000and\u3000went\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000a\u3000man\u3000cry\u3000but\u3000she\u3000had\u3000comforted\u3000the\u3000tears\u3000of\u3000many\u3000children\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000put\u3000a\u3000soft\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000his\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000went\u3000suddenly\u3000around\u3000her\u3000skirts\u3002\u3000Before\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000how\u3000it\u3000happened\u3000she\u3000was\u3000sitting\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bed\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000his\u3000head\u3000in\u3000her\u3000lap\u3000and\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000hands\u3000clutching\u3000her\u3000in\u3000a\u3000frantic\u3000clasp\u3000that\u3000hurt\u3000her\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000stroked\u3000the\u3000black\u3000head\u3000gently\u3000and\u3000said\uff1a\u3000\u201cThere\uff01\u3000There\uff01\u201d\u3000soothingly\u3002\u3000\u201cThere\uff01\u3000She\u2019s\u3000going\u3000to\u3000get\u3000well\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000At\u3000her\u3000words\uff1b\u3000his\u3000grip\u3000tightened\u3000and\u3000he\u3000began\u3000speaking\u3000rapidly\uff1b\u3000hoarsely\uff1b\u3000babbling\u3000as\u3000though\u3000to\u3000a\u3000grave\u3000which\u3000would\u3000never\u3000give\u3000up\u3000its\u3000secrets\uff1b\u3000babbling\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000in\u3000his\u3000life\uff1b\u3000baring\u3000himself\u3000mercilessly\u3000to\u3000Melanie\u3000who\u3000was\u3000at\u3000first\uff1b\u3000utterly\u3000uncomprehending\uff1b\u3000utterly\u3000maternal\u3002\u3000He\u3000talked\u3000brokenly\uff1b\u3000burrowing\u3000his\u3000head\u3000in\u3000her\u3000lap\uff1b\u3000tugging\u3000at\u3000the\u3000folds\u3000of\u3000her\u3000skirt\u3000Sometimes\u3000his\u3000words\u3000were\u3000blurred\uff1b\u3000muffled\uff1b\u3000sometimes\u3000they\u3000came\u3000far\u3000too\u3000clearly\u3000to\u3000her\u3000ears\uff1b\u3000harsh\uff1b\u3000bitter\u3000words\u3000of\u3000confession\u3000and\u3000abasement\uff1b\u3000speaking\u3000of\u3000things\u3000she\u3000had\u3000never\u3000heard\u3000even\u3000a\u3000woman\u3000mention\uff1b\u3000secret\u3000things\u3000that\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000hot\u3000blood\u3000of\u3000modesty\u3000to\u3000her\u3000cheeks\u3000and\u3000made\u3000her\u3000grateful\u3000for\u3000his\u3000bowed\u3000head\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000patted\u3000his\u3000head\u3000as\u3000she\u3000did\u3000little\u3000Beau\u2019s\u3000and\u3000said\uff1a\u3000\u201cHush\uff01\u3000Captain\u3000Butler\uff01\u3000You\u3000must\u3000not\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000these\u3000things\uff01\u3000You\u3000are\u3000not\u3000yourself\u3002\u3000Hush\uff01\u201d\u3000But\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000went\u3000on\u3000in\u3000a\u3000wild\u3000torrent\u3000of\u3000outpouring\u3000and\u3000he\u3000held\u3000to\u3000her\u3000dress\u3000as\u3000though\u3000it\u3000were\u3000his\u3000hope\u3000of\u3000life\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000He\u3000accused\u3000himself\u3000of\u3000deeds\u3000she\u3000did\u3000not\u3000understand\uff1b\u3000he\u3000mumbled\u3000the\u3000name\u3000of\u3000Belle\u3000Watling\u3000and\u3000then\u3000he\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000with\u3000his\u3000violence\u3000as\u3000he\u3000cried\uff1a\u3000\u201cI\u2019ve\u3000killed\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000killed\u3000her\u3002\u3000You\u3000don\u2019t\u3000understand\u3002\u3000She\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000want\u3000this\u3000baby\u3000and\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYou\u3000must\u3000hush\uff01\u3000You\u3000are\u3000beside\u3000yourself\uff01\u3000Not\u3000want\u3000a\u3000baby\uff1f\u3000Why\u3000every\u3000woman\u3000wants\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cNo\uff01\u3000No\uff01\u3000You\u3000want\u3000babies\u3002\u3000But\u3000she\u3000doesn\u2019t\u3002\u3000Not\u3000my\u3000babies\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYou\u3000mus         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000\u201cNo\uff01\u3000No\uff01\u3000You\u3000want\u3000babies\u3002\u3000But\u3000she\u3000doesn\u2019t\u3002\u3000Not\u3000my\u3000babies\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYou\u3000must\u3000stop\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYou\u3000don\u2019t\u3000understand\u3002\u3000She\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000want\u3000a\u3000baby\u3000and\u3000I\u3000made\u3000her\u3002\u3000This\u2014this\u3000baby\u2014it\u2019s\u3000all\u3000my\u3000damned\u3000fault\u3002\u3000We\u3000hadn\u2019t\u3000been\u3000sleeping\u3000together\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cHush\uff1b\u3000Captain\u3000Butler\uff01\u3000It\u3000is\u3000not\u3000fit\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cAnd\u3000I\u3000was\u3000drunk\u3000and\u3000insane\u3000and\u3000I\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000hurt\u3000her\u2014because\u3000she\u3000had\u3000hurt\u3000me\u3002\u3000I\u3000wanted\u3000to\u2014and\u3000I\u3000did\u2014\u3000but\u3000she\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000want\u3000me\u3002\u3000She\u2019s\u3000never\u3000wanted\u3000me\u3002\u3000She\u3000never\u3000has\u3000and\u3000I\u3000tried\u2014I\u3000tried\u3000so\u3000hard\u3000and\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000please\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cAnd\u3000I\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000know\u3000about\u3000this\u3000baby\u3000till\u3000the\u3000other\u3000day\u2014\u3000when\u3000she\u3000fell\uff1a\u3000She\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000know\u3000where\u3000I\u3000was\u3000to\u3000write\u3000to\u3000me\u3000and\u3000tell\u3000me\u2014but\u3000she\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u3000have\u3000written\u3000me\u3000if\u3000she\u3000had\u3000known\u3002\u3000I\u3000tell\u3000you\u2014I\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000I\u2019d\u3000have\u3000come\u3000straight\u3000home\u2014if\u3000I\u2019d\u3000only\u3000known\u2014whether\u3000she\u3000wanted\u3000me\u3000home\u3000or\u3000not\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000yes\uff1b\u3000I\u3000know\u3000you\u3000would\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cGod\uff1b\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000been\u3000crazy\u3000these\u3000weeks\uff1b\u3000crazy\u3000and\u3000drunk\uff01\u3000And\u3000when\u3000she\u3000told\u3000me\uff1b\u3000there\u3000on\u3000the\u3000steps\u2014what\u3000did\u3000I\u3000do\uff1f\u3000What\u3000did\u3000I\u3000say\uff1f\u3000I\u3000laughed\u3000and\u3000said\uff1a\u3000\u2018Cheer\u3000up\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000you\u2019ll\u3000have\u3000a\u3000miscarriage\u3002\u2019\u3000And\u3000she\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Melanie\u3000suddenly\u3000went\u3000white\u3000and\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000widened\u3000with\u3000horror\u3000as\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000black\u3000tormented\u3000head\u3000writhing\u3000in\u3000her\u3000lap\u3002\u3000The\u3000afternoon\u3000sun\u3000streamed\u3000in\u3000through\u3000the\u3000open\u3000window\u3000and\u3000suddenly\u3000she\u3000saw\uff1b\u3000as\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\uff1b\u3000how\u3000large\u3000and\u3000brown\u3000and\u3000strong\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000were\u3000and\u3000how\u3000thickly\u3000the\u3000black\u3000hairs\u3000grew\u3000along\u3000the\u3000backs\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000Involuntarily\uff1b\u3000she\u3000recoiled\u3000from\u3000them\u3002\u3000They\u3000seemed\u3000so\u3000predatory\uff1b\u3000so\u3000ruthless\u3000and\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000twined\u3000in\u3000her\u3000skirt\uff1b\u3000so\u3000broken\uff1b\u3000so\u3000helpless\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Could\u3000it\u3000be\u3000possible\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000and\u3000believed\u3000the\u3000preposterous\u3000lie\u3000about\u3000Scarlett\u3000and\u3000Ashley\u3000and\u3000become\u3000jealous\uff1f\u3000True\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000left\u3000town\u3000immediately\u3000after\u3000the\u3000scandal\u3000broke\u3000but\u2014\u3000No\uff1b\u3000it\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000be\u3000that\u3002\u3000Captain\u3000Butler\u3000was\u3000always\u3000going\u3000off\u3000abruptly\u3000on\u3000journeys\u3002\u3000He\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000have\u3000believed\u3000the\u3000gossip\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000too\u3000sensible\u3002\u3000If\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000the\u3000cause\u3000of\u3000the\u3000trouble\uff1b\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u3000he\u3000have\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000shoot\u3000Ashley\uff1f\u3000Or\u3000at\u3000least\u3000demanded\u3000an\u3000explanation\uff1f<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cThere\uff01\u3000There\uff01\u201d\u3000she\u3000said\u3000crooningly\u3002\u3000\u201cHush\uff1b\u3000now\u3002\u3000I\u3000understand\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000He\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000head\u3000violently\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000her\u3000with\u3000bloodshot\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000fiercely\u3000throwing\u3000off\u3000her\u3000hands\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000IT\u3000WAS\u3000A\u3000PALE\uff1b\u3000thin\u3000woman\u3000that\u3000Rhett\u3000put\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Jonesboro\u3000train\u3000a\u3000month\u3000later\u3002\u3000Wade\u3000and\u3000Ella\uff1b\u3000who\u3000were\u3000to\u3000make\u3000the\u3000trip\u3000with\u3000her\uff1b\u3000were\u3000silent\u3000and\u3000uneasy\u3000at\u3000their\u3000mother\u2019s\u3000still\uff1b\u3000white\u3000face\u3002\u3000They\u3000clung\u3000close\u3000to\u3000Prissy\uff1b\u3000for\u3000even\u3000to\u3000their\u3000childish\u3000minds\u3000there\u3000was\u3000something\u3000frightening\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000impersonal\u3000atmosphere\u3000between\u3000their\u3000mother\u3000and\u3000their\u3000stepfather\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cPoor\u3000thing\uff1b\u3000he\u2019s\u3000been\u3000so\u3000worried\u3000about\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000and\u3000managing\u3000a\u3000smile\uff1b\u3000she\u3000said\uff1a\u3000\u201cDo\u3000sit\u3000down\uff1b\u3000Captain\u3000Butler\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000He\u3000sat\u3000down\u3000heavily\u3000and\u3000watched\u3000her\u3000as\u3000she\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000her\u3000darning\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cMiss\u3000Melly\uff1b\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000come\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000a\u3000very\u3000great\u3000favor\u3000of\u3000you\u3000and\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000twisted\u3000down\uff1b\u3000\u201cto\u3000enlist\u3000your\u3000aid\u3000in\u3000a\u3000deception\u3000from\u3000which\u3000I\u3000know\u3000you\u3000will\u3000shrink\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cA\u2014deception\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYes\u3002\u3000Really\uff1b\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000come\u3000to\u3000talk\u3000business\u3000to\u3000you\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000dear\u3002\u3000Then\u3000it\u2019s\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Wilkes\u3000you\u2019d\u3000better\u3000see\u3002\u3000I\u2019m\u3000such\u3000a\u3000goose\u3000about\u3000business\u3002\u3000I\u2019m\u3000not\u3000smart\u3000like\u3000Scarlett\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u2019m\u3000afraid\u3000Scarlett\u3000is\u3000too\u3000smart\u3000for\u3000her\u3000own\u3000good\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u201cand\u3000that\u3000is\u3000exactly\u3000what\u3000I\u3000want\u3000         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            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        <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            eart\u3002\u3000But\u3000it\u3000served\u3000her\u3000right\u3000If\u3000she\u2019d\u3000had\u3000any\u3000gumption\u3000she\u2019d\u3000have\u3000caught\u3000her\u3000another\u3000man\u3000long\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000Alex\u3000to\u3000get\u3000money\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000marry\u3000her\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000This\u3000group\u3000was\u3000always\u3000linked\u3000in\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000with\u3000Frank\u2019s\u3000death\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000late\u3000hours\u3000Rhett\u3000kept\u3000these\u3000days\u3000reminded\u3000her\u3000still\u3000more\u3000of\u3000the\u3000times\u3000preceding\u3000the\u3000Klan\u3000foray\u3000when\u3000Frank\u3000l         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            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\/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000CHAPTER\u3000LIX<br \/>\n\u3000THERE\u3000WAS\u3000NO\u3000DOUBT\u3000in\u3000anyone\u2019s\u3000mind\u3000that\u3000Bonnie\u3000Butler\u3000was\u3000running\u3000wild\u3000and\u3000needed\u3000a\u3000firm\u3000hand\u3000but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000so\u3000general\u3000a\u3000favorite\u3000that\u3000no\u3000one\u3000had\u3000the\u3000heart\u3000to\u3000attempt\u3000the\u3000necessary\u3000firmness\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000first\u3000gotten\u3000out\u3000of\u3000control\u3000the\u3000months\u3000when\u3000she\u3000traveled\u3000with\u3000her\u3000father\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000with\u3000Rhett\u3000in\u3000New\u3000Orleans\u3000and\u3000Charleston\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000permitted\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000up\u3000as\u3000late\u3000as\u3000she\u3000pleased\u3000and\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000to\u3000sleep\u3000in\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000in\u3000theaters\uff1b\u3000restaurants\u3000and\u3000at\u3000card\u3000tables\u3002\u3000Thereafter\uff1b\u3000nothing\u3000short\u3000of\u3000force\u3000would\u3000make\u3000her\u3000go\u3000to\u3000bed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3000as\u3000the\u3000obedient\u3000Ella\u3002\u3000While\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000away\u3000with\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Rhett\u3000had\u3000let\u3000her\u3000wear\u3000any\u3000dress\u3000she\u3000chose\u3000and\uff1b\u3000since\u3000that\u3000time\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000into\u3000tantrums\u3000when\u3000Mammy\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000dress\u3000her\u3000in\u3000dimity\u3000frocks\u3000and\u3000pinafores\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000blue\u3000taffeta\u3000and\u3000lace\u3000collars\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cIf\u3000she\u3000wasn\u2019t\u3000such\u3000a\u3000sweet\uff1b\u3000darling\u3000thing\uff1b\u3000she\u2019d\u3000be\u3000impossible\uff1b\u201d\u3000thought\u3000Scarlett\u3000ruefully\uff1b\u3000realizing\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000a\u3000child\u3000with\u3000a\u3000will\u3000equal\u3000to\u3000her\u3000own\u3002\u3000\u201cShe\u3000adores\u3000Rhett\u3000and\u3000he\u3000could\u3000make\u3000her\u3000behave\u3000better\u3000if\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000She\u3000clung\u3000to\u3000him\u3000like\u3000a\u3000shadow\u3002\u3000She\u3000woke\u3000him\u3000earlier\u3000than\u3000he\u3000cared\u3000to\u3000wake\uff1b\u3000sat\u3000beside\u3000him\u3000at\u3000the\u3000table\uff1b\u3000eating\u3000alternately\u3000from\u3000his\u3000plate\u3000and\u3000her\u3000own\uff1b\u3000rode\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000him\u3000on\u3000his\u3000horse\u3000and\u3000permitted\u3000no\u3000one\u3000but\u3000Rhett\u3000to\u3000undress\u3000her\u3000and\u3000put\u3000her\u3000to\u3000sleep\u3000in\u3000the\u3000small\u3000bed\u3000beside\u3000his\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000When\u3000Bonnie\u3000was\u3000four\u3000years\u3000old\uff1b\u3000Mammy\u3000began\u3000to\u3000grumble\u3000about\u3000the\u3000impropriety\u3000of\u3000a\u3000girl\u3000child\u3000riding\u3000\u201ca\u2026straddle\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000her\u3000pa\u3000wid\u3000her\u3000dress\u3000flyin\u2019\u3000up\u3002\u201d\u3000Rhett\u3000lent\u3000an\u3000attentive\u3000ear\u3000to\u3000this\u3000remark\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000did\u3000to\u3000all\u3000Mammy\u2019s\u3000remarks\u3000about\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000raising\u3000of\u3000little\u3000girls\u3002\u3000The\u3000result\u3000was\u3000a\u3000small\u3000brown\u3000and\u3000white\u3000Shetland\u3000pony\u3000with\u3000a\u3000long\u3000silky\u3000mane\u3000and\u3