@@@@@If his father hadn't starved himself to
@@@@@If his father hadn't starved himself
to death to pay for a big life insurance, his mother and sister would
probably have died of neglectScarlett ground her teeth to keep from
shouting at PaulineIt wasn't true about the insurance! Rhett had
never, never for a minute, stopped caring about his mother, but
his father wouldn't let her accept anything from him! It was only when
MrButler died that Rhett was able to buy Miss Eleanor the house and
give her moneyButler had to put the story around
about the insurance to account for her prosperityBecause Rhett's
money was considered dirtyMoney was money, couldn't these
stiff-necked Charlestonians see that? What difference did it make
where it came from if it kept a roof over their heads and food in their
bellies? Why didn't Pauline stop preaching at her? What on earth was
she talking about now? The stupid fertilizer business
That was another jokeThere wasn't enough fertilizer in the world to
account for the money Rhett was throwing away on foolishness like
chasing down his mother's old furniture and silver and pictures of
greatgrandparents, and paying perfectly healthy men to baby his
precious camellias instead of growing good money cropsthere
are a number of Charlestonians doing very well from phosphates, but
they don't make a show of itYou must guard against this tendency to
extravagance and ostentationHe's your husband, it's your duty to
warn himEleanor Butler thinks he can do no wrong, she's always
spoiled him, but for her good as well as yours and Rhett's you've got
to
see to it that the Butlers don't make themselves conspicuous Jc "I
tried to speak to Eleanor," sniffed Eulalie, "but she didn't hear a
word I said, I'm sure of it Scarlett's narrowed eyes glinted
dangerously"I'm more grateful than I can tell you," she said with
exaggerated sweetness, "and I'll pay attention to every wordNow I
really have to runThank you for the delicious breakfast She
stood, pecked a kiss on the cheek of each aunt, and hurried to the
doorIf she didn't get away this very minute, she'd screamStill,
she'd better talk to Rhett about what the aunts had said"You do see,
don't you, Rhett, why I thought I'd better tell you about it? People
are criticizing your motherI know my aunts are tiresome old
busybodies but it's tiresome old busybodies who always seem to cause
all the trouble
Scarlett had hoped Rhett would thank herShe certainly wasn't
prepared
for his laughter