"Shall I close the door?"
She knew that if Mammy found out the door was closed. You will be disgusted and talk about her endlessly. But it would be even worse if Mammy heard them talking about drinking. Especially considering that the brandy bottle has just disappeared. So she nodded, and Rhett closed the folding door. He came back and sat next to her, his black eyes keenly looking at her face, studying it carefully. His energy dispelled the sadness on her face and made her feel that the study seemed lovely and comfortable, with soft and warm lights.
"What's the matter with you, dear?"
No one has ever said such a kind name as Rhett. Even though he was joking, it seems that he was not joking.
She looked at him with painful eyes, as if she found his expressionless face a little comforting. She doesn't know why she feels this way, because he is an unpredictable and emotionless person. He often says that they are very similar, which may be the reason. Sometimes she feels that everyone she knows is like a stranger, except Rhett.
"Can't you tell me?" He held her hand with unusual tenderness. "It's not just because old Frank left you, is it? Do you need money? " "Money? Well, no need! Oh, Rhett, I'm scared. " "Don't talk nonsense. Scarlett, you have never been afraid in your life. " "Oh, Rhett, I'm really scared!" Scarlett blurted out. She can tell Rhett anything she wants to tell him. He is too bad to gossip about her. Now people in the world are unwilling to lie to save their souls. They would rather starve to death than do shameful things. It is also interesting to know such a person as him, a bad man, a disgraced man and a liar.
"I am afraid that I will die and go to hell."
If he smiled, she would die at once, but he didn't smile.
"You are healthy-maybe there is no hell at all." "Oh, yes, Rhett! You know there is hell! " "I know there is hell, but it is on this earth, not after death. After death, there is nothing, Scarlett. You are in hell now. " "Oh, Rhett, that's blasphemous!" "But it's strange, so it can comfort people. Tell me, why did you go to hell? " Now she can see from his eyes that he is teasing her. But she doesn't mind. His hands are warm and thick, and you can get comfort by grasping them.
"Rhett, I shouldn't have married Frank. I made a mistake. He is Suellen's lover. He loves Suellen, not me. But I lied to him. I said she was going to marry Tony Fontaine. Alas, how could I do such a thing? " "Ah, so that's it! I have always been curious. " "Later, I made him very painful. I forced him to do a lot of things he didn't want to do, such as forcing those who couldn't pay their debts. I run a lumber mill, a tavern and employ prisoners, which also makes him sad and makes him lift his head. Rhett, I killed him. I killed him. I didn't know he joined the Klan. I never dreamed that he had such great courage, but I should have thought of it. I killed him. "
"'Can all the water in the ocean wash the blood off my hands?' ""what did you say? " "Nothing, go on." "continue? That's all. Isn't that enough? I married him, but I made him unhappy. I killed him. Oh, my God! I don't know how I could do such a thing. I lied to him and married him. At that time, I thought I should do it thoroughly, and now I understand what a big mistake this is. Rhett, this is not my style. I am mean to him, but I am not a mean person. That's not how I was raised when I was a child. My mother-"she said not bottom go to, swallowed. She doesn't want to think about her mother Ellen all day, and she can't avoid it now.
"I often think, I don't know what your mother is like. You seem to be like your father." "My mother-well, Rhett, today is the first time I'm happy for my mother's death. She's dead and can't see me. She never taught me to be a mean person. She is generous and friendly to everyone. She would rather let me starve to death than let me do such a thing. I try to be like my mother in every way, but I'm nothing like her. I didn't think of it-there are too many things to consider-but I really want my mother to be like that. I don't want to be like my father. I love my father, but he is too inconsiderate. Rhett, sometimes I want to be as good as possible to people and Frank, but I immediately think of that nightmare and I'm scared to death. So I want to run out, grab the money when I see it, and don't ask if it belongs to me. " Tears streamed down her face, and she didn't wipe them. She held his hand hard and pinched her nails into his flesh.
"What nightmare?" He asked quietly and gently.
