gramist0206

@@@@@What did you think you were doing, sending Prissy and your children here without so much as a by your leave, when you know that I've got my hands full and then some?" Scarlett raised her hand, ready to slap her sister"Suellen, if you don't tell me where Mammy is, I'll scream Prissy pulled on Scarlett's sleeve "I knows where Mammy is, Miss Scarlett, I knowsShe's powerful sick, so we fixed up that little room next the kitchen for her, the one what used to be where all the hams was hung when there was a lot of hams It's nice and warm there, next to the chimneyShe was already there when I come, so I can't exactly say we fixed up the room altogether, but I brung in a chair so as there'd be a place to sit if she wanted to get up or if there was a visitor Prissy was talking to air Scarlett was at the door to Mammy's sickroom, holding on to the framework for supportthing in the bed wasn't her MammyMammy was a big woman, strong and fleshy, with warm brown skin It had been hardly more than six months since Mammy left Atlanta, not long enough to have wasted away like thisScarlett couldn't bear itThis wasn't Mammy, she wouldn't believe itThis creature was gray and shrivelled, hardly making a rise under the faded patchwork quilts that covered it, twisted fingers moving weakly across the foldsScarlett's skin crawledThen she heard Mammy's voiceThin and halting, but Mammy's beloved, loving voice"Now, Missy, ain't I done tole you and tole you not to set foot outside without you wears a bonnet and carries a sunshadeTole you and tole you "Mammy!" Scarlett fell to her knees beside the bed "Mammy, it's Scarlett Please don't be sick, Mammy, I can't bear it, not you She put her head down on the bed beside the bony thin shoulders and wept stormily, like a childA weightless hand smoothed her bent headAin't nothing so bad that it can't be fixe