@@@@@There'd be a piece about Melanie's burial,
@@@@@There'd be a piece
about Melanie's burial, and she wanted to see itSo The store would have to wait
She had other obligations to see to firstWhatever possessed me to
promise Melly that I'd take care of Ashley and Beau? But I promised
I'd best go there firstAnd I'd better take Pansy to make everything
properTongues must be wagging all over town after that scene at
the
graveyardNo sense adding to the gossip by seeing Ashley alone
Scarlett hurried across the thick carpet to the embroidered bell pull
and jerked it savagelyWhere was her breakfast? Oh, no, Pansy was
still at TaraShe'd have to take one of the other servants; that new
girl, Rebecca, would doShe hoped Rebecca could help her dress
without making too big a mess of it
She wanted to hurry, now, to get going and get her duty over with
When her carriage pulled up in front of Ashley and Melanie's tiny house
on Ivy Street, Scarlett saw that the mourning wreath was gone from
the
door, and the windows were all shutteredIndia, she thought at
onceShe's taken Ashley and Beau to live at Aunt Pittypat's
She must be mighty pleased with herselfAshley's sister India was,
and always had been, Scarlett's implacable enemy
Scarlett bit her lip and considered her dilemmaShe was sure that
Ashley must have moved to Aunt Pitty's with Beau; it was the most
sensible thing for him to doWithout Melanie, and now with Dilcey
gone, there was no one to run Ashley's house or mother his sonAt
Pittypat's there was comfort, an orderly household, and constant
affection for the little boy from women who had loved him all his
life
Two old maids, thought Scarlett with disdainThey're ready to
worship
anything in pants, even short pantsIf only India didn't live with
Aunt Pit