Continuation of "Gone with the Wind"

Chapter 26 Janet's Change

Scarlett didn't sleep well that night, it can be said that she almost stayed up all night.She has never been able to figure out Rhett's mind, and now she has no choice but to figure it out.And what Rhett had said to her, especially about Jack, had disturbed her even more.She naturally doesn't care if Jack is Chinese or not. Anyway, this is the United States. Regardless of Chinese, Japanese, and Indians, they will only be classified as "foreigners" - and they are not foreign guests, at most they are wanderers here. Immigration only.She has no idea of ​​racial discrimination. If she has, she looks down on the poor, weak, old and backward country behind them that is bullied and doesn't know how to resist.She naturally looks down on the weak.

But Jack is hard to say that he is a weak person. He is like a fish in water in terms of interpersonal communication, as if he was born with this material.He knows how to use his own advantages to quickly adapt to a new environment, just like a plant with strong adaptability, no matter where it is transplanted, it can quickly absorb the sun and rain, take root and grow, and grow stronger. This is something that many adults It's hard to do.Look at those old aristocrats in Atlanta!This kind of ability is definitely not something that can be achieved by relying on inspiration like writing poetry, and it is impossible to reach such a level of sophistication without a lot of human contacts.The question is, is it possible for an eleven or twelve-year-old child to experience this?Was he lying when he said he couldn't remember the past, because he didn't want to mention the past experience because it was too bad to look back on?She has never cared about a person's past, and occasionally asking questions is just out of curiosity, and it's fine if she doesn't get satisfaction.Is the current Jack really what he looks like?Because you have experienced too much, you mature prematurely, just because you are afraid of being hurt again?How did Rhett say that she adopted one child and it became three?A lovable child, he is very lovable; a child who is too mature, she still remembers the scene of Jack and her haggling over the books; a child who can't guess anyone but himself, she suddenly thinks of Jack After finding out about her condition, he went to buy medicine. He said he was just walking around, but she remembered that the nearest pharmacy was 20 minutes away from her aunt's house. Wasn't he being too considerate?Besides, where did he get the money? The money his two aunts gave him was only enough to buy a few pieces of candy.Of course he said that he would never steal anything again, but everyone knew that the most unreliable promise was a child's promise.In fact, Scarlett doesn’t know whether to treat him as a child or an adult now, maybe deep down in her consciousness she is still willing to treat him as a child, but he behaves like an adult in front of her and doesn’t let her worry about it. Some newly bought pets are now flattering and inviting their owners.Is it because he lacks a sense of security? Just like his previous self, he made money by any means because he was afraid of having no money, but deep down he hoped that someone would take over the burden on his shoulders so that he would not be so tired.Is it because he has been wandering for a long time, finally found a shelter, and is afraid of losing it?Then he was really pitiful.Scarlett came up with this idea, and the hard shell of her heart that had already been hardened by the hardships of life seemed to be cracked by this idea, revealing the soft core.She didn't know that the harder the heart is, the softer the things wrapped in it.And it is precisely because they are afraid that this softness will be harmed at will, that people will allow a hard shell to grow on their hearts.It is invulnerable, the more ruthless the blow, the harder it becomes, but it is afraid that some softness will seep in and slowly melt it like sulfuric acid dripping on iron.

Suddenly a terrible thought popped up out of nowhere and drove all her soft thoughts out.She knew that she shouldn't think so, and that people who casually misunderstand other people's good intentions are actually the worst, but it just pierced into her heart like a cold knife, forcing her to close the crack again: in case What he bought back was not medicine, but the poison that was going to kill her?The more she tried to convince herself that this idea was wrong, the more it stuck in her mind like an enemy flag.It takes only one thing to doubt a person, but many, many things to believe in a person.But there was more than one thing worthy of her doubts: why did Jack go out so coincidentally after his aunt went out?And why did she come back by such a coincidence when she was rummaging through boxes and cabinets?Rhett said that his expression was as pitiful as an abandoned kitten or puppy, but why did he look so polite when she turned around?Why are his eyes so sharp that he can see her illness at a glance?Finally, why did he get acquainted with Rhett so quickly?Rhett has always been serious in front of children, why did he say that Jack is not what he used to be but he is just a child?Isn't Rhett's attitude weirder than Jack's?He wished he could leave Charleston, and said he couldn't leave right away, he had to act as a loving couple with him, and he was so confident in his self-control, sure that he wouldn't fall into it again?Thinking of this, Scarlett couldn't help laughing. She was worried that she would never have the chance to get close to him, but he sent him to the door. She must have a way to capture his heart again, and then love him well, repay his love, and give him what he wants happiness.Only when he is happy can she be happy.

