Well, gentlemen, if Georgia fights, I go with her.
But, like my father, I hope that the Yankees will let us leave the Union
in peace.
STURT
But, Ashley!
BRENT
But, Ashley, they've insulted us!
CHRLS
You can't mean that you don't want war.
ASHLY
Most of the miseries of the world were caused by wars. And when the wars were over, no one ever knew what they were about.
MEN
Oh, Ashley, if it wasn't that I knew you....
GERLD
Now, now, gentlemen, Mr. Butler has been up North, I hear. Don't you agree
with us, Mr.Butler?
RHETT
I think it's hard winning a war with words, gentlemen.
CHRLS
What do you mean, sir?
RHETT
I mean, Mr. Hamilton, there's not a cannon factory in the whole South.
BRENT
What difference does that make, sir, to a gentleman?
RHETT
I'm afraid it's going to make a great deal of difference to a great many
gentlemen, sir.
CHRLS
Are you hinting, Mr. Butler, that the Yankees can lick us?
RHETT
No, I'm not hinting. I'm saying very plainly that the Yankees are better
equipped than we. They've got factories, shipyards, coal mines- and a fleet
to bottle up our harbors and starve us to death. All we've got is cotton,
and slaves and- arrogance.
STURT
That's treacherous!
CHRLS
Sir, I refuse to listen to any renegade talk!
RHETT
I'm sorry if the truth offends you.
CHRLS
Apologies aren't enough, sir! I hear you were tuned out of West Point,
Mr. Rhett Butler, and that you aren't received by any decent family in
Charleston, not even your own.
RHETT
I apologize again for all my shortcomings. Mr. Wilkes, perhaps you won't
mind if I walk about and look over your place. I seem to be spoiling everybody's
brandy and cigars and dreams of victory.
CHRLS
Well, that's just about what you could expect from somebody like Rhett
Butler.
GERLD
You did everything but call him out.
CHRLS
He refused to fight.
ASHLY
Not quite that, Charles. He just refused to take advantage of you.
CHRLS
Take advantage of me?
ASHLY
Yes, He's one of the best shots in the country. As he's proved a number
of times, against steadier hands and cooler heads than yours.
CHRLS
Well, I'll show him!
ASHLY
No, no, no, please. Don't go tweaking his nose anymore. You may be needed
for more important fighting, Charles.Now, if you'll excuse me, Mr.Butler's
our guest- I think I'll just show him around.