ON A NOONDAY in mid-November, they all sat grouped about the dinner table, eating the lastof the dessert concocted1 by Mammy from corn meal and dried huckleberries, sweetened withsorghum. There was a chill in the air, the first chill of the year, and Pork, standing2 behind Scarlett’schair, rubbed his hands together in glee and questioned: “Ain’ it ‘bout time fer de hawg killin’,Miss Scarlett?”
“You can taste those chitlins already, can’t you?” said Scarlett with a grin. “Well, I can tastefresh pork myself and if the weather holds for a few days more, we’ll—”
Melanie interrupted, her spoon at her lips, “Listen, dear! Somebody’s coming!”
“Somebody hollerin’,” said Pork uneasily.
On the crisp autumn air came clear the sound of horse’s hooves, thudding as swiftly as afrightened heart, and a woman’s voice, high pitched, screaming: “Scarlett! Scarlett!”
Eye met eye for a dreadful second around the table before chairs were pushed back andeveryone leaped up. Despite the fear that made it shrill3, they recognized the voice of SallyFontaine who, only an hour before, had stopped at Tara for a brief chat on her way to Jonesboro.
Now, as they all rushed pell-mell to crowd the front door, they saw her coming up the drive like thewind on a lathered4 horse, her hair streaming behind her, her bonnet5 dangling6 by its ribbons. Shedid not draw rein7 but as she galloped8 madly toward them, she waved her arm back in the directionfrom which she had come.
“The Yankees are coming! I saw them! Down the road! The Yankees—”
She sawed savagely9 at the horse’s mouth just in time to swerve10 him from leaping up the frontsteps. He swung around sharply, covered the side lawn in three leaps and she put him across thefour-foot hedge as if she were on the hunting field. They heard the heavy pounding of his hoovesas he went through the back yard and down the narrow lane between the cabins of the quarters andknew she was cutting across the fields to Mimosa.
For a moment they stood paralyzed and then Suellen and Carreen began to sob12 and clutch eachother’s fingers. Little Wade13 stood rooted, trembling, unable to cry. What he had feared since thenight he left Atlanta had happened. The Yankees were coming to get him.
“Yankees?” said Gerald vaguely14. “But the Yankees have already been here.”
“Mother of God!” cried Scarlett, her eyes meeting Melanie’s frightened eyes. For a swift instantthere went through her memory again the horrors of her last night in Atlanta, the ruined homes thatdotted the countryside, all the stories of rape15 and torture and murder. She saw again the Yankeesoldier standing in the hall with Ellen’s sewing box in his hand. She thought: “I shall die. I shalldie right here. I thought we were through with all that. I shall die. I can’t stand any more.”
Then her eyes fell on the horse saddled and hitched16 and waiting for Pork to ride him to theTarleton place on an errand. Her horse! Her only horse! The Yankees would take him and the cowand the calf17. And the sow and her litter— Oh, how many tiring hours it had taken to catch that sowand her agile18 young! And they’d take the rooster and the setting hens and the ducks the Fontaineshad given her. And the apples and the yams in the pantry bins11. And the flour and rice and driedpeas. And the money in the Yankee soldier’s wallet. They’d take everything and leave them tostarve.
“They shan’t have them!” she cried aloud and they all turned startled faces to her, fearful hermind had cracked under the tidings. “I won’t go hungry! They shan’t have them!”
“What is it, Scarlett? What is it?”
“The horse! The cow! The pigs! They shan’t have them! I won’t let them have them!”
She turned swiftly to the four negroes who huddled19 in the doorway20, their black faces a peculiarlyashen shade.
“The swamp,” she said rapidly.
“Whut swamp?”
“The river swamp, you fools! Take the pigs to the swamp. All of you. Quickly. Pork, you andPrissy crawl under the house and get the pigs out. Suellen, you and Carreen fill the baskets with asmuch food as you can carry and get to the woods. Mammy, put the silver in the well again. AndPork! Pork, listen to me, don’t stand there like that! Take Pa with you. Don’t ask me where! Anywhere!
Go with Pork, Pa. That’s a sweet pa.”
Even in her frenzy21 she thought what the sight of bluecoats might do to Gerald’s wavering mind.
She stopped and wrung22 her hands and the frightened sobbing23 of little Wade who was clutchingMelanie’s skirt added to her panic.
“What shall I do, Scarlett?” Melanie’s voice was calm amid the wailing25 and tears and scurryingfeet. Though her face was paper white and her whole body trembled, the very quietness of hervoice steadied Scarlett, revealing to her that they all looked to her for commands, for guidance.
“The cow and the calf,” she said quickly. “They’re in the old pasture. Take the horse and drivethem into the swamp and—”
Before she could finish her sentence, Melanie shook off Wade’s clutches and was down the frontsteps and running toward the horse, pulling up her wide skirts as she ran. Scarlett caught a flashingglimpse of thin legs, a flurry of skirts and underclothing and Melanie was in the saddle, her feetdangling far above the stirrups. She gathered up the reins26 and clapped her heels against theanimal’s sides and then abruptly27 pulled him in, her face twisting with horror.
“My baby!” she cried. “Oh, my baby! The Yankees will kill him! Give him to me!”
Her hand was on the pommel and she was preparing to slide off but Scarlett screamed at her.
“Go on! Go on! Get the cow! I’ll look after the baby! Go on, I tell you! Do you think I’d letthem get Ashley’s baby? Go on!”
Melly looked despairingly backward but hammered her heels into the horse and, with ascattering of gravel28, was off down the drive toward the pasture.
Scarlett thought: “I never expected to see Melly Hamilton straddling a horse!” and then she raninto the house. Wade was at her heels, sobbing, trying to catch her flying skirts. As she went up thesteps, three at a bound, she saw Suellen and Carreen with split-oak baskets on their arms, runningtoward the pantry, and Pork tugging29 none too gently at Gerald’s arm, dragging him toward theback porch. Gerald was mumbling30 querulously and pulling away like a child.
From the back yard she heard Mammy’s strident voice: “You, Priss! You git unner dat house an’
han’ me dem shoats! You knows mighty31 well Ah’s too big ter crawl thoo dem lattices. Dilcey,comyere an’ mek dis wuthless chile—”
“And I thought it was such a good idea to keep the pigs under the house, so nobody could stealthem,” thought Scarlett, running into her room. “Why, oh, why didn’t I build a pen for them downin the swamp?”
She tore open her top bureau drawer and scratched about in the clothing until the Yankee’s wallet was in her hand. Hastily she picked up the solitaire ring and the diamond earbobs fromwhere she had hidden them in her sewing basket and shoved them into the wallet. But where tohide it? In the mattress32? Up the chimney? Throw it in the well? Put it in her bosom33? No, neverthere! The outlines of the wallet might show through her basque and if the Yankees saw it theywould strip her naked and search her.
“I shall die if they do!” she thought wildly.
Downstairs there was a pandemonium34 of racing35 feet and sobbing voices. Even in her frenzy,Scarlett wished she had Melanie with her, Melly with her quiet voice, Melly who was so brave theday she shot the Yankee. Melly was worth three of the others. Melly—what had Melly said? Oh,yes, the baby!
Clutching the wallet to her, Scarlett ran across the hall to the room where little Beau wassleeping in the low cradle. She snatched him up into her arms and he awoke, waving small fistsand slobbering sleepily.
She heard Suellen crying: “Come on, Carreen! Come on! We’ve got enough. Oh, Sister, hurry!”
There were wild squealings, indignant gruntings in the back yard and, running to the window,Scarlett saw Mammy waddling37 hurriedly across the cotton field with a struggling young pig undereach arm. Behind her was Pork also carrying two pigs and pushing Gerald before him. Gerald wasstumping across the furrows38, waving his cane39.
Leaning out of the window Scarlett yelled: “Get the sow, Dilcey! Make Prissy drive her out Youcan chase her across the fields!”
