Gone with the Wind another bet

The camps were dying like flies, sometimes a hundred a day.The North, enraged by such reports, continued to treat Confederate prisoners with greater cruelty, and conditions at Rock Island were the worst.Food was scarce, three people shared a blanket, and diseases such as smallpox, pneumonia, and typhoid fever spread wildly, giving the place a notorious reputation as a contagious hospital.Three-quarters of those sent there never came back alive.

"Oh, Captain Butler, is there any other way—can you use your influence to exchange him?" Melanie cried out.

"It is said that the kind and just Mr. Lincoln shed great tears for Mrs. Bixby's five children, but he was not moved by the thousands of dying Confederate soldiers in Andersonville," Rhett said. speak with one mouth. "Even if they were all dead, he didn't care. The order has been announced--no exchange. I haven't told you before, Mrs. Wilkes, your husband had an opportunity to come out, but he refused."

"Oh, no!" Melanie could not believe such a thing.

"Yes, really. The Yankees are recruiting troops to go to the frontier and print Indians. Mostly from Confederate captives. Any captive who signs up to swear an oath of allegiance and go fight the Indians for two years is freed and released. Sent West, Mr Wilkes refuses to do so."

"He should, or I'd rather have him dead there," Melanie said.

☆、《Dream Wedding》

Here came May, 1864, a hot, dry May, and the buds withered before they could open.Union forces under General Sherman again entered Georgia, to the north of Dalton, a hundred miles northwest of Atlanta.Legend has it that a fierce battle will break out near the border of Georgia and Tennessee.The Yankees were mobilizing troops for an attack on the Atlanta Railroad in the west, the main road from Atlanta to Tennessee and the west, along which the Confederates had rushed to win the victory at Chickamauga last fall.

Most Atlantans, however, were less alarmed by the possibility of a major battle at Dalton, since the concentration of Union forces was just a few miles southeast of the Chickamauga battlefield.Since their last attempt to open the mountain trail in that area was repulsed, it must be repelled this time.

On the porch of Aunt Pitty's house one hot May evening, Dr. Meade was talking about the situation, saying that Atlanta had nothing to worry about because General Johnston stood like a wall of brass in the mountains, and his views represented The general opinion of the citizens of Atlanta.His audience sat swaying gently in the fading twilight, watching the first fireflies of summer flit wonderfully against the dusk, but their hearts were heavy and their moods were constantly changing.Captain Carey Ashburn's crippled arm was tormenting him again, and he was frustrated that his pursuit of Scarlett had come to a standstill.Rhett Butler was reclining lazily in the shadows, his long legs in beautiful leather boots crossed casually, his swarthy face was expressionless, and no one knew what he was thinking.As for Aunt Pitty, she was nervously trying not to hiccup because they had a hard old rooster for dinner that day.

That morning, Aunt Pitty regretfully decided that it was best to kill the old rooster, lest it continue to grieve over its eaten wife until it died of old age.For many days, it always hangs its head in the empty chicken farm and feels bored, and it can't get up the energy to crow.When Uncle Peter snapped its neck, Aunt Pitty suddenly remembered that many of her friends hadn't tasted chicken for weeks; it would be a shame for her family to enjoy this delicious meal behind closed doors, so she It is recommended to invite some guests to dinner.Melanie, who was in her fifth month of pregnancy and hadn't been out at events or hosting guests for weeks, was uneasy about the idea.But Aunt Pitty was very determined this time. It was too selfish for the whole family to eat this rooster alone, right?What's more, Melanie's breasts are so flat. If she only needs to raise the top skirt a little, no one will notice.

So, Aunt Pitty had a treat, and at the last minute a guest came who she didn't invite and didn't want him to come. It just happened that the room was filled with the smell of roast chicken, and Rhett Butler came back from nowhere. Knock outside.He had a large box of sweets wrapped in flower paper under his stomach, and he was full of clever flattery.There was nothing to be done but to keep him, though Aunt Pitty knew that the Doctor and Mrs. Meade did not like him, and Fanny did not like any man who was not in uniform.Originally, neither the Meades nor the Elsings greeted Rhett on the street, but now at a friend's house, of course they were treated politely.What's more, he is now protected by Melanie more firmly than before.For Melanie had declared openly that, as long as he lived, he would always be a welcome guest at her house, and would not care what was said about him, ever since he had helped Melanie find out about Ashley.