000tail\u3000and\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000sidesaddle\u3000with\u3000silver\u3000trimmings\u3002\u3000Ostensibly\u3000the\u3000pony\u3000was\u3000for\u3000all\u3000three\u3000children\u3000and\u3000Rhett\u3000bought\u3000a\u3000saddle\u3000for\u3000Wade\u3000too\u3002\u3000But\u3000Wade\u3000infinitely\u3000preferred\u3000his\u3000St\u3002\u3000Bernard\u3000dog\u3000and\u3000Ella\u3000was\u3000afraid\u3000of\u3000all\u3000animals\u3002\u3000So\u3000the\u3000pony\u3000became\u3000Bonnie\u2019s\u3000own\u3000and\u3000was\u3000named\u3000\u201cMr\u3002\u3000Butler\u3002\u201d\u3000The\u3000only\u3000flaw\u3000in\u3000Bonnie\u2019s\u3000possessive\u3000joy\u3000was\u3000that\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000still\u3000ride\u3000astride\u3000like\u3000her\u3000father\uff1b\u3000but\u3000after\u3000he\u3000had\u3000explained\u3000how\u3000much\u3000more\u3000difficult\u3000it\u3000was\u3000to\u3000ride\u3000on\u3000the\u3000sidesaddle\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000content\u3000and\u3000learned\u3000rapidly\u3002\u3000Rhett\u2019s\u3000pride\u3000in\u3000her\u3000good\u3000seat\u3000and\u3000her\u3000good\u3000hands\u3000was\u3000enormous\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWait\u3000till\u3000she\u2019s\u3000old\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000hunt\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000boasted\u3002\u3000There\u2019ll\u3000be\u3000no\u3000one\u3000like\u3000her\u3000on\u3000any\u3000field\u3002\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000take\u3000her\u3000to\u3000Virginia\u3000then\u3002\u3000That\u2019s\u3000where\u3000the\u3000real\u3000hunting\u3000is\u3002\u3000And\u3000Kentucky\u3000where\u3000they\u3000appreciate\u3000good\u3000riders\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000When\u3000it\u3000came\u3000to\u3000making\u3000her\u3000riding\u3000habit\uff1b\u3000as\u3000usual\u3000she\u3000had\u3000her\u3000choice\u3000of\u3000colors\u3000and\u3000as\u3000usual\u3000chose\u3000blue\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cBut\uff1b\u3000my\u3000darling\uff01\u3000Not\u3000that\u3000blue\u3000velvet\uff01\u3000The\u3000blue\u3000velvet\u3000is\u3000for\u3000a\u3000party\u3000dress\u3000for\u3000me\uff1b\u201d\u3000laughed\u3000Scarlett\u3002\u3000\u201cA\u3000nice\u3000black\u3000broadcloth\u3000is\u3000what\u3000little\u3000girls\u3000wear\u3002\u201d\u3000Seeing\u3000the\u3000small\u3000black\u3000brows\u3000coming\u3000together\uff1a\u3000\u201cFor\u3000Heaven\u2019s\u3000sake\uff1b\u3000Rhett\uff1b\u3000tell\u3000her\u3000how\u3000unsuitable\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000and\u3000how\u3000dirty\u3000it\u3000will\u3000get\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000let\u3000her\u3000have\u3000the\u3000blue\u3000velvet\u3002\u3000If\u3000it\u3000gets\u3000dirty\uff1b\u3000we\u2019ll\u3000make\u3000her\u3000another\u3000one\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Rhett\u3000easily\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000So\u3000Bonnie\u3000had\u3000her\u3000blue\u3000velvet\u3000habit\u3000with\u3000a\u3000skirt\u3000that\u3000trailed\u3000down\u3000the\u3000pony\u2019s\u3000side\u3000and\u3000a\u3000black\u3000hat\u3000with\u3000a\u3000red\u3000plume\u3000in\u3000it\uff1b\u3000because\u3000Aunt\u3000Melly\u2019s\u3000stories\u3000of\u3000Jeb\u3000Stuart\u2019s\u3000plume\u3000had\u3000appealed\u3000to\u3000her\u3000imagination\u3002\u3000On\u3000days\u3000that\u3000were\u3000bright\u3000and\u3000dear\u3000the\u3000two\u3000could\u3000be\u3000seen\u3000riding\u3000down\u3000Peachtree\u3000Street\uff1b\u3000Rhett\u3000reining\u3000in\u3000his\u3000big\u3000black\u3000horse\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000pace\u3000with\u3000the\u3000fat\u3000pony\u2019s\u3000gait\u3002\u3000Sometimes\u3000they\u3000went\u3000tearing\u3000down\u3000the\u3000quiet\u3000roads\u3000about\u3000the\u3000town\uff1b\u3000scattering\u3000chickens\u3000and\u3000dogs\u3000and\u3000children\uff1b\u3000Bonnie\u3000beating\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Butler\u3000with\u3000her\u3000crop\uff1b\u3000her\u3000tangled\u3000curls\u3000flying\uff1b\u3000Rhett\u3000holding\u3000in\u3000his\u3000horse\u3000with\u3000a\u3000firm\u3000hand\u3000that\u3000she\u3000might\u3000think\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Butler\u3000was\u3000winning\u3000the\u3000race\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000When\u3000he\u3000had\u3000assured\u3000himself\u3000of\u3000her\u3000seat\uff1b\u3000her\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000her\u3000utter\u3000fearlessness\uff1b\u3000Rhett\u3000decided\u3000that\u3000the\u3000time\u3000had\u3000come\u3000for\u3000her\u3000to\u3000learn\u3000to\u3000make\u3000the\u3000low\u3000jumps\u3000that\u3000were\u3000within\u3000the\u3000reach\u3000of\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Butler\u2019s\u3000short\u3000legs\u3002\u3000To\u3000this\u3000end\uff1b\u3000he\u3000built\u3000a\u3000hurdle\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000yard\u3000and\u3000paid\u3000Wash\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Uncle\u3000Peter\u2019s\u3000small\u3000nephews\uff1b\u3000twenty\u2026five\u3000cents\u3000a\u3000day\u3000to\u3000teach\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Butler\u3000to\u3000jump\u3002\u3000He\u3000began\u3000with\u3000a\u3000bar\u3000two\u3000inches\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000gradually\u3000worked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000height\u3000to\u3000a\u3000foot\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000This\u3000arrangement\u3000met\u3000with\u3000the\u3000disapproval\u3000of\u3000the\u3000three\u3000parties\u3000concerned\uff1b\u3000Wash\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Butler\u3000and\u3000Bonnie\u3002\u3000Wash\u3000was\u3000afraid\u3000of\u3000horses\u3000and\u3000only\u3000the\u3000princely\u3000sum\u3000offered\u3000induced\u3000         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000This\u3000arrangement\u3000met\u3000with\u3000the\u3000disapproval\u3000of\u3000the\u3000three\u3000parties\u3000concerned\uff1b\u3000Wash\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Butler\u3000and\u3000Bonnie\u3002\u3000Wash\u3000was\u3000afraid\u3000of\u3000horses\u3000and\u3000only\u3000the\u3000princely\u3000sum\u3000offered\u3000induced\u3000him\u3000to\u3000take\u3000the\u3000stubborn\u3000pony\u3000over\u3000the\u3000bar\u3000dozens\u3000of\u3000times\u3000a\u3000day\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Butler\uff1b\u3000who\u3000bore\u3000with\u3000equanimity\u3000having\u3000his\u3000tail\u3000pulled\u3000by\u3000his\u3000small\u3000mistress\u3000and\u3000his\u3000hooves\u3000examined\u3000constantly\uff1b\u3000felt\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Creator\u3000of\u3000ponies\u3000had\u3000not\u3000intended\u3000him\u3000to\u3000put\u3000his\u3000fat\u3000body\u3000over\u3000the\u3000bar\uff1b\u3000Bonnie\uff1b\u3000who\u3000could\u3000not\u3000bear\u3000to\u3000see\u3000anyone\u3000else\u3000upon\u3000her\u3000pony\uff1b\u3000danced\u3000with\u3000impatience\u3000while\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Butler\u3000was\u3000learning\u3000his\u3000lessons\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Melanie\u3000rose\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000confused\uff1b\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000quailing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000confronting\u3000Rhett\u3002\u3000The\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000arguing\u3000with\u3000a\u3000man\u3000as\u3000grief\u3000crazed\u3000as\u3000the\u3000one\u3000Mammy\u3000depicted\u3000made\u3000her\u3000go\u3000cold\u3002\u3000The\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000entering\u3000that\u3000brightly\u3000lighted\u3000room\u3000where\u3000lay\u3000the\u3000little\u3000girl\u3000she\u3000loved\u3000so\u3000much\u3000wrung\u3000her\u3000heart\u3002\u3000What\u3000could\u3000she\u3000do\uff1f\u3000What\u3000could\u3000she\u3000say\u3000to\u3000Rhett\u3000that\u3000would\u3000ease\u3000his\u3000grief\u3000and\u3000bring\u3000him\u3000back\u3000to\u3000reason\uff1f\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000she\u3000stood\u3000irresolute\u3000and\u3000through\u3000the\u3000closed\u3000door\u3000came\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000her\u3000boy\u2019s\u3000treble\u3000laughter\u3002\u3000Like\u3000a\u3000cold\u3000knife\u3000in\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000came\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000him\u3000dead\u3002\u3000Suppose\u3000her\u3000Beau\u3000were\u3000lying\u3000upstairs\uff1b\u3000his\u3000little\u3000body\u3000cold\u3000and\u3000still\uff1b\u3000his\u3000merry\u3000la         