[Gone with the Wind] Back to the beginning

Scarlett's decision to go back to Atlanta was hastily made, but her will was unexpectedly stubborn.Even Gerald can't be the master of his daughter now.Scarlett is determined to return to the place where she stayed in her previous life and fight for a chance for her mother.

The carriage borrowed from Rhett had already been returned by someone, so this time Scarlett returned to Atlanta by train, alone.It would be inconvenient for black slaves to accompany her for the things she might have to do, not to mention Tara's current shortage of manpower.So Scarlett set off as soon as she made up her mind, without letting anyone follow her.

Atlanta is getting hectic these days.Carloads of wounded were brought in, boxes of steel guns were taken away, the train was packed tightly, and there were many dirty soldiers or homeless people.Scarlett tightly clutched the key to Aunt Pitt's house that Mellie had given her, got out of the car and went straight to the small house with red brick walls at the end of Peachtree Street.

Before Scarlett left Tara, she received the second bad news: Ashley's father, Mr. John Wilkes, died in battle.After her mother fell ill, it seemed that nothing could defeat Scarlett.But Merry was very sad.Scarlett promised her that in addition to Charles's relics, Mr. Wilkes's would also be packed back.

"And a picture of Ashley." Merry asked hoarsely. "Bring back a picture of Ashley, Scarlett."

Of course Scarlett agreed.Although she felt that it was a bit cumbersome to bring those things, she couldn't refuse Mei Li's tearful request.

"I don't—I certainly don't think anything happened to Ashley. If something happened to him, I would know, I would feel it!" Melanie seemed to understand Scarlett's misunderstanding, and became agitated, "I just , I just want a photo of him. I can't—in the future, in the future..." She broke down in tears.

"I understand, Meili, I understand." Scarlett could only hold her in her arms, comforting her gently over and over again.Then Melanie kissed her on the cheek and said to her:

"Dear Scarlett, God will bless you as God bless Tara."

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It was already afternoon when they arrived in Atlanta. Scarlett dragged her tired body to Aunt Pete's house, put down her luggage, took a short rest, and went out decisively.

Atlanta was not the bustling, vibrant city of her freshest memories, tinged with a gray rush.The sound of cannonballs is no longer sporadic and distant as before, but exploded in the city again and again, crashing to the ground and blooming everywhere, scaring people out of their wits.Scarlett was also taken aback when she first saw this scene.But she bit the bullet and went to the street anyway.

Several familiar pharmacies had already closed their doors. Scarlett stood at the door of the hospital where people were coming and going, and the rotting stench of severed limbs and mites filled her nostrils.She hurried all the way in, pulling the hem of the skirt out of the hands of the wounded who were delirious from their injuries, and finally squeezed a way.Her eyes lit up, thank God, it was Dr. Meade!Scarlett hurriedly stood on tiptoe and waved the handkerchief vigorously: "Doctor Meade! Doctor Meade!"

Dr. Meade was busy giving instructions to an assistant about the operation, looking tired and tired, his gray goatee sticking together in locks.When he saw Scarlett, his eyes lit up a little, but his expression soon faded away.Maybe he was too tired.He said, "Oh, Scarlett, what are you doing here? We need men just now."

"Damn!" Scarlett cursed inwardly.He hurried over and said, "Doctor Meade, I went back to Atlanta to find medicine. My mother has typhoid fever—is there any typhoid medicine in the hospital? I brought money, please! Any amount is fine!"

But Dr. Meade looked at her with a surprised, bewildered look, as if she were saying something incredible.He finally spoke, his voice frighteningly dull:

"Ah," he said softly, "you're not joking, Scarlett. The hospital can't supply its own medicine."

He stared straight at Scarlett, and Scarlett took a step back subconsciously.It was only then that she realized how out of place and conspicuous she stood here—she, Scarlett O'Hara, Tara's beauty, in a green dress that was worn but barely patched, with a He wore a soft hat with a blue ribbon, and held a green velvet money bag in his hand.Standing in this dilapidated and chaotic hospital, between a group of desperately struggling wounded and sick and a group of suffering doctors, how out of place was she!God, for the past two months, she thought she was in hell!It turns out that there are still so many people struggling for their lives!Suffering turned out to be endless and unfathomable!She had been away from the most desperate period of her previous life for too long, and it was still difficult for her to do it all over again.But, my mother's illness can't be delayed!Thinking of this, Scarlett summoned up her courage again. She took another step forward, stared into Dr. Meade's eyes, and said earnestly:

"But Mom fell ill! Her illness is very serious! Dr. Meade, I came to Atlanta specifically to find medicine for my mother. Please give me some medicine. My mother's illness really can't be delayed..."