Aunt Pitty was gradually relieved to find that Rhett's speech and behavior were polite.His wholehearted sympathy and respect for Fanny cheered Fanny up, and the meal was a very pleasant one.It can be said to be a sumptuous feast.

Then the gentlemen joined the ladies on the front porch, and the conversation turned to the question of the war.The talk of war these days is inseparable.Every subject starts with the war and returns to it—sometimes sad, more often cheerful, but often war-related.Wartime legends, wartime weddings, deaths on the battlefield in hospitals, stories in camps, battles, and marches, stories of valor, cowardice, humor, misery, depression, and hope, etc., etc.Hope, often hope, always hope.Despite several defeats last summer, hope remains steadfast.

When Captain Ashburn announced that he had applied for and was accepted for transfer from Atlanta to the Dalton Army, the ladies in unison kissed his stiff arm, while deliberately concealing their pride, claiming that He can't go, otherwise who will act as a flower protector around them?

The young Captain looked embarrassed and pleased to hear such words from such respectable women as Mrs. Meade, Melanie, Aunt Pitty, and Fanny, and secretly hoped that Scarlett thought so too.

"Why, he'll be back soon," said the doctor, putting his arm around Carey's shoulder. "One little encounter and the Yankees will flee back to Tennessee. And once they get there, General Forrest will take care of them. You ladies needn't be afraid the Yankees will get this far." Come on, because General Johnston and his troops are in the mountains like an iron wall. Yes, an iron wall," he repeated, admiring the word he used.

"Sherman will never get over it. He'll never move our old General York." The women laughed appreciatively, for his easy-going tone sounded like an irrefutable truth.After all, men have much better knowledge than women about such matters. Since he said that General Johnston is an iron wall, it must be an iron wall.Only Rhett had something to say, and he had been sitting silently in the night mist since supper, listening to everyone talking about the war.

"I've heard rumors that Sherman's reinforcements have arrived, and he has over a hundred thousand now?"

"Well, how is it, sir?" asked the doctor angrily, and his answer was simple.Because ever since he found out that the person he disliked was going to eat at the same table with him, he had always felt a sense of depression in his heart.It was only out of respect for Miss Pittypat, and I was a guest at her house, that I barely restrained myself from bursting out.

"I think Captain Ashburn said just now that General Johnston only has about 4000 men, including those who deserted. They were encouraged by the last victory before returning."

"There are no deserters in the Confederate Army, sir," interposed Mrs. Meade angrily.

"Forgive me," Rhett said in a tone of false humility. "I'm referring to those who forgot to return to the team when they came back for vacation, and those who have healed their injuries for more than half a year, but are still staying at home to prepare for daily work or spring plowing." Mrs. De was so flat that she almost bit her lip.

Scarlett couldn't help laughing when she saw her in such a mess, because Rhett had stabbed her in the heart again.In order to prevent Rhett from continuing to say any bad words, he stood up and said that he would play a piano piece for everyone.No one would refuse the kindness of a southern lady at this time, and Ashbourne took the lead in saying yes.

Scarlett played a few chords first, and after a pause, a beautiful and slightly sad "Dream Wedding" floated out of the living room.It was a piece of music she liked very much, and she knew no one here would have heard it.

At the end of the song, everyone was still immersed in the wonderful music just now, and forgot to speak for a while.

"What's the name of this song?" Rhett asked, and Scarlett saw the appreciation in his eyes.

"I don't have a name, I just play it casually." She said with a little contempt for her plagiarism in her heart.

"May I play it again?" said Ashburn.

"Of course." Scarlett pressed the keys again, and beautiful notes flowed out from her fingertips.

☆、Will you join the army?

Later facts proved that Dr. Meade's prediction was correct.Johnston really stood like a wall of iron in the mountains a hundred miles north of Dalton.He defended so firmly and fought so fiercely, determined not to let Sherman realize his attempt to rush out of the canyon to Atlanta.In the end the Yankees had to go back and negotiate.Unable to break through the Confederate defenses from the front, they weaved across the pass under the cover of night, trying to get behind Johnston and cut off the railroad [-] miles south of Resaca.

Now that the railroad was in danger of being cut off, the Confederates immediately left the defending trenches and took a shortcut towards Resaca at night.By the time the northern troops pouring out of the chaotic mountains rose up to them, the southern army had already built deep trenches and solid fortifications, set up artillery platoons, and drew bayonets, just as they were at Dalton.

