Унесенные ветром

           Hermindwasasifacyclonehadgonethroughit,anditseemedstrangethatthediningroomwheretheysatshouldbesoplacid,sounchangedfromwhatithadalwaysbeen.Theheavymahoganytableandsideboards,themassivesilver,thebrightragrugsontheshiningfloorwereallintheiraccustomedplaces,justasifnothinghadhappened.Itwasafriendlyandcomfortableroomand,ordinarily,Scarlettlovedthequiethourswhichthefamilyspentthereaftersupper;buttonightshehatedthesightofitand,ifshehadnotfearedherfather’sloudlybawledquestions,shewouldhaveslippedaway,downthedarkhalltoEllen’slittleofficeandcriedouthersorrowontheoldsofa.

           ThatwastheroomthatScarlettlikedthebestinallthehouse.There,Ellensatbeforehertallsecretaryeachmorning,keepingtheaccountsoftheplantationandlisteningtothereportsofJonasWilkerson,theoverseer.TherealsothefamilyidledwhileEllen’squillscratchedacrossherledgers.Geraldintheoldrocker,thegirlsonthesaggingcushionsofthesofathatwastoobatteredandwornforthefrontofthehouse.Scarlettlongedtobetherenow,alonewithEllen,soshecouldputherheadinhermother’slapandcryinpeace.Wouldn’tMotherevercomehome?

           Then,wheelsgroundsharplyonthegraveleddriveway,andthesoftmurmurofEllen’svoicedismissingthecoachmanfloatedintotheroom.Thewholegrouplookedupeagerlyassheenteredrapidly,herhoopsswaying,herfacetiredandsad.Thereenteredwithherthefaintfragranceoflemonverbenasachet,whichseemedalwaystocreepfromthefoldsofherdresses,afragrancethatwasalwayslinkedinScarlett’smindwithhermother.Mammyfollowedatafewpaces,theleatherbaginherhand,herunderlippushedoutandherbrowlowering.Mammymuttereddarklytoherselfasshewaddled,takingcarethatherremarkswerepitchedtoolowtobeunderstoodbutloudenoughtoregisterherunqualifieddisapproval.