Datasets:
minmarn
/
Gone_with_the_wind

Dataset card Data Studio Files Community
1
text
stringlengths
0
75
To the ears of the three on the porch came the sounds of hooves,
the jingling of harness chains and the shrill careless laughter
of negro voices, as the field hands and mules came in from the
fields. From within the house floated the soft voice of
Scarlett's mother, Ellen O'Hara, as she called to the little black
girl who carried her basket of keys. The high-pitched, childish
voice answered "Yas'm," and there were sounds of footsteps going
out the back way toward the smokehouse where Ellen would ration
out the food to the home-coming hands. There was the click of
china and the rattle of silver as Pork, the valet-butler of Tara,
laid the table for supper.
At these last sounds, the twins realized it was time they were
starting home. But they were loath to face their mother and they
lingered on the porch of Tara, momentarily expecting Scarlett to
give them an invitation to supper.
"Look, Scarlett. About tomorrow," said Brent. "Just because
we've been away and didn't know about the barbecue and the ball,
that's no reason why we shouldn't get plenty of dances tomorrow
night. You haven't promised them all, have you?"
"Well, I have! How did I know you all would be home? I couldn't
risk being a wallflower just waiting on you two."
"You a wallflower!" The boys laughed uproariously.
"Look, honey. You've got to give me the first waltz and Stu the
last one and you've got to eat supper with us. We'll sit on the
stair landing like we did at the last ball and get Mammy Jincy to
come tell our fortunes again."
"I don't like Mammy Jincy's fortunes. You know she said I was
going to marry a gentleman with jet-black hair and a long black
mustache, and I don't like black-haired gentlemen."
"You like 'em red-headed, don't you, honey?" grinned Brent. "Now,
come on, promise us all the waltzes and the supper."
"If you'll promise, we'll tell you a secret," said Stuart.
"What?" cried Scarlett, alert as a child at the word.
"Is it what we heard yesterday in Atlanta, Stu? If it is, you
know we promised not to tell."
"Well, Miss Pitty told us."
"Miss Who?"
"You know, Ashley Wilkes' cousin who lives in Atlanta, Miss
Pittypat Hamilton--Charles and Melanie Hamilton's aunt."
"I do, and a sillier old lady I never met in all my life."
"Well, when we were in Atlanta yesterday, waiting for the home
train, her carriage went by the depot and she stopped and talked
to us, and she told us there was going to be an engagement
announced tomorrow night at the Wilkes ball."
"Oh. I know about that," said Scarlett in disappointment. "That
silly nephew of hers, Charlie Hamilton, and Honey Wilkes.
Everybody's known for years that they'd get married some time,
even if he did seem kind of lukewarm about it."
"Do you think he's silly?" questioned Brent. "Last Christmas you
sure let him buzz round you plenty."
"I couldn't help him buzzing," Scarlett shrugged negligently. "I
think he's an awful sissy."
"Besides, it isn't his engagement that's going to be announced,"
said Stuart triumphantly. "It's Ashley's to Charlie's sister,
Miss Melanie!"
Scarlett's face did not change but her lips went white--like a
person who has received a stunning blow without warning and who,
in the first moments of shock, does not realize what has happened.
So still was her face as she stared at Stuart that he, never
analytic, took it for granted that she was merely surprised and
very interested.
"Miss Pitty told us they hadn't intended announcing it till next
year, because Miss Melly hasn't been very well; but with all the
war talk going around, everybody in both families thought it would
be better to get married soon. So it's to be announced tomorrow
night at the supper intermission. Now, Scarlett, we've told you
the secret, so you've got to promise to eat supper with us."
"Of course I will," Scarlett said automatically.
"And all the waltzes?"
"All."
"You're sweet! I'll bet the other boys will be hopping mad."
"Let 'em be mad," said Brent. "We two can handle 'em. Look,
Scarlett. Sit with us at the barbecue in the morning."