Chapter 34
"If you was just half as nice to white folks as you is to blacks, I expect the world would treat you better"
Scarlett felt a little surprised when Pork's words several years ago, almost a decade ago, came to her memory. She glanced over at the maid who sat by her side. Here was Hanna. She had been called "Anna" by her former mistress who had also taught her to speak French. But her parents had intended for her to have a Bible name. This girl was well-mannered, soft spoken and generally stared listlessly into space. Scarlett planned to show her off to her Aunt Pauline but the problem was Hanna was a ladies maid and such servants never had any real cause to enter the parlour room at all. Perhaps she could lure Aunt Pauline to her own bedroom by pretended to ask her some suggestions for her dresses- Scarlett frowned and thought hard. She was starting to sense some difficulties. With Jeb, it had been a little easy since she knew for certain that the Anderson family could afford to hire him. But she wasn't sure if the families in Charleston were wealthy enough to hire maids. For all she knew they could all still be poor and starving. She threw a glance at Hanna.
"Hanna, you didn't tell me how much you were expecting for your position-"
Hanna looked wide-eyed at this and even a little alarmed.
Scarlett couldn't help grinning at her startled gaze and prodded, "My Aunt would find a family for you- I'm sure I can put some notions into her head but I have to know what you want in return-"
Hanna swallowed and then smiled. "I'm not asking for much.. just lodging and food and a little pocket money-"
"How can that be enough?" replied Scarlett, annoyed.
"It's enough for me, Miss."
Scarlett directed a steady gaze at her and suddenly Hanna began to look upset. "Miss.. I thought- I know I should have told you before.. but.. When we refugeed, we were starving and I believe we had only fruit to live on and we never had no eggs or meat or anything.. and I.. well.. some months later, I noticed my eyes weren't seeing like they used to-"
"You're.. you're not-"
"Well, Miss. Scarlett-" Hanna's hands were trembling but as the tears welled in her eyes, Scarlett could now see that her right eye was completely blind.
"But it's-" Scarlett looked indignant and stunned at the same time. Hanna wiped her eyes.
After a long while, Scarlett spoke. "When you fixed my hair, I thought you were very good with your hands. I never dreamed that you were blind in one eye-"
"I didn't want to fool you, Miss. But there's no place for me to go. And I don't know any quality folks except my own family and they're all dead. I have no place to go." Hanna wrung her hands desperately. "All I want is lodging, food and.. and .. maybe... in time.. some doctor who can tell me what to do about my eyes- I don't want any salary except for some pocket money-"
"Yes.. yes, I understand" said Scarlett. She gave a feeble smile of reassurance. "Well, I'm glad you told me at least now. Don't cry your eyes. I'll find a place for you-"