Віднесені вітром

           And,mostdreadfulofall,theycouldinnowayindicateaninterestinthecompanyofgentlemen.Andshouldagentlemanbesoillbredastoindicateaninterestinher,shemustfreezehimwithadignifiedbutwell-chosenreferencetoherdeadhusband.Oh,yes,thoughtScarlett,drearily,somewidowsdoremarryeventually,whentheyareoldandstringy.ThoughHeavenknowshowtheymanageit,withtheirneighborswatching.Andthenit’sgenerallytosomedesperateoldwidowerwithalargeplantationandadozenchildren.

           Marriagewasbadenough,buttobewidowed—oh,thenlifewasoverforever!HowstupidpeoplewerewhentheytalkedaboutwhatacomfortlittleWadeHamptonmustbetoher,nowthatCharleswasgone.Howstupidofthemtosaythatnowshehadsomethingtolivefor!Everyonetalkedabouthowsweetitwasthatshehadthisposthumoustokenofherloveandshenaturallydidnotdisabusetheirminds.Butthatthoughtwasfarthestfromhermind.ShehadverylittleinterestinWadeandsometimesitwasdifficulttorememberthathewasactuallyhers.

           EverymorningshewokeupandforadrowsymomentshewasScarlettO’Haraagainandthesunwasbrightinthemagnoliaoutsideherwindowandthemockersweresingingandthesweetsmelloffryingbaconwasstealingtohernostrils.Shewascarefreeandyoungagain.Thensheheardthefretfulhungrywailandalways—alwaystherewasastartledmomentwhenshethought:"Why,there’sababyinthehouse!"Thensherememberedthatitwasherbaby.Itwasallverybewildering.

           AndAshley!Oh,mostofallAshley!Forthefirsttimeinherlife,shehatedTara,hatedthelongredroadthatleddownthehilltotheriver,hatedtheredfieldswithspringinggreencotton.Everyfootofground,everytreeandbrook,everylaneandbridlepathremindedherofhim.