飘-第63章

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　“Go　do…ow；　Mos…es！　Waaa…ay；　do…own；　in　Eeejup　laa…an！
　An’　te…el　O…le　Faa…ro…o
　Ter　let　mah—peee…pul　go！”
　
　“Rhett；　Captain　Randall　was　lying　to　me；　just　like　all　the　men　do—trying　to　keep　the　truth　from　us　women　for　fear　well　faint。　Or　was　he　lying？　Oh；　Rhett；　if　there’s　no　danger；　why　are　they　digging　these　new　breastworks？　Is　the　army　so　short　of　men　they’ve　got　to　use　darkies？”
　Rhett　clucked　to　the　mare。
　“The　army　is　damned　short　of　men。　Why　else　would　the　Home　Guard　be　called　out？　And　as　for　the　entrenchments；　well；　fortifications　are　supposed　to　be　of　some　value　in　case　of　a　siege。　The　General　is　preparing　to　make　his　final　stand　here。”
　“A　siege！　Oh；　turn　the　horse　around。　I’m　going　home；　back　home　to　Tara；　right　away。”
　“What　ails　you？”
　“A　siege！　Name　of　God；　a　siege！　I’ve　heard　about　sieges！　Pa　was　in　one　or　maybe　it　was　his　Pa；　and　Pa　told　me—”
　“What　siege？”
　“The　siege　at　Drogheda　when　Cromwell　had　the　Irish；　and　they　didn’t　have　anything　to　eat　and　Pa　said　they　starved　and　died　in　the　streets　and　finally　they　ate　all　the　cats　and　rats　and　even　things　like　cockroaches。　And　he　said　they　ate　each　other　too；　before　they　surrendered；　though　I　never　did　know　whether　to　believe　that　or　not。　And　when　Cromwell　took　the　town　all　the　women　were—　A　siege！　Mother　of　God！”
　“You　are　the　most　barbarously　ignorant　young　person　I　ever　saw。　Drogheda　was　in　sixteen　hundred　and　something　and　Mr。　O’Hara　couldn’t　possibly　have　been　alive　then。　Besides；　Sherman　isn’t　Cromwell。”
　“No；　but　he’s　worse！　They　say—”
　“And　as　for　the　exotic　viands　the　Irish　ate　at　the　siege—personally　I’d　as　soon　eat　a　nice　juicy　rat　as　some　of　the　victuals　they’ve　been　serving　me　recently　at　the　hotel。　I　think　I　shall　have　to　go　back　to　Richmond。　They　have　good　food　there；　if　you　have　the　money　to　pay　for　it。”　His　eyes　mocked　the　fear　in　her　face。
　Annoyed　that　she　had　shown　her　trepidation；　she　cried：　“I　don’t　see　why　you’ve　stayed　here　this　long！　All　you　think　about　is　being　comfortable　and　eating　and—and　things　like　that。”
　“I　know　no　more　pleasant　way　to　pass　the　time　than　in　eating　and　er—things　like　that；”　he　said。　“And　as　for　why　I　stay　here—well；　I’ve　read　a　good　deal　about　sieges；　beleaguered　cities　and　the　like；　but　I’ve　never　seen　one。　So　I　think　I’ll　stay　here　and　watch。　I　won’t　get　hurt　because　I’m　a　noncombatant　and　besides　I　want　the　experience。　Never　pass　up　new　experiences；　Scarlett。　They　enrich　the　mind。”
　“My　mind’s　rich　enough。”
　“Perhaps　you　know　best　about　that；　but　I　should　say—　But　that　would　be　ungallant。　And　perhaps；　I’m　staying　here　to　rescue　you　when　the　siege　does　come。　I’ve　never　rescued　a　maiden　in　distress。　That　would　be　a　new　experience；　too。”
　She　knew　he　was　teasing　her　but　she　sensed　a　seriousness　behind　his　words。　She　tossed　her　head。
　“I　won’t　need　you　to　rescue　me。　I　can　take　care　of　myself；　thank　you。”
　“Don’t　say　that；　Scarlett！　Think　of　it；　if　you　like；　but　never；　never　say　it　to　a　man。　That’s　the　trouble　with　Yankee　girls。　They’d　be　most　charming　if　they　weren’t　always　telling　you　that　they　can　take　care　of　themselves；　thank　you。　Generally　they　are　telling　the　truth；　God　help　them。　And　so　men　let　them　take　care　of　themselves。”
　“How　you　do　run　on；”　she　said　coldly；　for　there　was　no　insult　worse　than　being　likened　to　a　Yankee　girl。　“I　believe　you’re　lying　about　a　siege。　You　know　the　Yankees　will　never　get　to　Atlanta。”
　“I’ll　bet　you　they　will　be　here　within　the　month。　I’ll　bet　you　a　box　of　bonbons　against—”　His　dark　eyes　wandered　to　her　lips。　“Against　a　kiss。”
