飘-第186章

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you　can’t　appreciate　the　tortures　of　people　who　have　one—especially　a　child。　If　something　with　claws　and　horns　came　and　sat　on　your　chest；　you’d　tell　it　to　get　the　hell　off　you；　wouldn’t　you？　Like　hell　you　would。　Kindly　remember；　Madam；　that　I’ve　seen　you　wake　up　squalling　like　a　scalded　cat　simply　because　you　dreamed　of　running　in　a　fog。　And　that’s　not　been　so　long　ago　either！”
　Scarlett　was　taken　aback；　for　she　never　liked　to　think　of　that　dream。　Moreover；　it　embarrassed　her　to　remember　that　Rhett　had　comforted　her　in　much　the　same　manner　he　comforted　Bonnie。　So　she　swung　rapidly　to　a　different　attack。
　“You　are　just　humoring　her　and—”
　“And　I　intend　to　keep　on　humoring　her。　If　I　do；　she’ll　outgrow　it　and　forget　about　it。”
　“Then；”　said　Scarlett　acidly；　“if　you　intend　to　play　nursemaid；　you　might　try　coming　home　nights　and　sober　too；　for　a　change。”
　“I　shall　come　home　early　but　drunk　as　a　fiddler’s　bitch　if　I　please。”
　He　did　come　home　early　thereafter；　arriving　long　before　time　for　Bonnie　to　be　put　to　bed。　He　sat　beside　her；　holding　her　hand　until　sleep　loosened　her　grasp。　Only　then　did　he　tiptoe　downstairs；　leaving　the　lamp　burning　brightly　and　the　door　ajar　so　he　might　hear　her　should　she　awake　and　become　frightened。　Never　again　did　he　intend　her　to　have　a　recurrence　of　fear　of　the　dark。　The　whole　household　was　acutely　conscious　of　the　burning　light；　Scarlett；　Mammy；　Prissy　and　Pork；　frequently　tiptoeing　upstairs　to　make　sure　that　it　still　burned。
　He　came　home　sober　too；　but　that　was　none　of　Scarlett’s　doing。　For　months　he　had　been　drinking　heavily；　though　he　was　never　actually　drunk；　and　one　evening　the　smell　of　whisky　was　especially　strong　upon　his　breath。　He　picked　up　Bonnie；　swung　her　to　his　shoulder　and　asked　her：　“Have　you　a　kiss　for　your　sweetheart？”
　She　wrinkled　her　small　upturned　nose　and　wriggled　to　get　down　from　his　arms。
　“No；”　she　said　frankly。　“Nasty。”
　“I’m　what？”
　“Smell　nasty。　Uncle　Ashley　don’t　smell　nasty。”
　“Well；　I’ll　be　damned；”　he　said　ruefully；　putting　her　on　the　floor。　“I　never　expected　to　find　a　temperance　advocate　in　my　own　home；　of　all　places！”
　But；　thereafter；　he　limited　his　drinking　to　a　glass　of　wine　after　supper。　Bonnie；　who　was　always　permitted　to　have　the　last　drops　in　the　glass；　did　not　think　the　smell　of　wine　nasty　at　all。　As　the　result；　the　puffiness　which　had　begun　to　obscure　the　hard　lines　of　his　cheeks　slowly　disappeared　and　the　circles　beneath　his　black　eyes　were　not　so　dark　or　so　harshly　cut。　Because　Bonnie　liked　to　ride　on　the　front　of　his　saddle；　he　stayed　out　of　doors　more　and　the　sunburn　began　to　creep　across　his　dark　face；　making　him　swarthier　than　ever。　He　looked　healthier　and　laughed　more　and　was　again　like　the　dashing　young　blockader　who　had　excited　Atlanta　early　in　the　war。
　People　who　had　never　liked　him　came　to　smile　as　he　went　by　with　the　small　figure　perched　before　him　on　his　saddle。　Women　who　had　heretofore　believed　that　no　woman　was　safe　with　him；　began　to　stop　and　talk　with　him　on　the　streets；　to　admire　Bonnie。　Even　the　strictest　old　ladies　felt　that　a　man　who　could　discuss　the　ailments　and　problems　of　childhood　as　well　as　he　did　could　not　be　altogether　bad。
　
　CHAPTER　LIII
　IT　WAS　Ashley’s　birthday　and　Melanie　was　giving　him　a　surprise　reception　that　night。　Everyone　knew　about　the　reception；　except　Ashley。　Even　Wade　and　little　Beau　knew　and　were　sworn　to　secrecy　that　puffed　them　up　with　pride。　Everyone　in　Atlanta　who　was　nice　had　been　invited　and　was　coming。　General　Gordon　and　his　family　had　graciously　accepted；　Alexander　Stephens　would　be　present　if　his　ever…uncertain　health　permitted　and　even　Bob　Toombs；　the　stormy　petrel　of　the　Confederacy；　was　expected。