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000laughter\u3000hushed\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000cried\u3000aloud\uff1b\u3000in\u3000fright\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000she\u3000clutched\u3000him\u3000close\u3000to\u3000her\u3000heart\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000how\u3000Rhett\u3000felt\u3002\u3000If\u3000Beau\u3000were\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000how\u3000could\u3000she\u3000put\u3000him\u3000away\uff1b\u3000alone\u3000with\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rain\u3000and\u3000the\u3000darkness\uff1f<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cOh\uff01\u3000Poor\uff1b\u3000poor\u3000Captain\u3000Butler\uff01\u201d\u3000she\u3000cried\u3002\u3000\u201cI\u2019ll\u3000go\u3000to\u3000him\u3000now\uff1b\u3000right\u3000away\u3002\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000The\u3000door\u3000opened\u3000quickly\u3000and\u3000Mammy\uff1b\u3000shrinking\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hall\uff1b\u3000saw\u3000Rhett\u3000huge\u3000and\u3000dark\u3000against\u3000the\u3000blazing\u3000background\u3000of\u3000candles\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000swaying\u3000on\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000Mammy\u3000could\u3000smell\u3000the\u3000whisky\u3000on\u3000his\u3000breath\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000at\u3000Melly\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000and\u3000then\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000her\u3000by\u3000the\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000he\u3000pulled\u3000her\u3000into\u3000the\u3000room\u3000and\u3000shut\u3000the\u3000door\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Often\u3000he\u3000did\u3000not\u3000come\u3000home\u3000at\u3000all\u3000or\u3000even\u3000send\u3000word\u3000that\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000away\u3000overnight\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000he\u3000might\u3000be\u3000snoring\u3000drunkenly\u3000in\u3000some\u3000room\u3000above\u3000a\u3000saloon\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Scarlett\u3000always\u3000believed\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000at\u3000Belle\u3000Watling\u2019s\u3000house\u3000on\u3000these\u3000occasions\u3002\u3000Once\u3000she\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000Belle\u3000in\u3000a\u3000store\uff1b\u3000a\u3000coarse\u3000overblown\u3000woman\u3000now\uff1b\u3000with\u3000most\u3000of\u3000her\u3000good\u3000looks\u3000gone\u3002\u3000But\uff1b\u3000for\u3000all\u3000her\u3000paint\u3000and\u3000flashy\u3000domes\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000buxom\u3000and\u3000almost\u3000motherly\u3000looking\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000of\u3000dropping\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000or\u3000glaring\u3000defiantly\uff1b\u3000as\u3000did\u3000other\u3000light\u3000women\u3000when\u3000confronted\u3000by\u3000ladies\uff1b\u3000B         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            ead\u3000of\u3000dropping\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000or\u3000glaring\u3000defiantly\uff1b\u3000as\u3000did\u3000other\u3000light\u3000women\u3000when\u3000confronted\u3000by\u3000ladies\uff1b\u3000Belle\u3000gave\u3000her\u3000stare\u3000for\u3000stare\uff1b\u3000searching\u3000her\u3000face\u3000with\u3000an\u3000intent\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000pitying\u3000look\u3000that\u3000brought\u3000a\u3000flush\u3000to\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000cheek\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000At\u3000the\u3000mention\u3000of\u3000Ashley\u2019s\u3000name\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000heart\u3000stood\u3000still\uff1b\u3000cold\u3000as\u3000granite\u3000within\u3000her\u3002\u3000Melanie\u3000had\u3000known\u3000all\u3000the\u3000time\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000dropped\u3000her\u3000head\u3000on\u3000the\u3000coverlet\u3000and\u3000a\u3000sob\u3000that\u3000would\u3000not\u3000rise\u3000caught\u3000her\u3000throat\u3000with\u3000a\u3000cruel\u3000hand\u3002\u3000Melanie\u3000knew\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000was\u3000beyond\u3000shame\u3000now\uff1b\u3000beyond\u3000any\u3000feeling\u3000save\u3000a\u3000wild\u3000remorse\u3000tha         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            e\u3000now\uff1b\u3000beyond\u3000any\u3000feeling\u3000save\u3000a\u3000wild\u3000remorse\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000hurt\u3000this\u3000gentle\u3000creature\u3000throughout\u3000the\u3000long\u3000years\u3002\u3000Melanie\u3000had\u3000known\u2014and\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000remained\u3000her\u3000loyal\u3000friend\u3002\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000if\u3000she\u3000could\u3000only\u3000live\u3000those\u3000years\u3000over\u3000again\uff01\u3000She\u3000would\u3000never\u3000even\u3000let\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000meet\u3000those\u3000of\u3000Ashley\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cRhett\uff1f\u201d\u3000thought\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000bewildered\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000words\u3000meant\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000her\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cYes\uff1b\u3000indeed\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000said\u3000automatically\u3000and\uff1b\u3000pressing\u3000a\u3000light\u3000kiss\u3000on\u3000the\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000laid\u3000it\u3000back\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bed\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cTell\u3000the\u3000ladies\u3000to\u3000come\u3000in\u3000immediately\uff1b\u201d\u3000whispered\u3000the\u3000doctor\u3000as\u3000she\u3000passed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000door\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Through\u3000blurred\u3000eyes\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000India\u3000and\u3000Pitty\u3000follow\u3000the\u3000doctor\u3000into\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000their\u3000skirts\u3000close\u3000to\u3000their\u3000sides\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000them\u3000from\u3000rustling\u3002\u3000The\u3000door\u3000closed\u3000behind\u3000them\u3000and\u3000the\u3000house\u3000was\u3000still\u3002\u3000Ashley\u3000was\u3000nowhere\u3000to\u3000be\u3000seen\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000leaned\u3000her\u3000head\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000naughty\u3000child\u3000in\u3000a\u3000corner\uff1b\u3000and\u3000rubbed\u3000her\u3000aching\u3000throat\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Behind\u3000that\u3000door\uff1b\u3000Melanie\u3000was\u3000going\u3000and\uff1b\u3000with\u3000her\uff1b\u3000the\u3000strength\u3000upon\u3000which\u3000she\u3000had\u3000relied\u3000unknowingly\u3000for\u3000so\u3000many\u3000years\u3002\u3000Why\uff1b\u3000oh\uff1b\u3000why\uff1b\u3000had\u3000she\u3000not\u3000realized\u3000before\u3000this\u3000how\u3000much\u3000she\u3000loved\u3000and\u3000needed\u3000Melanie\uff1f\u3000But\u3000who\u3000would\u3000have\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000small\u3000plain\u3000Melanie\u3000as\u3000a\u3000tower\u3000of\u3000strength\uff1f\u3000Melanie\u3000who\u3000was\u3000shy\u3000to\u3000tears\u3000before\u3000strangers\uff1b\u3000timid\u3000about\u3000raising\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000in\u3000an\u3000opinion\u3000of\u3000her\u3000own\uff1b\u3000fearful\u3000of\u3000the\u3000disapproval\u3000of\u3000old\u3000ladies\uff1b\u3000Melanie\u3000who\u3000lacked\u3000the\u3000courage\u3000to\u3000say\u3000Boo\u3000to\u3000a\u3000goose\uff1f\u3000And\u3000yet\u2014<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u2019s\u3000mind\u3000went\u3000back\u3000through\u3000the\u3000years\u3000to\u3000the\u3000still\uff1b\u3000hot\u3000noon\u3000at\u3000Tara\u3000when\u3000gray\u3000smoke\u3000curled\u3000above\u3000a\u3000blue\u2026clad\u3000body\u3000and\u3000Melanie\u3000stood\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3000with\u3000Charles\u2019\u3000saber\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002\u3000Scarlett\u3000remembered\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000thought\u3000at\u3000the\u3000time\uff1a\u3000\u201cHow\u3000silly\uff01\u3000Melly\u3000couldn\u2019t\u3000even\u3000heft\u3000that\u3000sword\uff01\u201d\u3000But\u3000now\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