　For　a　last　brief　moment；　fear　of　a　Yankee　invasion　clutched　her　heart　but　at　the　word　“kiss；”　she　forgot　about　it。　This　was　familiar　ground　and　far　more　interesting　than　military　operations。　With　difficulty　she　restrained　a　smile　of　glee。　Since　the　day　when　he　gave　her　the　green　bonnet；　Rhett　had　made　no　advances　which　could　in　any　way　be　construed　as　those　of　a　lover。　He　could　never　be　inveigled　into　personal　conversations；　try　though　she　might；　but　now　with　no　angling　on　her　part；　he　was　talking　about　kissing。
　“I　don’t　care　for　such　personal　conversation；”　she　said　coolly　and　managed　a　frown。　“Besides；　I’d　just　as　soon　kiss　a　pig。”
　“There’s　no　accounting　for　tastes　and　I’ve　always　heard　the　Irish　were　partial　to　pigs—kept　them　under　their　beds；　in　fact。　But；　Scarlett；　you　need　kissing　badly。　That’s　what’s　wrong　with　you。　All　your　beaux　have　respected　you　too　much；　though　God　knows　why；　or　they　have　been　too　afraid　of　you　to　really　do　right　by　you。　The　result　is　that　you　are　unendurably　uppity。　You　should　be　kissed　and　by　someone　who　knows　how。”
　The　conversation　was　not　going　the　way　she　wanted　it。　It　never　did　when　she　was　with　him。　Always；　it　was　a　duel　in　which　she　was　worsted。
　“And　I　suppose　you　think　you　are　the　proper　person？”　she　asked　with　sarcasm；　holding　her　temper　in　check　with　difficulty。
　“Oh；　yes；　if　I　cared　to　take　the　trouble；”　he　said　carelessly。　“They　say　I　kiss　very　well。”
　“Oh；”　she　began；　indignant　at　the　slight　to　her　charms。　“Why；　you　…”　But　her　eyes　fell　in　sudden　confusion。　He　was　smiling；　but　in　the　dark　depths　of　his　eyes　a　tiny　light　flickered　for　a　brief　moment；　like　a　small　raw　flame。
　“Of　course；　you’ve　probably　wondered　why　I　never　tried　to　follow　up　that　chaste　peck　I　gave　you；　the　day　I　brought　you　that　bonnet—”
　“I　have　never—”
　“Then　you　aren’t　a　nice　girl；　Scarlett；　and　I’m　sorry　to　hear　it。　All　really　nice　girls　wonder　when　men　don’t　try　to　kiss　them。　They　know　they　shouldn’t　want　them　to　and　they　know　they　must　act　insulted　if　they　do；　but　just　the　same；　they　wish　the　men　would　try。　…　Well；　my　dear；　take　heart　Some　day；　I　will　kiss　you　and　you　will　like　it。　But　not　now；　so　I　beg　you　not　to　be　too　impatient。”
　She　knew　he　was　teasing　but；　as　always；　his　teasing　maddened　her。　There　was　always　too　much　truth　in　the　things　he　said。　Well；　this　finished　him。　If　ever；　ever　he　should　be　so　ill　bred　as　to　try　to　take　any　liberties　with　her；　she　would　show　him。
　“Will　you　kindly　turn　the　horse　around；　Captain　Butler？　I　wish　to　go　back　to　the　hospital。”
　“Do　you　indeed；　my　ministering　angel？　Then　lice　and　slops　are　preferable　to　my　conversation？　Well；　far　be　it　from　me　to　keep　a　pair　of　willing　hands　from　laboring　for　Our　Glorious　Cause。”　He　turned　the　horse’s　head　and　they　started　back　toward　Five　Points。
　“As　to　why　I　have　made　no　further　advances；”　he　pursued　blandly；　as　though　she　had　not　signified　that　the　conversation　was　at　an　end；　“I’m　waiting　for　you　to　grow　up　a　little　more。　You　see；　it　wouldn’t　be　much　fun　for　me　to　kiss　you　now　and　I’m　quite　selfish　about　my　pleasures。　I　never　fancied　kissing　children。”
　He　smothered　a　grin；　as　from　the　corner　of　his　eye　he　saw　her　bosom　heave　with　silent　wrath。
　“And　then；　too；”　he　continued　softly；　“I　was　waiting　for　the　memory　of　the　estimable　Ashley　Wilkes　to　fade。”
　At　the　mention　of　Ashley’s　name；　sudden　pain　went　through　her；　sudden　hot　tears　stung　her　lids。　Fade？　The　memory　of　Ashley　would　never　fade；　not　if　he　were　dead　a　thousand　years。　She　thought　of　Ashley　wounded；　dying　in　a　far…off　Yankee　prison；　with　no　blankets　over　him；　with　no　one　who　loved　him　to　hold　his　hand；　and　she　was　filled　with　hate　for　the　well…fed　man　who　sat　beside　her；　jeers　just　beneath　the　surface　of　his　drawling　voice。
　She　was　too　angry　to　speak　and　they　rode　along　in　silence　for　some　while。
