a time to kill

1

ToKillAMockingbirdScript-

Maycombwasatired,oldtown,evenin1932whenIfirstknewit.

Somehowitwashotterthen.

Men'sstiffcollarswiltedby9:00inthemorning.

Ladiesbathedbeforenoon,aftertheir3:00naps...andbynightfallwere

likesoftteacakes...withfrostingsofsweatandsweettalcum.

Thedaywas24hourslong,butitemedlonger.

Therewasnohurry,fortherewasnowheretogo...andnothingtobuy;

nomoneytobuyitwith.

AlthoughMaycombCountyhadrecentlybeentold...thatithadnothingto

fearbutfearitlf.

ThatsummerIwassixyearsold.

-Goodmorning,gham.-Goodmorning,miss.

Mydaddy'oulikemetocallhimforyou?

-Idon'tcaretobother.-Why,it'snobother,gham.

He's!

Atticus?

It'gham.

-Goodmorning,Walter.-Goodmorning,.

Ididn'twanttobotheryounone.

Ibrungyoutheherehickorynutsaspartofmyentailment.

Well,lardswehadlastweekweredelicious.

Well,'morning.

'Morning.

Scout,Ithinkmaybe,uh,ghamcomes,youbetternot

callme.

-Ithoughtyou'dwanttothankhim.-Oh,Ido.

Ithinkitembarrasshimtobethanked.

Whydoeshebringyouallthisstuff?

He'spayingmeforsomelegalworkIdidforhim.

Whydoeshepayyoulikethis?

That'omoney.

-Ishepoor?-Yes.

Arewepoor?

Weare,indeed.

AreweaspoorastheCunninghams?

No,notexactly.

Cunninghamsarecountryfolks,farmers.

-Thecrashhitthemthehardest.

Scout,callyourbrother.

Atticus?Jem'supinthetree.

2

Hesayshewon'tcomedownuntilyouagreetoplayfootballforthe

Methodists.

Jem?

Son,whydon'tyoucomedownoutoftherenowandhaveyourbreakfast.

cuits.

Not'tilyouagreetoplayfootballfortheMethodists.

Oh,son,Ican'tdothat.I'mtoooldtogetoutthere.

Afterall,I'mtheonlyfatheryouhave.

Wouldn'twantmetogetmyheadknockedoff,wouldyou?

Iain'tcomin'down.

Suityourlf.

Goodmorning.

Goodmorning,MissMaudie.

-What'sgoingonoverthere?-I'mhavingaterribletime,MissMaudie.

Jem'sstayin'upinthetreeuntilAtticusagreestoplayfootballfor

theMethodists.

Atticussayshe'stooold.

EverytimeI'mwantin'todosomething,he'stooold.

He'stoooldforanything!

Hecandoplentyofthings.

Youbegood,l.

-'Morning,Maudie.-'Morning,Atticus.

Hewon'tletmehaveagun,andhe'llonlyplaytouchfootballwithme,

nevertackle.

Hecanmakesomebody'swillsoairtight,youcan'tbreakit.

Youcountyourblessingsandstopcomplaining,bothofyou.

Thankyourstarshehasthentoacthisage.

-Jem,heisprettyold.-Ican'thelpthat.

Hey.

Hey,yourlf.

I'ad.

Yougotanythingneedsreadin',Icandoit.

Howoldareyou?Fourandahalf?

-Goin'onven.-Nowonderthen.

Scout'sbeenreadin'sinceshewasborn,andshedon'tstartschool'til

nextmonth.

Youlookrightpunyforgoin'onven.

I'mlittle,butI'mold.

FolkscallmeDill.

I'mfromMeridian,Mississippi.

I'mspendingtwoweeksnextdoorwithmyAuntStephanie.

MymamaworkedforaphotographerinMeridian.

Sheenteredmypictureinthe"BeautifulChild"contestandwonfive

dollarsonme.

3

Shegivethemoneytome,andIwenttothepictureshow20timeswith

it.

-Ourmama'sdead,butwegotadaddy.-Where'syourdaddy?

-Ihaven'tgotone.-Ishedead?

No.

Well,ifhe'snotdead,you'vegotone,haven'tyou?

-Hush,Scout.

WhatdidIdo?WhatdidIdo?

Dill,thisisCalpurnia.

Pleadtoknowyou,Dill.

Pleadtoknowyou.

MydaddyownstheL&NRailroad.

He'sgonnaletmeruntheengineallthewaytoNewOrleans.

Isthatso?

HesaysIcaninviteanybody...-Shh.

Theregoesthemeanestmanthatevertookabreathoflife.

Whyishethemeanestman?

Well,foronething,hehasaboynamedBoo...thathekeepschainedto

abedinthehouoveryonder.

Comeon.

See?Helivesoverthere.

Booonlycomesoutatnight...whenyou'reasleepandit'spitchdark.

Whenyouwakeupatnight,youcanhearhim.

OnceIheardhimscratchingonourscreendoor,buthewasgonebythe

timeAtticusgotthere.

Wonderwhathedoesinthere.

Wonderwhathelookslike.

Well...judgingfromhistracks,he'saboutsixandahalffeettall.

Heeatsrawsquirrelsandallthecatshecancatch.

There'salong,jaggedscarthatrunsacrosshisface.

Histeethareyellowandrotten.

Hiyesarepopped,andhedroolsmostofthetime.

Oh,Idon'tbelieveyou.

Dill,whatareyoudoinghere?

MyLord,AuntStephanie!Youalmostgavemeaheartattack!

Dill,Idon'twantyouplayingaroundthathouoverthere.

Amaniaclivesthere,andhe'sdangerous.

See?IwastryingtowarnhimaboutBoo,buthewouldn'tbelieveme.

Youbetterbelievehim,rris.

TellhimaboutthetimeBootriedtokillhispapa.

Iwasstandinginmyyardwhenhismamacomeoutyelling,"He'skilling

usall!"

TurnedoutthatBoowassittinginthelivingroomcuttingupthepaper

forhisscrapbook,andwhenhisdaddycomeby,hereachedoverwithhis

4

scissors,stabbedhiminhisleg,pulledthemoutandwentrightoncutting

thepaper.

Theywantedtondhimtoanasylum,buthisdaddysaid,"NoRadleyis

goingtoanyasylum."

Sotheylockedhimupinthebamentofthecourthou...'tilhenearly

diedofthedamp...andhisdaddybroughthimbackhome.

Thereheistothisday,sittingovertherewithhisscissors.

Lordknowswhathe'sdoingorthinking.

Six,ven,eight,Six,ven,eight,

-Nine,ten!

Comeon,Scout!It's5:00!

-Whereyougoing?-TimetomeetAtticus.

