Continuation of "Gone with the Wind"

Chapter 45Portraits

But she immediately stopped such despicable thoughts. How could she think so? She wanted Rhett to come back, but she couldn't count on this method.What would Rhett think of herself? She had promised Rhett and Bell to take good care of him, and she would never break her promise.Besides, it's not realistic at all. Paul's injury is not serious, and he can stand up again in a month at most. At that time, Rhett will have no reason to stay in Tara. He should take him back to the North, or New Orleans. .What Bell said when he asked her before, Paul was forced to leave New Orleans because of some cases involved, and Rhett brought him to Tara.With Rhett's ability, it is nothing to save a child. Maybe he has been busy settling this matter from a long distance these days. Maybe Paul is fine. Maybe they've already left.Thinking of this, her heart became discouraged, Rhett didn't stay because of her.But at the same time, she remembered another thing that she hadn't figured out before, which was the strange carriage.Rhett seemed to be very concerned about this matter, why didn't she notice this?Isn't his inexplicable actions these days to find out this matter?What he himself had to do with the people in the wagon she didn't know yet, but she rejoiced at the possibility that suddenly occurred to her: wasn't Rhett doing this for Tara's safety, for his own?Maybe Rhett had already asked Jack about it, maybe she should check with Jack.If Rhett is for her, then there is no need to worry about anything, he still cares about her, she will cherish his efforts and repay him with all her love; if Rhett is only for herself, then she has to do her best Just do your best to help him, and maybe he will understand his heart because of it.

Having made up her mind, Scarlett immediately took action.She called Jack out and asked him about the carriage.Jack's expression was surprised and a little impatient. It was obvious that someone had already asked about this matter. Scarlett thought it must be Rhett.Jack described the carriage and the two people in it to her in detail again, and seeing her expression became more and more ugly, Jack felt that she must also know these two people.He couldn't help asking Scarlett about it, but Scarlett didn't tell him, but waved him back.She was lost in thought, didn't notice that Jack didn't leave, but tried hard to say something.

If Jack's description is correct, at least the identity of the coachman can be confirmed, but Scarlett didn't expect it to be him, Johnny who was expelled by her with an excuse.She remembered the threats he made to her when she fired him. He did say that he would retaliate against herself, but she didn't care about the business at the time. Anyway, she was no longer in Atlanta. She didn't believe that Johnny could still Finding her, she was surprised that he had chased after Tara.Of course she was not afraid of him, but she also knew that Johnny was ruthless and had no scruples. When fighting him, she had to be careful. He could do anything, and an enemy with no bottom line was the most terrifying.But she didn't know who the other person was. From Jack's words, she felt that he had a good impression of this person, and seemed to be very grateful to him for saving them.He also said that he is not a child, so childish that he can't even see the good or bad of others.Oh, why is he still standing here? Didn't she want him to go back?Scarlett stared at him angrily, and seeing him hesitate to speak made her feel uncomfortable. Isn't he always the best at talking, why is he hesitating now?She said to him angrily: "Say what you want to say quickly, or go back, don't stand in front of me and bother me." Jack finally plucked up the courage to speak: "I want to ask you something, Scarlett Miss."

"What?" Scarlett didn't care.Until he took out a small portrait from his pocket and asked her carefully: "Excuse me, do you know the person on it?" He then handed the portrait to her.Scarlett glanced at it casually, and her eyes widened immediately.

She didn't answer Jack's question, but asked Jack eagerly: "Where did you find it?" I know the little girl above, but I can’t remember it. Later, when you went to Atlanta, I went to Mammy’s room one time. She was ill and threw things around. She broke the frame of this portrait. It's not that I moved fast, I'm afraid she tore this portrait into pieces." "You said you knew this little girl, how is that possible?" "I really feel like I've seen her somewhere, and it can't be wrong, I swear to God. It's just that I really can't remember who she is." "She's not, no, it's impossible, impossible." Scarlett ignored him, but talked to herself, her tone His eyes were full of surprise and fear, and his hands were shaking constantly.It wasn't until Jack snatched the portrait from her that she realized it.