The wounded, however, brought mixed reports from Dalton that General John's troops had retreated to Resaca, much to the surprise and a little confusion in Atlanta.What on earth was the General planning to allow the Yankees to invade Georgia eighteen miles?The mountainous area was originally a natural fortress, even Dr. Meade said so, why didn't Old Yue block the Northern Army there?Johnston again drove the Yankees back after a bloody fight at Resaca, but Sherman, attacking on both flanks, spread his army in a semicircle across the Ostana River, attacking the The railroad behind the Confederate Army.The battle began, and it was very fierce, and the Northern Army was beaten back.At this time, the Confederate army was exhausted, so they went to bed, hoping to get a respite and take a rest.But the enemy would not let them rest, and Sherman advanced relentlessly, forming his troops in a wide solitary line, forcing them to retreat once more to defend the railroad behind.

Suddenly one day, the first batch of wounded soldiers from Kennesaw Mountain was about to arrive. At seven o'clock in the morning, Mrs. Merriwether's carriage stopped in front of Aunt Pitty's house. Uncle Levi, a black man, sent a message upstairs, please Carrie dressed immediately and went to the hospital.The weather was hot, and flies swarmed into the open windows. These fat, lazy flies sapped people's energy more seriously than sickness. Following Dr. Meade up and down with a plate, she was sweating, and her freshly washed dress was soaked.

At noon, she took off her apron and slipped out of the hospital. At this time, Mrs. Merriwether was busy writing a letter for a tall, thin, illiterate Mountain Ranger wounded soldier. Scarlett felt that she could not bear it any longer.She hurriedly crossed the two roads to Peachtree Street, breathed in the fresh air, and stopped at a corner, not knowing where to go next, when Rhett passed by in a carriage.

"You look like a scavenger girl," he said, jumping out of the carriage, his eyes on her patched lavender calico dress, which was covered with sweat and stains, The latter had apparently been applied while nursing the wounded.

I don't know why, Scarlett suddenly wanted to laugh when he said this. In fact, she did the same thing, and laughed so hard that she didn't pay attention to her image.

"Scarlett, what's wrong with you?" Rhett was puzzled by her smile and almost thought she was crazy.

"I'm so glad to see you, Rhett. It's been a long time since I've seen a man with all his limbs and all his five senses." She finally stopped laughing.

De's forehead twitched. Is she praising him?

"Okay, Rhett, take me for a ride, anywhere."

When he helped her into the carriage, he smiled casually, which was very touching.He himself got into the car and sat beside her, and she felt a great charm as the muscles of his tall body were full and symmetrical in the well-ironed clothes, as if under shock.He exudes a kind of relaxed, graceful and graceful power, like a black panther lying lazily in the sun, yet alert and ready to pounce and attack at any time.Looking at him, she couldn't help becoming tense, a feeling she had never felt before.

"We can't go too far, and some new wounded soldiers will be sent in this afternoon." Scarlett quickly recovered. "

"Oh? Your professionalism really surprises me." He teased, raising his eyebrows with joy.

"Actually, I'm tired of this kind of hospital work." She said, straightening the skirt she sat down on and tightening the hatband under her chin. "More and more wounded soldiers are pouring in every day Entering the city, this is a duty imposed on me, and I can't push it away, so I simply accept it. I believe that General Johnston has tried his best to reduce casualties."

"It's nice to see that you're not like everyone else yelling 'kill him' because you can't do what you can't do. He was seen as a savior in Dalton and six weeks later he was in Kennesaw Mountain, he becomes the traitor Jew. However, as soon as he drives the Yankees back [-] miles, he will become Jesus again. Knowing that Sherman's army is twice as strong as Johnston's army, he can use two men Kill one of our lads, and Johnston can't afford to lose one."

"Will you join the army?" Scarlett asked suddenly.

"My dear, only fools go to the military! Like your Charles and Ashley. I don't wear a uniform or wield a saber, and the fate of the Confederacy has nothing to do with me. What I learned at West Point Enough for my life, I just need to eat well and live well." Reid said carelessly.

Scarlett smiled slightly, she knew that in the end he was still what she called a fool.

"But I don't understand. Why do you still stay here when you know you will lose the war?" Did he stay here for her? Now she was eager to know the answer.

"You know about the siege?" Rhett saw Scarlett nodded and continued, "As for why I'm here-- well, I've read a lot about sieges and trapped cities and things like that , but have never seen it with my own eyes, so I think I'd better stay here and see, I'm a non-combatant, there is no danger, and, I need some practical experience. Scarlett, don't let go of new things .It will enrich your mind."