000had\u3000the\u3000necessity\u3000arisen\uff1b\u3000Melanie\u3000would\u3000have\u3000charged\u3000down\u3000those\u3000stairs\u3000and\u3000killed\u3000the\u3000Yankee\u2014or\u3000been\u3000killed\u3000herself\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000Melanie\u3000had\u3000been\u3000there\u3000that\u3000day\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sword\u3000in\u3000her\u3000small\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000do\u3000battle\u3000for\u3000her\u3002\u3000And\u3000now\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Scarlett\u3000looked\u3000sadly\u3000back\uff1b\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000Melanie\u3000had\u3000always\u3000been\u3000there\u3000beside\u3000her\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sword\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000unobtrusive\u3000as\u3000her\u3000own\u3000shadow\uff1b\u3000loving\u3000her\uff1b\u3000fighting\u3000for\u3000her\u3000with\u3000blind\u3000passionate\u3000loyalty\uff1b\u3000fighting\u3000Yankees\uff1b\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000hunger\uff1b\u3000poverty\uff1b\u3000public\u3000opinion\u3000and\u3000even\u3000her\u3000beloved\u3000blood\u3000kin\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Scarlett\u3000felt\u3000her\u3000courage\u3000and\u3000self\u2026confidence\u3000ooze\u3000from\u3000her\u3000as\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000which\u3000had\u3000flashed\u3000between\u3000her\u3000and\u3000the\u3000world\u3000was\u3000sheathed\u3000forever\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cMelly\u3000is\u3000the\u3000only\u3000woman\u3000friend\u3000I\u3000ever\u3000had\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000forlornly\uff1b\u3000\u201cthe\u3000only\u3000woman\u3000except\u3000Mother\u3000who\u3000really\u3000loved\u3000me\u3002\u3000She\u2019s\u3000like\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000Everyone\u3000who\u3000knew\u3000her\u3000has\u3000clung\u3000to\u3000her\u3000skirts\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Suddenly\u3000it\u3000was\u3000as\u3000if\u3000Ellen\u3000were\u3000lying\u3000behind\u3000that\u3000closed\u3000door\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000the\u3000world\u3000for\u3000a\u3000second\u3000time\u3002\u3000Suddenly\u3000she\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000at\u3000Tara\u3000again\u3000with\u3000the\u3000world\u3000about\u3000her\u3000ears\uff1b\u3000desolate\u3000with\u3000the\u3000knowledge\u3000that\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000face\u3000life\u3000without\u3000the\u3000terrible\u3000strength\u3000of\u3000the\u3000weak\uff1b\u3000the\u3000gentle\uff1b\u3000the\u3000tender\u3000hearted\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hall\uff1b\u3000irresolute\uff1b\u3000frightened\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000glaring\u3000light\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fire\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sitting\u3000room\u3000threw\u3000tall\u3000dim\u3000shadows\u3000on\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000about\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000house\u3000was\u3000utterly\u3000still\u3000and\u3000the\u3000stillness\u3000soaked\u3000into\u3000her\u3000like\u3000a\u3000fine\u3000chill\u3000rain\u3002\u3000Ashley\uff01\u3000Where\u3000was\u3000Ashley\uff1f<br 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\/>\n\u3000She\u3000said\uff1a\u3000\u201c\u3000Ashley\uff01\u201d\u3000in\u3000a\u3000trembling\u3000voice\u3000and\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000slowly\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000drowsy\u3000aloofness\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000from\u3000his\u3000gray\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000they\u3000were\u3000wide\u3000and\u3000unmasked\u3002\u3000In\u3000them\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000fear\u3000that\u3000matched\u3000her\u3000own\u3000fear\uff1b\u3000helplessness\u3000weaker\u3000than\u3000her\u3000own\uff1b\u3000bewilderment\u3000more\u3000profound\u3000than\u3000she\u3000would\u3000ever\u3000know\u3002\u3000The\u3000feeling\u3000of\u3000dread\u3000which\u3000had\u3000possessed\u3000her\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hall\u3000deepened\u3000as\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000his\u3000face\u3002\u3000She\u3000went\u3000toward\u3000him\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u2019m\u3000frightened\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000Ashley\uff1b\u3000hold\u3000me\u3002\u3000I\u2019m\u3000so\u3000frightened\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000He\u3000made\u3000no\u3000move\u3000to\u3000her\u3000but\u3000stared\uff1b\u3000gripping\u3000the\u3000glove\u3000tightly\u3000in\u3000both\u3000hands\u3002\u3000She\u3000put\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000and\u3000whispered\uff1a\u3000\u201cWhat\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000His\u3000eyes\u3000searched\u3000her\u3000intently\uff1b\u3000hunting\uff1b\u3000hunting\u3000desperately\u3000for\u3000something\u3000he\u3000did\u3000not\u3000find\u3002\u3000Finally\u3000he\u3000spoke\u3000and\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000not\u3000his\u3000own\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000was\u3000wanting\u3000you\uff1b\u201d\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u201cI\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000run\u3000and\u3000find\u3000you\u2014run\u3000like\u3000a\u3000child\u3000wanting\u3000comfort\u2014and\u3000I\u3000find\u3000a\u3000child\uff1b\u3000more\u3000frightened\uff1b\u3000running\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cNot\u3000you\u2014you\u3000can\u2019t\u3000be\u3000frightened\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000cried\u3002\u3000\u201cNothing\u3000has\u3000ever\u3000frightened\u3000you\u3002\u3000But\u3000I\u2014\u3000You\u2019ve\u3000always\u3000been\u3000so\u3000strong\u2014\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cWhy\u2014\u201d\u3000she\u3000said\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000\u201cwhy\uff1b\u3000Ashley\uff1b\u3000you\u3000love\u3000her\uff1b\u3000don\u2019t\u3000you\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000He\u3000spoke\u3000as\u3000with\u3000an\u3000effort\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cShe\u3000is\u3000the\u3000only\u3000dream\u3000I\u3000ever\u3000had\u3000that\u3000lived\u3000and\u3000breathed\u3000and\u3000         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            \u3000\u201cWhy\u2014\u201d\u3000she\u3000said\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000\u201cwhy\uff1b\u3000Ashley\uff1b\u3000you\u3000love\u3000her\uff1b\u3000don\u2019t\u3000you\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000He\u3000spoke\u3000as\u3000with\u3000an\u3000effort\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cWe\u3000shall\u3000manage\u2014somehow\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000said\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000A\u3000door\u3000opened\u3000with\u3000sudden\u3000violence\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hall\u3000and\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Meade\u3000called\u3000with\u3000sharp\u3000urgency\uff1a<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cAshley\uff01\u3000Quick\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cMy\u3000God\uff01\u3000She\u2019s\u3000gone\uff01\u201d\u3000thought\u3000Scarlett\u3000\u201cAnd\u3000Ashley\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000get\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000her\u3000good\u2026by\uff01\u3000But\u3000maybe\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cHurry\uff01\u201d\u3000she\u3000cried\u3000aloud\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000him\u3000a\u3000push\uff1b\u3000for\u3000he\u3000stood\u3000staring\u3000like\u3000one\u3000stunned\u3002\u3000\u201cHurry\uff01\u201d<br 