A measure of calm had returned and with it all the natural bluntness which brandy brought to the surface.
"It's fun for men--though God knows why.
I never could understand it.
But all a woman gets out of it is something to eat and a lot of work and having to put up with a man's foolishness--and a baby every year."
He laughed so loudly that the sound echoed in the stillness and Scarlett heard the kitchen door open.
"Hush!
Mammy has ears like a lynx and it isn't decent to laugh so soon after--hush laughing.
You know it's true.
Fun!
Fiddle-dee- dee!"
"I said you'd had bad luck and what you've just said proves it.
You've been married to a boy and to an old man.
And into the bargain I'll bet your mother told you that women must bear 'these things' because of the compensating joys of motherhood.
Well, that's all wrong.
Why not try marrying a fine young man who has a bad reputation and a way with women?
It'll be fun."
"You are coarse and conceited and I think this conversation has gone far enough.
It's--it's quite vulgar."
"And quite enjoyable, too, isn't it?
I'll wager you never discussed the marital relation with a man before, even Charles or Frank."
She scowled at him.
Rhett knew too much.
She wondered where he had learned all he knew about women.
It wasn't decent.
"Don't frown.
Name the day, Scarlett.
I'm not urging instant matrimony because of your reputation.
We'll wait the decent interval.
By the way, just how long is a 'decent interval'?"
"I haven't said I'd marry you.
It isn't decent to even talk of such things at such a time."
"I've told you why I'm talking of them.
I'm going away tomorrow and I'm too ardent a lover to restrain my passion any longer.
But perhaps I've been too precipitate in my wooing."
With a suddenness that startled her, he slid off the sofa onto his knees and with one hand placed delicately over his heart, he recited rapidly: "Forgive me for startling you with the impetuosity of my sentiments, my dear Scarlett--I mean, my dear Mrs. Kennedy.
It cannot have escaped your notice that for some time past the friendship I have had in my heart for you has ripened into a deeper feeling, a feeling more beautiful, more pure, more sacred.
Dare I name it you?
Ah!
It is love which makes me so bold!"
"Do get up," she entreated.
"You look such a fool and suppose Mammy should come in and see you?"
"She would be stunned and incredulous at the first signs of my gentility," said Rhett, arising lightly.
"Come, Scarlett, you are no child, no schoolgirl to put me off with foolish excuses about decency and so forth.
Say you'll marry me when I come back or, before God, I won't go.
I'll stay around here and play a guitar under your window every night and sing at the top of my voice and compromise you, so you'll have to marry me to save your reputation."
"Rhett, do be sensible.
I don't want to marry anybody."
"No?
You aren't telling me the real reason.
It can't be girlish timidity.