Of course, Bonnie was pretty and a credit to her and Rhett adored the child, but she would not have another baby.
Just how she would manage this she did not know, for she couldn't handle Rhett as she had Frank.
Rhett wasn't afraid of her.
It would probably be difficult with Rhett acting so foolishly about Bonnie and probably wanting a son next year, for all that he said he'd drown any boy she gave him.
Well, she wouldn't give him a boy or girl either.
Three children were enough for any woman to have.
When Lou had stitched up the ripped seams, pressed them smooth and buttoned Scarlett into the dress, she called the carriage and Scarlett set out for the lumber yard.
Her spirits rose as she went and she forgot about her waist line, for she was going to meet Ashley at the yard to go over the books with him.
And, if she was lucky, she might see him alone.
She hadn't seen him since long before Bonnie was born.
She hadn't wanted to see him at all when she was so obviously pregnant.
And she had missed the daily contact with him, even if there was always someone around.
She had missed the importance and activity of her lumber business while she was immured.
Of course, she did not have to work now.
She could easily sell the mills and invest the money for Wade and Ella.
But that would mean she would hardly ever see Ashley, except in a formal social way with crowds of people around.
And working by Ashley's side was her greatest pleasure.
When she drove up to the yard she saw with interest how high the piles of lumber were and how many customers were standing among them, talking to Hugh Elsing.
And there were six mule teams and wagons being loaded by the negro drivers.
Six teams, she thought, with pride.
And I did all this by myself!
Ashley came to the door of the little office, his eyes joyful with the pleasure of seeing her again and he handed her out of her carriage and into the office as if she were a queen.
But some of her pleasure was dimmed when she went over the books of his mill and compared them with Johnnie Gallegher's books.
Ashley had barely made expenses and Johnnie had a remarkable sum to his credit.
She forbore to say anything as she looked at the two sheets but Ashley read her face.
"Scarlett, I'm sorry.
All I can say is that I wish you'd let me hire free darkies instead of using convicts.
I believe I could do better."
"Darkies!
Why, their pay would break us.
Convicts are dirt cheap.
If Johnnie can make this much with them--"
Ashley's eyes went over her shoulder, looking at something she could not see, and the glad light went out of his eyes.
"I can't work convicts like Johnnie Gallegher.
I can't drive men."
"God's nightgown!
Johnnie's a wonder at it.
Ashley, you are just too soft hearted.
You ought to get more work out of them.
Johnnie told me that any time a malingerer wanted to get out of work he told you he was sick and you gave him a day off.
Good Lord, Ashley!
That's no way to make money.
A couple of licks will cure most any sickness short of a broken leg--"
"Scarlett!
Scarlett!
Stop!
I can't bear to hear you talk that way," cried Ashley, his eyes coming back to her with a fierceness that stopped her short.
"Don't you realize that they are men--some of them sick, underfed, miserable and-- Oh, my dear, I can't bear to see the way he has brutalized you, you who were always so sweet--"
"Who has whatted me?"
"I've got to say it and I haven't any right.