Унесенные ветром

Chapter 3

           Hestoodontheblackenedfoundationstonesoftheburnedbuilding,lookeddownthelongavenueoftreesleadingtowardtheroadandsworelustily,withajoytoodeepforthankfulprayer.Thesetwinlinesofsombertreeswerehis,histheabandonedlawn,waisthighinweedsunderwhite-starredyoungmagnoliatrees.Theuncultivatedfields,studdedwithtinypinesandunderbrush,thatstretchedtheirrollingred-claysurfaceawayintothedistanceonfoursidesbelongedtoGeraldO’HarawereallhisbecausehehadanunbefuddledIrishheadandthecouragetostakeeverythingonahandofcards.

           Geraldclosedhiseyesand,inthestillnessoftheunworkedacres,hefeltthathehadcomehome.Hereunderhisfeetwouldriseahouseofwhitewashedbrick.Acrosstheroadwouldbenewrailfences,inclosingfatcattleandbloodedhorses,andtheredearththatrolleddownthehillsidetotherichriverbottomlandwouldgleamwhiteaseiderdowninthesuncotton,acresandacresofcotton!ThefortunesoftheO’Haraswouldriseagain.

           Withhisownsmallstake,whathecouldborrowfromhisunenthusiasticbrothersandaneatsumfrommortgagingtheland,GeraldboughthisfirstfieldhandsandcametoTaratoliveinbachelorsolitudeinthefour-roomoverseer’shouse,tillsuchatimeasthewhitewallsofTarashouldrise.

           HeclearedthefieldsandplantedcottonandborrowedmoremoneyfromJamesandAndrewtobuymoreslaves.TheO’Haraswereaclannishtribe,clingingtooneanotherinprosperityaswellasinadversity,notforanyoverweeningfamilyaffectionbutbecausetheyhadlearnedthroughgrimyearsthattosurviveafamilymustpresentanunbrokenfronttotheworld.

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