Унесенные ветром

           "Youknowthereisn’tgoingtobeanywar,"saidScarlett,bored. "It’salljusttalk. Why,AshleyWilkesandhisfathertoldPajustlastweekthatourcommissionersinWashingtonwouldcometo—to—an—amicableagreementwithMr.LincolnabouttheConfederacy. Andanyway,theYankeesaretooscaredofustofight. Therewon’tbeanywar,andI’mtiredofhearingaboutit." 

           "Notgoingtobeanywar! "criedthetwinsindignantly,asthoughtheyhadbeendefrauded. 

           "Why,honey,ofcoursethere’sgoingtobeawar,"saidStuart. "TheYankeesmaybescaredofus,butafterthewayGeneralBeauregardshelledthemoutofFortSumterdaybeforeyesterday,they’llhavetofightorstandbrandedascowardsbeforethewholeworld. Why,theConfederacy—" 

           Scarlettmadeamouthofboredimpatience. 

           "Ifyousay‘war’justoncemore,I’llgointhehouseandshutthedoor. I’venevergottensotiredofanyonewordinmylifeas‘war,’unlessit’s‘secession. ’Patalkswarmorning,noonandnight,andallthegentlemenwhocometoseehimshoutaboutFortSumterandStates’RightsandAbeLincolntillIgetsoboredIcouldscream! Andthat’salltheboystalkabout,too,thatandtheiroldTroop. Therehasn’tbeenanyfunatanypartythisspringbecausetheboyscan’ttalkaboutanythingelse. I’mmightygladGeorgiawaitedtillafterChristmasbeforeitsecededoritwouldhaveruinedtheChristmasparties,too. Ifyousay‘war’again,I’llgointhehouse." 

           Shemeantwhatshesaid,forshecouldneverlongendureanyconversationofwhichshewasnotthechiefsubject. Butshesmiledwhenshespoke,consciouslydeepeningherdimpleandflutteringherbristlyblacklashesasswiftlyasbutterflies’wings.