Унесенные ветром

           MammywasgreatlyperturbedthatEllen’sdaughtershoulddisplaysuchtraitsandfrequentlyadjuredherto"acklakalillady."ButEllentookamoretolerantandlong-sightedviewofthematter.Sheknewthatfromchildhoodplaymatesgrewbeauxinlateryears,andthefirstdutyofagirlwastogetmarried.Shetoldherselfthatthechildwasmerelyfulloflifeandtherewasstilltimeinwhichtoteachhertheartsandgracesofbeingattractivetomen.

           Tothisend,EllenandMammybenttheirefforts,andasScarlettgrewoldershebecameanaptpupilinthissubject,eventhoughshelearnedlittleelse.Despiteasuccessionofgovernessesandtwoyearsatthenear-byFayettevilleFemaleAcademy,hereducationwassketchy,butnogirlintheCountydancedmoregracefullythanshe.Sheknewhowtosmilesothatherdimplesleaped,howtowalkpigeon-toedsothatherwidehoopskirtsswayedentrancingly,howtolookupintoaman’sfaceandthendrophereyesandbatthelidsrapidlysothatsheseemeda-tremblewithgentleemotion.Mostofallshelearnedhowtoconcealfrommenasharpintelligencebeneathafaceassweetandblandasababy’s.

           Ellen,bysoft-voicedadmonition,andMammy,byconstantcarping,laboredtoinculcateinherthequalitiesthatwouldmakehertrulydesirableasawife.

           "Youmustbemoregentle,dear,moresedate,"Ellentoldherdaughter."Youmustnotinterruptgentlemenwhentheyarespeaking,evenifyoudothinkyouknowmoreaboutmattersthantheydo.Gentlemendonotlikeforwardgirls."

           "Youngmisseswhutfrownsanpushesoutdeychinsan’says‘Ahwill’and‘Ahwoan’mos’gener’lydoanketchhusbands,"prophesiedMammygloomily."Youngmissesshouldcas’downdeyeyesan’say,‘Well,suh,Ahmout’an’‘Jes’asyousay,suh.’"