Chapter 41

           Whenthelastgood-byhadbeensaidandthelastsoundofwheelsandhoovesdiedaway,ScarlettwentintoEllen’sofficeandremovedagleamingobjectfromwhereshehadhiddenitthenightbeforebetweentheyellowedpapersinthepigeon-holesofthesecretary.HearingPorksnifflinginthediningroomashewentaboutlayingthetablefordinnershecalledtohim.Hecametoher,hisblackfaceasforlornasalostandmasterlesshound.

           "Pork,"shesaidsternly,"youcryjustoncemoreandI’ll—I’llcry,too.You’vegottostop."

           "Yas’m.Ahtrybuteve’ytimeAhtryAhthinksofMist’Geraldan’—"

           "Well,don’tthink.Icanstandeverybodyelse’stearsbutnotyours.There,"shebrokeoffgently,"don’tyousee?Ican’tstandyoursbecauseIknowhowyoulovedhim.Blowyournose,Pork.I’vegotapresentforyou."

           AlittleinterestflickeredinPork’seyesasheblewhisnoseloudlybutitwasmorepolitenessthaninterest.

           "Yourememberthatnightyougotshotrobbingsomebody’shenhouse?"

           "LawdGawd,MissScarlett!Ahain’never—"

           "Well,youdid,sodon’tlietomeaboutitatthislatedate.YourememberIsaidIwasgoingtogiveyouawatchforbeingsofaithful?"

           "Yas’m,Ah‘members.Ahfiggeredyou’ddonefergot."

           "No,Ididn’tforgetandhereitis."

           Sheheldoutforhimamassivegoldwatch,heavilyembossed,fromwhichdangledachainwithmanyfobsandseals.

           "Fo’Gawd,MissScarlett!"criedPork.