-WhydoyoucallyourdaddyAtticus?-'CauJemdoes.

-Whydoeshe?-Idon'tknow.

Hejuststartedtoeversincehebegantalking.

.

-MissDuboisonherporch.

Listen,nomatterwhatshesaystoyou,don'tanswerherback.

There'saConfederatepistolinherlapunderhershawl,andshe'llkill

youquickaslookatyou.

Comeon.

-Hey,MissDubo.-Don'tyousay"hey"tome,youuglygirl!

Yousay,"Goodafternoon,MissDubo."

YoucomeoverherewhenI'mtalkingtoyou.

-Youcomeoverhere,Isaid!-Hi,Atticus.

-Atticus,'sMissStephanie'snephew.

Don'tyourdaddyteachyoutorespectoldpeople?

Youcomebackhere,JeanLouiFinch!

Goodafternoon,MissDubo.

My,youlooklikeapicturethisafternoon.

Hedon'tsayapictureofwhat.

Mygoodnessgracious,lookatyourflowers.

Haveyoueverenanythingmorebeautiful?

MissDubo,thegardensatBellingrathhavenothingtocompare...with

yourflowers.

Idon'tthinkthey'reasniceaslastyear.

Hegetsherinterestedinsomethingnicesosheforgetstobemean.

Youryardisgoingtobetheshowplaceofthistown.

Well,grandeingyou,MissDubo.

"Ihadtwocats...whichIbroughtashore...onmyfirstraft.

AndIhadadog."

Atticus,doyouthinkBooRadleyeverreallycomesandlooksinmywindow

atnight?

5

-ternoonwhenwewereoverbytheirhou...

-Scout...

ItoldyouandJemtoleavethopoorpeoplealone.

Iwantyoutostayawayfromtheirhou...andstoptormentingthem.

Yes,sir.

That'sallthereadingfortonight,'sgettinglate.

-Whattimeisit?-8:30.

MayIeyourwatch?

"ToAtticus,mybelovedhusband."

Atticus,Jemsaysthiswatchisgonnabelongtohimsomeday.

-That'sright.-Why?

Well...it'scustomary...fortheboytohavehisfather'swatch.

Whatareyougonnagiveme?

Idon'tknowthatIhavemuchelofvaluethatbelongstome.

Butthere'sapearlnecklace,there'saringthatbelongedtoyourmother.

Iputthemaway,andthey'retobeyours.

-Goodnight,Scout.-Goodnight.

-Goodnight,Jem.-Goodnight.

-Jem?-Yes?

HowoldwasIwhenMamadied?-Two.

-Howoldwereyou?-Six.

-OldasIamnow?-Mm-hmm.

-WasMamapretty?-Mm-hmm.

WasMamanice?

Mm-hmm.

-Didyouloveher?-Yes.

-DidIloveher?-Mm-hmm.

-Doyoumissher?-Mm-hmm.

-'Evening,Atticus.-Goodevening,Judge.

Ratherwarm,isn'tit?

Yes,indeed.

How'?

She',thankyou.

Atticus,you'veheardaboutTomRobinson.

Yes,sir.

Grandjurywillgetaroundtocharginghimtomorrow.

Iwasthinkingaboutappointingyoutotakehisca.

NowIrealizeyou'reverybusythedayswithyourpractice.

Andyourchildrenneedagreatdealofyourtime.

Yes,sir.

I'lltaketheca.

I'llndaboyoverforyoutomorrowwhenhishearingcomesup.

Well...I'lleyoutomorrow,Atticus.

Yes,sir.

6

Andthankyou.

Yes,sir.

Hey,Jem,Ibetyoua"GreyGhost"againsttwo"TomSwifts"...

youwouldn'tgoanyfartherthanBooRadley'sgate.

Aw.

-Scaredto,ain'tyou?-Iain'tscared.

IgopastBooRadley'shounearlyeverydayofmylife.

-Alwaysrunning.-Youhushup,Scout.

-Comeon,Dill!-Mefirst!Mefirst!

-Mefirst!Mefirst!-YougottaletDillbefirst.

-No!Me,me,me!-Oh,letherbefirst.

Allright,getin!

-Hurryup!-Allright.

-Youready?-go.

Scout!

Scout,getawayfromthere!Scout,comeon!

Don'tjustliethere!Getup!

Comeon,Scout.

Runforyourlife,Scout!

Comeon,Dill!

Nowwho'sacoward?

YoutellthemaboutthisbackinMeridianCounty,rris.

I'lltellyouwhatlet'sdo.

Let'sgodowntothecourthouandetheroomthattheylockedBooup

in.

Myauntsaysit'sbat-infested,andhenearlydiedfromthemildew.

Comeon!Ibettheygotchainsandinstrumentsoftorturedownthere.

Comeon!

-JemFinch?-Yes,sir?

Ifyou'relookingforyourdaddy,he'sinsidethecourthou.

-Thankyou,sir,butwe'renotlooking...-Thankyou,nd.

What'syourdaddydoinginthecourthou?

He'salawyer,andhehasaca.

Thegrandjuryischarginghisclienttoday.

IheardsomethingaboutitlastnightwhenJudgeTaylorcameover.

-Let'sgowatch.-No,Dill.

-Hewouldn'!-Dill!

Dill,waitaminute.

Shh.

-Isthatthecourtroom?

.

-Ican'teanything.-Shh.

Y'allliftmeupsoIcanewhat'sgoingon.

-Allright.-Makeasaddle,Scout.

7

Notmuchishappenin'.

Thejudgelookslikehe'sasleep.

Ieyourdaddyandacoloredman.

-Thecoloredman...-Shh,shh.

Thecoloredmanlookstomelikehe'scryin'.

-IenhimwithMayella.-Iwonderwhathe'sdonetocryabout?

What'sgoingon?

There'sawholelotofmensittin'togetherononeside,andonemankeeps

pointin'atthecoloredmanandyellin'.

They'retakingthecoloredmanaway.

-Where'sAtticus?

Ican'teyourdaddynoweither.

-Iwonderwhereintheworld...-Scout,Jem.

Whatintheworldareyoudoinghere?

Hello,Atticus.

Whatareyoudoinghere?

WecamedowntofindoutwhereBooRadleywaslockedup.

Wewantedtoethebats.

Iwantyouallbackhomerightaway.

-Yes,sir.-Runalongnow.

I'lleyoutherefordinner.

Hey,howdy,Cap'n.

.

Cap'n,I'mrealsorrytheypickedyou...todefendthatniggerthatraped

myMayella.

Idon'tknowwhyIdidn'tkillhimmylfinsteadofgoingtothesheriff.

I'dhavesavedyouandthesheriffandthetaxpayerslotsoftrouble.

