Унесенные ветром

           ThatiseverybodyexceptherandPittypatandMellyandtheotherunfortunatesintownwhowereinmourning.ButMellyandPittypatdidnotseemtomind.Ithadnotevenoccurredtothemtowanttogo.IthadoccurredtoScarlett.Andshedidwanttogo,tremendously.

           Itsimplywasn’tfair.Shehadworkedtwiceashardasanygirlintown,gettingthingsreadyforthebazaar.Shehadknittedsocksandbabycapsandafghansandmufflersandtattedyardsoflaceandpaintedchinahairreceiversandmustachecups.Andshehadembroideredhalfadozensofa-pillowcaseswiththeConfederateflagonthem.(Thestarswereabitlopsided,tobesure,someofthembeingalmostroundandothershavingsixorevensevenpoints,buttheeffectwasgood.)YesterdayshehadworkeduntilshewaswornoutinthedustyoldbarnofanArmorydrapingyellowandpinkandgreencheeseclothontheboothsthatlinedthewalls.UnderthesupervisionoftheLadies’HospitalCommittee,thiswasplainhardworkandnofunatall.ItwasneverfuntobearoundMrs.MerriwetherandMrs.ElsingandMrs.Whitingandhavethembossyoulikeyouwereoneofthedarkies.Andhavetolistentothembragabouthowpopulartheirdaughterswere.And,worstofall,shehadburnedtwoblistersonherfingershelpingPittypatandCookiemakelayercakesforraffling.

           Andnow,havingworkedlikeafieldhand,shehadtoretiredecorouslywhenthefunwasjustbeginning.Oh,itwasn’tfairthatsheshouldhaveadeadhusbandandababyyellinginthenextroomandbeoutofeverythingthatwaspleasant.Justalittleoverayearago,shewasdancingandwearingbrightclothesinsteadofthisdarkmourningandwaspracticallyengagedtothreeboys.Shewasonlyseventeennowandtherewasstillalotofdancingleftinherfeet.Oh,itwasn’tfair!Lifewasgoingpasther,downahotshadysummerroad,lifewithgrayuniformsandjinglingspursandfloweredorgandiedressesandbanjosplaying.