Chapter 53

Scarlett returned to her own home in Atlanta. As she walked through the halls, she felt she had made a huge round-about turn and landed right back from where she had started. She felt trapped and caged in. But for once she could not blame her feelings on anybody else because for once, the person clinging to her skirts was her own self.

As she walked about her room, she caught sight of Ashley turning to walk down her driveway. She threw up her hands in exasperation because the last person she wanted to see just then was Ashley Wilkes.

"Well Scarlett, what did you think of General Beauregard's addresses to his crowd? Did you find it interesting?"

Scarlett felt her temper flaring up just at the coolness of Ashley's casual words. "Poor thing! He doesn't realize how his words are tormenting me! But pity me..! How will I ever get through this wretched visit without losing my temper or hurting my feelings?!" wondered Scarlett as she sipped her coffee and breathed hard to control her temper.

Scarlett described the rally as nonchalantly as possible but when she got to the cable car ride, she fancied she saw a faint smirk on Ashley's face. It wasn't hateful or deliberate but merely a true authentic expression of pity for the futility of the General's practical ideas.

Scarlett felt bristled.

Ashley began to talk, "You see Scarlett, there are some ideas that cannot be promoted or sold to the people in just a day or a week. Things like equal rights and same schools and transport.. these ideas take their own time to grow-"

"I thought all the people gathered there were having the most marvelous time listening to the General. I think they understood every word he was saying! He did sound extremely intellectual."

"Yes, you would have thought this to be so-" replied Ashley with a faint smile.

Scarlett snapped out in anger. "You think I don't notice these things. You..you think I don't look for the meaning in things! That I'm not capable!"

The words had a magical effect. Ashley stopped smiling and looked grave.
"I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, Scarlett. I never meant to do so."

Scarlett looked distraught and stood up to go to the window. When she spoke, Ashley could only see the back of her head.

"Tell me, how would you convey the ideas, Ashley? What would you do?"

"I would know that if this was a difficult idea and based on that I guess I would prepare the people's minds. I'd like to think of their minds like empty cotton fields and each idea is a seed. Once you plant a seed you can't keep digging up the dirt and bringing out the sprout and saying "Look! Look! See how much it has grown! Keep planting cotton seeds.. they do grow!" No one can promote the growth of a seed. What it requires is a period of germination. When a person talks of an idea, the ones listenting must receive that idea and they must think about it in the quiet of their homes. Ideas take time to grow. They cannot be promoted in the manner the General wants them to be!"

Scarlett softened a little for she liked the example of the cotton field and ideas but then she replied, "Maybe your way of conveying ideas is the right way or even the better way, Ashley. But think of the people at the rally. These are ordinary folk who have homes to keep, meals to cook and jobs to work in- They can't stand all day or week to listen while others prattle on and one about big ideas."

Ashley nodded patronizingly.

Scarlett continued with determination. "It doesn't mean they cannot understand big ideas. It's just that they need to be interested in it. And if you want to secure the interest of ordinary people, you have to make these rallies into a sortof game where people win prizes. Everybody loves to win and they love to have this feeling that they've walked away with something real , here and now- And the General is doing just that. The cable car rides, the lotteries.. why they are all being done just to interest the common folks- They are practical ideas!"

Scarlett thought Ashley would dismiss her ideas but to her surprise, he looked at her with quiet respect.

"You have changed, Scarlett." said Ashley, as if noticing her for the first time. "I can't agree with everything you said but yes, I do understand your point of view. Sometimes, immediate rewards do interest several people. I remember our bazaars and different balls and parties held just to interest people in the idea of giving their belongings to the Confedracy. Scarlett, you could take this initiative of yours to a new level-"

"I was thinking of opening this house again to political meetings. Oh Ashley, do you really think there is any chance in it?"asked Scarlett, her eyes shining with the happiness of being understood for the first time.

"Oh yes, why not? But it would need careful planning-"

"I am never one for planning" sighed Scarlett inwardly. She stared out of the window, wondering what to do.