friends can comfort themselves by

“Your heart’s going like a rabbit’s,” he said mockingly. “All too fast for mere fondness I would think, if I were conceited. Smooth your ruffled feathers. You are just putting on these virginal airs. Tell me what I shall bring you from England. A ring? What kind would you like?” 　She wavered momentarily between interest in his last words and a feminine desire to prolong the scene with anger and indignation. 　“Oh—a diamond ring—and Rhett, do buy a great big one.” 　“So you can flaunt it before your poverty-stricken friends and say ‘See what I caught!’ Very well, you shall have a big one, one so big that your less-fortunate friends can comfort themselves by whispering that it’s really vulgar to wear such large stones.” 　He abruptly started off across the room and she followed him, bewildered, to the closed doors. 　“What is the matter? Where are you going?” 　‘To my rooms to finish packing.” 　“Oh, but—” 　“But, what?” 　“Nothing. I hope you have a nice trip.” 　“Thank you.” 　He opened the door and walked into the hall. Scarlett trailed after him, somewhat at a loss, a trifle disappointed as at an unexpected anticlimax. He slipped on his coat and picked up his gloves and hat. 　“I’ll write you. Let me know if you change your mind.” 　“Aren’t you—” 　“Well?” He seemed impatient to be off. 　“Aren’t you going to kiss me good-by?” she whispered, mindful of the ears of the house. 　“Don’t you think you’ve had enough kissing for one evening?” he retorted and grinned down at her. “To think of a modest, well-brought-up young woman— Well, I told you it would be fun, didn’t I?” 　“Oh, you are impossible!” she cried in wrath, not caring if Mammy did hear. “And I don’t care if you never come back.” 　She turned and flounced toward the stairs, expecting to feel his warm hand on her arm, stopping her. But he only pulled open the front door and a cold draft swept in.