Chapter 10

           Overthewafflesnextmorning,Pittypatwaslachrymose,MelaniewassilentandScarlettdefiant.

           "Idon’tcareiftheydotalk.I’llbetImademoremoneyforthehospitalthananygirlthere—morethanallthemessyoldstuffwesold,too."

           "Oh,dear,whatdoesthemoneymatter?"wailedPittypat,wringingherhands."Ijustcouldn’tbelievemyeyes,andpoorCharliehardlydeadayear....AndthatawfulCaptainButler,makingyousoconspicuous,andhe’saterrible,terribleperson,Scarlett.Mrs.Whiting’scousin,Mrs.Coleman,whosehusbandcamefromCharleston,toldmeabouthim.He’stheblacksheepofalovelyfamily—oh,howcouldanyoftheButlerseverturnoutanythinglikehim?Heisn’treceivedinCharlestonandhehasthefastestreputationandtherewassomethingaboutagirl—somethingsobadMrs.Colemandidn’tevenknowwhatitwas—"

           "Oh,Ican’tbelievehe’sthatbad,"saidMellygently."Heseemedaperfectgentlemanandwhenyouthinkhowbravehe’sbeen,runningtheblockade—"

           "Heisn’tbrave,"saidScarlettperversely,pouringhalfapitcherofsyrupoverherwaffles."Hejustdoesitformoney.Hetoldmeso.Hedoesn’tcareanythingabouttheConfederacyandhesayswe’regoingtogetlicked.Buthedancesdivinely."

           Heraudiencewasspeechlesswithhorror.

           "I’mtiredofsittingathomeandI’mnotgoingtodoitanylonger.Iftheyalltalkedaboutmeaboutlastnight,thenmyreputationisalreadygoneanditwon’tmatterwhatelsetheysay."