These thoughts bumped back and forth in her mind like a swarm of bees, making her feel a little tired until it was almost dawn.She closed her eyes comfortably, enjoying the ease of sleep.After an unknown amount of time, she heard the sound of hurried footsteps, and then the sound of a hand pulling the thick dark green silk curtain, letting in all the lazy sunlight outside, even though it was winter, it still made her unable to open her eyes. .When her vision came back, she saw Janet standing with her back to her, her thick black curly hair like a wind-torn black forest.

"Good morning, Scarlett." Her voice was not as enthusiastic as yesterday, conveying a sense of indifference and distance.

"Good morning, Janet." Scarlett was a little strange, but she still responded politely, "I didn't sleep well yesterday, so I woke up late. I'm sorry, but I asked you to call me yourself."

"It's nothing, you're still my sister-in-law no matter what you say." Scarlett felt awkward hearing these words, as if she had committed some serious crime. "I'm here to ask you to come down for breakfast, everyone is here."

"Oh, good. I have to touch up my makeup, you go down first." Scarlett finished dressing, put on rouge and makeup powder, and looked at herself in the mirror, her complexion was rosy again, and her skin was as white as snow. My mood also improved.But she was uncomfortable with Janet staring at her all the time.She couldn't help but said to her: 'Why don't you go down?If you want to learn makeup, I can teach you in the future.You should also learn to dress yourself well, so that someone will chase after you. "She remembered the surprise when she saw her in a hurry yesterday. Compared with the gloomy her now, she was a little cuter yesterday.

"Let's go down." She took the initiative to hold Janet's hand, and felt an obvious chill transmitted to her hand, which made her feel uneasy.But she didn't say anything and just went on like this.

There are seats reserved for the two of them downstairs.She wanted to sit next to Rhett, but Janet sat down and began to eat hard without even saying hello.Scarlett didn't know where she had offended her, and she felt a little angry. She sat down across from Rhett, but found that he didn't look at her at all, but looked worriedly at the man who was fighting with food. Sister, the tenderness in his eyes made Scarlett jealous. Since Ritter separated from her, Scarlett thought that he only had two expressions of mockery and indifference. Who knew that he still had such a gentle side.What annoyed her even more was that Janet was completely ungrateful, hadn't raised her head since she had lowered it, and completely ignored her brother.

Jack has been quietly eating his portion, and then quietly waiting for others.His eyes were fixed on everyone at the table, as if trying to read something from everyone's expressions.Scarlett didn't know what he saw, but he lowered his head anyway.

When the servant came to clean up, Jack also wanted to help, but was stopped.So he just sat there, like a motionless sculpture.He didn't obediently follow them out until Mrs. Eleanor and the Russes said they would take him out to buy some clothes.Only Scarlett, Rhett and Janet were left in the room, and Rhett also went out soon. Scarlett wanted to follow him, but he refused coldly, saying that he went to the pier by himself, which was not suitable for women.Scarlett didn't care about that, but Janet called her back and said she had something to say, so she stayed.

The room was so quiet that only the ticking of the wall clock could be heard. Scarlett and Janet had been sitting relatively silent for more than ten minutes, but no one spoke to break the silence.Just when Scarlett finally couldn't bear it anymore and was about to speak, Janet took the lead.Scarlett almost jumped out of her chair at her very first sentence. "Rett has already told me what happened between you, so I wonder why you still have the nerve to chase Charleston."

Scarlett ordered herself to be calm, but she still asked in a panic when she spoke: "What did he tell you?" "Everything, do you want me to repeat it to you? Your 'great' love, and Injury to my brother?" "It's between me and him." "I wouldn't bother to ask if it wasn't my brother." "What the hell are you trying to say?" "Just don't waste your time. Rui Te told me in person that he will never love you again. He hopes you stay away from him as much as possible." Janet regretted it after she finished speaking, and she almost fell off the chair when she saw Scarlett's face turn ashen.Although she is careless, she understands that this kind of thing is a fatal blow to a woman.But she didn't want to apologize to Scarlett for this. She had never apologized to anyone since she was a child.But she knew more or less in her heart that if a woman didn't value a man, she wouldn't have such a big reaction when she heard about it.It's just that she didn't know if it was love or, as Rhett said, just out of possessiveness.That's why she said this to test her own thinking.She hadn't known Scarlett for a long time, but sometimes it didn't take too long to get to know someone.She knew that Escarlett's character would not be overwhelmed by her words.Now she felt more relieved, anyway Rhett was very important to Scarlett.She doesn't want her brother to suffer, nor does she want him to give up his true love because of a moment of confusion.From the first time she saw Scarlett, she had an inexplicable affection for her. She thought maybe it was because she and Scarlett were similar in some ways.They are all the kind of stubborn people who will not give up their goals easily.

