They pulled into a side street, then another, then turned and twisted from one narrow street toanother until Scarlett completely lost her bearings and the roaring of the flames died behind them.
Still Rhett did not speak. He only laid on the whip with regularity. The red glow in the sky wasfading now and the road became so dark, so frightening, Scarlett would have welcomed words, any words from him, even jeering, insulting words, words that cut. But he did not speak.
Silent or not,
Culture and Communication programme she thanked Heaven for the comfort of his presence. It was so good to have a manbeside her, to lean close to him and feel the hard swell of his arm and know that he stood betweenher and unnamable terrors, even though he merely sat there and stared.
“Oh, Rhett,” she , “What would we ever have done without you? I’mso glad you aren’t in the army!”
He turned his head and gave her one look, a look that made her drop his arm and shrink back.
There was no mockery in his eyes now. They were naked and there was anger and something likebewilderment in them. His lip curled down and he turned his head away. For a long time theyjounced along in a silence unbroken except for the faint wails of the baby and sniffles from Prissy.
When she was able to bear the sniffling noise no longer, Scarlett turned and pinched her viciously,causing Prissy to scream in good earnest before she relapsed into frightened silence.
Finally Rhett turned the horse at right angles and after a while they were on a wider, smootherroad. The dim shapes of houses grew farther and farther apart and unbroken woods loomed wall-like on either side.
“We’re out of town now,” said Rhett briefly, drawing rein, “and on the main road to Rough andReady.”
“Hurry. Don’t stop!”
“Let the animal breathe a bit.” Then turning to her, he asked slowly: “Scarlett, are you stilldetermined to do this crazy thing?”
“Do what?’
“Do you still want to try to get through to Tara
diamond coral water filter? It’s suicidal. Steve Lee’s cavalry and the YankeeArmy are between you and Tara.”
Oh, Dear God! Was he going to refuse to take her home, after all she’d gone through this terribleday?
“Oh, yes! Yes! Please, Rhett, let’s hurry. The horse isn’t tired.”
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