Excume.I'mbusy.

Hey,Cap'n,somebodytoldmejustnowthattheythought...thatyou

believedTomRobinson'sstoryaginourn.

YouknowwhatIsaid?

Isaid,"Youwrong,dwrong!

in'ttakinghisstoryagainstourn."

Well,theywaswrong,wasn'tthey?

I'vebeenappointedtodefendTomRobinson.

Nowthathe'sbeencharged,that'swhatIintendtodo.

-Youtakinghisstory...-Ifyou'llexcume,.

Whatkindofmanareyou?

Yougotchildrenofyourown.

Hey,Jem!Jem?

IthinkweoughttostayrighthereinMissStephanie'syard.

Youdon'thavetocomealong...AngelMay.

Whatareyougonnado?

8

GonnalookinawindowattheRadleyhou...andeifwecangetalook

atBooRadley!

Comeon,Dill.

-Jem,plea,I'mscared.-Gohomeifyou'rescared!

Iswear,Scout,youactmorelikeagirlallthetime.

-Comeon,Dill.-Waitforme.I'mcoming.

Shh.

We'llgoaroundback...

andcrawlunderthefenceattherearofthelot.

-Idon'tbelievewecanbeenfromthere.

Comeon.

Comeon.

Comeon.

Holditupforme.

Shh.

Don'tmakeasound.

Spitonit.

Allright.

-Jem.-memore.

Allright.

Comeon.

.

Hurry!

Scout!Scout!

.

-Shh!

-Quiet.-Shh.

-Whatareyougonnadoforpants,Jem?-Idon'tknow.

Dill?Dill?

Youcomeoninnow.

-Shh.-Ibettergo.

-Dill?-Coming,AuntStephanie!

-Solong.I'lleyounextsummer.

-Solong.-Solong.

-Dill!-I'mcomin'!

I'mgoingbackaftermypants.

Plea,inthehou.

Ican'tgoinwithoutmypants.

-ThenI'mgoingtocallAtticus.-No,you'renot.

Now,sain'tneverwhippedmesinceIcanremember,andI

plantokeepitthatway.

-ThenI'mgoingwithyou.-Youain'yrighthere.

I'llbebackbeforeyoucancounttoten.

Jem.

9

.

Three.

-Four.-Jem?

Scout?

Comeonin.

-Five.

Six.

.

Nine.

Ten.

Eleven.

Twelve.

Thirteen.

-Fourteen.

Jem!

-Shh.

Whatwasthat?Whatisit?

Whathappened?Whathappened?

What'sgoin'on?Whatisit?

Atticus,whatisit?

Willsomebodypleatellmewhat'sgoin'on?

Uh,...

shotataprowleroutinhiscollardpatch.

Aprowler?Oh,Maudie!

Whoeveritwaswon'tbebackanytimesoon.

musthavescaredthemoutoftheirwits.

-ght.-Goodnight,Atticus.

Oh,scaredthelivingdaylightsoutofme.

Aprowler?Hesaidaprowler?

itement'sover.

Timeforbed.

.

'Morning.

Goodmorning,MissMaudie.

-'Morning,Calpurnia.-'Morning,Maudie.

CametoeifJeanLouiisreadyforherfirstdayofschool.

-Scout!-Goodmorning,MissMaudie.

-Youreadytoo?-Yes,ma'am.-Scout!

Whatareyougonnadothismorningwithbothchildrenatschool?

Idon'tknow,andthat'sthetruth.

Iwasthinkingaboutthatjustnow.

Scout!

Scout?Scout!

Didyouhearme,Scout?

10

Nowhurry.

Hey,lookatScout!

Shh.

-Comeoninhere,Scout.

Haveyourbreakfast.

Ithinkyourdressismightybecomin',honey.

Don'tgotuggingatthatdress,Scout.

Youwanttohaveitallwrinkledbeforeyouevengettoschool?

Istilldon'tewhyIhavetowearadarnolddress.

-You'llgetudtoit.-I'mready!

Oh,.

It'shalfanhourbeforeschoolstarts.

Sitrightdownandwaitforyoursister.

-Hurryup,Scout.-I'mtryingto.

Comeon!It'ttobelate?

-I'mready.-Let'sgo!

Bye.

Bye,everybody!

Darnyou,WalterCunningham!

-Comeon,Walter!-Comeon,Walter!

-Scout!-Comeon,Walter!

Cutthatout!

Whatdoyouthinkyou'redoing?

Hemademestartoffonthewrongfoot!

Iwastryingtoexplaintothatdarnladyteacher...

whyhedidn'thavenomoneyforhislunch,andshegotsoreatme!

Stopit!Stopit!

CunninghamfromOldSarum?

Comehomeandhavedinnerwithus,Walter.

We'dbegladtohaveyou.

Ourdaddyisafriendofyourdaddy's.

'tfightyounomore.

Ihopethat'sadinnerthatyouenjoy.

Yes,'tknowwhenI'vehadaroast.

We'vebeenhavingsquirrelsandrabbitslately.

MypaandIgohuntinginoursparetime.

-Yougotagunofyourown?-Uh-huh.

-Howlongyouhadagun?-Oh,ayearorso.

-CanIhavethesyrup,plea?-Certainly,son.

Cal,willyoubringinthesyrupdish,plea?

Yes,sir.

Howoldwereyouwhenyougotyourfirstgun,Atticus?

Thirteenorfourteen.

Irememberwhenmydaddygavemethatgun.

11

HetoldmethatIshouldneverpointatanythinginthehou...andthat

he'dratherIshootattincansinthebackyard.

Buthesaidthatsoonerorlaterhesuppod...thetemptationtogoafter

birdswouldbetoomuch...andthatIcouldshootallthebluejaysIwanted,

ifIcouldhit'em;buttorememberitwasasintokillamockingbird.

-Why?-Well,Ireckon...

becaumockingbirdsdon'tdoanything...butmakemusicforustoenjoy.

Don'teatpeople'sgardens.

Don'tnestinthecorncribs.

Theydon'tdoonethingbutjustsingtheirheartsoutforus.

How'dyoulikeschool,Scout?

Allright.

Oh,thankyou,'sforWalter.

-WhatintheSamHillareyoudoing,Wa...

But,Atticus,he'sgoneanddrownedhisdinnerinsyrup,

-Andnowhe'spouringitallover...-Scout.

-What?-otalktoyou.

Thatboyisyourcompany.

Ifhewantstoeatthattablecloth,you'lllethim.

Ifyoucan'tactfittoeatlikefolks,

youcanjustsithereandeatinthekitchen.

Scout.

Scout.

-Scout,whatintheworldhasgotintoyou?

-I'mnotgoingback.-Now,now.

