Унесенные ветром

           Scarlettdidnotcareforthecaresses,butshebaskedinthecompliments.NooneatTarahadeversaidsomanycharmingthingsabouther.Infact,Mammyhadspenthertimedeflatingherconceit.LittleWadewasnolongeranannoyance,forthefamily,blackandwhite,andtheneighborsidolizedhimandtherewasanever-ceasingrivalryastowhoselapheshouldoccupy.Melanieespeciallydotedonhim.Eveninhisworstscreamingspells,Melaniethoughthimadorableandsaidso,adding,"Oh,youpreciousdarling!Ijustwishyouweremine!"

           SometimesScarlettfoundithardtodissembleherfeelings,forshestillthoughtAuntPittythesilliestofoldladiesandhervaguenessandvaporingsirritatedherunendurably.ShedislikedMelaniewithajealousdislikethatgrewasthedayswentby,andsometimesshehadtoleavetheroomabruptlywhenMelanie,beamingwithlovingpride,spokeofAshleyorreadhislettersaloud.But,allinall,lifewentonashappilyaswaspossibleunderthecircumstances.AtlantawasmoreinterestingthanSavannahorCharlestonorTaraanditofferedsomanystrangewar-timeoccupationsshehadlittletimetothinkormope.But,sometimes,whensheblewoutthecandleandburrowedherheadintothepillow,shesighedandthought:"IfonlyAshleywasn’tmarried!IfonlyIdidn’thavetonurseinthatplaguedhospital!Oh,ifonlyIcouldhavesomebeaux!"

           ShehadimmediatelyloathednursingbutshecouldnotescapethisdutybecauseshewasonbothMrs.Meade’sandMrs.Merriwether’scommittees.Thatmeantfourmorningsaweekinthesweltering,stinkinghospitalwithherhairtiedupinatowelandahotaproncoveringherfromnecktofeet.Everymatron,oldoryoung,inAtlantanursedanddiditwithanenthusiasmthatseemedtoScarlettlittleshortoffanatic.