azim78lenk

@@@@@ There was something so unfriendly about the darkThe cavernous station in Charleston was poorly litScarlett craned her neck, searching for her aunts or for a coachman who might be their servant, looking for herWhat she saw instead were a half dozen more soldiers in blue uniform, carrying guns slung over their shoulders"Miss Scarlett-" Pansy tugged on her sleeve"There's soldiers everywhere The young maid's voice was quaveringHer fear forced Scarlett to appear brave"Just act like they're not here at all, PansyThey can't hurt you, the War's been over for practically ten years She gestured to the porter who was pushing the cart with her luggage"Where would I find the carriage that's meeting me?" she asked haughtilyHe led the way outside, but the only vehicle there was a ramshackle buggy with a swaybacked horse and a dishevelled black driverScarlett's heart sank Suppose her aunts were out of town? They went to Savannah to visit their father, she knewSuppose her telegram was just sitting on the front stoop of a dark, empty house? She drew in a long breath She didn't care what the story was, she had to get away from the station and the Yankee soldiersI'll break a window to get into the house if I have toWhy shouldn't I? I'll just pay to get it fixed the same way I paid to fix the roof for them and everything else She'd been sending her aunts money to live on ever since they lost all of theirs during the War"Put my things in that hack," she ordered the porter, "and tell the driver to get down and help youI'm going to the Battery The magic word "Battery" had exactly the effect she hoped forBoth driver and porter became respectful and eager to be of serviceSo it's still the most fashionable address in Charleston, Scarlett thought with reli