"Well, I forgot to tell you. Well, every time I want to be nice to others, I remind myself not to just see money. When I slept, I dreamed of going back to Tara, to the scene where my mother had just died and the Yankees had just arrived. Rhett, you can't imagine, I tremble at the thought of it, and I see everything burned out again. There was silence all around and there was nothing to eat. Rhett, I felt hungry again in my dream. " "Go on." "I'm hungry, my father, my sister and those black people at home are hungry. They always say,' I'm so hungry,' I'm so hungry. It's terrible. I kept saying to myself,' If I can get out, I'll never be hungry again', and then I saw a piece of white fog. I started running, running in the fog, running, running desperately, my heart was about to jump out, and something was chasing me behind me. I can't run, and I'm still thinking, just run.
But I don't know where to run. Then I woke up, scared and cold, afraid of going hungry in the future. After having this dream, I feel that even if I had all the money in the world, I would not be afraid of going hungry again. At this time, if Frank comes around in circles again and doesn't know what to say, I will be angry with him. I don't think he will understand what is going on, and I can't make him understand. I've been thinking that one day when we have it, we won't have to worry about starving to death, and I'll compensate him for his loss. Now he's dead, it's too late. Well, I thought it was right at the time, but it was very unreasonable. If the past can be repeated. I will take a completely different approach. ""All right, "said Rhett, breaking away from her clenched hand and taking a piece of clean silk out of his pocket." Wipe your face. Why did you ruin yourself like this? "She took the handkerchief and wiped the tears from her face, which made her feel relaxed. It seems that part of his burden has shifted to his broad shoulders, and he looks so capable and calm. Even his gentle pout can comfort her, as if to prove that his pain and confusion are unnecessary.
"Feeling better? Let's have a thorough talk. You just said that if you could start over, you would take a completely different approach. But will you? Now think about it, will it really take a completely different path? " "Well-""No, you can only do this. What did you have then? " "No" "What do you have to regret?" "I treated him badly, but now he is dead." "If he is not dead now, you won't be good to him. As far as I know, you don't regret marrying Frank, bullying him and contributing to his early death. You only regret it because you are afraid of going to hell, don't you? " "Well-it confuses me." "Your moral concept is also a muddled account. Now you're like a thief, caught red-handed. He regrets it, not because he stole something, but because he was going to jail. " "A thief-"Oh, dear. You don't have to buckle up. In other words, if you don't think.
If you feel doomed to suffer in hell forever, you will feel that Frank is better off dead. ""Oh, Rhett! " "Well, I think since you confess, just tell the truth. You can give up that jewel that is more precious than your life for three dollars. Does your conscience feel uneasy? "Brandy made her dizzy, and she was a little impatient. What's the use of lying to him? He can always read her mind.
"I didn't think of God or hell. Later, I also thought about it and only thought that God would forgive me. " "But when you marry Frank, don't you expect God to forgive you?" "Rhett, you obviously don't believe in God. Why do you keep talking about God? " "But you believe that God will be angry, which is very important now.
Why doesn't God understand? Are you annoyed that Tara is yours now and there are no northern adventurers living there? You are neither hungry nor in rags now. Are you bored? ""Well, I don't think so. " "So, what can you do except marry Frank?" "No" "He doesn't have to marry you, does he? A person is free. He doesn't have to ask you to do what he doesn't want to do, does he? " "Well-""Scarlett, why are you upset? If the past can be repeated, you still have to lie, he still wants to marry you, and if you are in danger, he still wants to avenge you. If he marries your sister Suellen, she probably won't kill him, but she may make him feel twice as painful as being with you, and things will be no different. " "But I can at least be nice to him!" "Maybe-but that's another person. You were born to bully anyone you can. The strong always bully others, and the weak are always bullied. Frank didn't hit you. It was his fault. Scarlett, you really surprise me. At your age, your conscience will grow. An opportunist like you should not. " "What is a machine-what did you say just now?" "I'm talking about people who take advantage of opportunities." "What's wrong with that?" "People generally think that this is disgraceful-especially those who have the same opportunity but don't take advantage of it. ""Oh, Rhett, you're kidding. I thought you would be nice to me! "As far as I'm concerned, I treat you very well, Scarlett. Honey, you are drunk, that's your problem. " "Don't you dare-""Yes, I dare, but I want to change the subject so that you won't cry like a crybaby. I have some interesting news to tell you to make you happy. As a matter of fact, I came here tonight to tell you the news and then leave. " "Where are you going?" "It may take several months to go to England. Scarlett, put your conscience aside. I don't want to talk about your soul anymore. Don't you want to listen to me? " "But-"she said weakly, but she didn't go on. Brandy gradually eased the pain of regret. Rhett's words were ironic, but comforting, so Frank's gloomy ghost gradually receded. Maybe Rhett is right. Maybe God forgave her, and she gradually came to her senses and decided to put the matter aside. "Let's talk about it tomorrow." "What's your news?" She said with difficulty, blowing her nose with his handkerchief and pulling her messy hair back.