Dilcey looked up, her bronzed face harassed40. In her apron41 was a pile of silver tableware. Shepointed under the house.
“The sow done bit Prissy and got her penned up unner the house.”
“Good for the sow,” thought Scarlett. She hurried back into her room and hastily gathered fromtheir hiding place the bracelets42, brooch, miniature and cup she had found on the dead Yankee. Butwhere to hide them? It was awkward, carrying little Beau in one arm and the wallet and the trinketsin the other. She started to lay him on the bed.
He set up a wail24 at leaving her arms and a welcome thought came to her. What better hidingplace could there be than a baby’s diaper? She quickly turned him over, pulled up his dress andthrust the wallet down the diaper next to his backside. He yelled louder at this treatment and shehastily tightened43 the triangular44 garment about his threshing legs.
“Now,” she thought, drawing a deep breath, “now for the swamp!”
Tucking him screaming under one arm and clutching the jewelry45 to her with the other, she racedinto the upstairs hall. Suddenly her rapid steps paused, fright weakening her knees. How silent thehouse was! How dreadfully still! Had they all gone off and left her? Hadn’t anyone waited for her?
She hadn’t meant for them to leave her here alone. These days anything could happen to a lonewoman and with the Yankees coming—She jumped as a slight noise sounded and, turning quickly, saw crouched46 by the banisters herforgotten son, his eyes enormous with terror. He tried to speak but his throat only worked silently.
“Get up, Wade Hampton,” she commanded swiftly. “Get up and walk. Mother can’t carry younow.”
He ran to her, like a small frightened animal, and clutching her wide skirt, buried his face in it.
She could feel his small hands groping through the folds for her legs. She started down the stairs,each step hampered47 by Wade’s dragging hands and she said fiercely: “Turn me loose, Wade! Turnme loose and walk!” But the child only clung the closer.
As she reached the landing, the whole lower floor leaped up at her. All the homely48, well-lovedarticles of furniture seemed to whisper: “Good-by! Good-by!” A sob rose in her throat. There wasthe open door of the office where Ellen had labored49 so diligently50 and she could glimpse a corner ofthe old secretary. There was the dining room, with chairs pushed awry51 and food still on the plates.
There on the floor were the rag rugs Ellen had dyed and woven herself. And there was the oldportrait of Grandma Robillard, with bosoms52 half bared, hair piled high and nostrils53 cut so deeply asto give her face a perpetual well-bred sneer54. Everything which had been part of her earliestmemories, everything bound up with the deepest roots in her: “Good-by! Good-by, ScarlettO’Hara!”
The Yankees would burn it all—all!
This was her last view of home, her last view except what she might see from the cover of thewoods or the swamp, the tall chimneys wrapped in smoke, the roof crashing in flame.
“I can’t leave you,” she thought and her teeth chattered55 with fear. “I can’t leave you. Pawouldn’t leave you. He told them they’d have to burn you over his head. Then, they’ll burn youover my head for I can’t leave you either. You’re all I’ve got left.”
With the decision, some of her fear fell away and there remained only a congealed56 feeling in herbreast, as if all hope and fear had frozen. As she stood there, she heard from the avenue the soundof many horses’ feet, the jingle57 of bridle58 bits and sabers rattling59 in scabbards and a harsh voicecrying a command: “Dismount!” Swiftly she bent60 to the child beside her and her voice was urgentbut oddly gentle.
“Turn me loose, Wade, honey! You run down the stairs quick and through the back yard towardthe swamp. Mammy will be there and Aunt Melly. Run quickly, darling, and don’t be afraid.”
At the change in her tone, the boy looked up and Scarlett was appalled61 at the look in his eyes,like a baby rabbit in a trap.
“Oh, Mother of God!” she prayed. “Don’t let him have a convulsion! Not—not before theYankees. They mustn’t know we are afraid.” And, as the child only gripped her skirt the tighter,she said clearly: “Be a little man, Wade. They’re only a passel of damn Yankees!”
And she went down the steps to meet them.
Sherman was marching through Georgia, from Atlanta to the sea. Behind him lay the smokingruins of Atlanta to which the torch had been set as the blue army tramped out. Before him lay threehundred miles of territory virtually undefended save by a few state militia62 and the old men andyoung boys of the Home Guard.
Here lay the fertile state, dotted with plantations63, sheltering the women and children, the veryold and the negroes. In a swath eighty miles wide the Yankees were looting and burning. Therewere hundreds of homes in flames, hundreds of homes resounding64 with their footsteps. But, toScarlett, watching the bluecoats pour into the front hall, it was not a countrywide affair. It wasentirely personal, a malicious65 action aimed directly at her and hers.
She stood at the foot of the stairs, the baby in her arms, Wade pressed tightly against her, hishead hidden in her skirts as the Yankees swarmed66 through the house, pushing roughly past her upthe stairs, dragging furniture onto the front porch, running bayonets and knives into upholstery anddigging inside for concealed67 valuables. Upstairs they were ripping open mattresses68 and featherbeds until the air in the hall was thick with feathers that floated softly down on her head. Impotentrage quelled69 what little fear was left in her heart as she stood helpless while they plundered70 andstole and ruined.
The sergeant71 in charge was a bow-legged, grizzled little man with a large wad of tobacco in hischeek. He reached Scarlett before any of his men and, spitting freely on the floor and her skirts,said briefly72:
“Lemme have what you got in yore hand, lady.”
She had forgotten the trinkets she had intended to hide and, with a sneer which she hoped was aseloquent as that pictured on Grandma Robillard’s face, she flung the articles to the floor and almostenjoyed the rapacious73 scramble74 that ensued.
“I’ll trouble you for thet ring and them earbobs.”
Scarlett tucked the baby more securely under her arm so that he hung face downward, crimsonand screaming, and removed the garnet earrings75 which had been Gerald’s wedding present toEllen. Then she stripped off the large sapphire76 solitaire which Charles had given her as an engagementring.
“Don’t throw um. Hand um to me,” said the sergeant, putting out his hands. “Them bastards77 gotenough already. What else have you got?” His eyes went over her basque sharply.
For a moment Scarlett went faint, already feeling rough hands thrusting themselves into herbosom, fumbling78 at her garters.
“That is all, but I suppose it is customary to strip your victims?”
“Oh, I’ll take your word,” said the sergeant good naturedly, spitting again as he turned away.
Scarlett righted the baby and tried to soothe79 him, holding her hand over the place on the diaperwhere the wallet was hidden, thanking God that Melanie had a baby and that baby had a diaper.
Upstairs she could hear heavy boots trampling80, the protesting screech81 of furniture pulled acrossthe floor, the crashing of china and mirrors, the curses when nothing of value appeared. From theyard came loud cries: “Head um off! Don’t let um get away!” and the despairing squawks of thehens and quacking82 and honking83 of the ducks and geese. A pang84 went through her as she heard anagonized squealing36 which was suddenly stilled by a pistol shot and she knew that the sow wasdead. Damn Prissy! She had run off and left her. If only the shoats were safe! If only the familyhad gotten safely to the swamp! But there was no way of knowing.
She stood quietly in the hall while the soldiers boiled about her, shouting and cursing. Wade’sfingers were in her skirt in a terrified grip. She could feel his body shaking as he pressed againsther but she could not bring herself to speak reassuringly86 to him. She could not bring herself to utterany word to the Yankees, either of pleading, protest or anger. She could only thank God that herknees still had the strength to support her, that her neck was still strong enough to hold her headhigh. But when a squad87 of bearded men came lumbering88 down the steps, laden89 with an assortmentof stolen articles and she saw Charles’ sword in the hands of one, she did cry out.
