Chapter 4 Scarlett's Second Contact with Butler

(Charles died at the front, but Scarlett is not at
all sad. She goes to the donation party with Melanie,
wearing black.)

DR. MEADE
Ladies and gentlemen. I have important news, glorious
news. Another triumph for our magnificent men in
arms. General Lee has completely whipped the enemy
and swept the Yankee army northward from Virginia!
And now, a happy surprise for all of us! We have with
us tonight that most daring of all blockade runners,
whose fleet "schooners slipping past the Yankee guns
have brought us here the very woolens and laces we
wear tonight. I refer, ladies and gentlemen, to that
will o'the wisp of the bounding main, none other than
our friend from Charleston, Captain Rhett Butler!

MELANIE
Captain Butler, such a pleasure to see you again. I
met you last at my husband's home.

RHETT
That's kind of you to remember, Mrs. Wilkes.

MELANIE
Did you meet Captain Butler at Twelve Oaks, Scarlett?

SCARLETT
Yes I, I think so.

RHETT
Only for a moment, Mrs. Hamilton, it was in the
library. You, uh, had broken something.

SCARLETT
Yes, Captain Butler, I remember you.

MAN
Ladies, the Confederacy asks for your jewelry on
behalf of our noble cause.

SCARLETT
We aren't wearing any, we're in mourning.

RHETT
Wait. On behalf of Mrs. Wilkes and Mrs. Hamilton.

MAN
Thank you, Captain Butler.

MELANIE
Just a moment, please.

MAN
But, it's your wedding ring, ma'am.

MELANIE
It may help my husband more, off my finger.

MAN
Thank you.

RHETT
It was a very beautiful thing to do, Mrs. Wilkes.

SCARLETT
Here, you can have mine, too. For the cause.

RHETT
And you Mrs. Hamilton. I know just how much that
means to you.

MAN
Melanie. I need your approval as a member of the
committee with something we want to do, that's rather
shocking. Will you excuse us, please?

RHETT
I'll say one thing. The war makes the most peculiar
widows.

SCARLETT
I wish you'd go away. If you'd had any raising, you'd
know I never want to see you again.

RHETT
Now, why be silly? You've no reason for hating me.
I'll carry your guilty secret to my grave.

SCARLETT
Oh, I guess I'd be very unpatriotic to hate one of
the great heroes of the war. I do declare, I was
surprised that you'd turned out to be such a noble
character.

RHETT
I can't bear to take advantage of your little girl's
ideas, Miss O'Hara. I am neither noble nor heroic.

SCARLETT
But you are a blockade runner.

RHETT
For profit. And profit only.

SCARLETT
Are you trying to tell me you don't believe in the
cause?

RHETT
I believe in Rhett Butler. He's the only cause I
know. The rest doesn't mean much to me.

DR. MEADE
And now, ladies and gentlemen. I have a startling
surprise for the benefit of the hospital. Gentlemen,
if you wish to lead the opening real with the lady of
your choice, you must bid for her.

WOMAN
Caroline Meade, how could you permit your husband to
conduct this, this, slave auction?

CAROLINE MEADE
Darling Merry Weather, how dare you criticize me?
Melanie Wilkes told the doctor that if it's for the
benefit of the cause, it's quite all right. WOMAN
She did?

AUNT PITTY
Oh dear, oh dear, where are my smelling salts? I
think I shall faint.

CAROLINE MEADE
Don't you dare faint, Lilly Beth. Hamilton. If
Melanie says it's all right, it is all right.

DR. MEADE
Come gentlemen, do I hear your bids? Make your
offers! Don't be bashful, gentlemen!

MAN1
Twenty dollars! Twenty dollars for Miss Maybelle
Merryweather.

MAN2
Twenty five dollars for Miss Fanny Ossing!

DR. MEADE
Only twenty five dollars to give.

RHETT
One hundred and fifty dollars in gold.

DR. MEADE
For what lady, sir?

RHETT
For Mrs. Charles Hamilton.

DR. MEADE
For whom, sir?

RHETT
Mrs. Charles Hamilton.

DR. MEADE
Mrs. Hamilton is in mourning, Captain Butler. But I'm
sure any of our Atlanta belles would be proud toÃ