Віднесені вітром

Chapter 41

           Unabletosupporttheconvicts,theStatewashiringthemouttothoseneedinglargelaborcrewsinthebuildingofrailroads,inturpentineforestsandlumbercamps.WhileFrankandhisquietchurchgoingfriendsrealizedthenecessityofthesystem,theydeploreditjustthesame.Manyofthemhadnotevenbelievedinslaveryandtheythoughtthiswasfarworsethanslaveryhadeverbeen.

           AndScarlettwantedtoleaseconvicts!Frankknewthatifshedidhecouldneverholduphisheadagain.Thiswasfarworsethanowningandoperatingthemillsherself,oranythingelseshehaddone.Hispastobjectionshadalwaysbeencoupledwiththequestion:"Whatwillpeoplesay?"Butthisthiswentdeeperthanfearofpublicopinion.Hefeltthatitwasatrafficinhumanbodiesonaparwithprostitution,asinthatwouldbeonhissoulifhepermittedhertodoit.

           Fromthisconvictionofwrongness,FrankgatheredcouragetoforbidScarletttodosuchathing,andsostrongwerehisremarksthatshe,startled,relapsedintosilence.Finallytoquiethim,shesaidmeeklyshehadn’treallymeantit.ShewasjustsooutdonewithHughandthefreeniggersshehadlosthertemper.Secretly,shestillthoughtaboutitandwithsomelonging.Convictlaborwouldsettleoneofherhardestproblems,butifFrankwasgoingtotakeonsoaboutit

           Shesighed.Ifevenoneofthemillsweremakingmoney,shecouldstandit.ButAshleywasfaringlittlebetterwithhismillthanHugh.

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