Chapter 19

           Inthosefirstdaysofthesiege,whentheYankeescrashedhereandthereagainstthedefensesofthecity,Scarlettwassofrightenedbytheburstingshellsshecouldonlycowerhelplessly,herhandsoverherears,expectingeverymomenttobeblownintoeternity.Whensheheardthewhistlingscreamsthatheraldedtheirapproach,sherushedtoMelanie’sroomandflungherselfonthebedbesideher,andthetwoclutchedeachother,screaming"Oh!Oh!"astheyburiedtheirheadsinthepillows.PrissyandWadescurriedforthecellarandcrouchedinthecobwebbeddarkness,PrissysquallingatthetopofhervoiceandWadesobbingandhiccoughing.

           Suffocatingunderfeatherpillowswhiledeathscreamedoverhead,ScarlettsilentlycursedMelanieforkeepingherfromthesaferregionsbelowstairs.ButthedoctorhadforbiddenMelanietowalkandScarletthadtostaywithher.AddedtoherterrorofbeingblowntopieceswasherequallyactiveterrorthatMelanie’sbabymightarriveatanymoment.SweatbrokeoutonScarlettwithclammydampness,wheneverthisthoughtenteredhermind.Whatwouldshedoifthebabystartedcoming?Sheknewshe’dratherletMelaniediethangooutonthestreetstohuntforthedoctorwhentheshellswerefallinglikeAprilrain.AndsheknewPrissycouldbebeatentodeathbeforeshewouldventureforth.Whatwouldshedoifthebabycame?

           ThesemattersshediscussedwithPrissyinwhispersoneevening,astheypreparedMelanie’ssuppertray,andPrissy,surprisinglyenough,calmedherfears.