Gone with the Wind / Унесённые ветром. Уровень 3

Aunt Pittypat is too old to raise a child and Honey and India are sweet but… I want you to have my baby. Promise me, Scarlett».

В«Damn it!В» cried Scarlett. В«Why do you talk about dying?В»

«I’m sorry, dear. But promise me. I think it’ll be today. I’m sure it’ll be today. Please promise me».

В«Oh, all right, I promiseВ», said Scarlett, looking down at her in bewilderment.

Was Melanie such a fool she really didn’t know how she loved Ashley? Or did she know everything? Scarlett wanted to ask these questions, but they died on her lips as Melanie took her hand and held it for an instant against her cheek.

В«Why do you think it will be today, Melly?В»

«I have pains… but not very bad ones».

«You have? Well, why didn’t you call me? I’ll send Prissy for Dr. Meade».

«No, don’t do that yet, Scarlett. You know how busy he is, how busy they all are. Just send word to him that we’ll need him some time today. Send over to Mrs. Meade’s and tell her and ask her to come over and sit with me.

«Oh, stop it. You know you need a doctor as much as anybody in the hospital. I’ll send for him right away».

«No, please don’t. Just send for Mrs. Meade. She’ll know».

В«All rightВ», said Scarlett.

Chapter XVI

Scarlett dispatched Prissy for Mrs. Meade and sat down with Wade to eat breakfast. But she had no appetite. Coffee was repulsive. Without sugar or cream it was bitter. After one swallow she pushed her cup away.

Wade was quieter than usual. He ate silently. When he had finished she sent him off to the back yard to play with great relief. She arose and stood irresolutely at the foot of the stairs. She should go up and sit with Melanie but she did not want it.

She sat down on the bottom step of the stairs and tried to compose herself. Why didn’t Mrs. Meade come? And where was Prissy?

She went out onto the front porch and looked for them impatiently.

«You’re as slow as molasses in January», snapped Scarlett as Prissy opened the gate. «What did Mrs. Meade say? How soon will she be over here?»

«She wasn’t there», said Prissy.

В«Where is she? When will she be home?В»

«Well», answered Prissy. «The Cookie says Miss Meade went away early this morning. She won’t come».