He says a gentleman can't do that to another gentleman.
And it may be months and may be never before we get the money."
"Well, what of it?
Haven't you enough to eat on until he does collect?"
"Yes, but--well, as a matter of fact, I could use a little money right now."
Her eyes brightened as she thought of the mill.
"Perhaps--"
"What for?
More taxes?"
"Is that any of your business?"
"Yes, because you are getting ready to touch me for a loan.
Oh, I know all the approaches. And I'll lend it to you--without, my dear Mrs. Kennedy, that charming collateral you offered me a short while ago.
Unless, of course, you insist."
"You are the coarsest--"
"Not at all.
I merely wanted to set your mind at ease.
I knew you'd be worried about that point.
Not much worried but a little.
And I'm willing to lend you the money.
But I do want to know how you are going to spend it.
I have that right, I believe.
If it's to buy you pretty frocks or a carriage, take it with my blessing.
But if it's to buy a new pair of breeches for Ashley Wilkes, I fear I must decline to lend it."
She was hot with sudden rage and she stuttered until words came.
"Ashley Wilkes has never taken a cent from me!
I couldn't make him take a cent if he were starving!
You don't understand him, how honorable, how proud he is!
Of course, you can't understand him, being what you are--"
"Don't let's begin calling names.
I could call you a few that would match any you could think of for me.
You forget that I have been keeping up with you through Miss Pittypat, and the dear soul tells all she knows to any sympathetic listener.
I know that Ashley has been at Tara ever since he came home from Rock Island.
I know that you have even put up with having his wife around, which must have been a strain on you."
"Ashley is--"
"Oh, yes," he said, waving his hand negligently.
"Ashley is too sublime for my earthy comprehension.
But please don't forget I was an interested witness to your tender scene with him at Twelve Oaks and something tells me he hasn't changed since then.
And neither have you.
He didn't cut so sublime a figure that day, if I remember rightly.
And I don't think the figure he cuts now is much better.
Why doesn't he take his family and get out and find work?
And stop living at Tara?
Of course, it's just a whim of mine, but I don't intend to lend you a cent for Tara to help support him.
Among men, there's a very unpleasant name for men who permit women to support them."
"How dare you say such things?
He's been working like a field hand!"
For all her rage, her heart was wrung by the memory of Ashley splitting fence rails.
"And worth his weight in gold, I dare say.
What a hand he must be with the manure and--"
"He's--"