That sword was Wade’s. It had been his father’s and his grandfather’s sword and Scarlett hadgiven it to the little boy on his last birthday. They had made quite a ceremony of it and Melaniehad cried, cried with tears of pride and sorrowful memory, and kissed him and said he must growup to be a brave soldier like his father and his grandfather. Wade was very proud of it and oftenclimbed upon the table beneath where it hung to pat it. Scarlett could endure seeing her ownpossessions going out of the house in hateful alien hands but not this—not her little boy’s pride.
Wade, peering from the protection of her skirts at the sound of her cry, found speech and couragein a mighty sob. Stretching out one hand he cried:
“Mine!”
“You can’t take that!” said Scarlett swiftly, holding out her hand too.
“I can’t, hey?” said the little soldier who held it, grinning impudently90 at her. “Well, I can! It’s aRebel sword!”
“It’s—it’s not. It’s a Mexican War sword. You can’t take it. It’s my little boy’s. It was hisgrandfather’s! Oh, Captain,” she cried, turning to the sergeant, “please make him give it to me!”
The sergeant, pleased at his promotion91, stepped forward.
“Lemme see thet sword, Bub,” he said. Reluctantly, the little trooper handed it to him. “It’s got asolid-gold hilt,” he said.
The sergeant turned it in his hand, held the hilt up to the sunlight to read the engravedinscription.
“ ‘To Colonel William R. Hamilton,’ ” he deciphered. “ ‘From His Staff. For Gallantry. BuenaVista. 1847.’ ”
“Ho, lady,” he said, “I was at Buena Vista92 myself.”
“Indeed,” said Scarlett icily.
“Was I? Thet was hot fightin’, lemme tell you. I ain’t seen such hot fightin’ in this war as weseen in thet one. So this sword was this little tyke’s grandaddy’s?”
“Yes.”
“Well, he can have it,” said the sergeant, who was satisfied enough with the jewelry and trinketstied up in his handkerchief.
“But it’s got a solid-gold hilt,” insisted the little trooper.
“We’ll leave her thet to remember us by,” grinned the sergeant.
Scarlett took the sword, not even saying “Thank you.” Why should she thank these thieves forreturning her own property to her? She held the sword against her while the little cavalrymanargued and wrangled93 with the sergeant.
“By God, I’ll give these damn Rebels something to remember me by,” shouted the privatefinally when the sergeant, losing his good nature, told him to go to hell and not talk back. The littleman went charging toward the back of the house and Scarlett breathed more easily. They had saidnothing about burning the house. They hadn’t told her to leave so they could fire it. Perhaps—perhaps— The men came rambling94 into the hall from the upstairs and the out of doors.
“Anything?” questioned the sergeant.
“One hog95 and a few chickens and ducks.”
“Some corn and a few yams and beans. That wildcat we saw on the horse must have given thealarm, all right.”
“Well, there ain’t much here, Sarge. You got the pickin’s. Let’s move on before the wholecountry gets the news we’re comin’.”
“Didja dig under the smokehouse? They generally buries things there.”
“Ain’t no smokehouse.”
“Didja dig in the nigger cabins?”
“Nothin’ but cotton in the cabins. We set fire to it.”
For a brief instant Scarlett saw the long hot days in the cotton field, felt again the terrible ache inher back, the raw bruised97 flesh of her shoulders. All for nothing. The cotton was gone.
“You ain’t got much, for a fac’, have you, lady?”
“Your army has been here before,” she said coolly.
“That’s a fac’. We were in this neighborhood in September,” said one of the men, turningsomething in his hand. “I’d forgot.”
Scarlett saw it was Ellen’s gold thimble that he held. How often she had seen it gleaming in andout of Ellen’s fancy work. The sight of it brought back too many hurting memories of the slenderhand which had worn it. There it lay in this stranger’s calloused98 duly palm and soon it would findits way North and onto the finger of some Yankee woman who would be proud to wear stolenthings. Ellen’s thimble!
Scarlett dropped her head so the enemy could not see her cry and the tears fell slowly down onthe baby’s head. Through the blur99, she saw the men moving toward the doorway, heard thesergeant calling commands in a loud rough voice. They were going and Tara was safe, but with thepain of Ellen’s memory on her, she was hardly glad. The sound of the banging sabers and horses’
hooves brought little relief and she stood, suddenly weak and nerveless, as they moved off downthe avenue, every man laden with stolen goods, clothing, blankets, pictures, hens and ducks, thesow.
Then to her nostrils was borne the smell of smoke and she turned, too weak with lesseningstrain, to care about the cotton. Through the open windows of the dining room, she saw smokedrifting lazily out of the negro cabins. There went the cotton. There went the tax money and part ofthe money which was to see them through this bitter winter. There was nothing she could do aboutit either, except watch. She had seen fires in cotton before and she knew how difficult they were toput out, even with many men laboring100 at it. Thank God, the quarters were so far from the house!
Thank God, there was no wind today to carry sparks to the roof of Tara!
Suddenly she swung about, rigid101 as a pointer, and stared with horror-struck eyes down the hall,down the covered passageway toward the kitchen. There was smoke coming from the kitchen!
Somewhere between the hall and the kitchen, she laid the baby down. Somewhere she flung offWade’s grip, slinging102 him against the wall. She burst into the smoke-filled kitchen and reeled back,coughing, her eyes streaming tears from the smoke. Again she plunged103 in, her skirt held over hernose.
The room was dark, lit as it was by one small window, and so thick with smoke that she wasblinded, but she could hear the hiss104 and crackle of flames. Dashing a hand across her eyes, shepeered squinting105 and saw thin lines of flame creeping across the kitchen floor, toward the walls.
Someone had scattered106 the blazing logs in the open fireplace across the whole room and the tinder-dry pine floor was sucking in the flames and spewing them up like water.
Back she rushed to the dining room and snatched a rag rug from the floor, spilling two chairswith a crash.
“I’ll never beat it out—never, never! Oh, God, if only there was someone to help! Tara is gone—gone! Oh, God! This was what that little wretch107 meant when he said he’d give me something toremember him by! Oh, if I’d only let him have the sword!”
In the hallway she passed her son lying in the corner with his sword. His eyes were closed andhis face had a look of slack, unearthly peace.
“My God! He’s dead! They’ve frightened him to death!” she thought in agony but she raced byhim to the bucket of drinking water which always stood in the passageway by the kitchen door.
She soused the end of the rug into the bucket and drawing a deep breath plunged again into thesmoke-filled room slamming the door behind her. For an eternity108 she reeled and coughed, beatingthe rug against the lines of fire that shot swiftly beyond her. Twice her long skirt took fire and sheslapped it out with her hands. She could smell the sickening smell of her hair scorching109, as it cameloose from its pins and swept about her shoulders. The flames raced ever beyond her, toward thewalls of the covered runway, fiery110 snakes that writhed111 and leaped and, exhaustion112 sweeping113 her,she knew that it was hopeless.
Then the door swung open and the sucking draft flung the flames higher. It closed with a bangand, in the swirling114 smoke, Scarlett, half blind, saw Melanie, stamping her feet on the flames,beating at them with something dark and heavy. She saw her staggering, heard her coughing,caught a lightning-flash glimpse of her set white face and eyes narrow to slits115 against the smoke,saw her small body curving back and forth116 as she swung her rug up and down. For another eternitythey fought and swayed, side by side, and Scarlett could see that the lines of fire were shortening.
Then suddenly Melanie turned toward her and, with a cry, hit her across the shoulders with all hermight. Scarlett went down in a whirlwind of smoke and darkness. When she opened her eyes shewas lying on the back porch, her head pillowed comfortably on Melanie’s lap, and the afternoonsunlight was shining on her face. Her hands, face and shoulders smarted intolerably from burns.
Smoke was still rolling from the quarters, enveloping117 the cabins in thick clouds, and the smell ofburning cotton was strong. Scarlett saw wisps of smoke drifting from the kitchen and she stirredfrantically to rise.
