Gone with the Wind / Унесённые ветром. Уровень 3

«He died in camp», said Scarlett flatly.

«My dear ladies… You must forgive me. But I’m a stranger here. To die for one’s country is to live forever».

He knows about Ashley and he knows I didn’t love Charlie, thought Scarlett. She said nothing. He leaned down across the counter and hissed:

«Fear not, fair lady! Your guilty secret is safe with me!»

There was a roll of drums and many voices cried «Sh!» as Dr. Meade mounted the platform.

«The good ladies of the hospital committee know our needs. We must have more money to buy medical supplies from England, and we have with us tonight the intrepid captain who brings us the drugs we need. Captain Rhett Butler!»

Captain made a graceful bow.

«We need more gold and I am asking you for it», the doctor continued. «I am asking a sacrifice. Ladies, the Confederacy wants your jewelry. The gold will be melted and the stones sold and the money used to buy drugs and other medical supplies!»

Scarlett was happy that mourning forbade her wearing her precious earbobs and the heavy gold chain and the gold and black enameled bracelets and the garnet brooch. She saw women, old and young, laughing, eager, tugging at bracelets, unpinning brooches from bosoms.

The grinning little man was coming to their booth now, his basket heavy on his arm, and as he passed Rhett Butler a handsome gold cigar case was thrown carelessly into the basket.

«Wait!» cried Scarlett. «I have something for you!» She threw her wedding ring into the basket.

«Oh, my darling!» whispered Molly. «You brave, brave girl! Wait, Lieutenant! I have something for you, too!»

Molly threw her own wedding ring into the basket.

«What a beautiful gesture», said Rhett Butler, softly.

Scarlett disliked him heartily.

«Why don’t you say what you really think?» he demanded. «Why don’t you say I’m a damned rascal and no gentleman? I see that you are a coward. You don’t say what you really think».

«Then I’ll say», she said. «I don’t want to see you again! You aren’t a gentleman!»

«Listen,» he said with a grin. «You just wanted to dance and have a good time and you can’t. Tell the truth. Am I not right?»

«Captain Butler», she said. «Just because you’re the ‘great blockader’, it doesn’t give you the right to insult women».

«The great blockader! That’s a joke. Blockading is a business. And the Yankees help me make my money. Last month I sailed my boat right into New York harbor and took on a cargo».

«What!» cried Scarlett. «Didn’t they shoot you?»

«Of course not. There are plenty of sturdy Union patriots who want to get some money selling goods to the Confederacy. I run my boat into New York, buy goods from Yankee, and away I go. It’s more convenient than going to England».

«And now, ladies and gentlemen, I am going to propose a surprise. But this is for the Case. The dancing is about to begin. Gentlemen, if you wish to danse with the lady of your choice, you must bargain for her. I will be auctioneer and the proceeds will go to the hospital!»

Scarlett said nothing but her eyes glittered. She’s a widow! Suddenly she heard her own name:

«Mrs. Charles Hamilton, one hundred and fifty dollars, in gold».

«Another one of our belles, perhaps?» questioned the doctor.

«No», said Rhett clearly. «Mrs. Hamilton».

«I tell you it is impossible», said the doctor testily. «Mrs. Hamilton will not…»

Scarlett cried,

«Yes, I will!»

Chapter VIII

Next morning, Pittypat was lachrymose, Melanie was silent and Scarlett defiant.

«I don’t care if they talk. I made more money for the hospital than any girl there».

«Oh, dear, what does the money matter?» wailed Pittypat. «I just couldn’t believe my eyes. Poor Charlie! And that awful Captain Butler, he’s a terrible, terrible person!»

«Oh, I can’t believe he’s that bad», said Melly gently. «He seemed a perfect gentleman and he is brave. Darling, I understand and it was a brave thing you did last night and it will help the hospital a lot. Aunt Pitty, don’t cry. We must have three convalescents in our house, like everybody else, and some of the soldiers out to dinner every Sunday. Scarlett, don’t you fret. We know you loved Charlie».

Prissy entered with a bulky letter.

«For you, Miss Melly. A little boy has brought it».

«For me?» said Melly, wondering, as she opened the envelope.

Scarlett saw a broad gold ring.

«Read it», said Melly, pointing to the. «Oh, how sweet, how kind, he is!»

Scarlett, bewildered, picked up the sheet:

«Accept, dear Madam, this token of my reverence for your courage. This ring has been redeemed at ten times its value. Captain Rhett Butler».

Melanie slipped the ring on her finger and looked at it lovingly.

«I told you he was a gentleman, didn’t I?» she said turning to Pittypat. «Aunt Pittypat, you must write him a note and invite him to Sunday dinner so I can thank him».

So Captain Butler got the invitation into Pittypat’s house.

«It is difficult for me to believe that you forgot yourself», ran Ellen’s letter and Scarlett scowled. Which of the old cats had written to Ellen? «To dance, and with such a man as Captain Butler! He is a man of bad repute. I am heartbroken. Your father will be in Atlanta on Friday, he will speak with Captain Butler and escort you home».

Scarlett was frightened. Sh

«Not… not bad news?» quavered Pittypat.

«Pa is coming tomorrow and he’s going to give me a good lesson», answered Scarlett dolorously.

«I feel ill», said Pittypat weakly. «I must go lie down. You must give him my excuses».