　All　that　morning；　Scarlett；　with　Melanie；　India　and　Aunt　Pitty　flew　about　the　little　house；　directing　the　negroes　as　they　hung　freshly　laundered　curtains；　polished　silver；　waxed　the　floor　and　cooked；　stirred　and　tasted　the　refreshments。　Scarlett　had　never　seen　Melanie　so　excited　or　so　happy。
　“You　see；　dear；　Ashley　hasn’t　had　a　birthday　party　since—since；　you　remember　the　barbecue　at　Twelve　Oaks？　The　day　we　heard　about　Mr。　Lincoln’s　call　for　volunteers？　Well；　he　hasn’t　had　a　birthday　party　since　then。　And　he　works　so　hard　and　he’s　so　tired　when　he　gets　home　at　night　that　he　really　hasn’t　thought　about　today　being　his　birthday。　And　won’t　he　be　surprised　after　supper　when　everybody　troops　in！”
　“How　you　goin’　to　manage　them　lanterns　on　the　lawn　without　Mr。　Wilkes　seein’　them　when　he　comes　home　to　supper？”　demanded　Archie　grumpily。
　He　had　sat　all　morning　watching　the　preparations；　interested　but　unwilling　to　admit　it。　He　had　never　been　behind　the　scenes　at　a　large　town　folks’　party　and　it　was　a　new　experience。　He　made　frank　remarks　about　women　running　around　like　the　house　was　afire；　just　because　they　were　having　company；　but　wild　horses　could　not　have　dragged　him　from　the　scene。　The　colored…paper　lanterns　which　Mrs。　Elsing　and　Fanny　had　made　and　painted　for　the　occasion　held　a　special　interest　for　him；　as　he　had　never　seen　“sech　contraptions”　before。　They　had　been　hidden　in　his　room　in　the　cellar　and　he　had　examined　them　minutely。
　“Mercy！　I　hadn’t　thought　of　that！”　cried　Melanie。　“Archie；　how　fortunate　that　you　mentioned　it。　Dear；　dear！　What　shall　I　do？　They’ve　got　to　be　strung　on　the　bushes　and　trees　and　little　candles　put　in　them　and　lighted　just　at　the　proper　time　when　the　guests　are　arriving。　Scarlett；　can　you　send　Pork　down　to　do　it　while　we’re　eating　supper？”
　“Miz　Wilkes；　you　got　more　sense　than　most　women　but　you　gits　flurried　right　easy；”　said　Archie。　“And　as　for　that　fool　nigger；　Pork；　he　ain’t　got　no　bizness　with　them　thar　contraptions。　He’d　set　them　afire　in　no　time。　They　are—right　pretty；”　he　conceded。　“I’ll　hang　them　for　you；　whilst　you　and　Mr。　Wilkes　are　eatin’。”
　“Oh；　Archie；　how　kind　of　you！”　Melanie　turned　childlike　eyes　of　gratitude　and　dependence　upon　him。　“I　don’t　know　what　I　should　do　without　you。　Do　you　suppose　you　could　go　put　the　candles　in　them　now；　so　we’d　have　that　much　out　of　the　way？”
　“Well；　I　could；　p’raps；”　said　Archie　ungraciously　and　stumped　off　toward　the　cellar　stairs。
　“There’s　more　ways　of　killing　a　cat　than　choking　him　to　death　with　butter；”　giggled　Melanie　when　the　whiskered　old　man　had　thumped　down　the　stairs。　“I　had　intended　all　along　for　Archie　to　put　up　those　lanterns　but　you　know　how　he　is。　He　won’t　do　a　thing　if　you　ask　him　to。　And　now　we’ve　got　him　out　from　underfoot　for　a　while。　The　darkies　are　so　scared　of　him　they　just　won’t　do　any　work　when　he’s　around；　breathing　down　their　necks。”
　“Melly；　I　wouldn’t　have　that　old　desperado　in　my　house；”　said　Scarlett　crossly。　She　hated　Archie　as　much　as　he　hated　her　and　they　barely　spoke。　Melanie’s　was　the　only　house　in　which　he　would　remain　if　she　were　present。　And　even　in　Melanie’s　house；　he　stared　at　her　with　suspicion　and　cold　contempt。　“He’ll　cause　you　trouble；　mark　my　words。”
　“Oh；　he’s　harmless　if　you　flatter　him　and　act　like　you　depend　on　him；”　said　Melanie。　“And　he’s　so　devoted　to　Ashley　and　Beau　that　I　always　feel　safe　having　him　around。”
　“You　mean　he’s　so　devoted　to　you；　Melly；”　said　India；　her　cold　face　relaxing　into　a　faintly　warm　smile　as　her　gaze　rested　fondly　on　her　sister…in…law。　“I　believe　you’re　the　first　person　that　old　ruffian　has　loved　since　his　wife—er—since　his　wife。　I　think　he’d　really　like　for　somebody　to　insult　you；　so　he　could　kill　them　to　show　his　respect　for　you。”
