don’t stand there like a ninny. Go down to Mrs. Merriwether’s and ask her to come up or send her mammy. Now, hurry».
«They aren’ there, Miss Scarlett. I met Mammy on my way home. I passed some time with her. They all have gone away. The house is locked up. They are in the hospital».
«So that’s where you were so long! Whenever I send you somewhere you go where I tell you and don’t stop to ‘pass some time’ with anybody. Go!»
Who was left in town among their friends who could be helpful? There was Mrs. Elsing. Of course, Mrs. Elsing didn’t like her at all these days but she had always been fond of Melanie.
«Go to Mrs. Elsing’s, and explain everything very carefully and tell her to please come up here. And, Prissy, listen to me. Miss Melly’s baby may come soon and she may need you any minute now. Now hurry!».
«Yes, ma’am», said Prissy and sauntered down the walk at snail’s gait.
«Hurry, you slow poke[19]!»
«Yes, ma’am».
Prissy quickened her gait infinitesimally and Scarlett went back into the house. She entered Melanie’s room and saw that the breakfast tray was untouched. Melanie lay on her side, her face white.
«Mrs. Meade’s over at the hospital», said Scarlett. «But Mrs. Elsing is coming. Do you feel bad?»
«Not very», lied Melanie. «Scarlett, how long did it take Wade to get born?»
«Less than no time», answered Scarlett. «I was out in the yard and I didn’t hardly have time to get into the house. Mammy said it was scandalous… just like one of the darkies. It’s not really so bad».
«Oh, I know it isn’t. I’m afraid I’m a little coward. Is… is Mrs. Elsing coming right away?»
«Yes, right away», said Scarlett. «I’ll go down and get some fresh water. It’s so hot today».
When an hour had passed she saw Prissy returning slowly.
«Little wench», thought Scarlett savagely.
«Miss Elsing is at the hospital. A lot of wounded soldiers arrived. She says…»
«Never mind what she said», interrupted Scarlett. «Put on a clean apron and go to the hospital. I’m going to give you a note to Dr. Meade, and if he isn’t there, give it to Dr. Jones or any of the other doctors».
«Yes, ma’am».
«And ask any of the gentlemen for news of the fighting. If they don’t know, ask the engineers who brought the wounded in. Ask if they are fighting at Jonesboro or near there».
«God Almighty, Miss Scarlett! The Yankees aren’t at Tara, are they?»
«I don’t know. I’m telling you to ask for news».
«God Almighty, Miss Scarlett! My Ma!»
Prissy began to bawl suddenly, loudly.
«Stop bawling! Miss Melanie will hear you. Now go change your apron, quick».
Melanie asked no questions. She lay upon her back, her face tranquil and sweet. She said,
«It isn’t very bad, really», and Scarlett knew she was lying.
Scarlett looked sharply at the pain-twisted face. She should be here with Melanie at this time. She who had nothing in common with her, who hated her!
«Don’t talk, dear. I know how worried you are. I’m so sorry I’m so much trouble», said Melanie.
Scarlett could not sit still. She walked to the window and looked down the street and came back and sat down again. Then she rose and looked out of the window on the other side of the room.
An hour went by and then another. Melanie’s pains were harder now. Where was Prissy? Why didn’t she come? Why didn’t the doctor come? She went to the window and looked again. At last she saw Prissy. Prissy was coming down the street at a quick trot. Her mouth opened to yell. Scarlett hastily put her finger to her lips.
«I’ll get some cooler water», she said. Then she hastily left the room, closing the door carefully behind her.
Prissy was sitting on the bottom step in the hall.
«They are fighting at Jonesboro, Miss Scarlett! Oh, God, Miss Scarlett! What will happen to Ma? Oh, God, Miss Scarlett! What will happen to us? Oh, God!»
«For God’s sake, hush!» cried Scarlett. «Where’s Dr. Meade? When’s he coming?»
«I did not see him, Miss Scarlett».
«What!»
«No ma’am, he isn’ at the hospital. Miss Merriwether and Miss Elsing aren’t there. A man told me that the doctor was at the depot, but Miss Scarlett, I’m scared to go there».
«What about the other doctors?»
«Miss Scarlett, they did not read the note. They say they have to be with the wounded. They tell me to get some woman to help».
«You say Dr. Meade’s at the depot?»
«Yes, ma’am».
«Now, listen sharp to me. I’m going to get Dr. Meade and I want you to sit by Miss Melanie and do anything she says. Do you hear?»
«Yes, ma’am».
«Wipe your eyes and get a fresh pitcher of water and go on up. Tell her I’ve gone for Dr. Meade».
Scarlett hurried out of the house and into the heat of the sun. The roar of noise grew louder. From the Leyden house down to Five Points, the street seethed with activity. Negroes were running up and down the street, panic in their faces; and on porches, white children sat crying untended. The street was crowded with army wagons and ambulances filled with wounded. In front of the Bonnell house, old Amos stood and he greeted Scarlett.
«Haven’t you gone yet, Miss Scarlett? We are going now. Old Miss is packing her bag».
«Going? Where?»
«God knows, Miss. Somewhere. The Yankees are coming!»
The Yankees were coming! She saw an officer and waved at him.
«Oh, stop! Please, stop!»
«Madam?»
«Tell me, is it true? Are the Yankees coming?»
«I’m afraid so».
«Do you know so?»
«Yes, I know so».
«Are you sure?»
«I’m sure».
«My God! Oh, sir, please, just a minute. What shall we do?»
«Madam, I can’t say. The army is leaving Atlanta soon».
«Going off and leaving us to the Yankees?»
«I’m afraid so».
The Yankees were coming. The army was leaving. The Yankees were coming. What should she do? Where should she run? No, she couldn’t run. There was Melanie back there in the bed expecting that baby. Oh, why did women have babies? She must find Dr. Meade and make him come home with her.
She pushed her way swiftly through the crowds, past the hysterical mob, toward the depot. As she walked, feverish hands plucked at her skirt and voices croaked: «Lady… water! Please, lady, water! For Christ’s sake, water!»
She stepped over dead men, over men who lay with hands clutched to bellies.
«Water! Water!»
She looked at the group of men and cried as loudly as she could:
«Dr. Meade! Is Dr. Meade there?»
From the group one man came toward her. It was the doctor. He was coatless and his sleeves were rolled up to his shoulders. His shirt and trousers were as red as a butcher’s. But his voice was calm and decisive.
«Thank