"My thoughts are rich enough."

"You probably know best about that, but I'll say—that would be very unmannered. I stayed, perhaps, to save you at a siege. I've never rescued a woman in distress before, That will be a new experience, too."

The answer was both expected and unexpected. She knew that he was mocking her, but she also realized that there was a serious meaning behind his words.Will he really fall in love with Scarlett now?

Seeing that Scarlett didn't speak, he continued, "I bet you they'll get here within a month, I'll bet you a box of candies—" His dark eyes glanced at her lips. "How about we just bet on a kiss?"

"Turn around and go back to the hospital, Rhett, we've come far enough." She made a casual expression, "I won't bet with you, you are a professional gambler, I believe in your strength. But , if the city is really under siege, I may really need your help."

"Is there any return?"

"Of course, like you said, rescuing a woman in trouble is a new experience, which will enrich your thoughts, what a precious reward." She finally won him a little, like a cat He also raised his head triumphantly, "Oh, the hospital is here, thank you, Dear Mr. Butler."

Seeing her triumphantly jumping out of the carriage and trotting into the hospital, Rhett smiled lightly and drove the carriage away.

☆, test

For the first time since the war began, Atlanta could hear the sound of guns. Every morning, before the noise of the city began, one could faintly hear the booming of the cannons on Kennesaw Hill. I thought it was the thunder of summer.Sometimes quite clearly, even over the sound of the railroad tracks at noon.Rhett Butler had brought her some fine clothing on his last smuggling ship, and at her request some medicine for typhoid fever.

The South was in rapid retreat, and on the day of the battle of Atlanta, Scarlett and many other ladies sat on the roof of the store with little parasols in their hands, watching the battle go on, but when the shells began to fall and explode in the street At that time, they fled to the cellar one after another, and from that night onwards, women, children and the elderly have all left the city in large numbers.Macon was their destination, and indeed those who had taken the train that night had escaped there half a dozen times during Johnston's retreat from Dalton.Mrs. Merriwether and Mrs. Elsing would not leave, and, they said proudly, they were not at all afraid that the Yankees would not be able to drive them out of the house.Mrs. Meade refused to take the doctor's order and did not take the train to escape. This was the first time she disobeyed the doctor's arrangement since she was married. She said that the doctor needed him, and that Phil was still in a trench somewhere. Stay near him, just in case... But Mrs. Whiting and many other ladies around Scarlett are gone, and Aunt Pitty, who was the first to condemn the old covenant's withdrawal policy, is now among the first Just packed the luggage.She said she was nervous and couldn't bear all the noise around her.She was afraid that an explosion would faint her, and she would not be able to run to the cellar for shelter.She was going to Macon to live with her cousin, old Mrs. Burr.

Because Melanie is weak and cannot withstand the bumpy journey, Scarlett stays to take care of her.According to Dr. Meade, she was due in about five weeks.

Although Scarlett was fairly calm, it was the first time she had been in such close contact with a war, and she would always be frightened by the thundering cannons.But then I gradually got used to it, and began to take care of Melanie wholeheartedly, and asked Dr. Meade a lot about midwifery.

In the hot weather of July, from the beginning of the month to the end of the month, the siege of the city continued. The day with the rumbling of guns and the night of darkness continued, and the citizens began to adapt to this situation. Everyone seemed to think that the worst It has happened, and there is nothing more terrible.

It is sometimes a little quieter on hot nights, but this quietness is not normal either.If it was silence, it was so silent--as if tree frogs and grasshoppers and sleepy mockingbirds were too frightened to speak in the usual summer night chorus.The silence was sometimes broken by the rattling of muskets in the last line of defense.

In the middle of the night, often when the lights were out, Melanie was asleep, and the whole city was silent, Scarlett was still awake in bed, hearing the clatter of the iron bars on the front door and the soft knocking on the door in the front room. Voice.

Often, soldiers with indistinct faces stood in the dark corridor, and several people spoke to her from the darkness at the same time, and sometimes a gentle voice came from those shadows: "Please forgive me for disturbing you. Ma'am, can you Can't I and my horse have some water?" Sometimes it's a guttural mountain folk accent, sometimes it's the nasal voice of the southern grasslands; occasionally it's the calm, slow tone of the seaside.

"I have a companion here, miss. I wanted to take him to the hospital, but he doesn't seem to be able to walk anymore. Will you let him in?"

