Chapter 51

           Whenshewasfinallyabletogooutagain,ScarletthadLoulaceherintostaysastightlyasthestringswouldpull.Thenshepassedthetapemeasureaboutherwaist.Twentyinches!Shegroanedaloud.Thatwaswhathavingbabiesdidtoyourfigure!HerwaistwasalargeasAuntPitty’s,aslargeasMammy’s.

           "Pullthemtighter,Lou.Seeifyoucan’tmakeiteighteenandahalfinchesorIcan’tgetintoanyofmydresses."

           "It’llbustdestrings,"saidLou."Yo’wais’jes’donegotbigger,MissScarlett,an’darain’nuthin’terdo‘boutit."

           "Thereissomethingtodoaboutit,"thoughtScarlettassherippedsavagelyattheseamsofherdresstoletoutthenecessaryinches."Ijustwon’thaveanymorebabies."

           Ofcourse,BonniewasprettyandacredittoherandRhettadoredthechild,butshewouldnothaveanotherbaby.Justhowshewouldmanagethisshedidnotknow,forshecouldn’thandleRhettasshehadFrank.Rhettwasn’tafraidofher.ItwouldprobablybedifficultwithRhettactingsofoolishlyaboutBonnieandprobablywantingasonnextyear,forallthathesaidhe’ddrownanyboyshegavehim.Well,shewouldn’tgivehimaboyorgirleither.Threechildrenwereenoughforanywomantohave.

           WhenLouhadstitcheduptherippedseams,pressedthemsmoothandbuttonedScarlettintothedress,shecalledthecarriageandScarlettsetoutforthelumberyard.Herspiritsroseasshewentandsheforgotaboutherwaistline,forshewasgoingtomeetAshleyattheyardtogooverthebookswithhim.