Gone with the Wind / Унесённые ветром. Уровень 3

We can’t think of the proprieties now. We must think of Miss Melly».

He stamped out of the room. Scarlett joined him.

«I shall talk frankly to you, Miss Scarlett», he began. «You seem to be a young woman of common sense. I doubt if Miss Melly can stand the trip. She is going to have a difficult time, so I don’t want any ignorant darky midwife with her. And now, Miss, you stay with Miss Melly till the baby comes. Not afraid, are you?»

В«Oh, no!В» lied Scarlett, stoutly.

«That’s a brave girl.

The baby will be here in another five weeks, but you never can tell. It may come any dayВ».

So Aunt Pittypat went to Macon, she took Uncle Peter and Cookie with her. The carriage and horse she donated to the hospital in a burst of patriotism which she immediately regretted. And Scarlett and Melanie were left alone with Wade and Prissy in a house.

Chapter XIV

In those first days of the siege, when the Yankees crashed here and there against the defenses of the city, Scarlett was very frightened.

She silently cursed Melanie. The doctor had forbidden Melanie to walk and Scarlett had to stay with her. What will she do if the baby comes?

These matters she discussed with Prissy in whispers one evening. Prissy calmed her fears,

В«Miss Scarlett, I can manage. I know all about birthing. Just leave it to meВ».

As Scarlett lay on her pillow, there always rose the memory of Ashley’s face with a little smile on his lips: «You’ll take care of Melanie, won’t you? You’re so strong.

Promise meВ». And she had promised. Somewhere, Ashley lay dead.

Wade irritated Scarlett. He was afraid to go to bed at night, afraid of the dark, afraid to sleep.

It was not often that Scarlett was alone those days and she did not like it. When she was alone she had to think and thoughts were not pleasant.

В«Oh, Ashley!В» she sobbed, dropping her head into her hands.

She heard the front gate click and she hastily raised her head. She saw Rhett Butler

В«So you are here.

Why did you stay?В»

В«To keep Melanie companyВ».

«Damn it», he said, and in the lamplight she saw that he was frowning. «Is Mrs. Wilkes still here? It’s quite dangerous for her in her condition. So you stayed with Mrs. Wilkes! This is the strangest situation I ever encountered!»

В«I see nothing strange about itВ», she answered uncomfortably.

В«No? My impression is that you can hardly endure Mrs. Wilkes.