Chapter 49

           Mrs.Elsingcockedhereartowardthehall.HearingMelanie’sstepsdieawayintothekitchenwhererattlingdishesandclinkingsilverwaregavepromiseofrefreshments,sheturnedandspokesoftlytotheladieswhosatinacircleintheparlor,theirsewingbasketsintheirlaps.

           "Personally,IdonotintendtocallonScarlettnoworever,"shesaid,thechilleleganceofherfacecolderthanusual.

           TheothermembersoftheLadies’SewingCirclefortheWidowsandOrphansoftheConfederacyeagerlylaiddowntheirneedlesandedgedtheirrockingchairscloser.AlltheladieshadbeenburstingtodiscussScarlettandRhettbutMelanie’spresencepreventedit.Justthedaybefore,thecouplehadreturnedfromNewOrleansandtheywereoccupyingthebridalsuiteattheNationalHotel.

           "HughsaysthatImustcalloutofcourtesyforthewayCaptainButlersavedhislife,"Mrs.Elsingcontinued."AndpoorFannysideswithhimandsaysshewillcalltoo.Isaidtoher‘Fanny,’Isaid,‘ifitwasn’tforScarlett,Tommywouldbealivethisminute.Itisaninsulttohismemorytocall.’AndFannyhadnobettersensethantosay,‘Mother,I’mnotcallingonScarlett.I’mcallingonCaptainButler.HetriedhisbesttosaveTommyanditwasn’thisfaultifhefailed.’"

           "Howsillyyoungpeopleare!"saidMrs.Merriwether."Call,indeed!"HerstoutbosomswelledindignantlyassherememberedScarlett’srudereceptionofheradviceonmarryingRhett."MyMaybelleisjustassillyasyourFanny.