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\/>\n\u3000She\u3000lay\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bed\u3000and\u3000put\u3000her\u3000head\u3000on\u3000the\u3000pillow\u3000tiredly\u3002\u3000Useless\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000combat\u3000the\u3000idea\uff1b\u3000useless\u3000to\u3000say\u3000to\u3000herself\uff1a\u3000\u201cBut\u3000I\u3000do\u3000love\u3000him\u3002\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000loved\u3000him\u3000for\u3000years\u3002\u3000Love\u3000can\u2019t\u3000change\u3000to\u3000apathy\u3000in\u3000a\u3000minute\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000But\u3000it\u3000could\u3000change\u3000and\u3000it\u3000had\u3000changed\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cHe\u3000never\u3000really\u3000existed\u3000at\u3000all\uff1b\u3000except\u3000in\u3000my\u3000imagination\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000wearily\u3002\u3000\u201cI\u3000loved\u3000something\u3000I\u3000made\u3000up\uff1b\u3000something\u3000that\u2019s\u3000just\u3000as\u3000dead\u3000as\u3000Melly\u3000is\u3002\u3000I\u3000made\u3000a\u3000pretty\u3000suit\u3000of\u3000clothes\u3000and\u3000fell\u3000in\u3000love\u3000with\u3000it\u3002\u3000And\u3000when\u3000Ashley\u3000came\u3000riding\u3000along\uff1b\u3000so\u3000handsome\uff1b\u3000so\u3000different\uff1b\u3000I\u3000put\u3000that\u3000suit\u3000on\u3000him\u3000and\u3000made\u3000him\u3000wear\u3000it\u3000whether\u3000it\u3000fitted\u3000him\u3000or\u3000not\u3002\u3000And\u3000I\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u3000see\u3000what\u3000he\u3000really\u3000was\u3002\u3000I\u3000kept\u3000on\u3000loving\u3000the\u3000pretty\u3000clothes\u2014and\u3000not\u3000him\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Now\u3000she\u3000could\u3000look\u3000back\u3000down\u3000the\u3000long\u3000years\u3000and\u3000see\u3000herself\u3000in\u3000green\u3000flowered\u3000dimity\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sunshine\u3000at\u3000Tara\uff1b\u3000thrilled\u3000by\u3000the\u3000young\u3000horseman\u3000with\u3000his\u3000blond\u3000hair\u3000shining\u3000like\u3000a\u3000silver\u3000helmet\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000see\u3000so\u3000clearly\u3000now\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000only\u3000a\u3000childish\u3000fancy\uff1b\u3000no\u3000more\u3000important\u3000really\u3000than\u3000her\u3000spoiled\u3000desire\u3000for\u3000the\u3000aquamarine\u3000earbobs\u3000she\u3000had\u3000coaxed\u3000out\u3000of\u3000Gerald\u3002\u3000For\uff1b\u3000once\u3000she\u3000owned\u3000the\u3000earbobs\uff1b\u3000they\u3000had\u3000lost\u3000their\u3000value\uff1b\u3000as\u3000everything\u3000except\u3000money\u3000lost\u3000its\u3000value\u3000once\u3000it\u3000was\u3000hers\u3002\u3000And\u3000so\u3000he\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000would\u3000have\u3000become\u3000cheap\u3000if\uff1b\u3000in\u3000those\u3000first\u3000far\u2026away\u3000days\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000had\u3000the\u3000satisfaction\u3000of\u3000refusing\u3000to\u3000marry\u3000him\u3002\u3000If\u3000she\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000had\u3000him\u3000at\u3000her\u3000mercy\uff1b\u3000seen\u3000him\u3000grown\u3000passionate\uff1b\u3000importunate\uff1b\u3000jealous\uff1b\u3000sulky\uff1b\u3000pleading\uff1b\u3000like\u3000the\u3000other\u3000boys\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wild\u3000infatuation\u3000which\u3000had\u3000possessed\u3000her\u3000would\u3000have\u3000passed\uff1b\u3000blowing\u3000away\u3000as\u3000lightly\u3000as\u3000mist\u3000before\u3000sunshine\u3000and\u3000light\u3000wind\u3000when\u3000she\u3000met\u3000a\u3000new\u3000man\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cWhat\u3000a\u3000fool\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000been\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000bitterly\u3002\u3000\u201cAnd\u3000now\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000pay\u3000for\u3000it\u3000What\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000wished\u3000for\u3000so\u3000often\u3000has\u3000happened\u3002\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000wished\u3000Melly\u3000was\u3000dead\u3000so\u3000I\u3000could\u3000have\u3000him\u3002\u3000And\u3000now\u3000she\u2019s\u3000dead\u3000and\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000got\u3000him\u3000and\u3000I\u3000don\u2019t\u3000want\u3000him\u3002\u3000His\u3000damned\u3000honor\u3000will\u3000make\u3000him\u3000ask\u3000me\u3000if\u3000I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000divorce\u3000Rhett\u3000and\u3000marry\u3000him\u3002\u3000Marry\u3000him\uff1f\u3000I\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u3000have\u3000him\u3000on\u3000a\u3000silver\u3000platter\uff01\u3000But\uff1b\u3000just\u3000the\u3000same\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000got\u3000him\u3000round\u3000my\u3000neck\u3000for\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000my\u3000life\u3002\u3000As\u3000long\u3000as\u3000I\u3000live\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000have\u3000to\u3000look\u3000after\u3000him\u3000and\u3000see\u3000that\u3000he\u3000doesn\u2019t\u3000starve\u3000and\u3000that\u3000people\u3000don\u2019t\u3000hurt\u3000his\u3000feelings\u3002\u3000He\u2019ll\u3000be\u3000just\u3000another\u3000child\uff1b\u3000clinging\u3000to\u3000my\u3000skirts\u3002\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000lost\u3000my\u3000lover\u3000and\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000got\u3000another\u3000child\u3002\u3000And\u3000if\u3000I\u3000hadn\u2019t\u3000promised\u3000Melly\uff1b\u3000I\u2019d\u2014I\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u3000care\u3000if\u3000I\u3000never\u3000saw\u3000him\u3000again\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000CHAPTER\u3000LXII<br \/>\n\u3000SHE\u3000HEARD\u3000whispering\u3000voices\u3000outside\uff1b\u3000and\u3000going\u3000to\u3000the\u3000door\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000frightened\u3000negroes\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000hall\uff1b\u3000Dilcey\u3000with\u3000her\u3000arms\u3000sagging\u3000under\u3000the\u3000heavy\u3000weight\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sleeping\u3000Beau\uff1b\u3000Uncle\u3000Peter\u3000crying\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Cookie\u3000wiping\u3000her\u3000wide\u3000wet\u3000face\u3000on\u3000her\u3000apron\u3002\u3000All\u3000three\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000dumbly\u3000asking\u3000what\u3000they\u3000were\u3000to\u3000do\u3000now\u3002\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000hall\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000sitting\u3000room\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000India\u3000and\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\u3000standing\u3000speechless\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000each\u3000other\u2019s\u3000hands\u3000and\uff1b\u3000for\u3000once\uff1b\u3000India\u3000had\u3000lost\u3000her\u3000stiff\u2026necked\u3000look\u3002\u3000Like\u3000the\u3000negroes\uff1b\u3000they\u3000looked\u3000imploringly\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000expecting\u3000her\u3000to\u3000give\u3000instructions\u3002\u3000She\u3000walked\u3000into\u3000the\u3000sitting\u3000room\u3000and\u3000the\u3000two\u3000women\u3000closed\u3000about\u3000her\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000Scarlett\uff1b\u3000what\u2014\u201d\u3000began\u3000Aunt\u3000Pitty\uff1b\u3000her\u3000fat\uff1b\u3000child\u2019s\u3000mouth\u3000shaking\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cDon\u2019t\u3000speak\u3000to\u3000me\u3000or\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000scream\uff1b\u201d\u3000said\u3000Scarlett\u3002\u3000Overwrought\u3000nerves\u3000brought\u3000sharpness\u3000to\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000and\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000clenched\u3000at\u3000her\u3000sides\u3002\u3000The\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000speaking\u3000of\u3000Melanie\u3000now\uff1b\u3000of\u3000making\u3000the\u3000inevitable\u3000arrangements\u3000that\u3000follow\u3000a\u3000death\u3000made\u3000her\u3000throat\u3000tighten\u3002\u3000\u201cI\u3000don\u2019t\u3000want\u3000a\u3000word\u3000out\u3000of\u3000either\u3000of\u3000you\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000At\u3000the\u3000authoritative\u3000note\u3000in\u3000her\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000they\u3000fell\u3000back\uff1b\u3000helpless\u3000hurt\u3000looks\u3000on\u3000their\u3000faces\u3002\u3000\u201cI\u3000mustn\u2019t\u3000cry\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000thought\u3002\u3000\u201cI\u3000mustn\u2019t\u3000break\u3000now\u3000or\u3000they\u2019ll\u3000begin\u3000crying\u3000too\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000the\u3000darkies\u3000will\u3000begin\u3000screaming\u3000and\u3000we\u2019ll\u3000all\u3000go\u3000mad\u3002\u3000I\u3000must\u3000pull\u3000myself\u3000together\u3002\u3000There\u2019s\u3000so\u3000much\u3000I\u2019ll\u3000have\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3000See\u3000the\u3000undertaker\u3000and\u3000arrange\u3000the\u3000funeral\u3000and\u3000see\u3000that\u3000the\u3000house\u3000is\u3000clean\u3000and\u3000be\u3000here\u3000to\u3000talk\u3000to\u3000people\u3000who\u2019ll\u3000cry\u3000on\u3000my\u3000neck\u3002\u3000Ashley\u3000can\u2019t\u3000do\u3000them\u3002\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000do\u3000them\u3002\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000what\u3000a\u3000weary\u3000load\uff01\u3000It\u2019s\u3000always\u3000been\u3000a\u3000weary\u3000load\u3000and\u3000always\u3000some\u3000one\u3000else         