Continuation of "Gone with the Wind"

Chapter 21 Goodbye Rhett

Aunt Eulalie and Aunt Pauline were the first to know about Scarlett's astonishing move. Naturally, they made a fuss, but they couldn't say anything.After Scarlett brought Jack over, they showed a rare display of affection for the boy.It seems that women, regardless of whether they are married or have children, are willing to have a chance to express their maternal instincts.

"This child is really likable and polite." Aunt Eulalie said happily, as if she was praising her child. "He's more polite than most Charlestonian kids. It's just pathetic, orphaned at such a young age, it hurts. If Scarlett hadn't adopted him, I don't know if he would follow those nasties." People learn to be bad." There seemed to be tears in her eyes, and she quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe them away.

"You're right, sister. But I'm always a little uneasy. This kid is cute, but he seems to be preoccupied. I don't know what he's thinking. Maybe it's been a long time since no one loved him. Get used to it." Aunt Pauline raised her concerns, but immediately gave herself an explanation.

Sitting aside, Scarlett scolded them secretly how a child could talk for so long, but she had already changed her clothes and was waiting to go to Rhett's house.She didn't have much interest in Jack, and adopting him was nothing more than an accessory to get back the property rights, but she didn't regard him as her own child in her heart.Although she thought about making him a servant, she never implemented it. Inconvenience is one aspect, but in fact, she has always had an indescribable feeling for this child in her heart.To be honest, she has never thought about how she should treat him.He wasn't a child at all, and she couldn't treat him the way she had treated Wade Ella; he was almost a man, but there was always something missing.

They won't know about these aunts, because his performance in front of them is impeccable.And although she felt it, she didn't know what to do.The scene of her negotiating with him is still fresh in her memory. This child is far more mature than his appearance.Besides Ashley and Rhett, this was the third man she had ever met who didn't look like a child.Then she laughed at herself for being stupid, how can an eleven or twelve-year-old be considered a "man"?

Scarlett always put it aside when she didn't have a clue, and this time was no exception.She followed her aunt on the way to Rhett's house, and she was used to seeing the Yankees patrolling the streets, anyway, they dared not do anything to her.Auntie is right, walk over with your head held high, and those guys will naturally give way.

In fact, this road is not close, and it takes a lot of effort to walk there.Scarlett asked her aunt why she didn't hire a carriage, and she felt uncomfortable seeing the beautifully decorated carriages running around with no one in them.As a result, her aunt told her that those carriages belonged to the Yankees and Carbaggers, and that no one in Charleston had a carriage now, just to set a distance from them.Scarlett had nothing to say. She hated the Yankees more than anyone else, but being practical she couldn't help contemptuous of the Charlestonian's self-inflicted decency.

Jack didn't go with them this time. For some reason, he caught a cold and had to lie at his aunt's house.Yu Lali said that he was not acclimatized, nothing serious, just take a rest.Before going out, Jack's illness was almost recovered, and he sat up from the bed to say hello to them.Scarlett's heart was softened by that sensible look, and she said goodbye to him softly before leaving.

The Rhett's house was much bigger and more beautiful than Scarlett had imagined, but after seeing the monastery, Scarlett didn't think there was anything wrong with it.When they walked to the door, Scarlett saw a person standing in front of the door. At first she thought it was Rhett, but when she was excited to run over, she heard her aunt calling him Lars, and then she remembered that it was Rhett. Rhett's younger brother, she is glad that she didn't lose control, otherwise everything would be difficult.When they got to know each other, she found that Lars and Rhett did look alike, except that his face was clean-shaven, his skin was not so dark, and his figure was not as tall as his brother. He looked like an elegant gentleman, but Not a bold pirate.His wife, Amy, also looked very quiet, which was a perfect match for him, but Scarlett didn't see their children.Looking into her questioning eyes, Aunt Pauline quietly told her that Amy had miscarried when she was pregnant before, and the doctor said she would never be able to have children again.Scarlett looked at Amy's regretful and longing eyes, and her heart immediately flooded with sympathy for her.She also had a miscarriage, and the heart-piercing pain she will never forget for the rest of her life.And if it wasn't for that accident, if she could give birth to that child smoothly, maybe Rhett wouldn't have left.She made up her mind at that time that she must have another child with Rhett.

She had seen Rhett's mother before, and that was at Mei Lan's funeral. She was so sad that she didn't even bother to take a closer look at who she was.She only remembered that she was a dignified and elegant lady who gave people a very kind feeling.But when she really met her, Scarlett felt unexpectedly kind.She gave her the same feeling as Ellen gave her, representing ease, tenderness, and love.She hugged her tightly, feeling all this quietly, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Okay, honey, don't cry. I've been looking forward to your coming. Now that you're here, everything will be fine." Rhett's mother comforted Scarlett, stroking Scarlett's back.

Like the southern ladies Scarlett has seen, Eleanor?Butler had a soft voice and a graceful manner, but she was more talented, much like Mama Ellen, and that was why Scarlett felt affection for her.She remembered what Rhett told her about her family before. She was kicked out of the house by her father, and her mother was not allowed to see him, and even the money he sent was not allowed. As a result, the family almost starved to death.And in this situation, she secretly ran out of the house with her daughter to meet this son without telling her husband.Scarlett admired her very much for this, and it took a lot of courage to dare to defy her arbitrary husband, even secretly.She began to understand where the source of Rhett's rebellious personality came from, not only his pirate grandfather, but also a large part of his mother.As for what he said before he left that he wanted peace and tranquility, that might be caused by his father's thoughts.