"My news," he said to him with a smile, "is that of all the women I have ever met, I want you most. Now that Frank is gone, I thought you might want to know what I think. " Scarlett jerked her hand away from him and stood up.
"I-you are the most uneducated person, but also talk nonsense here at this time-I should have known that a leopard cannot change his spots, and Frank's bones are not cold. If you are a serious person-please give it to me-""Be gentle, or Miss Pitty will come downstairs at once. " He said that he didn't stand up, but stretched out his hands and grabbed Scarlett's fist. "I'm afraid you misunderstood me." "Misunderstand what you mean? I didn't misunderstand anything. " She pulled her hand back from him. "Let me go and get out of here. I've never met such a bad person as you. I-shh, he said, I proposed to you. If I kneel, will you believe me? " She looked out of breath and let out an "Ah" and sat down on the sofa.
She stared at him with her mouth open, wondering if brandy had helped, and inadvertently remembered his sarcastic words: "Honey, I'm not married." She must be drunk, or he must be crazy. But he doesn't look crazy. He looks calm, just like talking about the weather. From his unhurried tone, she couldn't hear any special emphasis.
"I always wanted you, Scarlett. Ever since I saw you on the first day at Twelve Oaks, throwing vases and swearing, which made me feel that you are not a good woman, I wanted you. I think I will try my best to catch you. But because you and Frank have saved a little money, I know you won't borrow any more money from me. So I think I must marry you. " Rhett Butler, are you kidding me? ""I am honest with you, but you are suspicious. I'm not kidding, Scarlett. I am telling the truth. I admit that it is not appropriate to come to you at this time, but I have a good reason. I'm leaving tomorrow. It's a long walk. I'm afraid that when I come back, you will marry another rich man. So I thought, why don't you marry me I have money, too, really, Scarlett. I can't wait for you all my life, hoping to get you when you change husbands. "What he said must be true. Thinking about the meaning of his words, she felt her lips and tongue dry and swallowed. Look him in the eye and try to see some clues. His eyes were full of smiles, but there was something else in the depths, an elusive look, something she had never seen before. He sat there as if nothing had happened, but she felt that he was staring at her warily, just like a cat staring at a mouse hole. She felt that there was a powerful energy under his calm appearance, which made her shrink back and scared her more.
He is really proposing to her. It's incredible. She once thought about how to torture him if he proposed, and how to humiliate him if he made such a request, so that he could know her strength and she would get happiness from it. Now he made a request, but she forgot all about the original plan, because, like in the past, she never managed to control him. In fact, their relationship is completely under his control. She is as excited as a girl who was proposed for the first time and blushes speechless.
"I-I won't get married again."
"It won't. You were born to get married. Then why can't you marry me? " "But, Rhett, I-I don't love you." "This is not a disadvantage. I remember that you didn't have much love in your previous two marriages. " "Well, why do you say that about me? You know I like Frank. " He didn't say anything.
"I like him! I like him! "
"This we do not dispute. You should consider my request after I leave. Rhett, I don't like procrastination. I will give you an answer now. I'm going back to Tara soon, and India Wilkes will stay here with Aunt Pitty. I'm going back to live for a long time, and-I-I don't want to get married again? " "Don't talk nonsense, why?" "Well, don't ask, I just don't want to get married." "But, silly boy, you have never really been married. How do you know the fun of getting married? I think you are unlucky-once for anger and once for money. Why not want to get married and have fun? " Fun! Nonsense, getting married is not fun at all. ""no? Why not? " Her mood gradually calmed down, and the inherent momentum of brandy resumed when she spoke.