　“I　understand　practically　everything　about　you　and　Ashley；　now；”　Rhett　resumed。　“I　began　with　your　inelegant　scene　at　Twelve　Oaks　and；　since　then；　I’ve　picked　up　many　things　by　keeping　my　eyes　open。　What　things？　Oh；　that　you　still　cherish　a　romantic　schoolgirl　passion　for　him　which　he　reciprocates　as　well　as　his　honorable　nature　will　permit　him。　And　that　Mrs。　Wilkes　knows　nothing　and　that；　between　the　two　of　you；　you’ve　done　her　a　pretty　trick。　I　understand　practically　everything；　except　one　thing　that　piques　my　curiosity。　Did　the　honorable　Ashley　ever　jeopardize　his　immortal　soul　by　kissing　you？”
　A　stony　silence　and　an　averted　head　were　his　answers。
　“Ah；　well；　so　he　did　kiss　you。　I　suppose　it　was　when　he　was　here　on　furlough。　And　now　that　he’s　probably　dead　you　are　cherishing　it　to　your　heart。　But　I’m　sure　you’ll　get　over　it　and　when　you’ve　forgotten　his　kiss；　I’ll—”
　She　turned　in　fury。
　“You　go　to—Halifax；”　she　said　tensely；　her　green　eyes　slits　of　rage。　“And　let　me　out　of　this　carriage　before　I　jump　over　the　wheels。　And　I　don’t　ever　want　to　speak　to　you　again。”
　He　stopped　the　carriage；　but　before　he　could　alight　and　assist　her　she　sprang　down。　Her　hoop　caught　on　the　wheel　and　for　a　moment　the　crowd　at　Five　Points　had　a　flashing　view　of　petticoats　and　pantalets。　Then　Rhett　leaned　over　and　swiftly　released　it　She　flounced　off　without　a　word；　without　even　a　backward　look；　and　he　laughed　softly　and　clicked　to　the　horse。
　
　CHAPTER　XVIII
　FOR　THE　FIRST　TIME　since　the　war　began；　Atlanta　could　hear　the　sound　of　battle。　In　the　early　morning　hours　before　the　noises　of　the　town　awoke；　the　cannon　at　Kennesaw　Mountain　could　be　heard　faintly；　far　away；　a　low　dim　booming　that　might　have　passed　for　summer　thunder。　Occasionally　it　was　loud　enough　to　be　heard　even　above　the　rattle　of　traffic　at　noon。　People　tried　not　to　listen　to　it；　tried　to　talk；　to　laugh；　to　carry　on　their　business；　just　as　though　the　Yankees　were　not　there；　twenty…two　miles　away；　but　always　ears　were　strained　for　the　sound。　The　town　wore　a　preoccupied　look；　for　no　matter　what　occupied　their　hands；　all　were　listening；　listening；　their　hearts　leaping　suddenly　a　hundred　times　a　day。　Was　the　booming　louder？　Or　did　they　only　think　it　was　louder？　Would　General　Johnston　hold　them　this　time？　Would　he？
　Panic　lay　just　beneath　the　surface。　Nerves　which　had　been　stretched　tighter　and　tighter　each　day　of　the　retreat　began　to　reach　the　breaking　point。　No　one　spoke　of　fears。　That　subject　was　taboo；　but　strained　nerves　found　expression　in　loud　criticism　of　the　General。　Public　feeling　was　at　fever　heat。　Sherman　was　at　the　very　doors　of　Atlanta。　Another　retreat　might　bring　the　Confederates　into　the　town。
　Give　us　a　general　who　won’t　retreat！　Give　us　a　man　who　will　stand　and　fight！
　With　the　far…off　rumbling　of　cannon　in　their　ears；　the　state　militia；　“Joe　Brown’s　Pets；”　and　the　Home　Guard　marched　out　of　Atlanta；　to　defend　the　bridges　and　ferries　of　the　Chattahoochee　River　at　Johnston’s　back。　It　was　a　gray；　overcast　day　and；　as　they　marched　through　Five　Points　and　out　the　Marietta　road；　a　fine　rain　began　to　fall。　The　whole　town　had　turned　out　to　see　them　off　and　they　stood；　close　packed；　under　the　wooden　awnings　of　the　stores　on　Peachtree　Street　and　tried　to　cheer。
　Scarlett　and　Maybelle　Merriwether　Picard　had　been　given　permission　to　leave　the　hospital　and　watch　the　men　go　out；　because　Uncle　Henry　Hamilton　and　Grandpa　Merriwether　were　in　the　Home　Guard；　and　they　stood　with　Mrs。　Meade；　pressed　in　the　crowd；　tiptoeing　to　get　a　better　view。　Scarlett；　though　filled　with　the　universal　Southern　desire　to　believe　only　the　pleasantest　and　most　reassuring　things　about　the　progress　of　the　fighting；　felt　cold　as　she　wa