Cousin Jeb said he wanted me to help with the chores.Cousin Jeb said he wanted me to help with the chores." Miss Lily frowned. She could just imagine the help Jeb wanted with this kid. "Well, Willie," she said, "You're welcome to sit here in the kitchen, but you should remember that if you want to be a gentleman, a gentleman always takes off his hat indoors." Before Willie could stop her, Lily pulled off the grey cap and a wealth of red-gold ringlets tumbled down around "Willie's" shoulders. "That's better," Lily said. "What's your real name?" "Wilhelmina," the girl said and blushed. "How did you know I wasn't a boy." "Boys almost never wear pink nail polish," Rhett said and she looked at her hands. "Cousin Jeb told me to keep them in my pockets, but I forgot." Lily and Rhett laughed. Lucky she hadn't. "Now, child, why are you dressed like that?" Lily asked, putting the cap on one of the kitchen chairs. "Cousin Jeb said he didn't want men hangin' round while we traveled. Said they'd want to 'sin' with me. He talks about sinnin' a lot." He did; the whole time. That's why all Lily's girls disliked him. He invariably grabbed the first free girl and took her upstairs and preached at her the whole time he was fucking. The grey eyes had filled up with tears. |