@@@@@I've had to find two extra seamstresses as
@@@@@I've
had to find two extra seamstresses as it is, and I still don't see how
I'm going to finish in time There's just no way on earth I can add
another costume to the ones I've already promised Scarlett
dismissed
the woman's refusal with a wave of her handShe knew she could
bully
her into doing what she wanted
The hard part was deciding what that wasThe answer came to her
when
she was playing Patience while she waited for dinnertimeShe peeked
ahead into the deck of cards to see if she was going to get the King
she needed for an empty placeNo, there were two Queens before the
next KingThe game was not going to come out rightShe'd be able to wear a wonderful costume with a long train
trimmed with white furAnd all the jewelry she wanted
She spilled the remaining cards on the table and ran upstairs to look
in her jewel caseWhy, oh why had Rhett been so stingy about buying
her jewelry? He bought her anything else she wanted, but the only
jewelry he approved was pearlsShe pulled out rope after rope, piled
them on the bureauThere! Her diamond earbobsShe'd d'5
definitely wear themAnd she could wear pearls in her hair as well as
around her throat and wristsWhat a pity that she couldn't risk
wearing her emerald and diamond engagement ringToo many people
would
recognize it, and if they knew who she was, they might cut herShe
was counting on her costume and mask to protect her from Mrs
Merriwether and India Wilkes and the other womenShe intended to
have
a wonderful time, to dance every dance, to be part of things againBy
January fifth, the day before Carnival, all Atlanta was gala with
preparationThe mayor's office had ordered that all businesses be
closed on the sixth and that all buildings on the parade route be
decorated with red and white, the colors of Rex, the King of
Carnival
Scarlett thought it a terrible waste to close the store on a day when
the city would be jammed with people from the country, in for the
celebration