But she was pushed back as Melanie’s calm voice said: “Lie still, dear. The fire’s out.”
She lay quiet for a moment, eyes closed, sighing with relief, and heard the slobbery gurgle of thebaby near by and the reassuring85 sound of Wade’s hiccoughing. So he wasn’t dead, thank God! Sheopened her eyes and looked up into Melanie’s face. Her curls were singed118, her face black withsmut but her eyes were sparkling with excitement and she was smiling.
“You look like a nigger,” murmured Scarlett, burrowing119 her head wearily into its soft pillow.
“And you look like the end man in a minstrel show,” replied Melanie equably. “Why did youhave to hit me?”
“Because, my darling, your back was on fire. I didn’t dream you’d faint, though the Lord knowsyou’ve had enough today to kill you. ... I came back as soon as I got the stock safe in the woods. Inearly died, thinking about you and the baby alone. Did—the Yankees harm you?”
“If you mean did they rape me, no,” said Scarlett, groaning120 as she tried to sit up. ThoughMelanie’s lap was soft, the porch on which she was lying was far from comfortable. “But they’vestolen everything, everything. We’ve lost everything— Well, what is there to look so happyabout?”
“We haven’t lost each other and our babies are all right and we have a roof over our heads,” saidMelanie and there was a lilt in her voice. “And that’s all anyone can hope for now. ... Goodness butBeau is wet! I suppose the Yankees even stole his extra diapers. He— Scarlett, what on earth is inhis diaper?”
She thrust a suddenly frightened hand down the baby’s back and brought up the wallet. For amoment she looked at it as if she had never seen it before and then she began to laugh, peal121 on pealof mirth that had in it no hint of hysteria.
“Nobody but you would ever have thought of it,” she cried and flinging her arms aroundScarlett’s neck she kissed her. “You are the beatenest sister I ever had!”
Scarlett permitted the embrace because she was too tired to struggle, because the words of praisebrought balm to her spirit and because, in the dark smoke-filled kitchen, there had been born agreater respect for her sister-in-law, a closer feeling of comradeship.
“I’ll say this for her,” she thought grudgingly122, “she’s always there when you need her.”
１１月中旬的一个中午，他们围着餐桌聚在一起，吃最后一道点心，那是嬷嬷用玉米粉和干越桔加高粱饴糖调制成的。
户外已经有了凉意，一年中最初的凉意，这时波克站在思嘉的椅子背后，喜滋地搓着两只手问道：“是不是到了宰猪的时候了，思嘉小姐？"“你可以准备吃那些下水了，不是吗？"思嘉咧嘴一笑说。
“好吧，我自己也可以吃新鲜猪肉，只要这种天气再持续几天，我们就----”这时媚兰插嘴说，汤匙还放在嘴边。
“你听，有人来了！亲爱的！”
“有人在喊呢，"波克心神不安地说。
深秋爽朗的微风传来了清晰的马蹄声，它像一颗受惊的心在怦怦急跳似的，同时一个女人的声音在尖叫：“思嘉！思嘉！"全桌的人都面面相觑，不知是怎么回事，接着才把椅子往后挪动，一起站起来。尽管一时都吓得没敢说话，但毕竟听出了那是萨莉·方丹的声音。一个小时前她因到琼斯博罗去路过塔拉，还在这里停下来闲聊了一会呢。如今大家争着奔向前门，挤在那里观看，只见她骑着一匹汗水淋漓的马在车道上飞驰而来，她的头发披散在脑后，帽子也吊在帽带上迎风飘动。她没有勒马，但一路跑来时向他们挥着手臂，指着后面她来的那个方向。
“北方佬来了！我看见他们了！沿着这条大路来了！那些北方佬----"她拼命把缰绳一收，将马嘴勒转过来，马差一点蹦上台阶。随即马来了个急转弯，腾跃了三次就跨到侧面的草地，然后她像在狩猎场上似的策马越过了那道四英尺高的篱笆。接着，他们听见得得的马蹄声穿过后院，走上住宅区棚屋当中的小道，便知道萨莉正横过田野回来莫萨去了。
他们一时像麻木似了的，呆呆的地站在那里，随后苏伦和卡琳彼此紧紧抓住手哭开了。小韦德站着一动不动，浑身哆嗦，不敢哭出声来。自从那天晚上离开亚特兰大以来，他一直害怕的事情如今终于发生了。北方佬就要来把他捉去呢。
“北方佬？"杰拉尔德困惑不解地说。"可是北方佬已经到过这里呢。"“我的天！"思嘉叫了一声，朝媚兰惊慌的眼睛看了看。这时她突然脑子里一闪，记起在亚特兰大最后一个晚上的恐怖情景，沿途所见乡下那些被烧的住宅和所有关于奸淫虐杀的故事。她又看见那个北方佬大兵手里拿着爱伦的针线盒站在过厅里。她想：“我要死了。我就要死在这里了。我原先还以为一切都熬过去了呢。我要死，我再也无法忍受了。"这时她的眼光落到那匹已套上鞍辔拴在那里的马上，它正等着驮波克到塔尔顿村去办一件事。这是她的马，她唯一的马啊！北方佬会把它抢走，把那头母牛和牛犊也抢走。还有母猪和一窝猪崽----啊，辛辛苦苦花了多少工夫才把这头母猪和一窝活泼的猪仔抓回来啊！他们还会把方丹家给她的那只大公鸡，那些正在孵蛋的母鸡，以及那些鸭子都抢走的。
还有放在食品柜里的苹果和山芋，还有面粉、大米和干豆，还有北方佬大兵钱夹里的那些钱呢。他们会把一切都抢走，让这些人挨饿！
“他们休想得逞！"她大喊一声，旁边的人都吃惊地回过头来，担心这消息把她气炸了。"他们休想得到这些东西！我决不挨饿！"“怎么了！思嘉？怎么了？““那骑马！那头母牛！那些猪！他们休想得到！"她急忙向躲在门道里的四个黑人走去，他们的黑脸早已吓得发灰了。
“到沼泽地去，"她火急火燎地命令他。
“哪个沼泽地？”
“你们这些笨蛋！河边沼泽地嘛，把猪赶到沼泽地去。大家都去。快！波克，你和百里茜钻到屋基底下把猪赶出来。苏伦和卡琳去拿篮子装吃的东西，只要你们提得动就尽量多装一些，带到林子里去。嬷嬷，你把银餐具还是放到井里。还有波克！波克，你听着，别站在那里发呆了！你带着爸走。别问我往哪儿！哪儿都行！爸，爸爸真好。你跟波克走吧。"她虽然忙得要发疯了，可仍然想到杰拉尔德看见那些蓝衣兵时，他那彷徨莫定的心态会经受不祝她站在那里搓着两只手寻思，这时小韦德惊恐的抽泣声使她更加心乱如麻，不知所措了。
“让我干什么呢，思嘉？"媚兰的声音在周围那些啜气啼哭和奔忙的脚步声中显得格外冷静。尽管她脸色惨白，浑身颤抖，但就是那种平静的声调已足以使思嘉冷静一些，觉得大家都在等待她发号施令呢。
“那头母牛和牛犊子，"她赶紧说。"在原来的牧场里。骑马去把它们赶到沼泽地里去，并且----"没等她说完最后一句话，媚兰就摆脱韦德的手下了台阶，提着宽阔的裙裾向那匹马跑去了。思嘉匆匆一眼瞧见媚兰那两条瘦腿和平扬的裙裾和内裤，随即发现她已经跨上马鞍，两只脚垂挂在离马镫很高的地方摆荡着。她迅速拉紧缰绳，用脚后跟在马肋上蹬了几下，那骑马正准备一跃而出，可这时她忽然把马勒住，脸上露出非常惊慌的神色。
“我的孩子！"她惊叫道，"啊，我的孩子！北方佬会把他杀了的！快把他给我呀！"她一手抓住鞍头，准备跳下马来，可这时思嘉厉声喝住她。
“你走吧！你走吧！去赶那头母牛吧！我会照料孩子的！
走吧，我叫你走！你以为我会让他们把艾希礼的孩子抓走吗？
你走吧！”
媚兰绝望地回顾着，同时用脚后跟狠狠蹬着马的两肋，于是四只马蹄踢溅着碎石，冲牧场一溜烟奔去了。
思嘉暗想：“我从没想到会看见媚兰·汉密尔顿叉开两腿骑上马呢！"然后她走进屋里。韦德紧跟在后面，一面哭泣，一面伸手去拉她飘荡的裙子。她一蹦三跳地跑上台阶，看见苏伦和卡琳两人胳臂上挎着橡树皮编的篮子向食品柜走去，波克则有点粗手笨脚地抓住杰拉尔德的臂膀，拖着他往后面走廊上跑。杰拉尔德一路喃喃地抱怨着，像个孩子似的总想挣脱他的手跑开。
她在后院里听到嬷嬷的尖叫声：“喂，百里茜！你钻到屋底下去，给俺把那些猪崽轰出来！你明明知道俺太胖了，钻不进那个格子门。迪尔茜，你来给我把这小坏蛋----"“把猪养在房子底下，我想这可是个好主意，没人能偷它们，"思嘉心里想，一面回自己房里去。”啊，我何不在沼泽地给它们盖个圈呢？"她拉开衣柜顶上的抽屉，在衣服里搜索了一会，找着了那个北方佬的钱包。她急忙从针线篮里取出藏在那里的钻石戒指和耳坠，随即塞进钱包里。可是把钱包藏到哪里好呢？床垫里面？烟囱顶上？扔到井里？或者揣在自己怀里？不，决不能放在这个地方！钱包鼓鼓囊囊的，会从脸衣底下鼓起一大块，要是北方佬看出来了，准会撕开她的衣服来搜呀！
“他们要是那样，我就宁愿死掉！"她愤怒地想。
楼下一片混乱。到处是奔忙的脚步声和哭泣声，思嘉即使暴躁极了，也还是希望媚兰能在身边，因为媚兰的声音那么镇静，而且在她击毙北方佬那天显得那么勇敢。媚兰一人能顶上三个人。媚兰—-媚兰刚才说什么来着？啊，是的，那婴儿！
思嘉一把抓起钱包，跑过穿堂，向小博睡觉的房间奔去。
她把他从矮矮的摇床里抱起来，这时他醒了，正一面挥舞着小拳头一面迷迷糊糊地流涎水。
如今她听见苏伦在喊叫：“来呀，卡琳！来呀！我们装够了。啊，妹妹，快！“后院里是一片尖叫声和愤怒的抱怨声。
思嘉跑到窗口，看见嬷嬷蹒跚着急匆匆地走过棉花地，两个臂弯底下各夹着一只小猪在拼命挣扎。她后面是波克，他也夹着两只小猪，同时推着杰拉尔德在一路奔跑。杰拉尔德踉踉跄跄地跨过一条条垅沟，手里急匆匆地挥舞着拐杖。
思嘉倚在窗棂上唤道：“把母猪带走！迪尔茜，叫百里茜把它轰出来。你们可以赶着它从地里过嘛！"迪尔茜抬起头来，她那青铜色的脸上显得很为难了。她围裙里兜里一堆银餐具呢。她只得指指房子下面。
“母猪咬了百里茜，俺把它关在房子下面了。"“那也好，"思嘉心里想。她连忙跑回房里，赶紧把她从北方佬身上搜出来藏在房里的金镯子、别针、小相框和杯子一一取出来。可是藏到哪里去好呢？多不方便啊！要一手抱着小博，一手抱着那只钱包和这些小玩意儿，她决定先把婴儿放在床上。
婴儿一离开她的臂弯就哇地哭了，这时她忽然想出来一个好主意来。要是将东西藏在婴儿尿布里，那不是最好的办法吗？她连忙把他翻了个身，拉其他的衣裳，把钱包塞进他后腰上的尿布底下。婴儿经这么一摆弄，放声大哭起来，可是她不管，急忙用三角布把他两条乱踢的腿包好，系紧。
“好了，"她深深地抽了一口气，"现在可以到沼泽地去了。"她一只胳臂紧紧搂着哭叫的婴儿，另一只手抱着那些珠宝，迅速跑到楼下穿堂里。可是她突然停下来，吓得两腿发软。这屋里多么寂静啊！静得多么可怕！他们都离开了，只剩下她一个人了吗？难道谁也没等她一会儿？她并没有意思叫他们全都先走，把她单独留在这里。这年月一个孤单的女人是什么都可能碰到的，而且北方佬就要来了----一个微弱的声音把她吓了一跳，她连忙转过身去，看见她那被遗忘的孩子蹲在栏杆旁边，两只受惊的眼睛瞪得老大老大的。他想要说话，可是喉咙颤抖着说不出声。
