Читать книгу Gone with the Wind / Унесённые ветром. Уровень 3 - Маргарет Митчелл - Страница 11

Scarlett, Melanie and Miss Pittypat sat in front of the Daily Examiner office in the carriage. They wanted to learn the first news of Ashley. Somewhere Ashley was fighting, perhaps dying, and the newspaper office was the only place where she could learn the truth.

The first casualty lists[15] were posted.

«Read it», whispered Melly. Scarlett read and her voice shook.

Oh, how long the list was! Three «Tarleton» names on that list. «Tarleton Brenton, Lieutenant; Tarleton Stuart, Corporal; Tarleton Thomas, private». And Boyd was buried somewhere in Virginia. All the Tarleton boys gone.

Sxarlett could not read any more. The boys with whom she had grown up, danced, flirted, kissed were on that list.

As the Christmas season approached, Ashley came home on furlough. Scarlett was frightened. Her emotions were sharpened by her long dreams of him. This Ashley Wilkes in his faded, patched uniform was a different man from that boy she had loved before the war. He stood in his old uniform, his pistol in its holster, Major Ashley Wilkes. Her same handsome Ashley, yet so very different.

He was home again. Melanie was too happy to be shy and reserved. And Scarlett was too glad to be jealous. Ashley was home at last!

Ashley had kissed his father, and then Aunt Pitty. Finally he turned to Scarlett and said: «Oh, Scarlett! You pretty, very pretty!» and kissed her on the cheek.

«Darling, you look like a ragamuffin», said Melanie. «Who did mend your uniform?»

«Really? My servant, Mose, mended it», said Ashley.

At supper they all asked him about the war. The war! Who cared about the war? Scarlett didn’t think Ashley cared very much for that subject either. She saw that Melanie’s cheeks were crimson and she was trembling. She seemed shyly happy. Melanie did not even look up when Ashley opened the bedroom door. Ashley said good night abruptly, and he did not meet Scarlett’s eyes either. The door closed behind them. Ashley was no longer hers. He was Melanie’s.

The week had passed swiftly, like a dream. Now Ashley was going away, back to Virginia, back to the long marches in the sleet, to pain and hardship.

Scarlett sat on the divan in the parlor. She knew that perhaps she had the chance to talk to him. Why hadn’t she made the opportunity during this last week? But always, Melanie was at his side, always friends and neighbors and relatives were in the house.

Finally he came down the steps. Alone! He came down the steps slowly. When he came into the parlor, his eyes were somber. He was trying to smile but his face was white. She rose as he entered.

«Ashley», she begged abruptly, «may I go to the train with you?»

«Please don’t. Father and the girls will be there».

«Then I won’t go», she said. «See, Ashley! I’ve a present for you».

It was a long yellow sash.

«Scarlett, it’s beautiful! Did you make it yourself? But I know you’ve cut up a dress or a shawl to make it».

«Oh, Ashley, I’ll do everything for you!»

«Will you?» he questioned. «Then, there’s something you can do for me, Scarlett».

«What is it?» she asked joyfully.

«Scarlett, will you look after Melanie for me? Take care of her. She’s so frail and she doesn’t realize it. And she’s so gentle and timid. Scarlett, will you promise?»

«Oh, yes!» she cried, for at that moment. «Ashley, Ashley! I can’t let you go away!»

«Scarlett! Scarlett! You are so fine and strong and good».

«Oh, Ashley», she whispered happily, thrilling at his words and his touch on her face. «Nobody else but you ever…»

«I think that perhaps I know you better than most people and that I can see beautiful things in you that others can’t notice».

Where were the magic three words? But they did not come.

She cried «Oh!» in a childish whisper and sat down with tears.

Ashley said «Good-bye», very softly, and walked into the dark front hall.

«Kiss me», she whispered. «Kiss me good-bye».

«No, Scarlett, no», he said in a low voice.

«I love you», she said.

«Good-bye», he said hoarsely.