Not until hours later did she recall that he had
not kissedher on the lips.
And for a man, especially RhettButler, to ask such
a question was unthinkable.
Scarlett, she said, putting out her
hands.
None of them, of course, compared with General
Lee.
She cast a quick glanceat the slight figure with
blushing face bent over the sewing.
She ran stumblingacross the parlor and into the
hall and clutched the ends of hissash.
Pretty things are too hard to get these
days.
Do forgive me for saying that about
Wade.
And the Yankees had been driven out of Georgia,
back intoTennessee. But lying weak andforlorn in the bed, she could only nod. She
simply could not tell Rhett she wanted itfor Ashley. Oh, how could he, when he loved
herand not Melanie? Though you lost Charlie, you have his son. She cast a quick
glanceat the slight figure with blushing face bent over the sewing. Though you lost
Charlie, you have his son.
It was a long yellow sash, made of thickChina silk
and edged with heavy fringe. It was only by the intervention ofEvan and Cade that my
mustache was saved.
He stopped speaking and his hands dropped from her
face, but hiseyes still clung to her eyes. And for a man, especially RhettButler, to
ask such a question was unthinkable.
But even with this loss on the topof the others,
the Souths spirit was not broken. Against no one was feeling more bitter than
against Rhett Butler. The very thought of Melanie having a child wasrepellent to
Scarlett.
She could be sorry for Melanie now, sorry with a
faintcontempt for her blindness, her stupidity. Beforethe war she wouldnt have let
one of our darkies wear them.
Darling, you look like a ragamuffin, said Melanie
when the firstexcitement of homecoming was over. But I knowyouve cut up a dress or a
shawl to make it.
Then, at night, the door ofthe bedroom closed and
he was alone with Melanie. Oh, there were so many things she would preface with Do
youremember? Divorced people were under the ban not only of the Churchbut of
society. And, then, there was aman named Sherman who was being mentioned more and
more often.
And anyway,Id rather remember you saying good-by to
me here than shivering atthe depot.
You leave me alone, said Scarlett, her face like
stone.