“站起来，韦德·汉普顿，"她立即命令说。"妈现在不能抱，你起来自己走。“他向她走过来，像只吓坏了的小动物，然后紧紧抓住宽大的裙裾，把脸埋在里面。她能感觉到他的两只小手在裙褶里摸索她的腿。她开始下楼，但因韦德在后面拉着，每走一步都妨碍她，这时她厉声喊道：“放开我，韦德，把手松开，自己走！“可是那孩子反而抓得更紧了。
她好不容易走到楼梯脚下，似乎楼下的一切都迎着她跑上来了。所有那些熟悉的，珍爱的家具似乎都在低声说：“再见！再见！"一阵呜咽涌上她的喉咙，但她极力抑制祝办事房的门敞开着，那里是爱伦生前勤奋工作的地方，现在她还能看上一眼那只旧写字台的一角呢。那是饭厅，桌旁的椅子已经散乱，但食品还在盘子里。地板上铺着爱伦亲手织染的旧地毯。罗毕拉德祖母的肖像挂在墙上，胸脯半袒着，头发堆得高高的，两个鼻孔旁边的纹路很深，使她脸上永远浮出一丝高傲的冷笑。这里的一事一物都是她最早记忆的一部分，都与她身上那些扎根最深的东西紧紧地连在一起，而此刻它们都在低声说：“再见！再见，思嘉·奥哈拉！““北方佬会把它们通通烧掉----通通烧掉啊！"现在是她最后一次看到这个家了，今后除了从树林荫蔽下或沼泽地里看看那包围在烟雾中的高高烟囱和在火焰崩塌的屋顶外，就再也看不见它了。
“我离不开你啊，"思嘉心里念叨着，一面害怕得牙齿直打战。"我离不开你。爸也不愿意离开你。他告诉过他们，要烧房子就把他烧死在里面。那么，就让他们把我烧死在里面吧。因为我也离不开你呀。你是我剩下的唯一财产了。"下了这样的决心，她的惊慌情绪反而减弱了些，现在只觉得胸中堵得慌，好像希望和恐惧都凝结了似的。这时他听见从林荫路上传来杂沓的马蹄声，缰辔和马嚼子的丁当声，铿铿锵锵的军刀磕碰声；接着是一声粗嘎的口令：“下马！"她立即俯身嘱咐身旁的孩子，那口气虽然急迫但却温柔得出奇。
“放开我，韦德，小宝贝！你赶快跑下楼，穿过后院，到沼泽地去。嬷嬷和媚兰姑姑都在那里。亲爱的，赶快跑，不要害怕！"那孩子听出她的声调变了，这时思嘉一见他那眼神就吓坏了，他活像一只陷阱的小野兔呢。
“啊，我的上帝！"她暗暗祈祷。"千万别让他犯惊风症呀！
千万----千万不要在北方佬跟前这样。千万不能让他们看出我们在害怕呢。“可是孩子把她的裙裾拉得更紧了，她才毫不含糊地说：“要像个大孩子了，韦德。他们只是一小伙该死的北方佬嘛！"于是，她下了楼梯，迎着他们走去。
谢尔曼的部队从亚特兰大穿过佐治亚中部向海滨挺进。
他们背后是浓烟滚滚的亚特兰大废墟，这个城市他们撤离时就一把火烧了。他们前面则是三百英里的领土，那里除了少数的本州民兵和由老人孩子组成的乡团之外是毫无抵御能力的。
这里是广袤的沃野，上面散布着许多农场，农场里住着女人和孩子，年迈的老头和黑人。北方佬在沿途八十英里宽的地带掳掠烧杀，形成一片恐怖。成百上千家的住宅毁于烈火，成百上千个家庭遭到蹂躏。但是，对于看着那些蓝衣兵涌入前厅的思嘉来说，这不是一场全县性的灾难，而纯粹是她个人的事，是针对她和她一家的暴虐行动。
她站在楼梯脚下，手里抱着婴儿；韦德紧紧靠在她身边，把头藏在她的裙褶里，因为他不敢看那些北方佬在屋里四处乱窜，从她身边粗鲁地拥挤着跑上楼，有的将家具拖到前面走廊上去，用刺刀和小刀插入椅垫，从里面搜寻贵重的东西。
他们在楼上把床垫和羽绒褥子撕开，开得整个穿堂里羽绒纷飞，轻轻飘落到思嘉头上。眼看着他们连拿抢，糟蹋破坏，她无可奈何地站在那里，满腔怒火不由得把剩余的一点点恐惧也压下去了。
指挥这一切的那个中士是个罗圈腿，头发灰白，嘴里含着一大块烟草。他头一个走到思嘉跟前，随随便便地朝地板上和思嘉裙子上啐唾沫，并且直截了当地说：“把你手里的东西给我吧，太太。"她忘记了那两件本来想藏起来的小首饰，这时只得故意模仿相片上的罗毕拉德祖母发出一声动人的冷笑，索性把它们扔在地上，接着便怀着几乎是欣赏的心情看着他急忙捡起来的那副贪婪相。
“还要麻烦你把戒指和耳环取下来。”
思嘉把婴儿更紧地夹在腋窝下，让他脸朝她挣扎着啼哭起来。同时把那对石榴石耳坠子----杰拉尔德送给爱伦的结婚礼物----摘下来。接着又捋下查尔斯作为订婚纪念给她的那只蓝宝石戒指。
“就交给我吧，别扔在地上，"那个中士向她伸出两手。
“那些狗杂种已经捞得够多的了。你还有什么？"他那双眼睛在她的身上犀利地打量着。
顷刻间思嘉几乎晕过去了，她已经感觉到那两只粗鲁的手伸进她怀里，在摸索怀里的带子。
“全都在这里了。我想，照你们的规矩还得把衣服脱下来吧？"“唔，我相信你的话，”那中士好心地说，然后啐口唾沫走开了。思嘉把婴儿抱好，设法让他安静下来，并伸手摸摸尿布底下藏钱包的地方。谢天谢地，媚兰竟有一个孩子，而这孩子又有一块尿布！
她听见楼上到处是笨重的皮靴声，那些家具被拖过来拖过去，像抗议似的吱嘎乱叫。瓷器和镜子哗哗啦啦被打碎了，中间还夹杂着下流的咒骂，因为找不到什么好东西了。院子里也传来高声喊叫：“砍了它的头！别让它跑了！"同时听见母鸡绝望地咯咯大叫，嘎嘎的鸭叫声和鹅叫声混成一片。突然砰的一声枪响，痛苦的尖叫立即停止，这时一阵剧痛震撼着思嘉全身，因为她知道母猪被打死了。她丢下母猪不管，该死的百里茜，自顾自跑啦！但愿那些小猪平安无事！但愿家里人都安全到达沼泽地！可是你没法知道呀。
她静静地站在穿堂里，眼看着周围的大兵在喊叫咒骂，乱成一团。韦德还是十分害怕，狠狠地抓住她的裙子不放。她感觉到他紧挨着她时身子在索索发抖，可是她自己也没法给他壮胆。她鼓不起勇气来对北方佬说话，无论是祈求、抗议或者表示愤怒。她唯一要感谢上帝的是她两条腿还有力量支撑着她，她的头颈还能把脑袋高高地托着。不过当一小队满脸胡须的人扛着各种各样的东西笨拙地走下楼来，她看见其中有查尔斯的那把军刀时，便不禁大声喊叫起来。
那把军刀是韦德的，是他从祖父和父亲一代代传下来的，后来思嘉又把它当作生日礼物送给了自己的儿子。授予这生日礼物时还举行了小小的仪式，当时媚兰哭了，她感到又骄傲又伤心，并吻着小韦德说他长大后一定要像父亲和祖父那样做个勇敢的军人。小韦德也颇觉自豪，时常爬到桌上去看挂在墙上的这个纪念物，用小手轻轻抚摩它。思嘉对于她自己的东西给仇人和陌生人抢走还能忍受，可是她孩子的珍贵纪念物就不行了。现在小韦德听见她喊叫，便从她的裙裾里探出头来窥视，并鼓起勇气边哭泣边说起话来。他伸出一只手嚷道：”我的！"“那把刀你不能拿！"思嘉也伸出一只手来，赶紧说。
“我不能，嘿？"那个拿军刀的矮小骑兵厚颜无耻地咧嘴一笑。"嗯，我不能！这是把造反的刀呢！"“它是----它不是！这是墨西哥战争时期的军刀。你不能拿走。那是我孩子的。是他祖父的！唔队长，"她大声喊着向那个中士求援，"请叫他还给我吧！"中士听见有人叫他队长，乐是升级了，便走上前来。
他说：“鲍勃，让我瞧瞧这把刀。”
小个儿骑兵很不情愿地把军刀递给他，说：“这刀柄全是金子做的呢。"中士把刀拿在手里转动了一下，又将刀柄举起对着太阳光读刀柄上刻的字：“'给威廉·汉密尔顿上校，纪念他的英勇战功。参谋部敬赠。一八四七年于布埃纳维斯塔。'"“嗬，太太，我本人那时就在布埃纳维斯塔呢。"“真的？"思嘉冷冷地说。
“怎么不是呢？我告诉你，那是一场激战。我在这次战争中可从没见过那样激烈的战斗。那么，这把军刀是这个小娃娃的爷爷的了？"“是的。"“好，他可以留着，"中士说，他有了他包在手帕里的那几件珠宝首饰，就已经十分满足了。
“不过那刀柄是金的呀，"小个儿骑兵坚持不让。
“我们把它留给她，好叫她记得我们，"中士咧嘴笑笑。
思嘉接过军刀，连"谢谢"也没说一声。她干吗因为退还了她自己的东西就要谢这些强盗呢？她紧紧地抱着军刀，让那小个儿骑兵继续跟中士纠缠。
“我要留给这些该死的叛乱分子一点东西，老天爷作证，让他们好记住我，”士兵最后大声嚷着，因为中士生气了，叫他滚蛋，也不许再顶嘴。他一路咒骂着向屋后走去，这时思嘉才松了口气。他们谁也没说要烧房子呢。他们没有叫她离开，好让他们放火。也许----也许----接着士兵们都从楼上和外面松松垮垮地回到穿堂里。
“找到什么没有？"中士问。
“一头猪，还有一些鸡鸭。”
“一些玉米和少量的山芋和豆子。我们看见的那个骑马的野猫一定来报过信了，这就完了。"“保罗·里维尔，怎么样？"“我看，这里没多少油水，中士。你零零碎碎拿到一点就算了。不要等大家都知道咱们来了。咱们还是快走。"“你们挖掘过地下熏腊室没有？他们一般把东西埋在那里呢。"“没有什么熏腊室。”“黑人住的棚屋里挖过了没有？"“别的什么也没有。棚屋里只有棉花，我们把它烧了。"思嘉一时间想起了在棉田里那些漫长的炎热日子，又感到腰酸背痛，两肩磨得皮开肉绽的可怕滋味。一切都白费了。
棉花全完了。
“你们家没多少东西，说真的，太太，是不是？"“你们的部队以前来过了，“思嘉冷冷地说。
“我们九月间来过这一带，这是事实。"有个士兵说，一面在手里转动着一个什么东西。"我忘记了。"思嘉看见他手里拿的是爱伦的金顶针。这个闪闪发光的顶针她以前常常看见母亲戴的。她睹物伤怀，想起母亲纤细的手指辛苦忙碌的情景。可如今顶针却在这个陌生多茧的肮脏的手心里，而且很快就会流落到北方去，戴在北方佬女人的手指上，那个女人还会因为是掠夺来的物品而感到骄傲呢。
爱伦的顶针啊！
思嘉低下头，免得让敌人发现她在哭，这时泪水只能缓缓地往婴儿头上滴。她模糊地看见那些人朝门道走去，听见中士用洪亮而粗暴的声音在喊口令。他们动身走了，塔拉农场已经安全了，可是她仍在伤心地回忆爱伦，很难高兴起来。
军刀磕碰的声音和马蹄声并没有让她感到安心，她站在那里，突然觉得两腿发软，尽管他们已沿着林荫道渐渐走远了，每个人身上都带着掠夺品，衣服、毯子、鸡鸭，还有那头母猪。后来她闻到刺鼻的烟火味，才转过身来想去看看那些棉花，可是经过一阵紧张之后感到特别虚弱，几乎挪不动身子了。从饭窗口望去，她看见浓烟还在缓缓地从黑人棚屋里冒出来。棉花就在那里被烧掉了。纳税的钱和维持他们一家度过这个严冬的衣食开支也化为乌有了。她没有办法，只好眼巴巴地看着。她以前见过棉花着火的情景，知道那是很难扑灭的，不管你有多少人来救都无济于事。谢天谢地，那棚屋区离正房还很远，否则就糟了！谢天谢地，幸好今天没有风，没有把火星刮到农场屋顶上来！
她突然像根指针似的僵直地转身，睁着一双惊恐的眼睛从穿堂、过道一直向厨房望过去，厨房里也在冒烟啊！
她把婴儿随手放在穿堂和厨房之间一个什么地方，随即又甩开韦德的小手，甩得他撞在墙壁上。她冲进烟雾弥漫的厨房，可立即退了回来，连声咳嗽着，呛得眼泪直流。接着，她用裙裾掩住鼻子，又一次冲了进去。
厨房里黑乎乎的，尽管有个小窗口透进亮光，但烟雾太浓，她什么也看不见，只听到火焰的咝咝声和噼啪声。她一只手遮着眼睛窥视了一下，只见地板上到处有细长的火苗在向墙壁扑去。原来有人把炉子里烧着的木柴丢在地板上，干透了的松木地板便很快着火并到处燃烧起来了。
她冲出厨房向饭厅里跑去，把那里的一块破地毯抓起来，弄得两把椅子哗啦啦翻倒在地上。
“我决不可能把它扑灭----决不可能！啊，上帝，要是有人帮忙就好了！塔拉农场完了----完了！啊，上帝！这就是那个小坏蛋干的，他说过他要留给我一点什么，让我好记住他呢！啊，我还不如让他把军刀拿走算了！"在穿堂过道里，她从小韦德身边经过，这孩子现在抱着那把军刀躺在墙角里。他闭着眼睛，脸色显得疲惫松驰，但却异常地平静。
“他死了！我的上帝！他们把他吓死了！"她心里一阵剧痛，但仍然从他身边跑开，赶快拿水桶去了，水桶是经常放在厨房门口的过道里的。
她把地毯的一端浸入水中，然后憋足力气提着它冲进黑烟滚滚的厨房，随手关上了门。似乎过了很久，她在那里摇晃着，咳嗽着，用地毯抽打着一道道的火苗，可不等她抬头火苗又迅速向前蔓延开来。有两次她的长裙着了火，她只得用手把火气灭了。她闻见自己头发上愈来愈浓的焦臭味，因为头发已完全松散了，披在肩上。火焰总是比她跑得快，向四壁和过道蔓延，像火蛇似的蜿蜒跳跃，她早已精疲力竭，浑身瘫软，感到完全绝望了。
这时门突然打开，一股气流涌入，火焰蹿得更高。接着砰的一声门又关了，思嘉从烟雾中隐约看见媚兰在用双脚践踏火苗，同时拿着一件又黑又重的东西用力扑打。她看见她跌跌撞撞，听见她连声咳嗽。偶尔还能看见她苍白而坚毅的面孔和冒着浓烟眯得细细的眼睛，看见她举起地毯抽打时那瘦小的身躯一俯一仰地扭动。不知又过了多久，她们两人并肩战斗，极力挣扎，好不容易思嘉才看见那一道道火焰在逐渐缩短了。这时媚兰突然向她回过头来惊叫一声，用尽全身力气从她肩后猛拍了一阵。思嘉在一团浓烟中昏沉沉地倒下去。
她睁开眼睛，发现自己舒服地枕着媚兰的大腿，躺在屋后走廊上，午后的太阳在她头上暖和地照着。她的两只手、脸孔和肩膀都严重烧伤了。黑人住宅区还在继续冒烟，把那些棚屋笼罩在浓浓的黑雾里，周围弥漫着棉花燃烧的焦臭味。思嘉看见厨房里还有一缕缕黑烟冒出来，便疯狂地挣扎着想爬起来。
但是媚兰用力把她按下去，一面用平静的声音安慰她：“火已经熄了，好好躺着，亲爱的。"她这才放心地舒了一口气，闭上眼睛，静静地躺了一会。
这时她听见媚兰的婴儿在旁边发出的咯咯声和韦德清晰打嗝的声音。原来他没有死啊，感谢上帝！她睁开眼睛，仰望着媚兰的面孔，只见她的卷发烧焦了，脸上被烟弄得又黑又脏，可是眼睛却神采奕奕，而且还在微笑呢。
“你像个黑人了，"思嘉低声说，一面把头懒懒地钻进柔软的枕头里。
“你像个扮演黑人的滑稽演员呢，"媚兰针锋相对地说。
“你干吗那样拍打我呀？”
“亲爱的，因为你背上着火了。可我没有想到你会晕过去，尽管天知道你今天实在累得够呛了……我一把那牲口赶到沼泽地安置好，就立即回来。想到你和孩子们单独留在家里，我也快急死了。那些北方佬----他们伤害了你没有？”“那倒没有，如果你指的是糟蹋。”思嘉说，一面哼哼着想坐起来。枕着媚兰的大腿虽然舒服，但身子躺在走廊地上是很不好受的。"不过他们把所有的东西全都抢走了。我们家的一切都丢光了----唔，什么好事让你这么高兴？"“我们彼此没有丢掉嘛，我们的孩子都安然无恙嘛，而且还有房子住，"媚兰用轻快的口气说，”要知道，这些是目前人人都需要的……我的天，小博尿了！我想北方佬一定把剩下的尿布都拿走了。他----思嘉，他的尿布里藏的什么呀？"她慌忙把手伸到孩子的腰背底下，立即掏出那个钱包来，她一时茫然地注视着，仿佛从来没见过似的，接着便哈哈大笑，笑得那么轻松，那么畅快，一点也没有失常的感觉。