Atticus,I'mnotgoingbacktoschoolanymore.

Now,Scout,it'sjustthefirstday.

Idon'hingwentwrong.

Theteachergotmadasthedevilatme...

andsaidyouwereteachingmetoreadallwrongandtostopit,thenacted

likeafoolandtriedtogiveWalterCunninghamaquarter...

wheneverybodyknowsCunninghamswon'ttakenothin'fromnobody.

Anyfoolcouldhavetoldherthat.

Well...maybeshe'sjustnervous.

Afterall,it'sherfirstdayteachingschoolandbeingnewhere.

-Oh,Atticus...-Now,waitaminute.

Ifyoulearnthissingletrick,Scout,

you'llgetalongalotbetterwithallkindsoffolks.

Youneverreallyunderstandaperson...untilyouconsiderthingsfrom

hispointofview.

Sir?

Untilyouclimbinsideofhisskinandwalkaroundinit.

ButifIkeepgoingtoschool,wecan'teverreadanymore.

Scout...doyouknowwhatacompromiis?

12

Bendingthelaw?

Uh...no.

It'sanagreementreachedbymutualconnt.

Now...here'sthewayitworks.

Youconcedethenecessityofgoingtoschool,

we'llkeeprightonreadingthesameeverynight...justaswealwayshave.

Thatabargain?

Therejustdidn'temtobe...

anyoneoranythingAtticuscouldn'texplain.

Thoughitwasn'tatalentthatwouldaroutheadmirationofanyofour

friends,

JemandIhadtoadmithewasverygoodatthat.

-Butthatwasallhewasgoodat...wethought.

-See?Thereheis.

Scout,Jem,comeoninside.

-Comeon!.

?ThisisCal.

IsweartoGod,there'samaddogdownthestreetapiece.

He'scomingthisway!

Thereheis.

He'sgotit,allright,.

Stayinside,eminthere,Cal.

He'swithinrange,Heck.

-Takehim,.

-Oh,no,!Hecan'tshoot!-Don'twastetime,Heck.

He'sgottobekilledbeforehestartsrunnin'.

'tshootthatwell,andyouknowit.

Ihaven'tshotaguninyears.

I'dfeelmightycomfortableifyoudidnow.

-Don''sjustasdangerousdeadasalive.-Yes,

sir.

-Atticus?-Yes,son.

-Nothin'.-What'sthematter,boy?Can'tyoutalk?

-Didn'tyouknowyourdaddyisthebestshotinthiscounty?-Oh,hush,

Heck.

Let'sgetbacktotown.

-Remembernow,don'tgonearthatdog.-Yes,sir.

I'llndZeebooutrightawaytopickhimup.

Hey,Atticus,canwegowithya?

-Canwe,plea?-Huh,canwe?

Ihavetogotothecountryonbusiness,andyou'lljustgettired.

Oh,no,'tgettired.

Well,youpromitostayinthecarwhileItalktoHelenRobinson?

-Mm-hmm.-Andnotnagmeaboutleavingifyougettired?

13

-Huh-uh.-Allright,climbin.

-Who'sHelenRobinson?-She'sthewifeofthemanI'mdefending.

-Goodevening,David.-Goodevening.

-Goodevening,Helen.-'Evening,.

-IcameovertotellyouaboutmyvisitwithTom.-Yes,sir.

AndtoletyouknowthatIgotapostponementofthetrial.

Wouldyoutellmydaddytocomeouthere,plea?

Youniggerlover.

Noneedtobeafraidofhim,'sallbluff.

Niggerlover!

There'salotofuglythingsinthisworld,son.

IwishIcouldkeep'emallawayfromyou.

That'sneverpossible.

Cal,ifyouwait'tilIgetScoutinbed,I'lldriveyouhome.

Yes,sir.

Jem,doyoumindstayin'herewithScout'tilIgetCalhome?

-No,sir.-'Night,Jem.

'Night,Cal.

Atticus!Atticus!

Atticus!

Atticushadpromidmehewouldwearmeout...

ifheeverheardofmefightin'anymore.

Iwasfartoooldandtoobigforsuchchildishthings.

AndthesoonerIlearnedtoholdin,thebetteroffeverybodywouldbe.

Isoonforgot.

CecilJacobsmademeforget.

Oh,whatisit,Scout?

Atticus,doyoudefendniggers?

-Don'tsay"nigger,"Scout.-Ididn'tsayit.

'swhyIhadtofighthim.

Scout,Idon'twantyoufightin'.

Ihadto,Atticus.

-He...-Idon'tcarewhatthereasonsare.

-Iforbidyoutofight.-Yes.

Anyway...I'msimplydefendingaNegro,TomRobinson.

Now,Scout,therearesomethingsthat...you'renotoldenoughto

understandjustyet.

There'sbeensomehightalkaroundtown...totheeffectthatIshouldn't

domuchaboutdefendingthisman.

Ifyoushouldn'tbedefendinghim,thenwhyareyoudoingit?

Foranumberofreasons.

Themainoneisthat,ifIdidn't,

Icouldn'tholdmyheadupintown.

Icouldn'teventellyouorJem...nottodosomethingagain.

14

Scout.

You'regonnahearsomeuglytalkaboutthisinschool.

ButIwantyoutopromimeonething:

Thatyouwon'tgetintofightsoverit,

nomatterwhattheysaytoyou.

-Yes,sir.

-Whatareyoudoing?-I'mwalkinglikeanEgyptian.

-Wewerestudyin'about'eminschool.

Teachersayswewouldn'tbenoplacewithout'em.

Isthatso?

ventedembalmingandtoiletpaper.

That'swrong,Scout.

-Youdoyourfeetthisway.-Look,Jem.

Look,theboywearshairinfrontofhiyebrowslikeyoudo.

Yeah,andthegirlwearsbangslikeyou.

Theareofus.

Jem,youawake?

-Gobacktobed.-Ican'tgotosleep.

Gobacktobed.

Whatyougotinthebox?

Nothin'.Gobacktobed.

Comeon.

IfIshowyou,willyouswearnevertotellanybody?

Iswear.

Crossyourheart.

-Ifoundallofthe...

intheknotholeofthatoldtreeatdifferenttimes.

Thisisaspellingmedal.

Youknowtheyudtoawardtheinschooltospellingwinners...

beforewewereborn.

Andanothertime,Ifoundthis.

Andthis.

Scout...

youknowsomethin'elInevertoldyouaboutthatnightIwentback...

-TotheRadleyhou?-"Somethin'el"?

Younevertoldmeanythingaboutthatnight.

Well...

thefirsttimewhenIwasgettin'outofmybritches?

-Uh-huh.-Well,theywasallinatangle,

andIcouldn'tget'emloo.

