Chapter 77

When Scarlett came home, it was already dark outside and asking the Cook to prepare supper, she dashed up to her room and methodically sprinkled the whole room with holy water. She lay down on her bed, putting a handkerchief over her eyes and praying for some sleep. But she was unable to drift off to sleep. Her mind seemed to want other things. She remembered Melanie as she lay, weak and frail on her deathbed. Dear Melanie.. how she had lost her life to give Ashley that child.. And all the joy in the world couldn't have made Ashley happy- since he was so fixated on being happy in some silly ideal world.. And a woman losing her life for him and he never even told her that he loved her-

"You are so strong, Scarlett- I want my child to be just like you-" Those were Melanie's words. But now, Scarlett began to see Melanie's point of view. It was true, she never did feel things too strongly all the time. She wasn't an emotional person- perhaps it was a good thing, then- But there had been the idea of Ashley- the idea gave her lots of pleasure- a kind of imagined pleasure and she always thought that when she submitted finally...wearily...solemnly...unconsciously.. she would be swept away into some strange, beautiful bliss-

"Well, a fine thing that turned out to be!" cried Scarlett, aloud in anger. She took a deep breath and then called out for a servant. "Get a horse ready- I want to go riding-"

The servant looked surprise but he complied. Soon a horse was bridled and led to the front of the house. Scarlett got into an old riding habit and climbed the horse. The horse was a spirited animal but she managed him fine. In fact, Scarlett found that her anger helped her to tackle the reins in a way that she used to do in the days of her girl hood. She rode the horse in a steady trot to the edge of the street and then gave a flick of the whip to make the animal gallop along the grassy path through the trees. After a while, her cheeks were flushed and the wind had blown away the pins in her hair so that she looked quite wild. Now she loosened her reins and said to the horse, "Take me somewhere, boy- Its your turn to show me where to go-"

The horse immediately left the path and walked to a brook bubbling somewhere nearby.

"Oh, I didn't realize you were thirsty-" said Scarlett, allowing the horse to drink its fill. Suddenly she heard some scuffling noises and a small giggle. Two lovers stumbled into her view and then burst into laughter at being found. Scarlett looked startled as the man- a young man, in fact, tipped his hat. His face was red with embarrassment and the girl whose hand he was holding had already covered her head with her shawl. She gave his arm a yank and they quickly ran away.

Scarlett walked around and saw that the grass had been flattened near a huge peach tree. She found something carved into the tree bark and the pen knife was still there. The boy had forgotten to take it in his hurry. Scarlett frowned and got back on her horse. "Young people, these days-" she said and clicked at the horse.

The horse went in a slow amble up the path and Scarlett relaxed now, enjoying the breeze. Suddenly they stopped. "Why, you've brought me to Rough and Ready-" said Scarlett, rubbing the horse's neck. She looked at the place and whispered hoarsely, "Let's turn back now-"

When she finally came home, both Ella and Wade were hanging around the porch waiting for her. They were eagerly shouting together when she went inside.

"Mother, where did you go? You never go riding- We were so surprised when Cook told us!" said Wade.

"Kitty scratched me!" cried Ella, showing her elbow where there was a long, thin freshly made scratch mark.

Scarlett took off her hat and gloves and tried to fix her hair. "I just felt like it. I like riding the horse too. I never rode much before because I was always so busy managing the store- Ella, does that scratch hurt a lot. Maybe we should put some ointment on it-"

"Won't it sting? I think I can manage. I know why Kitty did it. Its because I tied a ribbon too tight on her tail and she didn't like it. I tried to take it out and she scratched me."

"Well, its all right then. Wade, how was school? Did you write and learn anything new?"

"Yes, the Master made me write a lot today."

"Can I see your notebook?"

Wade looked very surprised and then hesitant. "It's not very neat."

"That's all right. I only want to look at it-"

Wade looked hesitant still. He unwillingly reached into his satchel and brought out a book. He handed it to Scarlett. She glanced through the lines and turning to the back, she saw some pages torn out and a small aeroplane folded into the crease. Wade shuffled on his feet uncomfortably.

Scarlett could sense his feelings but she turned the pages back to the writing. "Why, this is fine writing, Wade. Not a single spelling mistake!"

"I was only copying from the board." said Wade, in surprise. "Master is very strict about mistakes. He raps our knuckles if we made more than one mistake."

"Then you have done very well."

"You don't mind about the torn pages? I wasn't doing anything bad-"

"Its all right this time. But don't make it a habit, Wade. I know classes can get tiresome. But if you keep tearing pages out of your book, all the good sheets will slip out too. The thread gets loose every time you yank out a sheet-"

"I'll be careful, Mother. I promise." said Wade in surprise.

"And what have you been up to, Ella?"

Ella looked surprised and taken aback. She grinned shyly. "I was in the nursery"

"And what were you playing there?"

"I was just setting up my dolls"

"Can I come and see?"

"Why?" asked Ella, in surprise.

"I just want to-"

"Okay, Mother- Come with me"

Ella led Scarlett by the hand into the nursery which was now lit well with lamps. She indicated to three dolls which were sitting around a wooden table. Every doll had a cup and saucer in front of it.

Scarlett noticed one doll having a white ribbon around its hand. Another one's hair had been braided into a thick plait and the last one was looking outside.

"Is there a story here-" asked Scarlett.

"Yes" said Ella, happily. "This doll is Susie and she had been in the forest all day, picking berries but she forgot about the white ribbon around her hand which her mother tied there to remind her to be happy always and not worry about the frost that will be coming soon and cover their house with snow. She forgot about the ribbon and she forgot not to worry so she doesn't know if she should worry now or not-"

Scarlett reached for Ella's arm in fascination. "Ella, what an imagination- Isn't it better not to worry about anything?"

"Yes but sometimes people do and they can't help it. Susie doesn't know because she is just a child-"

"And what is this doll doing?" asked Scarlett, in curiosity.

"This doll's name is Betsy and she has become the queen just recently. That's why she has to braid her hair. Otherwise her hair will fall into the inkpot and blot her letters. She has to write a lot of letters these days. That's why she drinks three cups of tea-"

"How many cups did she have today?"

"This one is her eleventh. Today has been a tiring day for her-"

"My goodness" said Scarlett. "Your stories are better than mine. And what about this one?"

"That's Rose. She is waiting for her friend."

"Who is that friend?"

"She met him by the park. A circus man who swings on a trapeze. He had a daughter just like her. But she caught a fever and died. So, he promised to see Rose instead and whistle a tune to her just like how he used to with his daughter-"

"Ella, is this how you play all the time?"

"Yes."

The maid came into the room just then. "Supper is ready!" she announced.