[Gone with the Wind] Back to the beginning

Scarlett's trip this time can be described as swift and resolute. From the time she heard the news from Bell to the time she finally arrived in Charleston, not even ten hours had passed.

Such a fast speed, of course, has elements of anger and anxiety.But it can’t be said that Scarlett has been dazzled by emotions—on the contrary, when she was packing her luggage at Aunt Pete’s house and faced the panicked questioning of the old lady, Scarlett gradually calmed down, and she knew exactly what she was doing.She had already written a letter and entrusted Aunt Pete to send it back to Tara Manor to explain a little to her mother.When she arrives at her aunt's house in Charleston, she will write a longer letter explaining it carefully.But no matter how short or long the letter is, there is actually only one thing to show—Rhett Butler's father has passed away, and Scarlett O'Hara is going to Charleston to attend the funeral.

Yes, Scarlett wasn't going to use such lame excuses as visiting her aunt, although it made perfect sense.After Bell's words, Scarlett hastily made up her mind to let things go.Anyway, my mother had already guessed her feelings for Rhett, but she didn't directly point it out out of her face.This incident happened just as an opportunity, and it was good to leave a buffer time between the two places.When she and Rhett came back from Charleston, let him accompany her back to Tara to explain.Scarlett didn't consider Rhett's willingness or not. It would be ridiculous if she still hesitated and lacked confidence after Belle had said those words.She wanted him to accompany her back to Tara, and he had to come back!Hadn't he left her behind when he turned on his own to Charleston?The account has not yet been settled!

It was early morning when we arrived in Charleston, and the stars were dimly dotted in the sky.The air is cool, mixed with the salty smell of sea water, and there are almost no people on the street.Scarlett found a nearby hotel to check in, washed up in the room and fell asleep.She grabbed Bell Watling and asked very clearly that Mr. Butler's funeral was still several days away, and the time was not too urgent.

At noon the next day, Scarlett woke up in a strange bed.The brain froze for a few seconds, and immediately realized where he was.She opened the suitcase, found out a set of relatively plain and solemn black dress that she had specially brought this time, put on her hat and went out.She had already inquired about the Butler family at the hotel—thanks to Torret Butler, a rebellious son, Charlestonians were very concerned about the Butler family during this time, and she didn't take much trouble to I knew what I wanted, and at the same time, I felt more and more angry.

The last time Scarlett came to Charleston was at the beginning of her new life.At that time, apart from her two aunts Euratty and Pauline, Rhett Butler's mother and sister were the most frequent contacts in Charleston.After that, she also passed several letters with Rhett's sister. Although she hadn't been here for a long time, she still remembered the general direction.Scarlett inquired all the way, and it didn't take long to arrive at the gate of Butler's house.

The Butler family's ancestors were pirates, and they were very rich.The next generation, Rhett's father, became a staid man of courtesy, so the house was built in the same mold as the old-fashioned manors Scarlett had seen.It's just that because of the war, this place is already in decline.Looking at the corner of the manor covered with cobwebs, some people may think that Mr. Butler has just passed away and the family is short of staff.But Scarlett knew very well that after Rhett came over, the situation of the house would be much better than before!It's not that she doesn't know what kind of person old Mr. Butler is - Rhett's narration, as well as the vague memory of his previous life.She knew that the old gentleman almost starved his family to death, let alone tidying up the manor.

There was an old nigger at the door, slovenly, snot-nosed, listless in the sun.Scarlett didn't recognize him, but he looked at Scarlett who remembered a little bit: "Ah, you are..." as if trying to remember, "Are you here to visit Mrs. and Miss?" He finally said asked steadily.

Scarlett nodded: "Please tell me, my surname is O'Hara."

The old black man at the porter slapped his head and walked inside.Scarlett waited on the spot, and couldn't help thinking of the few long-term encounters with Mr. Butler.Rhett was certainly not like his father.As soon as she thought about it, she looked up and saw a tall figure hurriedly approaching the corner.Scarlett couldn't help a smile.

"Hi, Butler." She greeted the surprised Rhett almost lazily. The sarcasm in her words was particularly obvious, but she said it very softly considering the occasion, "Didn't expect me to come?"

Rhett Butler, wearing a mourning dress that was obviously made in a hurry-the edges were cut very thickly, stood in front of her, looking fixedly at Scarlett.He didn't say a word, Scarlett just felt a little guilty, and was about to stretch out her hand in front of his eyes, when Rhett suddenly grabbed her into his arms and hugged her tightly.He buried his nose in her black hair and sighed, "Scarlett, oh, Scarlett."

Scarlett held him motionless, feeling the warmth from the man.He has a lot of stubble, and his eyes are black, obviously he didn't sleep well.Scarlett was annoyed at the thought that he had planned to downplay this incident in front of her.But seeing him who is now tired and with an inexplicable heaviness all over his body, Scarlett's heart slowly softened again.She let him hold her for a while, until she saw the hem of old Mrs. Butler's skirt appearing around the corner, and she pushed him twice.

"Okay, I'm here." She said softly, "Let go of me first, your mother is here."