"Miss, I really can eat anything. If you can give it, I really want to eat cornbread."

"Miss, please forgive me for being too rash, but--can you let me spend the night in the corridor? I saw the roses and smelled the honeysuckle, and I felt like I was at home, so I dared-- "No, these nights are not real!They were a nightmare, and those soldiers were part of it, soldiers who could not see bodies or faces, were only tired voices speaking to her in the hot night mist.Fetching water, feeding food, putting pillows out in the hallway, bandaging wounds, holding the dying man's head, no, none of that could have been what she had actually done!Sometimes Scarlett even felt that everything she experienced here was a dream.

At the end of July she finally received a letter from Gerald.

"My dear daughter, both your mother and the two girls have typhoid fever, but fortunately they are not very serious, and we are always trying to cure them with the best of hopes. When your mother fell ill, let me write to you and ask you not to worry about it." Why don't you go home, lest you also catch this disease. She greets you and asks you to pray for her."

Scarlett began to be afraid that there was no way to send out the medicine in her hand. Could it be the same ending as in the book?Is she still going to lose this hard-won family relationship?She sat on the front porch that night, never felt so lonely, even if she was left by Cheng Yunian in her previous life to live alone in the United States, now she is so lonely that she is afraid.Then she heard the front door slam and stood up to see that it was Rhett Butler, walking down the sidewalk with the wide-brimmed Panama hat in his hand.

"So you didn't escape to Macon! I heard that Miss Pitty had retreated, so, of course, I thought you were gone too. I saw a light in your house just now, and I came in to find out. Why are you still here?" What about staying here?"

"Accompany Melanie, she can't run around and work hard, she can only stay here."

"Hey," she saw him frown from under the light. "You're telling me Mrs. Wilkes is here? I've never heard of such a fool. It's dangerous to stay here in her present condition!"

"You don't even consider that something may happen to me, it's too unfair." She said sourly.

His eyes sparkled with joy.

"I'll keep you safe from the Yankees at all times. But when it comes to things like this," he went on, "do you have any guards or guardians around you? The admirable Mrs. Merriwether, or Mrs. Meade." ? As if they knew that I came here with evil intentions. They kept staring at me."

"Mrs. Meade often comes to see at night," Scarlett replied, glad to change the subject, "but she can't come this evening. Her son Phil is home."

"It's good luck," he said easily, "that you're alone in the house." He opened his cigarette case, took out a black cigar, put it to his nose, sniffed it, and struck a match.He leaned against a pillar, put his hands on his knees, and smoked quietly.Scarlett rocked again in the couch.The dark night fog was dense and warm.There was silence all around them, and the mockingbird, who had lain dormant among the thickets of rose and honeysuckle, awoke from his sleep and sang carefully and fluently.Then, as if after careful consideration, it fell silent again.

At this time, Rhett suddenly laughed out of the shadows in the corridor, laughing softly and softly.

"So you stayed with Mrs. Wilkes! This is the strangest situation I've ever been in!"

"I don't see anything strange about it," Scarlett replied. "I've said it many times. I'm good to Melanie and it has nothing to do with Ashley. I hope you don't mention it again. And I I'm depressed now. I got a letter from Tara today. The Yankees are very close to my house. My mother and sister have typhoid fever again. Although you brought me medicine last time, I can't send it out. .”

He said, softer: "You're safer in Atlanta now, even if the Yankees come, than at Tara. The Yankees won't hurt you, but the typhoid will. Don't worry, I'll think There is a way to send the medicine back for you."

"Can you hug me?" Scarlett said suddenly, and she saw Rhett obviously stunned.

"My dear girl, are you throwing yourself into your arms, just to thank me for helping you deliver medicine?"

"No, no, I'm just scared, I don't feel safe, I can't cope with the current situation, I..." Scarlett said indiscriminately, she felt that she was about to cry, but in the next second she was pulled into a warm embrace.Rhett's firm chest miraculously calmed her restless heart, and she almost wished that time would stop at this second.

"Scarlett, you like me, don't you?" He bowed his head in her ear, his voice was so low that it was almost charming.

"Yes, I like you very much." She leaned on his chest and looked up at him.

He laughed, and tightened his arms around her slender waist: "Will you fall in love with me one day, Scarlett?"

Hearing this sentence, she left his embrace as if she was electrocuted.

"I don't know." She said sincerely, "Then, will you fall in love with me?"

