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           "Well,can’tyoujustseehisfacewhenhegetsaletterfrommewithnothinginit?It’lldrivehimnuts."

           TalkingtoFrancisgavemethesensationofsettlingslowlytothebottomoftheocean.HewasthemostboringchildIevermet.AshelivedinMobile,hecouldnotinformonmetoschoolauthorities,buthemanagedtotelleverythingheknewtoAuntAlexandra,whointurnunburdenedherselftoAtticus,whoeitherforgotitorgavemehell,whicheverstruckhisfancy.ButtheonlytimeIeverheardAtticusspeaksharplytoanyonewaswhenIonceheardhimsay,"Sister,IdothebestIcanwiththem!"Ithadsomethingtodowithmygoingaroundinoveralls.

           AuntAlexandrawasfanaticalonthesubjectofmyattire.IcouldnotpossiblyhopetobealadyifIworebreeches;whenIsaidIcoulddonothinginadress,shesaidIwasn’tsupposedtobedoingthingsthatrequiredpants.AuntAlexandra’svisionofmydeportmentinvolvedplayingwithsmallstoves,teasets,andwearingtheAdd-A-PearlnecklaceshegavemewhenIwasborn;furthermore,Ishouldbearayofsunshineinmyfather’slonelylife.Isuggestedthatonecouldbearayofsunshineinpantsjustaswell,butAuntysaidthatonehadtobehavelikeasunbeam,thatIwasborngoodbuthadgrownprogressivelyworseeveryyear.Shehurtmyfeelingsandsetmyteethpermanentlyonedge,butwhenIaskedAtticusaboutit,hesaidtherewerealreadyenoughsunbeamsinthefamilyandtogoonaboutmybusiness,hedidn’tmindmemuchthewayIwas.

           AtChristmasdinner,Isatatthelittletableinthediningroom;JemandFrancissatwiththeadultsatthediningtable.AuntyhadcontinuedtoisolatemelongafterJemandFrancisgraduatedtothebigtable.IoftenwonderedwhatshethoughtI’ddo,getupandthrowsomething?