"Marriage is only interesting for men-but only God knows why. I still don't understand. For a woman, getting married is nothing more than having a mouth to eat, a lot of work to do, putting up with men's nonsense-and having children every year. " Rhett smiled. In the silent night, the echo is particularly loud. Scarlett heard someone open the door in the kitchen.
"shh! Mommy's ears are as sensitive as cats. Besides, it was outrageous to laugh like that just now. Stop laughing. That's true, how interesting! He is talking nonsense! " "I said you were unlucky, and what you just said proved it. After you married a child, you married an old man. Your mother must have told you that women must put up with' these things' because they can enjoy being mothers. I said, this is all wrong. Why not marry a handsome young man who has a bad reputation and is good at dealing with women? That's interesting. " "You are rude and conceited. I think we've gone far enough.
Really-really tacky. "
"This is also very interesting, isn't it? I dare say that you have never talked about getting married with a man, not even with Charles and Frank. " She frowned at him. Rhett knows too much. Why does he know so much about women, and how does he know? Scarlett wondered.
"Don't frown, say a date, scarlett. Considering your reputation, I don't want to get married right away. We can wait for a suitable time. By the way, how long is' decent time'? " "I haven't promised to marry you. At this time, even talking about this matter is outrageous. " "I have already told you why I am here to talk to you about it now. I'm leaving tomorrow. I love you too much to control my feelings. Maybe I chased you too fast. " Suddenly, she was taken aback, because Rhett slipped off the sofa, knelt on the ground, put a hand gently on his chest and gushed, "I'm sorry, because my freedom frightened you, dear Scarlett-I mean, dear Mrs. Kennedy, you can't help but notice that your friendship with me has developed into a deeper feeling and a better one in my heart." Can I tell you what it's like? Ah! It is love that gives me courage. " "Get up," she pleaded. "Look at you, idiot. What if Mammy comes in and sees you like this? " "The first time she saw me so elegant, she would be surprised and even couldn't believe it." Rhett said, and stood up gently. "I said, Scarlett, you are no longer a child or a pupil. Don't give me the runaround with such boring words as seriousness. Say yes and marry me when I come back. If you don't say yes, I swear to God that I won't leave. I want to play the guitar in front of your window every night. Sing at the top of your lungs and make a fool of yourself. At that time, for the sake of face, you have to marry me. " "Rhett, don't be ignorant. I won't marry anyone. " "No one will get married? You didn't tell the real reason. It's not because you're as timid as a girl, is it? What's the reason? " Scarlett suddenly remembered Ashley, as if she were standing beside him. His bright hair, listless eyes and serious expression are very different from Rhett. The real reason why she doesn't want to get married again is for him. Although she doesn't dislike Rhett, and sometimes she does have some affection for him, she feels that she belongs to Ashley and will always belong to him. The past does not belong to Charles, nor does it belong to Frank, and it will never really belong to Rhett. Her heart and soul, everything she did, everything she pursued, and everything she got almost belonged to Ashley, because she loved him. Ashley and Tara, she belongs to them. She used to smile and kiss Charles and Frank. It can be said that it was all for Ashley, but he didn't make such a request and will never make such a request in the future. Deep down in her heart, she has a desire to leave herself to him, although she clearly knows that he won't want her.
Scarlett didn't realize that the expression on her face was changing. When she was lost in thought just now, there was an unusually gentle expression on her face, which Rhett had never seen before. He watched her green eyes hanging down from the corner of her eyes, wide open. There was a puzzled look on his face, and then he looked at her gentle lips, and his breathing stopped for a moment. He suddenly curled his lips and said eagerly, "Scarlett O 'Hara, you are so stupid! "She hasn't completely got rid of her meditation. His arms have been around her, just like he held her tightly on his way to Tara in the dark a long time ago. She felt weak again and had to obey, when a warm current came up and made her weak. Ashley Wilkes' calm face blurred and gradually disappeared. He asked her to rest her head on his arm and kiss. First a gentle kiss, then more and more warm. Let her cling to him tightly, as if the whole earth were shaking and making people dizzy. Only he is reliable. He stubbornly parted her trembling lips with his mouth, making her nerves tremble violently. Inspire a feeling from her that she has never felt before. When she was about to feel dizzy, he realized that he had repaid him with a kiss.
