A/N: I think I have been bitten by the silly bug again.
Inspired by a line in 'Cophetua' by SomebodyCalledMeSebastian on AO3, I decided to try my hand at a crossover between North & South and Gone With The Wind. Here Dixon is channeling her inner Mammy.
Quotes taken from "Gone With The Wind," original story by Margaret (coincidence? I think not!) Mitchell, screenplay by Sydney Howard. Maybe we can find another coincidence here, in that Tara was a COTTON plantation! My muse is really being loopy today!
This scene would have to take place somewhere during the time between the first proposal and Boucher's death.
….oOo….
Martha entered Margaret's room carrying a tray of food, "Dixon, here's Miss Margaret's vittles," the maid announced.
"You can take that back," ordered Margaret, "I won't eat a bite."
"Oh, yes, ma'am, you is!" Dixon told her young charge, "You's gonna eat every mouthful of this."
"No, I'm not!" Margaret insisted, "On second thought, Martha, would you please wrap it up and put it in a basket. I will take it with me for the Bouchers. Now, Dixon, help me put on the dress, because I'm late already."
"What's my lamb gonna wear?" Dixon asked.
"That," said Margaret, pointing at the shabby ensemble she had laid out on her bed.
"No you ain't!" asserted Dixon, "You can't wear such a dirty old dress in public. I'm gonna speak to your ma about you!"
"If you say one word to Mother," threatened Margaret haughtily, "I won't even wear a bonnet!"
"Well," hesitated Dixon, giving in, "Keep your shawl on. I ain't aimin' for you to get all dirty after the bleachin' I done gave your blouses this winter due to this sooty Milton air."
After helping her mistress's daughter get dressed, she begged, "Now, Miss Margaret, you come on and be good, and put on your nice pelisse, honey."
"No," replied Margaret, "I'm going to Princeton and I do not want to look out of place."
"If you don't care what folks says about this family, I does!" scolded Dixon, hands akimbo, "I has told you and told you that you can always tell a lady by the way she dresses in public. Like a lady! I ain't aimin' for you to go walking through Milton looking like a field hand and smelling like a hog!"
"Fiddle-dee-dee!" Margaret flipped, "Mr. Thornton told me he likes a girl who isn't afraid to get dirty and do a little hard work."
"What gentlemen says and what they thinks is two different things, although I donna' think you could call that tradesman a gentleman. Now, I wouldna approve of such a match but, I ain't noticed Mr. Thornton askin' to marry you!" Dixon said pointedly, unwittingly reminding Margaret of her missed opportunity in engaging herself to the handsome mill master. Sadly, Margaret had realized her folly as soon as he had stormed out of the room.
In an angry huff, Margaret donned her nice bonnet and good pelisse, and made to dash out the door.
"Now don't run off too fast," chided Dixon, "Ain't no need of havin' you tripin' an' fallin' an' getting' your good clothes all dirty."
Shooting Dixon a belligerent look, Margaret walked carefully down the stairs. Gathering the basket from Martha she said with an exasperated sigh, "Why does a girl have to be so silly to catch a husband?"