　“Mercy！　How　you　run　on；　India！”　said　Melanie　blushing。　“He　thinks　I’m　a　terrible　goose　and　you　know　it。”
　“Well；　I　don’t　see　that　what　that　smelly　old　hillbilly　thinks　is　of　any　importance；”　said　Scarlett　abruptly。　The　very　thought　of　how　Archie　had　sat　in　judgment　upon　her　about　the　convicts　always　enraged　her。　“I　have　to　go　now。　I’ve　got　to　go　get　dinner　and　then　go　by　the　store　and　pay　off　the　clerks　and　go　by　the　lumber　yard　and　pay　the　drivers　and　Hugh　Elsing。”
　“Oh；　are　you　going　to　the　lumber　yard？”　asked　Melanie。　“Ashley　is　coming　in　to　the　yard　in　the　late　afternoon　to　see　Hugh。　Can　you　possibly　hold　him　there　till　five　o’clock？　If　he　comes　home　earlier　he’ll　be　sure　to　catch　us　finishing　up　a　cake　or　something　and　then　he　won’t　be　surprised　at　all。”
　Scarlett　smiled　inwardly；　good　temper　restored。
　“Yes；　I’ll　hold　him；”　she　said。
　As　she　spoke；　India’s　pale　lashless　eyes　met　hers　piercingly。　She　always　looks　at　me　so　oddly　when　I　speak　of　Ashley；　thought　Scarlett。
　“Well；　hold　him　there　as　long　as　you　can　after　five　o’clock；”　said　Melanie。　“And　then　India　will　drive　down　and　pick　him　up。　。。。　Scarlett；　do　come　early　tonight。　I　don’t　want　you　to　miss　a　minute　of　the　reception。”
　As　Scarlett　rode　home　she　thought　sullenly：　“She　doesn’t　want　me　to　miss　a　minute　of　the　reception；　eh？　Well　then；　why　didn’t　she　invite　me　to　receive　with　her　and　India　and　Aunt　Pitty？”
　Generally；　Scarlett　would　not　have　cared　whether　she　received　at　Melly’s　piddling　parties　or　not。　But　this　was　the　largest　party　Melanie　had　ever　given　and　Ashley’s　birthday　party　too；　and　Scarlett　longed　to　stand　by　Ash…ley’s　side　and　receive　with　him。　But　she　knew　why　she　had　not　been　invited　to　receive。　Even　had　she　not　known　it；　Rhett’s　comment　on　the　subject　had　been　frank　enough。
　“A　Scalawag　receive　when　all　die　prominent　ex…Confederates　and　Democrats　are　going　to　be　there？　Your　notions　are　as　enchanting　as　they　are　muddle　headed。　It’s　only　because　of　Miss　Melly’s　loyalty　that　you　are　invited　at　all。”
　Scarlett　dressed　with　more　than　usual　care　that　afternoon　for　her　trip　to　the　store　and　the　lumber　yard；　wearing　the　new　dull…green　changeable　taffeta　frock　that　looked　lilac　in　some　lights　and　the　new　pale…green　bonnet；　circled　about　with　dark…green　plumes。　If　only　Rhett　would　let　her　cut　bangs　and　frizzle　them　on　her　forehead；　how　much　better　this　bonnet　would　look！　But　he　had　declared　that　he　would　shave　her　whole　head　if　she　banged　her　forelocks。　And　these　days　he　acted　so　atrociously　he　really　might　do　it。
　It　was　a　lovely　afternoon；　sunny　but　not　too　hot；　bright　but　not　glaring；　and　the　warm　breeze　that　rustled　the　trees　along　Peachtree　Street　made　the　plumes　on　Scarlett’s　bonnet　dance。　Her　heart　danced　too；　as　always　when　she　was　going　to　see　Ashley。　Perhaps；　if　she　paid　off　the　team　drivers　and　Hugh　early；　they　would　go　home　and　leave　her　and　Ashley　alone　in　the　square　little　office　in　the　middle　of　the　lumber　yard。　Chances　to　see　Ashley　alone　were　all　too　infrequent　these　days。　And　to　think　that　Melanie　had　asked　her　to　hold　him！　That　was　funny！
　Her　heart　was　merry　when　she　reached　the　store；　and　she　paid　off　Willie　and　the　other　counter　boys　without　even　asking　what　the　day’s　business　had　been。　It　was　Saturday；　the　biggest　day　of　the　week　for　the　store；　for　all　the　farmers　came　to　town　to　shop　that　day；　but　she　asked　no　questions。
　Along　the　way　to　the　lumber　yard　she　stopped　a　dozen　times　to　speak　with　Carpetbagger　ladies　in　splendid　equipages—not　so　splendid　as　her　own；　she　thought　with　pleasure—and　with　many　men　who　came　through　the　red　dust　of　the　street　to　stand　hat　in　hand　and　compliment　her。　It　was　a　beautiful　afternoon；