Унесенные ветром

Chapter 8

           Theytookitforgrantedthatshewasimbuedwiththeirownpatrioticfervorandwouldhavebeenshockedtoknowhowslightaninterestinthewarshehad.Exceptfortheever-presenttormentthatAshleymightbekilled,thewarinterestedhernotatall,andnursingwassomethingshedidsimplybecauseshedidn’tknowhowtogetoutofit.

           Certainlytherewasnothingromanticaboutnursing.Toher,itmeantgroans,delirium,deathandsmells.Thehospitalswerefilledwithdirty,bewhiskered,verminousmenwhosmelledterriblyandboreontheirbodieswoundshideousenoughtoturnaChristian’sstomach.Thehospitalsstankofgangrene,theodorassaultinghernostrilslongbeforethedoorswerereached,asickishsweetsmellthatclungtoherhandsandhairandhauntedherinherdreams.Flies,mosquitoesandgnatshoveredindroning,singingswarmsoverthewards,tormentingthementocursesandweaksobs;andScarlett,scratchingherownmosquitobites,swungpalmettofansuntilhershouldersachedandshewishedthatallthemenweredead.

           Melanie,however,didnotseemtomindthesmells,thewoundsorthenakedness,whichScarlettthoughtstrangeinonewhowasthemosttimorousandmodestofwomen.SometimeswhenholdingbasinsandinstrumentswhileDr.Meadecutoutgangrenedflesh,Melanielookedverywhite.Andonce,altersuchanoperation,Scarlettfoundherinthelinenclosetvomitingquietlyintoatowel.Butaslongasshewaswherethewoundedcouldseeher,shewasgentle,sympatheticandcheerful,andthemeninthehospitalscalledheranangelofmercy.Scarlettwouldhavelikedthattitletoo,butitinvolvedtouchingmencrawlingwithlice,runningfingersdownthroatsofunconsciouspatientstoseeiftheywerechokingonswallowedtobaccoquids,bandagingstumpsandpickingmaggotsoutoffesteringflesh.No,shedidnotlikenursing!

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