Well,whenIwentback,though,

theywerefoldedacrossthefence,

sortofliketheywaxpectin'me.

Itwastobealongtime...

15

beforeJemandItalkedaboutBooagain.

Schoolfinallyendedandsummercame...andsodidDill.

-Goodmornin'.-Goodmornin'.My,you'reup...mightybrightandearly.

Ooh,Ibeenupsince4:00.

-4:00?-Oh,yes,Ialwaysgetupat4:00.

It'sinmyblood.

Mydaddywasarailroadman'tilhegotrich.

Nowhefliesairplanes.

Oneofthedays,

he'sjustgonnaswoopdownhereatMaycomb,

pickmeupandtakemeforaride.

Who'sthatinthecarwithSheriffTate?

TomRobinson,son.

Where'shebeen?

IntheAbbottsvillejail.

-Why?-Thesheriffthoughthe'dbesaferthere.

They'rebringin'himbackheretonight...becauhistrialistomorrow.

-Well,goodevenin',Heck.-Goodevenin',.

Comein.

Thenewshasgottenaroundthecountyaboutmybringin'TomRobinsonback

tothejail.

I,uh,heardtheremightbetroublefromthatbunchoutatOldSarum.

Cal,ifIneedyoutostayheretonight,canyoudoit?

-Yes,sir,Ican.-Thankyou.

Ithinkyoubettercountonstayin'.

Yes,sir.

-What'sgoin'on?-tosleep.

-What'sgoin'on?-Shh.

Hey,there'shiscar.

Thereheisoverthere.

No,Scout,don'tnotlikeit.

Ijustwantedtoewherehewasandwhathewasupto.

He''sgobackhome.

Comeon.

-Heinthere,?-Heis.

He''twakehim.

Youknowwhatwewant.

Getasidefromthatdoor,.

Walter...

Ithinkyououghtaturnrightaroundandgobackhome.

-HeckTate'saroundheresomewhere.-No,heain't!

HeckandhisbunchisoutinOldSarum,lookin'forus.

Weknowedhewas,sowecomeinthisotherway.

-Youain'tthoughtaboutthat,hadyou,?-Ithoughtaboutit.

16

-Ican',thatchangesthingssome.

Atticus.

-Hey,Atticus.-Jem,gohome.

TakeScoutandDillhomewithyou.

-Son,Isaidgohome.-No,sir.

-I'llndhimhome.-Don'tyoutouchhim!

Lethimgo!Lethimgo!

That'lldo,Scout.

Ain'tnobodygonnadoJemthatway!

Youget'emoutofhere,.

Jem,Iwantyoutoplealeave.

-No,sir.-Jem!

Itellyou,Iain'tgoin'.

Hey,gham.

Isaid,"Hey,gham."How'syourentailmentgettin'along?

Don'tyourememberme,gham?

I'mJeanLouiFinch.

er?

Wehadatalk.

Iwentandgotmydaddytocomeoutandthankyou.

choolwithWalter.

He'saniceboy.

Tellhim"hey"forme,won'tyou?

Youknowsomethin',gham?

Entailmentsarebad.

-Entailments...

Atticus,Iwasjustsayin'ghamthatentailmentswerebad,

butnottoworry.

Ittakesalongtimesometimes.

What'sthematter?

Isuremeantnoharm,gham.

Noharmtaken,younglady.

I'lltellWalteryousaid,"Hey."

Let'sclearouttahere.

Let'sgo,boys.

-Nowyoucangohome.

Allofyou.

I'llbetherelater.

Comeon.

Comeon.

,aretheygone?

They'n'tbotheryouanymore.

'Morning,s.

-Howdoyoudo?-Everensomanypeople?

17

JustlikeonSaturday.

Whereyougoin'?

Ican'tstanditanylonger.I'mgoin'tothecourthouandwatch.

-wwhatAtticussaid.-Idon'tcareifhedid.

I'mnotgonnamissthemostexcitingthingthateverhappenedinthistown.

It''restandin'allalongtheback.

-Reverend.-Yes?

-ReverendSykes,areyougoingupstairs?-Yes,Iam.

-Thankyou,BrotherJohn,forholdingmyat.-That'sokay,Reverend.

Comeon,,comeon.

Thiscourt'odyri.

OnthenightofAugust21,

OnthenightofAugust21,

IwasjustleavingmyofficetogohomewhenBob...

amein.

Veryexcitedhewas,andhesaidtogettohishouasquickasIcould,

thathisgirlhadbeenraped.

IgotinmycarandwentoutthereasfastasIcould.

Shewasprettywellbeatup.

IaskedherifTomRobinsonbeatherlikethat.

Shesaid,yes,hehad.

Iaskedifhe'dtakenadvantageofher.

Shesaid,"Yes,hedid."

That'salltherewastoit.

Thankyou.

Didanybodycalladoctor,Sheriff?

-No,sir.-Whynot?

Well,Ididn'tthinkitwasnecessary.

Shewasprettywellbeatup.

Somethin'bvious.

Now,Sheriff,way?

Well,shewasbeatenaroundthehead.

Therewerebruisalreadycomin'onherarms.

Shehadablackeyestartin'.

-Whicheye?-Let'se.

Itwasherleft.

Well,now,wasthat,uh...

Thatwasherleft,facingyou...

orlookingthewaythatyouwere?

Oh,yes,thatwouldmakeitherrighteye.

Itwasherrighteye,member.

Shewasbeatenuponthatsideofherface.

Whichsideagain,Heck?

Therightside.

18

Shehadbruisonherarmsand...sheshowedmeherneck.

Thereweredefinitefingermarksonhergullet.

Well...

allaroundherneck,atthebackofherthroat?

I'dsaytheywereallaround.

Thewitnessmaybeated.

ll.

PlaceyourhandontheBible,plea.

Doyousolemnlysweartotellthetruth,thewholetruth,andnothingbut

thetruth,sohelpyouGod?

-Ido.-Sitdown,plea.

Now,,

youtellus,justinyourownwords,whathappenedonAugust21.

Well,thatnight...

Iwascomin'fromthewoodswithaloadofkindlin'...andIheardMayella

screamin'asIgottothefence.

SoIdroppedmykindlin',andIrunasfastasIcould,butIruninto

thefence.

ButwhenIgotloo,Irunuptothewindow,

andIenhimwithmyMayella!

Whatdidyoudoafteryousawthedefendant?

Irunaroundthehoutryin'togetin,

buthedonerunthroughthefrontdoorjustaheadofme!

ButIenwhoitwas,allright!

-Ienhim.

AndIruninthehouand...

poorMayellawaslayin'onthefloorsquallin'.

stasquickasIcould.

ou,.