"What are you doing?" Scarlett stared at him furiously. He had never been so presumptuous to her. "Give it back to me."

"Your hand was shaking just now. If I didn't snatch it back, you would have torn it up. I'm very sorry for my rudeness, and I hope you can forgive me." His tone suddenly changed from respectful to firm: " But I can't give it back to you unless you tell me who she is." He took a step back and clenched the hand holding the portrait, as if afraid she would jump up and snatch it.

"This is an adult's business. It's not good for you to know too much. Don't try to threaten me, just hand it over." Scarlett's tone was cold, but her opinion of him gradually changed in her heart, and she even thought of him more. A little admiration.At this moment, Jack seemed to be the kid she had bargained with in Charleston again.Oh, no, he is a mature and shrewd man.Although she doesn't like children, even well-behaved children, as long as they are not her own, but she has a natural affection for smart people.

"Here again, what is it that knowing more is not good for me. How do you know what I want, and how do you know it is not good for me?" He shook his head with a wry smile, but his tone immediately became more serious than before. firm. "I won't just hand it over to you unless you tell me who she is first. You said I threatened, well, it's okay if I threatened you, but this matter is very important to me, and I have to let it go." Find out, maybe I can remember what I forgot."

"Okay, okay, I'm afraid of you." Scarlett didn't understand what he said at first, but soon remembered that Rhett might have said this to him, which made her feel that she and Rhett were doing the same thing And happy. "I don't know if it's the little girl I know, but it looks quite similar. If you don't give it to me, I'll leave it with you, and I'll talk to you when I need it." She can't make it public To snatch something from a child, "I really don't know what you are thinking, why do you keep thinking about finding some memories from the past, just let the past pass, how can you live if you keep thinking about the past." Even so, she also felt that she lacked confidence, but Jack would definitely not know about her and Rhett.

"I have a different opinion from yours on this point. But aren't you doing the same thing as me?" Jack somehow said what was in his heart. Seeing Scarlett's face darken, he also felt a little bit I was afraid, but still summoned up the courage and continued: "You don't need to deny it quickly, I can see that your relationship with Mr. Ritter is not good now, and you have always wanted to restore him but don't know how to do it. If you I really feel that the past is meaningless, so why would I do this?"

"You, you, you are really, really..." She wanted to scold him for meddling, but she couldn't find the right words, "Get out of here, get out of Tara right now, I'll never see you again "In fact, she didn't know why she was angry, but it was definitely not because he was nosy, she just wanted him to disappear from her sight as soon as possible.

"Please don't be angry, I'm just pointing out a fact." His tone was neither humble nor overbearing, "Aren't you the most authentic person, why can't you listen to the truth?"

"Don't talk nonsense with me, get out." Scarlett was afraid of letting others know, so she had to lower her voice, "Who am I for you to control? You can't control what I do."

"I hope you don't forget that I am still your legal guardian, and you are obliged to protect my life." Jack played a trump card calmly.

Scarlett was momentarily at a loss for words.Jack is right, she still has the obligation to support him and cannot drive him away unless he is an adult.She calmed down and thought about the countermeasures carefully.If she did drive Jack away and let him go out and talk, her relationship with Rhett would be irretrievable.It's better to keep him by your side and keep his mouth shut.Both Rhett and Tara have a good impression of him, and Rhett still defends him everywhere, and his sudden disappearance is not good for her.He didn't look like he would talk about it, maybe he could help her get Rhett back.Besides, didn't I just want to find out his details just now? Judging by his appearance, if he regained his memory, he would be happy to tell her.Also, the portrait in his hand was very important to her. The little girl in it was almost identical to Landria's daughter.

"I have to say, you are really smart. This time you won." Scarlett said helplessly, "But if you dare to talk about what happened just now, I will not let you go." She His tone became vicious again, threatening him in a low voice.But Jack smiled indifferently, nodded and acquiesced.Scarlett waved her hand, he saluted politely, and then left gently.Hearing his familiar voice come again, with the same excitement as yesterday, Scarlett remembered the poem he read. She couldn't remember the content of the poem, but she also vaguely guessed his purpose at this moment. It's for her own good.Thinking of this, she smiled quietly in his direction.