“只有你才想得出来呀！"她大声喊道，一面紧紧搂住思嘉的脖子，连连地吻她。"你真是我的最淘气的妹妹啊！"思嘉任凭她搂着，因为她实在太疲倦，挣扎不动了；因为媚兰的夸奖使她既感到舒服又大受鼓舞；因为刚才在烟雾弥漫的厨房里，她对这位小姑子产生了更大的敬意，一种更亲密的感情。
“我要为她这样说，"她有些不情愿地想道。"一旦你需要她，她就会在身边。”
收听单词发音 |
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concocted
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| v.将（尤指通常不相配合的）成分混合成某物( concoct的过去式和过去分词 )；调制；编造；捏造 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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lathered
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| v.（指肥皂）形成泡沫( lather的过去式和过去分词 )；用皂沫覆盖；狠狠地打 | |
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bonnet
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| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
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dangling
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| 悬吊着( dangle的现在分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
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rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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swerve
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| v.突然转向，背离；n．转向，弯曲，背离 | |
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bins
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| n.大储藏箱( bin的名词复数 )；宽口箱（如面包箱，垃圾箱等）v.扔掉，丢弃( bin的第三人称单数 ) | |
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sob
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| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
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wade
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| v.跋涉，涉水；n.跋涉 | |
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vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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rape
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| n.抢夺，掠夺，强奸；vt.掠夺，抢夺，强奸 | |
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hitched
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| （免费）搭乘他人之车( hitch的过去式和过去分词 )； 搭便车； 攀上； 跃上 | |
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calf
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| n.小牛，犊，幼仔，小牛皮 | |
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agile
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| adj.敏捷的，灵活的 | |
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huddled
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| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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frenzy
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| n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动 | |
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wrung
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| 绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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wail
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| vt./vi.大声哀号，恸哭；呼啸，尖啸 | |
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wailing
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的现在分词 )；沱 | |
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reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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28
gravel
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| n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石 | |
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29
tugging
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| n.牵引感v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的现在分词 ) | |
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30
mumbling
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| 含糊地说某事，叽咕，咕哝( mumble的现在分词 ) | |
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31
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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32
mattress
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| n.床垫，床褥 | |
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33
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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34
pandemonium
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| n.喧嚣，大混乱 | |
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35
racing
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| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
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36
squealing
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| v.长声尖叫，用长而尖锐的声音说( squeal的现在分词 ) | |
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37
waddling
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| v.（像鸭子一样）摇摇摆摆地走( waddle的现在分词 ) | |
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38
furrows
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| n.犁沟( furrow的名词复数 )；（脸上的）皱纹v.犁田，开沟( furrow的第三人称单数 ) | |
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39
cane
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| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
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40
harassed
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| adj. 疲倦的，厌烦的 动词harass的过去式和过去分词 | |
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41
apron
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| n.围裙；工作裙 | |
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42
bracelets
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| n.手镯，臂镯( bracelet的名词复数 ) | |
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43
tightened
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| 收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧 | |
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44
triangular
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| adj.三角（形）的，三者间的 | |
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45
jewelry
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| n.（jewllery）（总称）珠宝 | |
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46
crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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47
hampered
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| 妨碍，束缚，限制( hamper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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48
homely
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| adj.家常的，简朴的；不漂亮的 | |
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49
labored
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| adj.吃力的，谨慎的v.努力争取(for)( labor的过去式和过去分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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50
diligently
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| ad.industriously;carefully | |
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51
awry
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| adj.扭曲的，错的 | |
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52
bosoms
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| 胸部( bosom的名词复数 )； 胸怀； 女衣胸部（或胸襟）； 和爱护自己的人在一起的情形 | |
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53
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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54
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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55
chattered
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| （人）喋喋不休( chatter的过去式 )； 唠叨； （牙齿）打战； （机器）震颤 | |
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56
congealed
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| v.使凝结，冻结( congeal的过去式和过去分词 )；（指血）凝结 | |
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57
jingle
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| n.叮当声，韵律简单的诗句；v.使叮当作响，叮当响，押韵 | |
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58
bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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59
rattling
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| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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60
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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61
appalled
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| v.使惊骇，使充满恐惧( appall的过去式和过去分词)adj.惊骇的；丧胆的 | |
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62
militia
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| n.民兵，民兵组织 | |
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63
plantations
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| n.种植园，大农场( plantation的名词复数 ) | |
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64
resounding
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| adj. 响亮的 | |
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65
malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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66
swarmed
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| 密集( swarm的过去式和过去分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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67
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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68
mattresses
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| 褥垫，床垫( mattress的名词复数 ) | |
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69
quelled
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| v.（用武力）制止，结束，镇压( quell的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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70
plundered
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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71
sergeant
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| n.警官，中士 | |
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72
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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73
rapacious
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| adj.贪婪的，强夺的 | |
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74
scramble
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| v.爬行，攀爬，杂乱蔓延，碎片，片段，废料 | |
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75
earrings
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| n.耳环( earring的名词复数 )；耳坠子 | |
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76
sapphire
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| n.青玉，蓝宝石；adj.天蓝色的 | |
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77
bastards
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| 私生子( bastard的名词复数 )； 坏蛋； 讨厌的事物； 麻烦事 （认为别人走运或不幸时说）家伙 | |
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78
fumbling
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| n. 摸索,漏接 v. 摸索,摸弄,笨拙的处理 | |
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79
soothe
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| v.安慰；使平静；使减轻；缓和；奉承 | |
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80
trampling
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| 踩( trample的现在分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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81
screech
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| n./v.尖叫；(发出)刺耳的声音 | |
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82
quacking
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| v.（鸭子）发出嘎嘎声( quack的现在分词 ) | |
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83
honking
