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Gone_with_the_wind

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"'Set her up in business' is the correct term, I believe. Belle's
a smart woman. I wanted to see her get ahead and all she needed
was money to start a house of her own. You ought to know what
miracles a woman can perform when she has a bit of cash. Look at
yourself."
"You compare me--"
"Well, you are both hard-headed business women and both successful.
Belle's got the edge on you, of course, because she's a kind-
hearted, good-natured soul--"
"Will you get out of this room?"
He lounged toward the door, one eyebrow raised quizzically. How
could he insult her so, she thought in rage and pain. He was going
out of his way to hurt and humiliate her and she writhed as she
thought how she had longed for his homecoming, while all the time
he was drunk and brawling with police in a bawdy house.
"Get out of this room and don't ever come back in it. I told you
that once before and you weren't enough of a gentleman to
understand. Hereafter I will lock my door."
"Don't bother."
"I will lock it. After the way you acted the other night--so
drunk, so disgusting--"
"Come now, darling! Not disgusting, surely!"
"Get out."
"Don't worry. I'm going. And I promise I'll never bother you
again. That's final. And I just thought I'd tell you that if my
infamous conduct was too much for you to bear, I'll let you have a
divorce. Just give me Bonnie and I won't contest it."
"I would not think of disgracing the family with a divorce."
"You'd disgrace it quick enough if Miss Melly was dead, wouldn't
you? It makes my head spin to think how quickly you'd divorce me."
"Will you go?"
"Yes, I'm going. That's what I came home to tell you. I'm going
to Charleston and New Orleans and--oh, well, a very extended trip.
I'm leaving today."
"Oh!"
"And I'm taking Bonnie with me. Get that foolish Prissy to pack
her little duds. I'll take Prissy too."
"You'll never take my child out of this house."
"My child too, Mrs. Butler. Surely you do not mind me taking her
to Charleston to see her grandmother?"
"Her grandmother, my foot! Do you think I'll let you take that
baby out of here when you'll be drunk every night and most likely
taking her to houses like that Belle's--"
He threw down the cigar violently and it smoked acridly on the
carpet, the smell of scorching wool rising to their nostrils. In
an instant he was across the floor and by her side, his face black
with fury.
"If you were a man, I would break your neck for that. As it is,
all I can say is for you to shut your God-damn mouth. Do you think
I do not love Bonnie, that I would take her where--my daughter!
Good God, you fool! And as for you, giving yourself pious airs
about your motherhood, why, a cat's a better mother than you! What
have you ever done for the children? Wade and Ella are frightened
to death of you and if it wasn't for Melanie Wilkes, they'd never
know what love and affection are. But Bonnie, my Bonnie! Do you
think I can't take better care of her than you? Do you think I'll
ever let you bully her and break her spirit, as you've broken
Wade's and Ella's? Hell, no! Have her packed up and ready for me
in an hour or I warn you what happened the other night will be mild
beside what will happen. I've always thought a good lashing with a
buggy whip would benefit you immensely."
He turned on his heel before she could speak and went out of the
room on swift feet. She heard him cross the floor of the hall to
the children's play room and open the door. There was a glad,
quick treble of childish voices and she heard Bonnie's tones rise
over Ella's.
"Daddy, where you been?"
"Hunting for a rabbit's skin to wrap my little Bonnie in. Give
your best sweetheart a kiss, Bonnie--and you too, Ella."
CHAPTER LV
"Darling, I don't want any explanation from you and I won't listen