One day I was in town with Jem and I overheard people talking about Atticus and how he was defending Tom Robinson who had been accused of raping a white woman. I went home and asked Atticus what “rape” meant. He said it was attacking a female by force and without consent . I didn’t know what he meant by that!
I told him that Calpurnia didn’t tell me what it meant when we went to church. I also told him that Cal said I could go to their house some time to visit her. Aunt Alexandra, who was sitting with us knitting said, “You may NOT!”
I got so mad! I yelled, “I didn’t ask YOU!”
Atticus jumped out of his chair and said, “You apologize to your aunt.”
I argued, “But I didn’t ask her, I asked you.”
Atticus said, “First, apologize to your aunt.”
“I’m sorry, Aunty,” I muttered.
Atticus said, “Now then. Let’s get this clear: you do as Calpurnia tells you, you do as I tell you, and as long as your aunt’s in this house, you will do as she tells you. Understand?”