He came over and took her hand tightly: "My dear, may I call you 'dear', Miss O'Hara? Whether you like it or not, I'll call you 'dear' anyway, that's all right, It's just a matter of manners. You're beautiful and capable, with a lot of flamboyance. But there are plenty of women as beautiful and capable as you, and they're just as useless. No, I don't love you, but I like you very much—for that flexible conscience of yours, for that selfishness which is so seldom concealed, and for that shrewd pragmatism in you."

"Are you confessing?"

"Please don't interrupt me," he squeezed her hand tightly. "I like you also because I have the same character in me, the so-called sympathy. I find that you are still thinking about that holy and stupid Mr. Wilkes, although he may have been in the grave for half a year. But in your heart There must be a place for me too. Scarlett, don't you shy away! Yes, I'm making a confession to you. I've wanted you since I first saw you in the hall at Twelve Oaks Well, you were bewildering poor Charlie Hamilton. I wanted you more than I ever wanted any woman - and waited for you more than I've ever waited for any other woman Long." She couldn't see his intentions clearly, so she decided to give it a try.

"Are you asking me to marry you?"

He put her hand down and laughed loudly at the same time: "No! My God, didn't I tell you that I am not married?"

Sure enough, he is still just as bad!Scarlett was furious, and it seemed that he would still come up with the mistress' rhetoric, and she had to preemptively strike.

"Red Butler, I would not be interested in being one of your mistresses. I appreciate your kindness, but I don't think that having the qualities you think is similar to you can be the reason why you like me. Indeed , I don't care about those so-called rules, if I want, those rules and regulations will never restrain me. And in my opinion, men and women are equal, I will only marry a person who loves me and I also love, if he If I don’t show up, I’d rather die alone than die. This life is God’s gift to me, and I can’t give it generously to someone I don’t love.” She stared fixedly at those dark and bright eyes. His eyes and heart were beating chaotically, and before he could speak, he quickly turned and went back to the house.When she reached the second floor, she heard that he seemed to close the door for her out of good intentions.

☆, delivery

At last the last day of August came, and it brought with it the rather believable rumors that the fiercest fighting since the Battle of Atlanta had begun.The battle is going on somewhere to the south.The citizens of Atlanta anxiously waited for the news of the improvement of the war situation. Everyone was silent, and they were not even interested in joking.Everyone now knew what the soldiers had learned a fortnight ago, that Atlanta was at its last stand, and that if Macon fell, Atlanta would be lost.

On the morning of September [-], Scarlett awoke with a suffocating sense of dread that she had felt when she went to bed the night before.Leaning on the window lattice, she listened attentively to the roar in the distance, trying to figure out which direction it came from. After an unknown period of time, as the sound of the guns became louder and louder, it was indeed coming from the south.It is not known whether Rhett sent the medicine to Tara.

Scarlett walked to Melanie's door, opened the door slightly, and looked into the sunny bedroom.Melanie was lying on the bed in her pajamas, her eyes were closed, a dark circle appeared around her eyes, her sweet face was a little swollen, and her slender body had become a little misshapen and ugly.At this moment, Melanie opened her eyes and smiled at her kindly and tenderly, and her complexion suddenly brightened.

"Come in," she greeted, rolling over with difficulty. "I woke up as soon as the sun came out. I was thinking about it, Scarlett. There is something I want to ask you." Scarlett walked into the room and sat down on the sunny bed.

Melanie reached out and gently held Scarlett's hand.

"Honey," she said, "the sound of the guns makes me uneasy. It's the direction of Jonesboro, isn't it?" It also started to speed up.

"I know you are anxious. I know that if it hadn't been for me, you would have gone home when you heard of your mother's illness. Scarlett, dear. You have been so kind to me, so kind, so brave, that even My sister is nothing more than that. So I love you very much. I feel very disturbed that I am dragging you down."

Scarlett tried to comfort her, but was interrupted by her.

"Scarlett, I've been lying here thinking about it all the time, and I'm going to make a very important request to you." As she said that, she tightened her grip on it. "If I die, will you raise my child?" Melanie stared at her eagerly and tenderly with her big bright eyes.

"Well, don't be silly. Melanie, you won't die. Ashley will come back too, and you'll be happy, trust me."

"I'm not afraid of death, I'm afraid of leaving the baby behind, and Ashley--Scarlett, please promise me that if I die, you will raise my baby. Then I won't be afraid. Aunt Pitty is too old for the baby; Honey and India are fine, but--I want you to take my baby. Promise