But Rhett didn't let her go until Mrs. Butler really came over.At this time, he has almost adjusted his expression, and he can laugh and joke again.He made a face at Scarlett, then held her hand, and solemnly introduced to Mrs. Butler: "Mom, this is Scarlett, Scarlett O'Hara—the girlfriend I haven't had time to propose to. "

Scarlett blushed suddenly even if the occasion was not right at all.

Old Mrs. Butler looked at them with a smile.She was much thinner and older than Scarlett remembered, and her husband's death dealt a blow to this woman, causing her to quickly wither away.But the return of her beloved older son also brought her solace.Her gestures are painfully slow, but elegant nonetheless.She smiled peacefully and tiredly, and stroked Scarlett's face kindly.

"What a surprise, Rhett," she said softly. "You never told me you had a... prospective fiancée?"

Although her face was still burning, Scarlett was able to complain to the old lady viciously. She complained: "Where is this one? He didn't intend to tell me-what happened here." She raped Rhett At a glance, as for the prospective fiancee?Do you deny it in front of the elders at this time?Besides, at most she was a little surprised by the sudden appointment, and she didn't want to deny anything...

"Rhett Butler!" Sure enough, the old lady was angry, and she majesticly hit the ground twice with her cane, "How old are you this year? Do you need a little girl to teach you this kind of thing? Let me ask you, since you said This is your fiancée-to-be, so do you treat her as a family? Do you still want to hide it? Hiding it, hiding it, is it useful? You still have to expose it. What kind of childish temper do you have? Is it embarrassing to meet others? Tell me..."

"Mom." Rhett quickly interrupted, and raised his hands in surrender with a wry smile, "Okay, I know I was wrong." He glanced at Scarlett with a smile, "Take Scarlett in first? Can't let her keep going?" Stand still." He said softly to Scarlett: "Now that you are standing here, so last night was an overnight train?" Scarlett snorted without denying it.Old Mrs. Butler quickly hugged her in her arms.

"Honey." She said sincerely and moved, "My son, it's really kind of you to treat him like this—" She gave Rhett a look, and then turned to Scarlett with a pleasant face, "Good girl, I liked you very much when you came to Charleston, and so did Rhett's sister. I didn't think we had such a fate, alas! I should eat fast and pray to God! It's really good that you can be with him. Anita will be delighted too."

Anita is Rhett's younger sister's name, and Scarlett got along well with her last time in Savannah.Scarlett was also a little ashamed of Mrs. Butler's bragging, and she couldn't pursue the matter of Rhett leaving her behind in front of her elders for the time being, so she said a few words modestly and let Mrs. Butler People went into the inner room arm in arm.

Along the way, Rhett Butler was always by his side with a smile on his face.Scarlett felt that his whole demeanor was different from when they first met just now—he was tired and bored just now, but now he was happy.She felt that it was worthwhile for her to come here - of course, he had to investigate his faults first!Moreover, Scarlett muttered in her heart, Mrs. Butler is a gentle and almost cowardly woman at heart. Now that she can talk to her son like this, Rhett must love her very much, respect her, and put a lot of thought into it. .

He really cared about his mother, Scarlett thought.

On this day, Scarlett finally didn't find a chance to talk to Rhett alone.The little time before was considered sneaking time, and relatives and friends kept coming to the Butler Manor to visit and condolence in the afternoon, and Rhett went out to deal with it, so busy that he didn't touch the ground.Instead, Mrs. Butler and Anita Butler sat with Scarlett for a while, both curious and expecting that Rhett would suddenly have an extra fiancée. Scarlett could hardly resist their enthusiasm—— With an hour or two before sunset, Scarlett said goodbye to old Mrs. Butler.The old lady insisted on letting the black man at the door drive the only carriage to take her back. After hearing Scarlett's experience of traveling all the way overnight, the old lady Butler felt that it was not easy for her to be a daughter-in-law, so she insisted on doing something. What, Scarlett couldn't refuse to come.

Finally, Scarlett returned to the hotel before sunset, packed her luggage, and then the black man drove her to Aunt Eulalie's house.Aunt Eulalie's family was very surprised when they learned of Scarlett's sudden arrival. Scarlett generously said that she came to attend Mr. Butler's funeral - she had a little friendship with Rhett, Anita and the old lady.This was the truth, and Aunt Eulalie didn't doubt it, she just complained that she didn't write to explain it earlier, which made her unprepared.Scarlett said a few perfunctory words to her, and asked her aunt to take her to find a store to make mourning clothes tomorrow, and then packed up and went to sleep.

Before going to sleep, Scarlett thought of Mrs. Butler, Rhett said she was his "prospective fiancée", and her face blushed quietly again.but!Scarlett thought about it, and frowned.Although it has been approved by Mrs. Butler...but there is still trouble on the mother's side.If mother knew that she had already met someone with Rhett, and even set the title of "prospective fiancée", wouldn't it be a bit like threatening with established facts?After much deliberation, she couldn't come up with a better solution. Scarlett only made up her mind to drag Rhett back to Tara after the funeral to explain clearly, and then fell asleep in a daze.

Her dream today was very peaceful and peaceful.