@@@@@But you can't expect me to believe for an
@@@@@But you can't expect
me
to believe for an instant that your crafty old lawyer didn't notify you
when I cut off the money I was sending to AtlantaI'm too fond of
Henry Hamilton to credit such negligence
"Stopped sending the money? You can't do that!" Scarlett's knees
turned to jellyRhett couldn't mean itWhat would happen to her?
The house on Peachtree Street-the tons of coal it took to heat it, the
servants to clean and cook and wash and keep the garden and the
horses
and polish the carriages, the food for all of them-why, it cost a
fortuneHow could Uncle Henry pay the bills? He'd use her money!
No, no that couldn't beShe'd scrabbled along with no food in her
belly, broken shoes on her feet, her back breaking and her hands
bleeding while she worked in the fields to keep from starvingShe'd
given up all her pride, turned her back on everything she'd been
taught, done business with low-down people not fit to spit on,
schemed
and cheated, worked day and night for her moneyShe wouldn't let it
go, she couldn'tIt was the only thing she had"You
can't take my money!" she screamed at RhettBut it came out a
cracked
whisper"I haven't taken any away from you, my pet
I've only stopped adding to itAs long as you're living in the house
I provide in Charleston, there's no reason for me to maintain an empty
house in AtlantaOf course, if you were to return to it, it would no
longer be emptyThen I'd feel obliged to begin paying for it
again
Rhett walked over to the fireplace where he could see her face in the
light of the flamesHis challenging smile disappeared and his
forehead
creased with concern"You really didn't know, did you? Hold on,
Scarlett, I'll get you a brandyYou look like you're going to pass
outHe had to steady her hands with his to hold the glass to her
lips
She was trembling uncontrollablyWhen the glass was empty, he
dropped
it on the floor and chafed her hands until they warmed and stopped
shaking
"Now tell me, in sober truth, is there really a soldier breaking into
bedrooms?"
"Rhett, you didn't mean it, did you? You aren't going to stop sending
the money to Atlanta?"
"To hell with the money, Scarlett, I asked you a questi