Chapter 9
"And now that you've come here.. My dear, I only want to tell you that his love for Bonnie was probably the closest he has ever come to expressing his love openly. When Bonnie was here,in Charleston, with Rhett, he was patient, kinder, warm, tender, courageous to express himself and respect other people's feelings.. She taught him all that. A little child of five. "
Scarlett was silent, but deep in her heart, a faint stirring began. An odd respect for what Mrs. Butler was saying about children. They could be brats but when one saw their eyes, one always felt as though they could see the truth.
"Her death has devastated him."
Mrs. Butler sat up very straight. She looked grim. "I want to communicate great strength of mind and steadiness of the heart to you, Scarlett. Do not fear that my son may forget his marital duties to you. I shall speak to him from time to time. But care for yourself, my dear. You have lost so much more during and after the war-"
Scarlett blinked for a moment, surprised by the switch of attention from Rhett to herself.
"Your own dear parents, Bonnie and the young lady who was your sister through marriage-"
"Yes. I have lost more-" muttered Scarlett, her mind still clinging anxiously to Rhett.
"Have you mourned their loss properly?"
Scarlett blinked again. "I..I.. I do pray-" She shrugged lightly. "If I start mourning, I don't think I might stop. There are so many things that I chose not to think too much about-" Scarlett stopped uncertainly. This was the longest conversation she had had with any woman except Melanie.
"You must be very strong by nature, or perhaps, you possess a unique personality. The eldest of Ellen's daughters."
Scarlett flushed lightly. "Mother wanted us to be Great Ladies. She trained us when we were young and I learnt her lessons very quickly. But after the war, the time for leisureliness, kindness or even beauty was over. We had to be practical and resourceful. I could pull my family out of poverty sooner than other families.. "
"If your Mother were alive, she would have been proud to have such a daughter-"
Scarlett flushed red. "Its very kind of you to say it. Thank you"
"You don't believe me, I see-"
Suddenly Scarlett looked warm and happy. She understood that the old lady was trying to stir up sentiments to cheer her downcast spirits and she thought it was very kind.
"Now, I think I must tell you. Yes, I must tell you. Scarlett, you shall hear me saying these words only once. I am a respectable lady in Charleston and I have a name to uphold. But whatever views I had of morality and gentility, the war tested my beliefs by fire and I realized my views were outdated and weak. The skills needed to survive a changing world is the courage to stop living in dreams, courage to be resourceful, to refuse the temptation to be helpless and show some spirit, think with some cunning and go by instinct. My husband was weak. He clung to a world long faded. My son is strong. You are too. You are both alike, cunning, resourceful, taking the fastest, straightest route to your goals, whatever they may be. You with your mills, your store and saloons.. Rhett with his blockade running, speculation, his hand in the Klu Klux Klan and the new government. Although perhaps, he outdid you owing to his age and experience. Do not look surprised my dear, I shall not pretend to be blind to realities..at least not right now. I only want to say that I am proud of you. And your Mother would have been so too.
Scarlett looked genuinely shocked at this statement. She knew Mrs. Butler was speaking words which no lady, especially in Charleston, would. Just in those few seconds, Mrs. Butlers eyes bore an eerie resemblance to the dancing fiery eyes of Rhett Butler.