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| v.（使）发出雁叫似的声音，鸣（喇叭），按（喇叭）( honk的现在分词 ) | |
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84
pang
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| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
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85
reassuring
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| a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的 | |
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86
reassuringly
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| ad.安心，可靠 | |
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87
squad
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| n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组 | |
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88
lumbering
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| n.采伐林木 | |
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89
laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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90
impudently
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91
promotion
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| n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传 | |
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92
vista
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| n.远景，深景，展望，回想 | |
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93
wrangled
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| v.争吵，争论，口角( wrangle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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94
rambling
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| adj.[建]凌乱的，杂乱的 | |
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95
hog
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| n.猪；馋嘴贪吃的人；vt.把…占为己有，独占 | |
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96
revere
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| vt.尊崇，崇敬，敬畏 | |
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97
bruised
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| [医]青肿的，瘀紫的 | |
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98
calloused
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| adj.粗糙的，粗硬的，起老茧的v.（使）硬结，（使）起茧( callous的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）冷酷无情 | |
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99
blur
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| n.模糊不清的事物；vt.使模糊，使看不清楚 | |
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100
laboring
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| n.劳动，操劳v.努力争取(for)( labor的现在分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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101
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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102
slinging
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| 抛( sling的现在分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
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103
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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104
hiss
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| v.发出嘶嘶声；发嘘声表示不满 | |
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105
squinting
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| 斜视( squint的现在分词 )； 眯着眼睛； 瞟； 从小孔或缝隙里看 | |
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106
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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107
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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108
eternity
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| n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷 | |
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109
scorching
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| adj. 灼热的 | |
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110
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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111
writhed
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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112
exhaustion
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| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
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113
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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114
swirling
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| v.旋转，打旋( swirl的现在分词 ) | |
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115
slits
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| n.狭长的口子，裂缝( slit的名词复数 )v.切开，撕开( slit的第三人称单数 )；在…上开狭长口子 | |
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116
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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117
enveloping
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的现在分词 ) | |
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118
singed
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| v.浅表烧焦( singe的过去式和过去分词 )；（毛发）燎，烧焦尖端[边儿] | |
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119
burrowing
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| v.挖掘（洞穴），挖洞( burrow的现在分词 )；翻寻 | |
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120
groaning
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| adj. 呜咽的, 呻吟的 动词groan的现在分词形式 | |
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121
peal
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| n.钟声；v.鸣响 | |
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122
grudgingly
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