Chapter 25

           ThenextmorningScarlett’sbodywassostiffandsorefromthelongmilesofwalkingandjoltinginthewagonthateverymovementwasagony.Herfacewascrimsonwithsunburnandherblisteredpalmsraw.Hertonguewasfurredandherthroatparchedasifflameshadscorcheditandnoamountofwatercouldassuageherthirst.Herheadfeltswollenandshewincedevenwhensheturnedhereyes.Aqueasinessofthestomachreminiscentoftheearlydaysofherpregnancymadethesmokingyamsonthebreakfasttableunendurable,eventothesmell.GeraldcouldhavetoldhershewassufferingthenormalaftermathofherfirstexperiencewithharddrinkingbutGeraldnoticednothing.Hesatattheheadofthetable,agrayoldmanwithabsent,fadedeyesfastenedonthedoorandheadcockedslightlytoheartherustleofEllen’spetticoats,tosmellthelemonverbenasachet.

           AsScarlettsatdown,hemumbled:"WewillwaitforMrs.O’Hara.Sheislate."Sheraisedanachinghead,lookedathimwithstartledincredulityandmetthepleadingeyesofMammy,whostoodbehindGerald’schair.Sheroseunsteadily,herhandatherthroatandlookeddownatherfatherinthemorningsunlight.Hepeeredupathervaguelyandshesawthathishandswereshaking,thathisheadtrembledalittle.

           UntilthismomentshehadnotrealizedhowmuchshehadcountedonGeraldtotakecommand,totellherwhatshemustdo,andnow—Why,lastnighthehadseemedalmosthimself.