Calpurnia marched  us home and was very angry with us.  She was upset that we were missing and that we were at the trial listening to all that was going on.  She didn’t think it was right for children to hear.

“Mister Jem, I thought you was getting’ some kinda head on your shoulders – the very idea– she’s your little sister!  The very idea, sir!  You oughta be perfectly ashamed  of yourself – ain’t you got any sense at all”

Jem was chuckling, “Don’t you want to hear about it, Cal?”

“Hush your mouth, sir!  When you oughta be hangin’ your head in shame you go along laughin’ –“ Calpurnia scolded .

Jem was still grinning.  Calpurnia agreed that we could have Dill over for supper.

Aunt Alexandra met us and almost fainted when Calpurnia told her where we were.

Soon, we went back to the courthouse. Reverend Sykes had saved our places.  We were surprised to see that we had been gone an hour.

“Nobody’s moved hardly,” said Jem.

The jury had been out for about thirty minutes.

Jem smiled, “Don’t worry, we’ve won it,” he said wisely.  “Don’t see how any jury could convict on what we heard –“

“Now don’t you be so confident, Mr. Jem,” warned the Reverend.  “I ain’t never seen any jury decide in favor of a colored man over a white man…”

Jem spoke for awhile on his ideas.  Time had passed and it was getting close to eight.  Atticus was walking around the jury box area and Mr. Gilmer was standing at the windows talking to Mr. Underwood.  The courtroom was so still.

I was past tired.  When the clock had bonged eleven times, I allowed myself a short nap.  I jerked awake and made an effort to remain so.  I looked around and saw the people sitting below.  Dill was sound asleep, his head on Jem’s shoulder and Jem was quiet.  The courtoom reminded me of the day when Atticus shot the dog.

Mr. Heck Tate came in and said,” This court will come to order,” in a voice that rang with authority.  Mr. Heck Tate left the room and returned with Tom Robinson.