Chapter 9

           "Youcanjusttakethatback,boy!"

           Thisorder,givenbymetoCecilJacobs,wasthebeginningofaratherthintimeforJemandme.MyfistswereclenchedandIwasreadytoletfly.Atticushadpromisedmehewouldwearmeoutifheeverheardofmefightinganymore;Iwasfartoooldandtoobigforsuchchildishthings,andthesoonerIlearnedtoholdin,thebetteroffeverybodywouldbe.Isoonforgot.

           CecilJacobsmademeforget.HehadannouncedintheschoolyardthedaybeforethatScoutFinch’sdaddydefendedniggers.Ideniedit,buttoldJem.

           "What’dhemeansayin’that?"Iasked.

           "Nothing,"Jemsaid."AskAtticus,he’lltellyou."

           "Doyoudefendniggers,Atticus?"Iaskedhimthatevening.

           "OfcourseIdo.Don’tsaynigger,Scout.That’scommon."

           "’swhateverybodyatschoolsays."

           "Fromnowonit’llbeeverybodylessone—"

           "Wellifyoudon’twantmetogrowuptalkin’thatway,whydoyousendmetoschool?"

           Myfatherlookedatmemildly,amusementinhiseyes.Despiteourcompromise,mycampaigntoavoidschoolhadcontinuedinoneformoranothersincemyfirstday’sdoseofit:thebeginningoflastSeptemberhadbroughtonsinkingspells,dizziness,andmildgastriccomplaints.