Chapter 55

           "Darling,Idon’twantanyexplanationfromyouandIwon’tlistentoone,"saidMelaniefirmlyasshegentlylaidasmallhandacrossScarlett’storturedlipsandstilledherwords."YouinsultyourselfandAshleyandmebyeventhinkingtherecouldbeneedofexplanationsbetweenus.Why,wethreehavebeen—havebeenlikesoldiersfightingtheworldtogetherforsomanyyearsthatI’mashamedofyouforthinkingidlegossipcouldcomebetweenus.DoyouthinkI’dbelievethatyouandmyAshley—Why,theidea!Don’tyourealizeIknowyoubetterthananyoneintheworldknowsyou?DoyouthinkI’veforgottenallthewonderful,unselfishthingsyou’vedoneforAshleyandBeauandme—everythingfromsavingmylifetokeepingusfromstarving!DoyouthinkIcouldrememberyouwalkinginafurrowbehindthatYankee’shorsealmostbarefootedandwithyourhandsblistered—justsothebabyandIcouldhavesomethingtoeat—andthenbelievesuchdreadfulthingsaboutyou?Idon’twanttohearawordoutofyou,ScarlettO’Hara.Notaword."

           "But—"Scarlettfumbledandstopped.

           RhetthadlefttownthehourbeforewithBonnieandPrissy,anddesolationwasaddedtoScarlett’sshameandanger.TheadditionalburdenofherguiltwithAshleyandMelanie’sdefensewasmorethanshecouldbear.HadMelaniebelievedIndiaandArchie,cutheratthereceptionorevengreetedherfrigidly,thenshecouldhaveheldherheadhighandfoughtbackwitheveryweaponinherarmory.