WouldyoumindifIjust,uh,askyouafewquestions,?

No,sir,,Isurewouldn't.

Folksweredoin'alotofrunningthatnight.

Yousaythatyourantothehou,yourantothewindow,

youraninside,yourantoMayella,yourantoSheriffTate.

Didyou,duringallthisrunning,runforadoctor?

Therewasn'hodoneit.

Now,,you'veheardthesheriff'stestimony.

DoyouagreewithhisdescriptionofMayella'sinjuries?

id.

Hereyewasblacked.

Shewasmightybeatup,mightybeatup.

Now,,canyou,uh...canyoureadandwrite?

Yes,sir,,IcanreadandIcanwrite.

Good.

19

-Thenwillyouwriteyourname,plea.

.

Sowhat'ssointeresting?

You'releft-handed,.

What'sthatgottodowithit,Judge?I'maGod-fearin'man.

ThatAtticusFinch,he'stryin'totakeadvantageofme!

YougottowatchtrickylawyerslikeAtticusFinch!

,sir.

Nowthewitnessmaytakehisat.

MayellaVioletEwell.

PutyourhandontheBible,plea.

Doyousolemnlysweartotellthetruth,

thewholetruthandnothingbutthetruth,sohelpyouGod?

Sitdown,plea.

Now,Mayella...

suppoyoutellusjustwhathappened,huh?

Well,sir...

Sir...Iwass-sittin'ontheporch...

andhecomealong.

There'sthisoldchifforobeintheyard,andI-Isaid,

"Youcomeinhere,boy,andbustupthischifforobe,

andI'llgiveyouanickel."

Sohecomeonintheyard,

andIgointhehoutogethimthenickel...

andIturnaroundandbeforeIknowit,he'sonme.

Ifoughtandhollered...buthehadmearoundtheneck...andhehitme,

againandagain.

AndthenextthingIknew,Papawasintheroom...a-standin'overme,

hollerin',"Whodoneit?Whodoneit?"

Thankyou,Mayella.

Yourwitness,Atticus.

MissMayella,isyourfathergoodtoyou?

Imean,isheeasytogetalongwith?

Doestolerable.

Exceptwhenhe'sdrinking.

Whenhe'sriled...hasheeverbeatenyou?

Mypa'snevertouchedahaironmyheadinmylife.

YousaythatyouaskedTomtocomeinandchopupa...Whatwasit?

Achifforobe.

Wasthatthefirsttimethatyoueveraskedhimtocomeinsidethefence?

Yes.

Didn'tyoueveraskhimtocomeinsidethefencebefore?

Imighthave.

Canyourememberanyotheroccasion?

20

No.

Yousay,"Hecaughtme,hechokedme,andhetookadvantageofme."

Isthatright?

Doyourememberhimbeatingyouabouttheface?

No.

Idon't...

recollectifhehitme.

Imean,y-yes!H-Hehitme!

-Hehitme!

Thankyou.

Nowwillyouidentifythemanwhobeatyou.

'rightyonder.

Tom,willyoustandup,plea?

LetMissMayellahaveagoodlonglookatyou.

Tom,willyoucatchthis,plea?

Thankyou.

Now,then,thistime,willyoupleacatchitwithyourlefthand.

Ican't,sir.

Whycan'tyou?

Ican'tumylefthandatall.

IgotitcaughtinacottonginwhenIwas12yearsold.

Allmymusclesweretoreloo.

Isthisthemanwhorapedyou?

Itmostcertainlyis.

How?

Idon'it.

Hejustdoneit.

Youhavetestified...

thathechokedyouandhebeatyou.

Youdidn'tsaythathesneakedupbehindyouandknockedyououtcold,

butthatyouturnedaround...

andtherehewas.

Doyouwanttotelluswhatreallyhappened?

Igotsomethingtosay...

andthenIain'tgonnasaynomore!

Hetookadvantageofme!

Andifyoufine,fancygentlemen...

ain'tgonnadonothingaboutit,

thenyou'rejustabunchoflousy,yellow,stinkin'cowards!

Thewholebunchofya!

Andyourfancyairsdon'tcometonothin'!

Your"ma'am"-ingandyour"MissMayella"-ing,

itdon'tcometonothin',!

N-N...

21

Yousitdownnow.

Atticus.

.

TheStaterests,Judge.

TomRobinson,takethestand.

PutyourhandontheBible.

Doyousolemnlysweartotellthetruth,

thewholetruthandnothingbutthetruth,sohelpyouGod?

-Ido.-Sitdown.

Now,Tom...

wereyouacquaintedwithMayellaVioletEwell?

Yes,passherplacegoingtoandfromthefieldeveryday.

-Isthereanyotherwaytogo?-No,sir.

None'sIknowof.

-Anddidsheeverspeaktoyou?-Why,yes,sir.

I'dtipmyhatwhenI'dgoby.

Onedaysheaskedmetocomeinsidethefence...andbustupachifforobe

forher.

Shegivemethehatchet,andIbrokeitup.

Andthenshesaid,"IreckonI'llhavetogiveyouanickel,won'tI?"

AndIsaid,"No,ma'in'tnocharge."

AndIwenthome.

,rayearago.

Didyouevergoontheplaceagain?

Yes,sir.

When?

Well,Iwentlotsoftimes.

SeemedlikeeverytimeIpasdbyyonder,shewouldhavesomelittle

somethingformetodo:

choppingkindlin'andtotin'waterforher.

Tom...

whathappenedtoyou...

ontheeveningofAugust21oflastyear?

,Iwasgoinghomeasusualthatevening.

WhenIpasdtheEwellplace,

MissMayellawereontheporch,likeshesaidshewere.

Shesaidformetocomethereandhelpheraminute.

Well,Iwentinsidethefence,

andIlookedaroundforsomekindlin'toworkon,butIdidn'tenone.

Thenshesaidtocomeinthehou,shehasadoorneedsfixin'.

SoIfollowsherinside,andIlookedatthedoor...anditlookedall

right.

Thensheshutthedoor.

AllthetimeIwaswonderingwhyitwassoquiet.

22

Thenitcometome.

Therewasnotachildontheplace.

AndIsaid,"MissMayella,wherearethechildren?"

Shesaid,"Theyallgonetogeticecream."

Shesaidittookherayeartosavevennickels,butshe'ddoneit.

Andthey'dallgonetotown.

Whatdidyousaythen?

Well,Isaidsomethinglike...

"Why,MissMayella,that'srightniceofyoutotreat'em."

Shesaid,"Youthinkso?"

Well,Isaid,"Ibestbegoin'."Icouldn'tdonothin'forher.

AndshesaidIcould.

Iaskedherwhat.

