Notes:
Please, don't be made at me ! This chapter will seem short compared to the last ones: I was planning to describe Rhett and Scarlett's famous journey in two parts. There will be three, as I was anxious to reveal the "color" of this famous journey, to keep you waiting. I'm going to be very busy with a project the next three weeks. But don't worry, Rhett and Scarlett will be arriving in Washington! Under what conditions... You'll find out soon enough!
Once again, I was lucky: the Atlanta / Washington direct line was made official by the Richmond and Danville Railroad in 1881. But I found a poster from 1878 advertising this same direct line. Scarlett and Rhett will be able to travel on the same Piedmont Air Line schedules I found online (after days and days of researches, by the way), marking the towns' stations they crossed. Have a safe trip! Bon Voyage !
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support over the past year! Your encouragement through your comments and your "likes" goes straight to my heart.
oooOOoo
Chapter 41 - "Enfin seuls !" - Finally alone!
"Mrs. Butler, Mr. Butler, on behalf of Pullman's Palace Car Company, (*1), I have the honor to welcome you aboard your "varnish". My name is George, and I will be your 'porter' throughout this crossing on Southern Mail No. 50 of the Piedmont Air Line Route, owned by the Richmond and Danville Railroad." (*2)
As he said this, the man in livery bowed respectfully to Scarlett and then Rhett.
The latter commanded, in the kind tone he reserved for employees: "Very well, George. Our luggage is here.
The porter hurriedly loaded them inside, while Scarlett gave her final instructions to Pork during her four-day absence.
ooOOoo
"Four trunks, two toiletry cases, a travel bag and two hat boxes, only?" had laughed Rhett when Pork had loaded their suitcases to take them both to the station. He was only equipped with a trunk and a suitcase.
He had received in return the same irony: "I grant you that I have restricted myself drastically. I'm afraid, after these four days, I have nothing presentable to wear."
He had burst out laughing.
She had looked down with a contemptuous brown at his meager luggage. "A full trunk? Are you planning to attend a fashion show, Rhett Butler?"
"It is true that my modest self would have been content with a small suitcase, but, upon our return to Atlanta, I will continue my journey to New Orleans before heading back to Charleston."
She did not ask for more. But she thought very hard: always fooling around...
oooOOoo
The car to which the porter was loading their belongings stood out from the rest of the convoy by its lettering. Instead of the name of the Richmond and Danville Railroad on the outside of the Palace Pullman sleeping cars, theirs simply read, in gold letters, "Pullman". While the other sleeping cars were painted in the traditional company maroon color, the one Rhett was leading him to had an additional yellow and dark green frames. (*3)
The allure of these palatial sleeping cars, so often praised in magazines, was familiar to her. The entrance was on both sides through a wrought iron gallery. The clerestory roof, typical of Pullman, was raised, equipped with small ventilation windows, and it ended on both sides with a bullnose platform roof partially covering the gallery.
The interior layout was celebrated for its luxury and comfort. The common areas were highly valued by the Company's mostly upper-class customers. Fixed partitions separated the smoking room where the men could relax around a game table. On the other side of the car was the drawing room for families, especially ladies. It was furnished with side tables, upholstered armchairs and rocking chairs. Two small sections were reserved for toilets and a wash room equipped with an iron sink.
Scarlett had read that, to confirm the superiority of Pullman's Palace Car Company in anticipation of the American Independence Centennial traffic, the latest technical equipment had been installed. A hot water heating system had replaced unpleasantly smoky stoves. On the ceiling, silver-plated brass oil lamps discarded the old candlelight. For the highest comfort, the traction had been softened with an air brake system. (*4)
Each bench seat, with its high padded back, was generously upholstered. At night, it was transformed into a comfortable bed by the porter who raised the seat of the bench facing it.
When the employee tilted the second box spring, hidden during the day under the sloping ceiling panel, a second bed was revealed. This "rocking" bed had been George Pullman's great discovery. By a magic trick, and especially thanks to the dexterity of the porter, an indispensable model employee of the Pullman Company, mattresses, sheets and pillows were prepared in a few minutes.
Since there was no fixed partitions, in order to guarantee the privacy of the passengers and a peaceful sleep, thick green curtains with golden trimmings were released from their cords to be deployed between each seat and in the aisles. This judicious device of draperies suspended from gleaming silver bronze bars, was of the most beautiful aesthetic effect.
How far away were the days of the first rudimentary bunks on rustic wood panels that young George Pullman took offense at!
Scarlett reassured herself that Rhett had reserved the upper bunks as well. But the thought of sleeping with only a curtain separating her from her former husband for two whole nights made her nervous to the point of knots in her stomach.
