Chapter 22

           Therewouldneveragainbeanafternoonaslongasthisone.Orashot.Orasfulloflazyinsolentflies.TheyswarmedonMelaniedespitethefanScarlettkeptinconstantmotion.Herarmsachedfromswingingthewidepalmettoleaf.Allhereffortsseemedfutile,forwhileshebrushedthemfromMelanie’smoistface,theycrawledonherclammyfeetandlegsandmadeherjerkthemweaklyandcry:"Please!Onmyfeet!"

           Theroomwasinsemigloom,forScarletthadpulleddowntheshadestoshutouttheheatandbrightness.Pinpointsofsunlightcameinthroughminuteholesintheshadesandabouttheedges.TheroomwasanovenandScarlett’ssweat-drenchedclothesneverdriedbutbecamewetterandstickierasthehourswentby.Prissywascrouchedinacorner,sweatingtoo,andsmelledsoabominablyScarlettwouldhavesentherfromtheroomhadshenotfearedthegirlwouldtaketoherheelsifonceoutofsight.MelanielayonthebedonasheetdarkwithperspirationandsplotchedwithdampnesswhereScarletthadspilledwater.Shetwistedendlessly,tooneside,totheother,toleft,torightandbackagain.

           Sometimesshetriedtositupandfellbackandbegantwistingagain.Atfirst,shehadtriedtokeepfromcryingout,bitingherlipsuntiltheywereraw,andScarlett,whosenerveswereasrawasthelips,saidhuskily:"Melly,forGod’ssake,don’ttrytobebrave.Yellifyouwantto.There’snobodytohearyoubutus."

           Astheafternoonworeon,Melaniemoanedwhethershewantedtobebraveornot,andsometimesshescreamed.