Old ladies were so difficult, Young Miss whispered
to Sallyas they went back to their sewing. You two stay here, she commanded, pushing
Scarlett toward theback porch. Then people could plant crops with some certainty of
reapingthem!
Reluctantly, the little trooper handed it to
him.
ToScarlet, Carreen was still baby sister, far too
young to have hada really serious love affair. What he had feared since thenight he
left Atlanta had happened. How good the oldlady was to offer no sympathy that would
make her cry. Suellen, you and Carreen fill the baskets with asmuch food as you can
carry and get to the woods.
She knew she could not tell them Ellen wasdead. You
two stay here, she commanded, pushing Scarlett toward theback porch. Pork, listen to
me, dontstand there like that!
ToScarlet, Carreen was still baby sister, far too
young to have hada really serious love affair. Even in her frenzy she thought what
the sight of bluecoats might doto Geralds wavering mind. She heard Suellen crying:
Come on, Carreen!
Scarlett said gratefully: Thank you, Sugarbaby, but
lookedworriedly at her younger sister.
Shesnatched him up into her arms and he awoke,
waving small fists andslobbering sleepily.
Scarlettwished she had not confided in
her.
In her apron was apile of silver
tableware.
Letsmove on before the whole country gets the news
were comin. And whether the Confederacy won or lost,times would be better. I suppose
the Yankees even stole hisextra diapers.
Gerald was stumping across thefurrows, waving his
cane. It was awkward, carrying little Beau in onearm and the wallet and the trinkets
in the other.
Dont think about it, said Grandma sternly and
Scarlett saw herswallow. She knew the verynext question would be: And how are all
your folks?
I didnt dream youdfaint, though the Lord knows
youve had enough today to killyou.
They were going and Tarawas safe, but with the pain
of Ellens memory on her, she washardly glad.
Fairhill, the Tarleton home, was burned to the
foundations, andMrs.
And, as the child only gripped her skirt the
tighter, she saidclearly: Be a little man, Wade.