Gone with the Wind / Унесённые ветром. Уровень 3

Dilcey was tall. Her immobile bronze face was unlined. Indian blood was plain in her features. The red color of her skin, narrow high forehead, all showed the mixture of two races. When she spoke, her voice was not so slurred as most negroes’ and she chose her words more carefully.

В«Good evening, young Misses. Mister Gerald, I am sorry to disturb you, but I wanted to come here and thank you again for buying me and my daughterВ».

В«Hm-hmmВ», said Gerald.

Dilcey turned to Scarlett and something like a smile wrinkled the corners of her eyes.

В«Miss Scarlett, Poke told me how you asked Mister Gerald to buy me. And so I give you my Prissy for your own maidВ».

She jerked the little girl forward. She was a brown little creature, with skinny legs like a bird. She had sharp eyes and stupid look on her face.

«Thank you, Dilcey», Scarlett replied, «but I’m afraid Mammy will have something to say about that.

В«Mammy is getting oldВ», said Dilcey. В«She a good mammy, but you are a young lady now and you need a good maid. Prissy has been maiding for Miss India for a year. She can sew and fix hairВ».

It was late, and Scarlett went to bed. She dropped her head upon her folded hands, and her thoughts went sadly back to Ashley. How can he plan to marry Melanie when he really loves her, Scarlett? And when he knows how much she loves him? Then, suddenly, an idea, shining and new, flashed like a comet through her brain.

«Why, Ashley hasn’t an idea that I’m in love with him!»

Her mind stood still as if paralyzed for a long, breathless instant.

«How could he know? I’ve always acted so prissy and ladylike around him he probably thinks I don’t care a thing about him. Yes, that’s why he’s never spoken! He thinks his love is hopeless. And that’s why he’s looked so…»

Her mind went swiftly back to those times when he was looking at her in that strange manner.

«He thinks I’m in love with Brent or Stuart or Cade. But if he knows I love him…»

This was the answer to Ashley’s reticence, to his strange conduct. He didn’t know! She had only to…

«Oh!» she thought rapturously. «What a fool I’ve been! I must think of some way to let him know.