Chapter 4

           Thatnightatsupper,Scarlettwentthroughthemotionsofpresidingoverthetableinhermother’sabsence,buthermindwasinafermentoverthedreadfulnewsshehadheardaboutAshleyandMelanie.Desperatelyshelongedforhermother’sreturnfromtheSlatterys’,for,withouther,shefeltlostandalone.WhatrighthadtheSlatterysandtheireverlastingsicknesstotakeEllenawayfromhomejustatthistimewhenshe,Scarlett,neededhersomuch?

           Throughoutthedismalmeal,Gerald’sboomingvoicebatteredagainstherearsuntilshethoughtshecouldendureitnolonger.HehadforgottencompletelyabouthisconversationwithherthatafternoonandwascarryingonamonologueaboutthelatestnewsfromFortSumter,whichhepunctuatedbyhammeringhisfistonthetableandwavinghisarmsintheair.Geraldmadeahabitofdominatingtheconversationatmealtimes,andusuallyScarlett,occupiedwithherownthoughts,scarcelyheardhim;buttonightshecouldnotshutouthisvoice,nomatterhowmuchshestrainedtolistenforthesoundofcarriagewheelsthatwouldheraldEllen’sreturn.

           Ofcourse,shedidnotintendtotellhermotherwhatwassoheavyonherheart,forEllenwouldbeshockedandgrievedtoknowthatadaughterofherswantedamanwhowasengagedtoanothergirl.But,inthedepthsofthefirsttragedyshehadeverknown,shewantedtheverycomfortofhermother’spresence.ShealwaysfeltsecurewhenEllenwasbyher,fortherewasnothingsobadthatEllencouldnotbetterit,simplybybeingthere.

           Sherosesuddenlyfromherchairatthesoundofcreakingwheelsinthedrivewayandthensankdownagainastheywentonaroundthehousetothebackyard.ItcouldnotbeEllen,forshewouldalightatthefrontsteps.