"I didn't even think about understanding him before, that's why I lost him. Now that he wants to be a gentleman again, I have to help him, so that he can be happy and believe that I really love him." She thought to herself.

She asked Eleanor when she would be back, and Eleanor said it was just two days.When she talked about her son, she unconsciously brought a look of happiness and pride on her face, saying how much he comforted her.Scarlett was not used to hearing the old man's nagging, but she still stayed with Eleanor just to learn more about Rhett from her mother.

During this period, many people came to visit, and Eleanor took the trouble to introduce her daughter-in-law to them, making Scarlett stand up again and again to return the salute.Although she has a natural interest in interpersonal communication, at this time she feels that those people came at the wrong time, and her attitude towards them is also slightly polite, without the enthusiasm of the past.This actually made those people feel that she was a lady who really understood the rules, not an ordinary frivolous woman.Her charming looks naturally attracted many young men, who made fun of her to attract her attention, but she ignored them.The men who hit the wall made fun of themselves and left quickly.It made her feel relieved and at the same time sure of her own charm.

Eleanor couldn't help reminding her in a low voice to be more enthusiastic about the guests, and it doesn't hurt to make jokes.She just nodded in agreement, not taking it seriously.Now she wasn't interested in any man except her Rhett.

Shortly after Eleanor got up to see off the last reluctant visitor, the door suddenly opened again.Scarlett saw only a figure flinging at Eleanor with outstretched arms like a gigantic bird, which startled her.Eleanor was startled at first, and then she smiled after seeing clearly who was hugging her.Immediately after the hug, she introduced to Scarlett that this was her daughter, Rhett's sister Janet.Scarlett was about to greet her, but she spoke first: "So you are my sister-in-law. I heard Rhett mention you. You are more beautiful than I imagined. I hope we can be friends." She told Scarlett Stretched out her hand and squeezed it hard, Scarlett felt the strength of her hand and almost broke her fingers.She looked at Janet's enthusiastic face and wondered why she became a spinster. She liked this girl who was a few years younger than her.She asked what Rhett said to you, and Janet said carelessly that he said you were a woman like a cat, and I like cats best.This almost made Scarlett jump up with anger, Rhett dared to slander her sister so much.But she immediately understood why Janet hadn't married at such an age.

"She is too lively, she doesn't know how to be a lady, and she doesn't know how to please men." She looked at Eleanor's apologetic eyes and thought, "I must teach her how to be a woman when I have time." She Although I don't care about the lady's way, I know it very well, and it is more than enough to teach Janet, but I don't know if she will listen.

Janet asked me bluntly why my brother hadn't come back yet, could it be all right, Eleanor smiled and said she was talking nonsense, this is not the first time your brother has gone out.Just as Janet was about to say something, Georgia, the black housekeeper, came in and said that dinner was ready, so Janet affectionately took Scarlett to the dining room, said that she had something to say to her, and sat with her.Eleanor sat first, Russ and Amy sat on either side, and Scarlett and Janet sat below them.Scarlett found this seating arrangement strange, but followed it anyway.

The Rhetts cook really well, she thought as she ate.It's been a long time since I've eaten such a delicious thing, and the food she ate at her aunt's house couldn't compare to it.Just as she was eating the scorched scallops, she heard the door being opened again, she raised her head instinctively, only to see a glistening silver light in front of her eyes, which dazzled her eyes a bit.Immediately afterwards, she heard a voice she had been thinking about day and night: "Really, Mom. I have worked so hard to buy tea sets, why did you eat without waiting for me?"

"Forget it, Rhett, if only we would all starve to death after waiting for you. Look at how much my sister-in-law ate." Janet said without holding back, making everyone laugh.Scarlett wanted to gag her mouth with a scallop shell.

The hand holding the precious silverware tilted violently, almost knocking them all to the ground, but immediately supported them again.Scarlett heard the voice calmly asking Georgia to put away the silverware, and Georgia quickly and respectfully did so.After he transferred all the silverware to Georgia, Scarlett saw that Rhett's face was very calm, it was the kind of calm with undercurrents and turbulent currents, trying to control the calm that did not let anything escape, she was frightened up.Immediately afterwards, this face returned to the mocking expression she was most familiar with, or she feared the most. All her movements were frozen by the chill on this face, and even his voice changed to her in an instant. So far away: "I'm so lucky! I got a gift that is more surprising than the one I gave." Scarlett didn't realize how much suppressed surprise, anger, indifference, And more things she didn't realize, he had already approached her and pulled her out of the chair with such force that she almost cried out, but looking at Rhett She couldn't say anything immediately.His beard grazed her cheeks, like steel needles piercing her face.She let him hurt stiffly, and heard his voice say mischievously: "I haven't had a good time with my wife for a long time, please allow us to go upstairs first. Mom, good night."

Scarlett didn't even have time to say goodbye to everyone, so she was pushed out by him.When she was about to leave the house, she heard Janet's voice joking again: "Let me tell you, Rhett and Scarlett can't be separated for a moment. What's so good about being married, two people are tied together for a lifetime. I'm won't get married."