Andshesaidtojuststeponthechairyonder...andgetthatboxdown

fromontopofthechifforobe.

SoIdonelikeshetoldme,

andIwasreachin'...

whenthenextthingIknows,shegrabbedmearoundthelegs.

Shescaredmesobad,Ihoppeddownandturnedthechairover.

Thatwastheonlything...onlyfurniture...disturbedintheroom,Mr.

Finch,

Iswear,whenIleftit.

Andwhathappenedafteryouturnedthechairover?

Tom?

You'udoit?

Whathappenedafterthat?

,

Igotdownoffthechair,

andIturnedaround...

andshesortajumpedonme.

Shehuggedmearoundthewaist.

Shereachedupandkisdmeontheface.

Shesaidshe'dneverkisdagrownmanbefore...andshemightaswell

kissme.

Shesaysformetokissherback,

andIsaid,"MissMayella,letmeouttahere,"

andItriedtorun.

usdatherfromthewindow.

Hesaidhe'sgonnakillher.

Andwhathappenedafterthat?

Iwasrunnin'sofast,Idon'tknowwhathappened.

Tom,didyourapeMayellaEwell?

Ididnot,sir.

Didyouharmherinanyway?

23

Ididnot,sir.

Robinson,

you'reprettygoodatbustin'upchifforobesandkindlin'withonehand,

aren'tya?

Strongenoughtochokethebreathoutofawomanandslinghertothefloor?

-Ineverdonethat,sir.-Butyou'restrongenoughto.

-Ireckonso,sir.-Mm-hmm.

Howcomeyousoallfiredanxioustodothatwoman'schores?

Lookslikeshe,shedidn'thavenobodytohelpher.

LikeIsaid,she...

ndvenchildrenontheplace?

Youdidallthischoppin'andworkoutofsheergoodness,boy?

You'reamightygoodfella,items.

Didallthatfornotonepenny?

Yes,ightsorryforher.

-Sheemed...

Youfeltsorryforher?

Awhitewoman?

Youfeltsorryforher?

Tobeginwith,

thiscashouldneverhavecometotrial.

TheStatehasnotproducedoneiota...ofmedicalevidence...thatthe

crimeTomRobinsonischargedwith...evertookplace.

Ithasrelied,instead,uponthetestimonyoftwowitness...

whoevidencehasnotonlybeencalledintoriousquestion...on

cross-examination,buthasbeenflatlycontradictedbythedefendant.

Thereiscircumstantialevidencetoindicatethat...

MayellaEwellwasbeatensavagely...bysomeonewholed,almost

exclusively,withhisleft.

TomRobinsonnowsitsbeforeyouhavingtakentheoath...withtheonly

goodhandheposss,hisright.

Ihavenothingbutpityinmyheart...forthechiefwitnessfortheState.

Sheisthevictimofcruelpovertyandignorance.

Butmypity...doesnotextendsofar...astoherputtingaman'slife

atstake,whichshehasdoneinanefforttogetridofherownguilt.

NowIsay"guilt,"gentlemen,becauitwasguiltthatmotivatedher.

She'scommittednocrime.

Shehasmerelybrokenarigidandtime-honored...

codeofoursociety...acodesoverethatwhoeverbreaksitishounded

fromourmidst...asunfittolivewith.

Shemustdestroytheevidence...ofheroffen.

Butwhatwastheevidenceofheroffen?

TomRobinson,ahumanbeing.

ShemustputTomRobinsonawayfromher.

24

TomRobinsonwastoheradailyreminder...ofwhatshedid.

Now,whatdidshedo?

ShetemptedaNegro.

Shewaswhite,andshetemptedaNegro.

Shedidsomethingthat,inoursociety,isunspeakable.

Shekisdablackman.

Notanolduncle,butastrong,youngNegroman.

Nocodematteredtoherbeforeshebrokeit,butitcamecrashingdown

onherafterwards.

ThewitnessfortheState,withtheexceptionofthesheriffofMaycomb

County.

haveprentedthemlvestoyougentlemen,tothiscourt...inthe

cynicalconfidence...thattheirtestimonywouldnotbedoubted.

Confidentthatyougentlemenwouldgoalongwiththem...onthe

assumption...theevilassumption...thatallNegroeslie,allNegroes

arebasicallyimmoralbeings,allNegromenarenottobetrustedaround

ourwomen.

Anassumptionthatoneassociateswithmindsoftheircaliber,andwhich

is,initlf,gentlemen,alie,whichIdonotneedtopointouttoyou.

Andso,aquiet,humble,respectableNegro,whohashadtheunmitigated

temerity...tofeelsorryforawhitewoman,hashadtoputhiswordagainst

twowhitepeople's.

Thedefendantisnotguilty,butsomebodyinthiscourtroomis.

Now,gentlemen,inthiscountry,ourcourtsarethegreatlevelers.

Inourcourts,allmenarecreatedequal.

I'mnoidealisttobelievefirmly...intheintegrityofourcourtsand

ofourjurysystem.

That'aliving,workingreality!

NowIamconfidentthatyougentlemenwillreview...

withoutpassion...theevidencethatyouhaveheard,cometoadecision...

andrestorethismantohisfamily.

InthenameofGod,doyourduty.

InthenameofGod,believe...

TomRobinson.

Howlonghasthejurybeenoutnow,Reverend?

Well,let'se.

Almosttwohoursnow.

Ithinkthat'sanawfulgoodsign,don'tyou?

Court'odyri.

Gentlemenofthejury,

-Haveyoureachedaverdict?-Wehave,YourHonor.

Willthedefendantpleariandfacethejury?

Whatisyourverdict?

Wefindthedefendantguiltyascharged.

25

Gentlemen,thisjuryisdismisd.

Courtisadjourned.

I'llgotoeHelenfirstthingtomorrowmorning.

Itoldhernottobedisappointed,we'dprobablylothisone.

Tom.

Yes,.

MissJeanLoui.

MissJeanLoui,standup.

Yourfather'spassin'.

Atticus?

I-I'msorry,Atticus.

-Well,thankyou,Maudie.

Atticus,canIeyouforaminute?

Willyouexcume?

Jem?

Yes'm.

Idon'tknowifit'llhelp,

butIwanttosaythistoyou.

There'ssomemeninthisworld...

whoareborntodoourunpleasantjobsforus.

Yourfather'soneofthem.

-Oh,well.

What'sthematter,Atticus?

TomRobinson'sdead.

TheyweretakinghimtoAbbottsville...

forsafekeeping.

Tombrokelooandran.

Thedeputycalledouttohimtostop,

andTomdidn'tstop.

Heshotathimtowoundhimandmisdhisaim.

Killedhim.

Thedeputysays...

