But he was not goingto marry just anyone, as
Mr.
Oh, Pa, cried Scarlett impatiently, if I married
him, Idchange all that! But, in an Orangeman, when a principle comes up against
Scotchtightness, the principle fares ill.
The big house burned a year agoand the fields are
growing up in brush and seedling pine.
James and Andrew were old menand they stood well in
Savannah.
The Calvertsare good folk, all of them, for all the
old man marrying a Yankee. He liked the South, and he soon became, in his own
opinion, aSoutherner.
The bestmarriages are when the parents choose for
the girl. But, in an Orangeman, when a principle comes up against Scotchtightness,
the principle fares ill.
If Gerald once got on the subject of war
andsecession, it would be hours before he relinquished it. With all the rest of the
County, Gerald was on terms of amity andsome intimacy. Then its little enough you
are knowing ofany man living, let alone Ashley. Its only Ashley youre wanting, and
youll not be having him. For how can asilly piece like yourself tell a good man from
a scoundrel?
Gerald liked his gifts to be received with clapping
of handsand kisses.
Calvert had done, taking to wife theYankee
governess of his motherless children. The stranger, a native of Savannah, had
justreturned after twelve years in the inland country.
Theyre fine lads, but if its Cade Calvert
youresetting your cap after, why, tis the same with me.
And as for poker, didnt Ashleytake two hundred
dollars away from you just last week inJonesboro? The bestmarriages are when the
parents choose for the girl.
This knowledge did not make Gerald feel inferior
tohis neighbors. From them he learned what he found useful, and the rest
hedismissed. All this American business of runningaround marrying for love, like
servants, like Yankees! He had done it all, little, hard-headed, blustering
Gerald.
Tis moonstruckthey all are, all the Wilkes. And I
want to see pride in you tomorrow at thebarbecue.
But after all, you are nothing but a child and
thereslots of other beaux.