Calpurnia stopped and waited for Judge Taylor’s attention.
He saw her and said, “It’s Calpurnia, isn’t it?”
“Yes, sir,” she said. “Could I just pass this note to Mr. Finch, please sir? It hasn’t got anything to do with – with the trial.”
Atticus read the note and it was from Aunt Alexandra. It said that his children were missing.
Mr. Underwood spoke up and said, “I know where they are, Atticus. They’re right up yonder in the colored balcony – been there since precisely one-eighteen p.m.”
Our father said, “Jem, come down from there.” We made our way down the balcony. Atticus and Calpurnia met us at the bottom.
Jem was jumping with excitement. “We’ve won, haven’t we?”
“I’ve no idea,” said Atticus shortly. “You’ve been here all afternoon? Go home with Calplurnia and get your supper – and stay home.”
“Aw, Atticus, let us come back,” pleaded Jem. “Please let us hear the verdict , please sir.”
“The jury might be out and back in a minute, we don’t know. Well, you’ve heard it all, so you might as well hear the rest. Tell you what, you all can come back when you’ve eaten your supper – eat slowly, now, you won’t miss anything important – and if the jury’s still out, you can wait with us. But I expect it’ll be over before you get back.”
“You think they’ll acquit him that fast?” asked Jem.
Atticus opened his mouth to say something and closed it again.