"Speaking of which." Janet silently watched Scarlett's leaving back and thought, "If she just gave up like this, how could she be the woman Rhett has loved for so long? She will definitely lose her temper with Rhett, But I won’t let him go just like that. When Rhett comes back at night, there will be a good show.” Then she felt ashamed of her own mentality, how could she think so, and treat other people’s sad things as a play?But her natural boldness made her feel relieved, who else could stand Rhett if she wasn't like Scarlett?

"You don't think Jack is that Chinese laborer, do you?" Scarlett stared at him strangely, "How could those people hire such a young child? Besides..."

"You're right, you have to be over 16 years old to be a Chinese laborer, but he's too young, no one dares to hire him. And even if someone dares to hire him, even if those jobs are too hard for people to do, he can't bear it , how could it be possible to run so far to Charleston and faint in the monastery?"

"I'm asking you. Why did you ask me back? I've never been to St. Francis."

"That's right. Those Chinese workers are almost like talking machines. Their treatment and education are not as good as those of the black slaves before the war. But Jack is obviously much better than them. His pronunciation is very standard, and he can't hear it unless he listens carefully. The northern accent in it. His upbringing and politeness even surpassed many children from upper-class families in Charleston. Of course there is an element of acting in it, but if he has not received strict education, he will not be able to act. And The most important point is that those Chinese workers without exception have a stupid long braid on the back of their heads, which is like a string on a puppet. I don’t think you are so ignorant that you don’t know that the Manchu government in China stipulates that men regardless of size Must have braids."

"Of course I know this. I learned it when I was in a girls' school. I also know that you are not allowed to cut off that braid until you die, or you will be executed. I really don't know how there is such a stupid government in the world. Regulation."

"Then why doesn't he have braids? Is a child so bold that he would risk his life?"

"You should ask him that," Scarlett told him, wondering why Rhett was so interested in a child.

"That child is very thoughtful, and she won't easily tell others what's on her mind." He looked at her and said, his tone was somewhat cautious and uneasy for some reason, "I think you still remember that you were like a Bagong this morning. Just like rummaging through his poor property, he just came back from the outside."

"So what? Anyway, he doesn't know what I'm doing." Even though she said that, she was not at ease.

"Aren't you too stupid to see it?" Rhett always likes to laugh at her, "You didn't see his expression at that time, he was as pitiful as an abandoned kitten or puppy. When you find out , He has returned to normal. It can’t be said that it is normal, it can only be said that it is what you want to see.”

"Then what should I do? You make him look like a conspirator, I dare not let him stay by my side anymore."

"A woman who can resist Sherman's army is afraid of a child. It's an anecdote. You won't be afraid, right?" His ridicule was clear, just like the teeth he was showing at this time, seeing Scarlett's face gloomy again When he got down, his voice suddenly became gentle again: "Don't worry, baby, he won't do anything to you. After all, he is nothing more than a child. A lovable child, a child who is too mature , a child that no one can guess except himself. You obviously only adopted one child, but you have three children. Buy one and get two free, it’s a good deal.”

She had long been accustomed to his ridicule, so she ignored it.All the doubts about Jack flooded into her mind, echoing crisply like pearls falling on the ground. She always wanted to find a silk thread to thread them but couldn't find it.Seeing her uncommonly frustrated look, Rhett smiled happily.It really annoyed her.She simply put the matter aside as before and think about it tomorrow.

She regained her former majesty, and said to Rhett: "I will take care of him, you can rest assured. I hope you will not forget our agreement, let me have fun, otherwise I will change all the silverware at home." It won’t leave even if it becomes scrap copper and rotten iron.”

"Mrs. Butler, your husband's affection will make you the most envied woman in Charleston," he said glibly.Then he changed his tone and said calmly: "It's getting late, you can rest. Good night, dear." Rhett opened the door and returned to his bedroom.

Lying on the spacious bed, Scarlett felt much better.It occurred to her that she could let Uncle Henry and Will handle the silver exchange instead of doing it herself.For two months, she could play as much as she wanted.The beautiful clothes she brought finally came into use, and she didn't believe that Rhett would not be tempted.It's just that there is no way to take Jack away. Will something happen if he is left alone at home?This made her uneasy.