Tomjustranlikeacrazyman.

ThelastthingItoldhimwasnottoloheart,thatwe'daskforanappeal.

Wehadsuchagoodchance.

Wehadmorethanagoodchance.

Ihavetogooutandtellhisfamily.

Youlookafterthechildren,Maudie.

Atticus,youwantmetogowithyou?

No,son,IthinkI'dbettergoouttherealone.

Atticus.

I'mgoin'withyou.

I'mgoin'withyou.

Allright,son.

26

Hello,.I'mSpence,Tom'sfather.

Hello,Spence.

-IsHelenhere?-Yes,sir,she'sinsidelyin'down,tryin'togetalittle

sleep.

Webeentalkin'abouttheappeal,.

Howlongdoyouthinkit'lltake?

Spence,thereisn'tgoingtobeanyappeal.

ead.

Dead?

Helen.

Boy.

GoinsideandtellAtticusFinchIsaidtocomeouthere.

Goon,boy.

ByOctober,thingshadttleddownagain.

IstilllookedforBooeverytimeIwentbytheRadleyplace.

ThisnightmymindwasfilledwithHalloween.

Therewastobeapageantreprentingourcounty'sagriculturalproducts.

Iwastobeaham.

Jemsaidhewouldescortmetotheschoolauditorium.

Thusbeganourlongestjourneytogether.

-Scout!-Yeah?

Willyoucomeon?Everybody'sgone.

Ican'tgohomelikethis.

Well,I'mgoin'.It'salmost10:00...

andAtticuswillbewaitingforus.

Allright,I'mcomin'.

ButIfeellikeafoolwalkin'homelikethis.

It'snotmyfaultyoulostyourdress.

Ididn'n'tfindit.

-Whereareyourshoes?-Ican'tfindthemeither.

-Youcanget'emtomorrow.-Buttomorrow'sSunday.

.

Here,oldontoyoubeforeyoubreakyourneck.

-Jem,youdon'thavetoholdme.-Shh.

-What'sthematter?-Hushaminute,Scout.

IthoughtIheardsomethin'.

Ah...comeon.

Wait.

-Jem,areyoutryingtoscareme?-Shh.

-YouknowI'mtooold.-Bequiet.

-Iheardanolddogbayin'.

It'twhenwe'rewalkingalong.

Whenwestop,Idon'thearitanymore.

Oh,yeah,mycostumerustlin'.

27

Halloween'sgotya.

Ihearitnow.

I'llbetit'sjustoldCecilJacobstryin'toscareme.

CecilJacobsisabig,wethen!

Comeon.

Run,Scout!Run,Scout!Run!Run!

Scout!Scout!

Whathappened?Whathappened?

Idon'on'tknow.

-Cal,dstocomeover.-Yes,sir.

-Youallright?-Yes,sir.

-Areyousure?-Yes,sir.

SheriffTate,plea.

Atticus,isJemdead?

'sunconscious.

Wewon'tknowhowbadlyhe'shurtuntilthedoctorgetshere.

Heck?AtticusFinch.

Someone'sbeenaftermychildren.

He'sgotabadbreak.

Likesomebodytriedtowringhisarmoff.

I'llberightback,Atticus.

How'stheboy,Doc?

He'llbeallright.

SheriffTate.

Whatisit,Heck?

BobEwell'slyin'onthegroundunderthattreedownyonder...witha

kitchenknifestuckupunderhisribs.

He'sdead,.

-Areyousure?-Yes,sir.

He'snotgonnabotherthechildrenanymore.

MissScout,youthinkyoucouldtelluswhathappened?

Idon'tknow.

Allofasuddensomebodygrabbedme,knockedmedownontheground.

Jemfoundmethen.

,Ireckon,grabbedhimagain,andJemhollered.

,Iguess.

Somebodygrabbedhim...

andthenIheardsomeonepantin'andcoughin'.

ThenIsawsomeonecarryingJem.

Well,whowasit?

Why,thereheis,.

Hecantellyouhisname.

Hey,Boo.

MissJeanLoui,Radley.

28

Ibelievehealreadyknowsyou.

Heck,let'sgooutonthefrontporch.

WouldyouliketosaygoodnighttoJem,?

Youcanpethim,'sasleep.

Youcouldn'tifhewasawake,dn'tletyou.

Goahead.

Let'sgotintheswing,.

Heck,I-I...

Iguessthatthethingtodois,uh...

GoodLord...Imustbelosin'mymemory.

Ican'trememberwhetherJemis12or13.

Anyway,it'llhavetocomebeforethecountycourt.

Ofcour,it'saclear-cutcaoflf-defen.

I'll,uh...Well,I'llrundowntotheoffice...

...

doyouthinkJemkilledBobEwell?

Isthatwhatyouthink?

Yourboyneverstabbedhim.

BobEwellfellonhisknife.

Hekilledhimlf.

There'sablackmandeadfornoreason.

Nowthemanresponsibleforitisdead.

Letthedeadburythedeadthistime,.

Ineverheardtellitwasagainstthelawforanycitizen...

todohisutmosttopreventacrimefrombeingcommitted,

whichixactlywhathedid.

Butmaybeyou'lltellmeit'smydutytotellthetownallaboutit,not

tohushitup.

Youknowwhat'llhappenthen.

AlltheladiesinMaycomb,includin'mywife,

willbeknockin'onhisdoorbringin'angelfoodcakes.

Tomywayofthinkin',takin'oneman,whodoneyouandthistownabig

rvice,anddraggin'himwithhisshywaysintothelimelight...

Tome,that'sasin.

It'sasin.

AndI'mnotabouttohaveitonmyhead.

Imaynotbemuch,,butI'mstillSheriffofMaycombCounty,

andBobEwellfellonhisknife.

Goodnight,sir.

sright.

Whatdoyoumean?

Well...itwouldbe...sortoflikeshootingamockingbird,wouldn'tit?

Thankyou,Arthur.

Thankyouformychildren.

29

Neighborsbringfoodwithdeath...andflowerswithsickness...

andlittlethingsinbetween.

Boowasourneighbor.

Hegaveustwosoapdolls,abrokenwatchandchain,aknife...

andourlives.

OnetimeAtticussaid...youneverreallyknewamanuntilyoustoodin

hisshoesandwalkedaroundinthem.

JuststandingontheRadleyporchwanough.

Thesummerthathadbegunsolongagohadended,andanothersummerhad

takenitsplace.

Andafall.

AndBooRadleyhadcomeout.

Iwastothinkofthedaysmanytimes,ofJemandDill...andBooRadley

andTomRobinson.

AndAtticus.

HewouldbeinJem'sroomallnight,andhewouldbetherewhenJemwaked

upinthemorning.