As if waking up from a dream, Dr. Meade shook off her hand suddenly, and roared angrily, "Yes, your mother is sick—but who cares about these wounded people! They are the same—" —God! Give me some more medicine, just a little bit, and give it to the person who hurts the most!" He didn't move his beard, but tears were streaming down his face.

Seeing Meade like this, a doctor next to him hurriedly gave Scarlett a hand, and said in a low voice, "It's not that we don't want to help... It's just that the hospital doesn't have much medicine, and now we can only use it for the most seriously injured people! Meade The doctors are all worried! Besides, all the medicines are kept in the hospital and the wounded. They are all military supplies, and we can’t get them out! Scarlett, think of another way. Here we... really No, go find another way! God will bless your mother."

Scarlett clenched her fingers, reluctantly thanked the doctor: "Okay, I see." Then she turned and went out, taking a deep breath.

She still had to go to Rhett Butler.

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In fact, Scarlett had thought clearly as early as on the way to and from Atlanta.Rhett was undoubtedly the best way she could find to get the medicine.But she didn't go to Rhett first, but went to the hospital where there was little hope.

This is not because girls are ashamed to ask their lovers for help.Scarlett couldn't tell at this moment whether Rhett was still in Atlanta.For her, the most important thing in this trip to Atlanta is to find the medicine to save her mother.Then what must be done is to bring back the relics of Charles and John Wilkes that Meili wanted.As for seeing Rhett, it was only a little secret desire of her own.In the face of survival, how can she waste time on her love?Seeing Rhett could only be an add-on, she told herself grimly.But when she was told by the hospital that "there is no medicine", Scarlett gradually felt a little joy in spite of her anxiety.She walked quickly to the Atlanta Hotel where Rhett had lived for a long time.If he hadn't gone, he must still be living here.

Suppose he had gone--Scarlett shook her head, dispelling the dreadful thought.No matter, it's useless to think about it now, let's figure it out first!If he was gone--really gone--we'll figure it out then!

"You mean Rhett Butler is not here?" Scarlett asked again.

"Yes, Mr. Butler hasn't come back yet." The little black girl at the front desk had twisted braids and smiled apologetically at her, "Do you want to leave a message for Mr. Butler? Well tell him."

"No need." Scarlett subconsciously refused, and then asked persistently, "You really don't know where he went?"

The little black girl hesitated and opened her mouth, then flinched back: "Mom will beat me up if she hears."

Scarlett's face darkened immediately.

Suppressing her impatience and dismissing the little girl, Scarlett finally couldn't help it when she walked outside the door, clenched her fist and waved it vigorously!Well, Rhett Butler really didn't leave!He actually stayed here and was so happy!He'd forgotten all about her and went to drink with that Belle Watling instead? —Yeah, there's nowhere else but Watling's pub to make that nigger falter!Fortunately, she even went back to straighten her hair for a possible meeting!It's just... It's insulting|humiliating!

Go find him or pretend you don't know anything?The latter option was quickly rejected by Scarlett, who had never known forbearance.Besides, I can't delay my mother's business!But to go to him like this--to go to Bell Watling's for Rhett Butler, would be a shame on Scarlett!Blame that bastard Rhett Butler!

Scarlett was very angry, and she didn't know where she got the impetus from, or if she was dazzled by jealousy, she actually went all the way outside the bar on Decatur Street.

There are clearly two worlds here and the outside world, with the pungent smell of inferior cosmetics, the ostentatious, scantily clad women staggering drunk, giggling while hugging the soldier with the missing arm.The more desperate, the crazier she became. The decadent smell made Scarlet feel uncomfortable all over, and she almost walked away.If it wasn't for Rui——if it wasn't for mother's medicine, why would she come to such a place!Shouting loudly to drive away the two salivating drunks who came over to strike up a conversation, Scarlett felt a little regret for her behavior for the first time.Just when she was about to quit, a familiar frivolous voice sounded:

"Oh, isn't this Miss Scarlett O'Hara?"

Scarlett turned sharply:

"Mrs. Bell Watling," she deliberately bit the syllables of the word "Mrs."