In what hazardous adventure did he manage to drag me...
oooOOooo
Rhett assisted her to board the gallery.
George warned them that he would be back in a few minutes with refreshments.
She froze at the glass doorway.
Dazzled by a debauchery of bright colors, precious woods and gilding reflected in the mirrors to eventually transform the perspective of the wagon into a space with mysterious angles.
In astonishment, she questioned him: "I would never have imagined the existence of splendid drawing rooms like these in trains. But... I don't understand. Why did the porter direct us to this compartment instead of our reserved seats?"
Rhett took the time to answer her while she gaped at the purple velvet upholstered chairs.
He nonchalantly took a cigar out of the inside pocket of his jacket and cut off the end with a small silver cigar cutter.
"He wasn't wrong."
Raising her eyebrows in incomprehension, she was about to reply when the sound of the bell, followed by the shrill steam trumpet of the locomotive, signaled the departure of the train.
The wheel axles squealed. The Richmond and Danville Railroad train slowly left the Atlanta station platform behind.
Rhett pulled out his gold pocket watch, "1:40 pm, as expected."
Incredulous, she warned him, "I expect an explanation."
She noticed that he was feverishly tapping the end of his cigar against the edge of the ashtray on the side table, a familiar attitude she had been wary of many times, for this compulsive move, unusual for a man so controlled as Rhett Butler, betrayed a lie he was about to tell.
With an ounce of amusement, she raised her chin to signal that she was not fooled by his next fabrications.
His eye curling with mischief, he finally made up his mind, accentuating his drawl that women were fond of, "You know how much I care about protecting your reputation."
He was cut off by a doubtful "Pfft..." but continued as if nothing had happened: "We boarded as husband and wife so that it would not be said that a charming young single lady dares to travel without a chaperone. However, it is quite likely that this line is frequented by some of our acquaintances. So, if either of them were catching you in my company might... shall we say... smell of brimstone, and compromise your hard-won honorability."
Hard-won... Whose fault is that? She restrained her desire to dwell on her resentments.
She had no logical objection to this assumption, which had thrilled her from the first second of her acceptance to go to Washington, but she found the opportunity too good not to titillate him: "I remember reading in a magazine, some time ago, a manual of etiquette intended for ladies on a journey. It recalled that it was not proper for a young lady traveling alone to accept any conversation with a gentleman - no matter how true a gentleman he might be. However, the master of manners specified an exception to the prohibition against talking to such gentlemen, a situation in which the young lady would run no risk..." She dug her dimples, with her mutinous air that she knew was irresistible, satisfied that he was hanging on her every word: "...provided that this gentleman wears white hair and is of a great age." (*5)
She gratified him of a pirouette accompanied by a blow of mocking chin, and had the satisfaction to read on the face of the seducer a flexing of the smile, the shade of a doubt in the eyes.
He pretended not to have understood, cleared his throat and continued his argument: "On the other hand, we need some peace and quiet to study this afternoon the financing file of the Museum and the contributions of the different donors, so that you have the key elements before our meeting on Wednesday morning."
On this particular point, Scarlett could not contradict him.
He drew his eyebrows together with his mischievous eyes and showed his white teeth to finally confess: "Beside, I wanted to avoid a riot that would have had no trouble being started by the gentlemen occupying the same sleeping car as you. Certainly, they are gentlemen of good company, but they would be quickly transformed into unchained males - you will notice that I use a chastened vocabulary on purpose - by the proximity of a goddess with emerald eyes, lying behind green draperies whose silk could not compete with that of the skin of the voluptuous passenger... "
"Rhett!" Scarlett pretended to be offended by this suggestive tirade. She hoped thus to make pass for a demonstration of indignation her cheeks crimson by the emotion that had made emerge the black eyes immobilized on her breasts. She had the meagre satisfaction to congratulate herself that her throat was sufficiently covered so that he could not detect the hideous plates of redness which, - she was sure of it - had just invaded her throat.
She pulled herself together and concluded, "So what?"
"And so..." - He placed his cigar to the corner of his lips - "...and so, through my friend George Pullman - who, by the way, is among the most generous donors to the Bonnie Blue Butler's Foundation - I rented one of his varnishes, as we commonly call those private cars that his Company equips on demand and sells to American billionaires." (*6)
Scarlett was stunned. "A whole car for the two of us? How crazy!"
He approached her. "Dearest, we're going to live together in this promiscuity practically twenty-seven hours on the way out, as much on the way back, without you having the physical means to send me to hell, or more concretely overboard, when the urge crosses your pretty little head. We might as well have each other's fallback zones, or even non-aggression zones!" This expression made him burst out laughing so much it was appropriate.