"All right, all right, I'm dizzy!" She whispered, struggling feebly, trying to turn her head away. He handfuls of her head on his shoulder, and then she glanced at his face vaguely, only to see that his eyes were wide open, his eyes were abnormal and his arms were shaking, which really scared her.
"I just want to make you dizzy, make you dizzy. You should have felt this way for so many years. None of the fools you met ever kissed you like this, did they? Your precious Charles, Frank and that stupid Ashley-""Stop it-""I said your Ashley, these gentlemen-what do they know about women? Do they know you completely? I know you. " His lips fell on hers again, and she obeyed him without any resistance. She doesn't even have the strength to turn her head. Besides, she didn't intend to avoid it. Her heart was pounding and her whole body was trembling. He is so powerful that she is afraid, and she is so weak. What is he going to do? If he doesn't stop, she will get dizzy. May he stop-may he never stop.
"Just say ok!" His mouth pointed down at her mouth, and his eyes became too big because they were too close, as if there was nothing else in the world except these two eyes. "Say yes, damn it, why don't you-"Before she could think about it, a word "good" had blurted out, which was almost what he wanted. She couldn't help but say it, but once she said it. Her mood suddenly calmed down, her head didn't feel dizzy, and the drunkenness brought by brandy was not as strong as it was just now. She didn't expect to agree to marry him. And agreed. She doesn't know how it happened, but she doesn't regret it. Now, it seems natural for her to say the word "good"-much like the intervention of God, a stronger hand intervened in this matter and solved the problem for her.
As soon as he heard her say "yes", he gasped and lowered his head as if to kiss her again. She closed her eyes and looked up, waiting for him to kiss, but he suddenly stopped, which made her feel a little disappointed, because she felt that being kissed like this was a feeling she had never felt before, and it was really exciting.
He sat motionless for a while, still resting her head on his shoulder, as if after all this effort, his arm stopped shaking, and he relaxed a little and looked down at her. She also opened her eyes and found that the scary red light on her face had disappeared. But I don't know why she didn't dare to look him in the eye. She panicked and bowed her head again.
He began to speak again, in a very calm tone.
"Do you keep your word? You won't take back your promise, will you? Is it because of my enthusiasm that you-what did you say? -"Is it high?" She couldn't answer because she didn't know what to say, and she didn't dare to look him in the eye. He put his hand under her chin and lifted her face.
"I told you, you can do anything to me, but don't lie. Now I want you to tell the truth. Why on earth did you say "yes"? " She still doesn't know how to answer, but she is calmer than before. She looked down at her eyes, embarrassed, and pursed her mouth and smiled.
"Do you think I did it for my money?"
"Oh, rhett! How can you say that? "
"Look up, don't sweet talk to me, I'm not Charles, nor Frank, nor the local silly boy. As long as you blink, you will be fooled. Is it for my money? " "Well-yes, but not all." "Not all?" He didn't feel unhappy about it. He took a deep breath and wiped the anxious expression caused by her words from the corner of his eye. This look, because she was too flustered to notice.
Yes,' she said helplessly. "You know, Rhett, money is useful, but it's a pity that Frank didn't leave much money. But, Rhett, you know, we can get along. Of all the men I have ever met, only you can make a woman tell the truth. You don't treat me like a fool, and you don't want me to tell lies. You and a husband will be happy-and-and I still like you. " "like me?" "Well," she said uneasily. "If I say I love you crazy, it's a lie. Besides, you know it. " "Sometimes I think you are too serious about telling the truth, my little darling.
Don't you think you should say' Rhett, I love you' even if it is a lie? It doesn't matter if you didn't mean it. "What does he mean? She couldn't figure it out and felt even more confused. His expression was strange, eager, sad and ironic. He withdrew his hand from her and put it deep into his trousers pocket. She also found him holding a fist.
"Even if I lose my husband, I will tell the truth," she secretly made up her mind, and her mood stirred up again, as long as Rhett stimulated her. She always does.
"Rhett, that's a lie. Why should we follow the rules? Like I said, I like you, you know. Once you told me that you didn't love me, but we had a lot in common. We are all hooligans. You said it yourself-"Oh, my God! "He whispered to himself and turned his face away." You deserve it! ""what did you say? " "Nothing," he looked at her and smiled, but the laughter was not pleasant.