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            y\u3000load\u3000and\u3000always\u3000some\u3000one\u3000else\u2019s\u3000load\uff01\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000dazed\u3000hurt\u3000faces\u3000of\u3000India\u3000and\u3000Pitty\u3000and\u3000contrition\u3000swept\u3000her\u3002\u3000Melanie\u3000would\u3000not\u3000like\u3000her\u3000to\u3000be\u3000so\u3000sharp\u3000with\u3000those\u3000who\u3000loved\u3000her\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000Home\u3000was\u3000only\u3000five\u3000blocks\u3000away\u3002\u3000She\u3000would\u3000not\u3000wait\u3000for\u3000the\u3000sobbing\u3000Peter\u3000to\u3000harness\u3000the\u3000buggy\uff1b\u3000would\u3000not\u3000wait\u3000for\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Meade\u3000to\u3000drive\u3000her\u3000home\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000not\u3000endure\u3000the\u3000tears\u3000of\u3000the\u3000one\uff1b\u3000the\u3000silent\u3000condemnation\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\u3002\u3000She\u3000went\u3000swiftly\u3000down\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000front\u3000steps\u3000without\u3000her\u3000coat\u3000or\u3000bonnet\u3000and\u3000into\u3000the\u3000misty\u3000night\u3002\u3000She\u3000rounded\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000and\u3000started\u3000up\u3000the\u3000long\u3000hill\u3000toward\u3000Peachtree\u3000Street\uff1b\u3000walking\u3000in\u3000a\u3000still\u3000wet\u3000world\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000her\u3000footsteps\u3000were\u3000as\u3000noiseless\u3000as\u3000a\u3000dream\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000For\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000reality\u3000went\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000lost\u3002\u3000The\u3000old\u3000nightmare\u3000feeling\u3000was\u3000sweeping\u3000her\uff1b\u3000stronger\u3000than\u3000ever\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000began\u3000to\u3000race\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000again\u3000amid\u3000death\u3000and\u3000stillness\uff1b\u3000even\u3000as\u3000she\u3000had\u3000once\u3000stood\u3000at\u3000Tara\u3002\u3000All\u3000that\u3000mattered\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000out\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000life\u3000was\u3000in\u3000ruins\u3000and\u3000panic\u3000howled\u3000through\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000like\u3000a\u3000cold\u3000wind\u3002\u3000The\u3000horror\u3000that\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mist\u3000and\u3000was\u3000the\u3000mist\u3000laid\u3000hands\u3000upon\u3000her\u3002\u3000And\u3000she\u3000began\u3000to\u3000run\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000had\u3000run\u3000a\u3000hundred\u3000times\u3000in\u3000dreams\uff1b\u3000she\u3000ran\u3000now\uff1b\u3000flying\u3000blindly\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000not\u3000where\uff1b\u3000driven\u3000by\u3000a\u3000nameless\u3000dread\uff1b\u3000seeking\u3000in\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000mist\u3000for\u3000the\u3000safety\u3000that\u3000lay\u3000somewhere\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Up\u3000the\u3000dim\u3000street\u3000she\u3000fled\uff1b\u3000her\u3000head\u3000down\uff1b\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000hammering\uff1b\u3000the\u3000night\u3000air\u3000wet\u3000on\u3000her\u3000lips\uff1b\u3000the\u3000trees\u3000overhead\u3000menacing\u3002\u3000Somewhere\uff1b\u3000somewhere\u3000in\u3000this\u3000wild\u3000land\u3000of\u3000moist\u3000stillness\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000refuge\uff01\u3000She\u3000sped\u3000gasping\u3000up\u3000the\u3000long\u3000hill\uff1b\u3000her\u3000wet\u3000skirts\u3000wrapping\u3000coldly\u3000about\u3000her\u3000ankles\uff1b\u3000her\u3000lungs\u3000bursting\uff1b\u3000the\u3000tight\u2026laced\u3000stays\u3000pressing\u3000her\u3000ribs\u3000into\u3000her\u3000heart\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Then\u3000before\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000there\u3000loomed\u3000a\u3000light\uff1b\u3000a\u3000row\u3000of\u3000lights\uff1b\u3000dim\u3000and\u3000flickering\u3000but\u3000none\u3000the\u3000less\u3000real\u3002\u3000In\u3000her\u3000nightmare\uff1b\u3000there\u3000had\u3000never\u3000been\u3000any\u3000lights\uff1b\u3000only\u3000gray\u3000fog\u3002\u3000Her\u3000mind\u3000seized\u3000on\u3000those\u3000lights\u3002\u3000Lights\u3000meant\u3000safety\uff1b\u3000people\uff1b\u3000reality\u3002\u3000Suddenly\u3000she\u3000stopped\u3000running\uff1b\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000clenching\uff1b\u3000struggling\u3000to\u3000pull\u3000herself\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000panic\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000intently\u3000at\u3000the\u3000row\u3000of\u3000gas\u3000lamps\u3000which\u3000had\u3000signaled\u3000to\u3000her\u3000brain\u3000that\u3000this\u3000was\u3000Peachtree\u3000Street\uff1b\u3000Atlanta\uff1b\u3000and\u3000not\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000world\u3000of\u3000sleep\u3000and\u3000ghosts\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000sank\u3000down\u3000panting\u3000on\u3000a\u3000carriage\u3000block\uff1b\u3000clutching\u3000at\u3000her\u3000nerves\u3000as\u3000though\u3000they\u3000were\u3000ropes\u3000slipping\u3000swiftly\u3000through\u3000her\u3000hands\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cI\u3000was\u3000running\u2014running\u3000like\u3000a\u3000crazy\u3000person\uff01\u201d\u3000she\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000her\u3000body\u3000shaking\u3000with\u3000lessening\u3000fear\uff1b\u3000her\u3000thudding\u3000heart\u3000making\u3000her\u3000sick\u3002\u3000\u201cBut\u3000where\u3000was\u3000I\u3000running\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000Her\u3000breath\u3000came\u3000more\u3000easily\u3000now\u3000and\u3000she\u3000sat\u3000with\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000pressed\u3000to\u3000her\u3000side\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000Peachtree\u3000Street\u3002\u3000There\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hill\uff1b\u3000was\u3000her\u3000own\u3000house\u3002\u3000It\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000though\u3000every\u3000window\u3000bore\u3000lights\uff1b\u3000lights\u3000defying\u3000the\u3000mist\u3000to\u3000dim\u3000their\u3000brilliance\u3002\u3000Home\uff01\u3000It\u3000was\u3000real\uff01\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000dim\u3000far\u2026off\u3000bulk\u3000of\u3000the\u3000house\u3000thankfully\uff1b\u3000longingly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000something\u3000like\u3000calm\u3000fell\u3000on\u3000her\u3000spirit\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Home\uff01\u3000That\u3000was\u3000where\u3000she\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000go\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000where\u3000she\u3000was\u3000running\u3002\u3000Home\u3000to\u3000Rhett\uff01<br \/>\n\u3000At\u3000this\u3000realization\u3000it\u3000was\u3000as\u3000though\u3000chains\u3000fell\u3000away\u3000from\u3000her\u3000and\u3000with\u3000them\u3000the\u3000fear\u3000which\u3000had\u3000haunted\u3000her\u3000dreams\u3000since\u3000the\u3000night\u3000she\u3000stumbled\u3000to\u3000Tara\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000world\u3000ended\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000road\u3000to\u3000Tara\u3000she\u3000had\u3000found\u3000security\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000all\u3000strength\uff1b\u3000all\u3000wisdom\uff1b\u3000all\u3000loving\u3000tenderness\uff1b\u3000all\u3000understanding\u3000gone\u2014all\u3000those\u3000things\u3000which\uff1b\u3000embodied\u3000in\u3000Ellen\uff1b\u3000had\u3000been\u3000the\u3000bulwark\u3000of\u3000her\u3000girlhood\u3002\u3000And\uff1b\u3000though\u3000she\u3000had\u3000won\u3000material\u3000safety\u3000since\u3000that\u3000night\uff1b\u3000in\u3000her\u3000dreams\u3000she\u3000was\u3000still\u3000a\u3000frightened\u3000child\uff1b\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000the\u3000lost\u3000security\u3000of\u3000that\u3000lost\u3000world\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000Now\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000haven\u3000she\u3000had\u3000sought\u3000in\u3000dreams\uff1b\u3000the\u3000place\u3000of\u3000warm\u3000safety\u3000which\u3000had\u3000always\u3000been\u3000bidden\u3000from\u3000her\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mist\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000not\u3000Ashley\u2014oh\uff1b\u3000never\u3000Ashley\uff01\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000more\u3000warmth\u3000in\u3000him\u3000than\u3000in\u3000a\u3000marsh\u3000light\uff1b\u3000no\u3000more\u3000security\u3000than\u3000in\u3000quicksand\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000Rhett\u2014Rhett\u3000who\u3000had\u3000strong\u3000arms\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000her\uff1b\u3000a\u3000broad\u3000chest\u3000to\u3000pillow\u3000her\u3000tired\u3000head\uff1b\u3000jeering\u3000laughter\u3000to\u3000pull\u3000her\u3000affairs\u3000into\u3000proper\u3000perspective\u3002\u3000And\u3000complete\u3000understanding\uff1b\u3000because\u3000he\uff1b\u3000like\u3000her\uff1b\u3000saw\u3000truth\u3000as\u3000truth\uff1b\u3000unobstructed\u3000by\u3000impractical\u3000notions\u3000of\u3000honor\uff1b\u3000sacrifice\uff1b\u3000or\u3000high\u3000belief\u3000in\u3000human\u3000nature\u3002\u3000He\u3000loved\u3000her\uff01\u3000Why\u3000hadn\u2019t\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000he\u3000loved\u3000her\uff1b\u3000for\u3000all\u3000his\u3000taunting\u3000remarks\u3000to\u3000the\u3000contrary\uff1f\u3000Melanie\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000it\u3000and\u3000with\u3000her\u3000last\u3000breath\u3000had\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u201cBe\u3000kind\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u201d<br 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k\u3002\u3000Even\u3000when\u3000he\u3000left\u3000me\u3000on\u3000the\u3000road\u3000the\u3000night\u3000Atlanta\u3000fell\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000I\u2019d\u3000be\u3000safe\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000I\u2019d\u3000get\u3000through\u3000somehow\u3002\u3000Even\u3000when\u3000he\u3000acted\u3000like\u3000he\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000make\u3000me\u3000pay\u3000to\u3000get\u3000that\u3000money\u3000from\u3000him\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Yankee\u3000camp\u3002\u3000He\u3000wouldn\u2019t\u3000have\u3000taken\u3000me\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000just\u3000testing\u3000me\u3002\u3000He\u2019s\u3000loved\u3000me\u3000all\u3000along\u3000and\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000been\u3000so\u3000mean\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000Time\u3000and\u3000again\uff1b\u3000I\u2019ve\u3000hurt\u3000him\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000too\u3000proud\u3000to\u3000show\u3000it\u3002\u3000And\u3000when\u3000Bonnie\u3000died\u2014\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000how\u3000could\u3000I\uff1f\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000stood\u3000up\u3000straight\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000house\u3000on\u3000the\u3000hill\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000half\u3000an\u3000hour\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000lost\u3000everything\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\uff1b\u3000except\u3000money\uff1b\u3000everything\u3000that\u3000made\u3000life\u3000desirable\uff1b\u3000Ellen\uff1b\u3000Gerald\uff1b\u3000Bonnie\uff1b\u3000Mammy\uff1b\u3000Melanie\u3000and\u3000Ashley\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000to\u3000lose\u3000them\u3000all\u3000to\u3000realize\u3000that\u3000she\u3000loved\u3000Rhett\u2014loved\u3000him\u3000because\u3000he\u3000was\u3000strong\u3000and\u3000unscrupulous\uff1b\u3000passionate\u3000and\u3000earthy\uff1b\u3000like\u3000herself\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000CHAPTER\u3000LXIII<br \/>\n\u3000THE\u3000FRONT\u3000DOOR\u3000was\u3000slightly\u3000ajar\u3000and\u3000she\u3000trotted\uff1b\u3000breathless\uff1b\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hall\u3000and\u3000paused\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000under\u3000the\u3000rainbow\u3000prisms\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chandelier\u3002\u3000For\u3000all\u3000its\u3000brightness\u3000the\u3000house\u3000was\u3000very\u3000still\uff1b\u3000not\u3000with\u3000the\u3000serene\u3000stillness\u3000of\u3000sleep\u3000but\u3000with\u3000a\u3000watchful\uff1b\u3000tired\u3000silence\u3000that\u3000was\u3000faintly\u3000ominous\u3002\u3000She\u3000saw\u3000at\u3000a\u3000glance\u3000that\u3000Rhett\u3000was\u3000not\u3000in\u3000the\u3000parlor\u3000or\u3000the\u3000library\u3000and\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000sank\u3002\u3000Suppose\u3000he\u3000should\u3000be\u3000out\u2014out\u3000with\u3000Belle\u3000or\u3000wherever\u3000it\u3000was\u3000he\u3000spent\u3000the\u3000many\u3000evenings\u3000when\u3000he\u3000did\u3000not\u3000appear\u3000at\u3000the\u3000supper\u3000table\uff1f\u3000She\u3000had\u3000not\u3000bargained\u3000on\u3000this\u3002<br 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\/>\n\u3000\u201cDivorce\uff1f\u201d\u3000she\u3000cried\u3002\u3000\u201cNo\uff01\u3000No\uff01\u201d\u3000Incoherent\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000she\u3000leaped\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000running\u3000to\u3000him\u3000caught\u3000his\u3000arm\u3002\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000you\u2019re\u3000all\u3000wrong\uff01\u3000Terribly\u3000wrong\u3002\u3000I\u3000don\u2019t\u3000want\u3000a\u3000divorce\u2014\u3000I\u2014\u201d\u3000She\u3000stopped\u3000for\u3000she\u3000could\u3000find\u3000no\u3000other\u3000words\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000He\u3000put\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000under\u3000her\u3000chin\uff1b\u3000quietly\u3000turned\u3000her\u3000face\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000light\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000for\u3000an\u3000intent\u3000moment\u3000into\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000in\u3000her\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000her\u3000lips\u3000quivering\u3000as\u3000she\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000speak\u3002\u3000But\u3000she\u3000could\u3000marshal\u3000no\u3000words\u3000because\u3000she\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000find\u3000in\u3000his\u3000face\u3000some\u3000answering\u3000emotions\uff1b\u3000some\u3000leap         <!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:nextpage --><!--nextpage--><!-- \/wp:nextpage --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n            <br \/>\n            \n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            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\/>\n\u3000\u201cDarling\uff1b\u3000I\u2019m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000everything\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000putting\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000on\u3000the\u3000arm\u3000of\u3000his\u3000chair\u3000and\u3000leaning\u3000down\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u201cI\u2019ve\u3000been\u3000so\u3000wrong\uff1b\u3000such\u3000a\u3000stupid\u3000fool\u2014\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cScarlett\uff1b\u3000don\u2019t\u3000go\u3000on\u3000with\u3000this\u3002\u3000Don\u2019t\u3000be\u3000humble\u3000before\u3000me\u3002\u3000I\u3000can\u2019t\u3000bear\u3000it\u3002\u3000Leave\u3000us\u3000some\u3000dignity\uff1b\u3000some\u3000reticence\u3000to\u3000remember\u3000out\u3000of\u3000our\u3000marriage\u3002\u3000Spare\u3000us\u3000this\u3000last\u3002\u201d<br \/>\n\u3000She\u3000straightened\u3000up\u3000abruptly\u3002\u3000Spare\u3000us\u3000this\u3000last\uff1f\u3000What\u3000did\u3000he\u3000mean\u3000by\u3000\u201cthis\u3000last\u201d\uff1f\u3000Last\uff1f\u3000This\u3000was\u3000their\u3000first\uff1b\u3000their\u3000beginning\u3002<br \/>\n\u3000\u201cBut\u3000I\u3000will\u3000tell\u3000you\uff1b\u201d\u3000she\u3000began\u3000rapidly\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000fearing\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000upon\u3000her\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000silencing\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u201cOh\uff1b\u3000Rhett\uff1b\u3000I\u3000love\u3000you\u3000so\uff1b\u3000darling\uff01\u3000I\u3000must\u3000have\u3000loved\u3000you\u3000for\u3000years\u3000and\u3000I\u3000was\u3000such\u3000a\u3000fool\u3000I\u3000didn\u2019t\u3000know\u3000it\u3002\u3000Rhett\uff1b\u3000you\u3000must\u3000believe\u3000me\uff01\u201d<br 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