Gone with the Wind / Унесённые ветром. Уровень 3

She flew across the room to the mirror and plopped it on her head.

В«How do I look?В» she cried.

«Oh, Rhett, whose bonnet is it? I’ll buy it».

«It’s your bonnet», he said.

В«How much is it?В» she asked suddenly.

«About two thousand dollars. It’s a gift».

She laughed.

«You are a clever, black-hearted wretch, Rhett Butler, and you know very well this bonnet’s too pretty to be refused. But Rhett, you mustn’t bring me anything else so expensive. It’s awfully kind of you, but I really can’t accept anything else».

В«Indeed? Well, I shall bring you presents so long as it pleases me. And I warn you that I am not kind. I never do anything without reasonВ».

В«And what do you expect to get from me?В»

В«GuessВ».

«Well, if you think I’ll marry you to pay for the bonnet, I won’t», she said.

В«Madam, you flatter yourself, I do not want to marry you or anyone else. I am not a marrying manВ».

«Indeed!» she cried. «I don’t even intend to kiss you, either».

В«Oh, Scarlett, you are so youngВ», he said. В«And I shall kiss you, as you expect itВ», and leaning down carelessly, his mustache just grazed her cheek.

She burst into laughter.

The next day, Melanie ran in, her face was flushed and frightened. There were tears on her cheeks.

В«Oh, Scarlett!В» she cried. В«I was talking to that that woman with red hair, named Belle Watling!В»

Belle Watling was the most notorious woman in town. Many prostitutes had come into Atlanta, following the soldiers, but Belle stood out above the rest.

В«What did she want?В»

«I was walking home. And when I went by the Emersons’ yard, there she was, behind the hedge! She had some money and she wanted me to take it and use it for the hospital. I was so upset and anxious to get away, I just said: �Oh, yes, indeed, how sweet of you’ or something idiotic, and she smiled and said: �That’s right Christian of you’ and shoved this dirty handkerchief into my hand».

Melanie held out a handkerchief, in which some coins were knotted.

«Let’s see how much money is in here. It feels heavy», said Scarlett.

She untied the knot and a handful of gold coins rolled out on the bed.

«Scarlett, there’s fifty dollars here! And in gold!» cried Melanie.

But Scarlett was not listening. She was looking at the dirty handkerchief. There was a monogram in the corner in which were the initials В«R. K. BВ».