She was amused because she imagined her throwing the impudent man off the tracks.
"Would you like to discover your new kingdom?" With a wide, ceremonious gesture, he invited her to follow him.
"You will have something to spend your desire to stretch your pretty legs by strolling the seventy feet long wagon. There are four bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. Which one do you choose?"
"The most beautiful, of course!" She opened her eyes wide, amazed that such comfort was possible on a train.
"Um... All the beds are queen size. Narrower than yours, though..." He paused - purposely, no doubt, thought Scarlett.
Not taking the hint, she casually placed her hat on the chosen damask silk bedspread, then continued her exploration.
"On this side is the dining room and the observation room. Over there is the large bathroom, and finally..."
She mockingly interrupted him: "A fully equipped kitchen! Did the idea of me simmering small dishes cross your mind?"
He burst out laughing. "Ah, Scarlett! How I have missed your humor! There's no doubt this trip is going to be fun."
Their exchange was interrupted by a small bell signaling that an employee was asking to enter this private area.
After Rhett invited him in, George appeared followed by a young woman, also in uniform, wearing a white cap.
"Mrs. Butler, this is Jenny, your maid whose presence Mr. Butler has requested. She will answer your call, no matter what time it is. All you have to do is contact her by pressing the control button placed here." He pointed to a discreet panel set up at the entrance to the lounge.
The young employee curtsied, "Welcome to Pullman Palace, Mrs. Butler, Mr. Butler. I am at your disposal for maintenance, alterations and ironing of your clothes as well as shoe shining." (*7). Would you like me to iron your dresses before hanging them in the closet?"
"Thank you. Only the ones in the blue trunk I'll be using within twenty-four hours." Then she pointed to her room.
"At your orders. Madam. I will assist you with your hair and bedtime."
She nodded as her ulterior motives went in another direction: Rhett asked for someone to help undress me. In other times, he wouldn't have let anyone else have that privilege...
As the chambermaid spread out the clothes Scarlett would wear until she arrived in Washington, George spoke again, "Mrs. Butler, Jenny will run a bath for you at a time convenient to you. Mr. Butler, I will do the same for you. Please know that we are both honored to be exclusively at your service until your final destination."
Then he handed them a menu holder covered with fine leather: "The Delmonico restaurant will be proud to count you among its clientele. Its menu offers eighty different dishes cooked by our two Chefs. Four waiters ensure that no less than forty-eight customers are served promptly so that they can enjoy their meal. A buffet is also served at any time of the day. But, if you wish, the dishes will be served in your varnish." (*8)
Rhett nodded as he replied with an ounce of impatience, "Very well, George. We'll take all our meals in our dining room."
"That's fine, Mr. Butler. I should add that the price list for drinks, the best spirits and hot beverages, and a selection from our cigar cabinet are also included in this folder. Would you like to have tea now?"
"Coffee would be adequate with some small pastries. What do you think, Scarlett?"
Having received her assent, George left them with Jenny, her arms full of clothes to be ironed.
"Enfin seuls !" (Alone at last!) This had been pronounced in French with a greedy air.
Scarlett felt a wave of heat pass through her.
oooOOooo
Chapter 41 Notes:
(*1) George Pullman and Pullman's Palace Car Company: (source: The Pullman history site, George Mortimer Pullman, /theMan/ )
(*2) Direct train from Atlanta to Washington: Southern Mail No. 50 of the Piedmont Air Line Richmond and Danville Railroad route: http: .
And A History of Georgia Railroads", by Robert C. Jones (source Google Books .fr/books?id=KTBrDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA13&lpg=PA13&dq=Piedmont+air+line+route+1880+Washington+to+Atlanta&source=bl&ots=VIU4fwLF5q&sig=ACfU3U2mfDfTmfkLsnA605yWwOI0UrpOkA&hl=fr&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjvvavSq_1AhWrz4UKHcTODgcQ6AF6BAgKEAM#v=onepage&q=Piedmont&f=false
(*3) traditional Pullman car color in 1877: "maroon": Pullman Palace Car "South Park" - .
(*4) : Pullman sleeping car configuration in 1877, and comparison of evolution. (source : Pullman Sleeping Cars add Comfort to Overnight Travel ) . : Rails west
(*5) A Manual of Etiquette with Hints on Politeness and Good Breeding, 1868 by Daisy Eyebright - .edu/documents/view_ ?id= .0175
(*6) : Pullman private cars : 2018/2/1/16943216/pullman-private-railroad-car-history
(*7) Porter: the "porter" played a strategic role in ensuring the comfort of Pullman sleeping cars. .
(*8) Pullman restaurant car and its Delmonico restaurant: https: us-history/the-golden-age-of-the-pullman-car/