Унесенные ветром

           Andwhenshesawusshesaid: ‘InHeaven’sname,whatareyoufourdoinghomeagain? You’reworsethantheplaguesofEgypt! ’Andthenthehorsebegansnortingandrearingandshesaid: ‘Getoutofhere! Can’tyouseehe’snervous,thebigdarling? I’lltendtoyoufourinthemorning! ’Sowewenttobed,andthismorningwegotawaybeforeshecouldcatchusandleftBoydtohandleher." 

           "Doyousupposeshe’llhitBoyd? "Scarlett,liketherestoftheCounty,couldnevergetusedtothewaysmallMrs.Tarletonbulliedhergrownsonsandlaidherridingcropontheirbacksiftheoccasionseemedtowarrantit. 

           BeatriceTarletonwasabusywoman,havingonherhandsnotonlyalargecottonplantation,ahundrednegroesandeightchildren,butthelargesthorse-breedingfarminthestateaswell. Shewashot-temperedandeasilyplaguedbythefrequentscrapesofherfoursons,andwhilenoonewaspermittedtowhipahorseoraslave,shefeltthatalicknowandthendidn’tdotheboysanyharm. 

           "Ofcourseshewon’thitBoyd. SheneverdidbeatBoydmuchbecausehe’stheoldestandbesideshe’stheruntofthelitter,"saidStuart,proudofhissixfeettwo. "That’swhywelefthimathometoexplainthingstoher. God’lmighty,Maoughttostoplickingus! We’renineteenandTom’stwenty-one,andsheactslikewe’resixyearsold." 

           "WillyourmotherridethenewhorsetotheWilkesbarbecuetomorrow?" 

           "Shewantsto,butPasayshe’stoodangerous. And,anyway,thegirlswon’tlether. Theysaidtheyweregoingtohavehergotoonepartyatleastlikealady,ridinginthecarriage." 

           "Ihopeitdoesn’traintomorrow,"saidScarlett. "It’srainednearlyeverydayforaweek.