She would have to explain to her just why Mrs. She
pushed the thought firmly back into her mindand grappled with the more pressing
emergency.
She entered the room and sat down on the bed that
was glaring withharsh sunshine.
Meadecouldnt come and the knowledge that Phil Meade
was badly woundedmight upset her. He was coatless and his sleeves were rolled up
tohis shoulders.
A roaring sound like the breaking of surfrose from
the crowd.
She thought of the long walk back to thehouse and
it seemed interminable. Melanie reached out and took Scarletts hand in a gentle
confidingclasp. She walked to the window and looked down the street and came backand
sat down again.
For a moment she stared at him bewildered, dropping
her skirts indismay. Why couldntshe have gone to Macon with Aunt Pitty?
There was a battle, somewhere,
yesterday!
Deys fightin at Jonesboro, Miss
Scarlett!
Oh, all right, I promise, said Scarlett, looking
down at her inbewilderment. Perspiration came down her face in streams as she pulled
her skirtsfrom clutching hands.
There was Melanie back there in the bed
expectingthat baby.
He shook off her hand roughly and spoke as though
he hardly heardher, hardly knew what she said. Ill go down and get some freshwater
and sponge you off. A sullen Yasm drifted up to her and she drew a deep
breath,feeling suddenly ashamed of herself. There was Melanie back there in the bed
expectingthat baby. Build a fire in the stove and keep hot water boiling in
thekettle. Then a strangely incongruous sight struck her eyes. Wipe your eyes and
get a fresh pitcher of water and go on up.
She entered Melanies room and saw that the
breakfast tray wasuntouched. Put on a clean apron because I want you to go over
tothe hospital.
She would have preferred a loudscream to silent
endurance.
She did recall a fewthings and she spoke to Prissy
rapidly, authority in her voice.
Ah drapped in ter pass time of deday wid Mammy on
mah way home. There was only horror in the quiet that followed. She opened her mouth
to tell him why Mrs. Anything wasbetter than being tied here waiting for a baby that
took such along time coming. She had never seen so manysoldiers together before.