Убить пересмешника
Chapter 1
MissStephaniesaidoldMr.RadleysaidnoRadleywasgoingtoanyasylum,whenitwassuggestedthataseasoninTuscaloosamightbehelpfultoBoo.Boowasn’tcrazy,hewashigh-strungattimes.Itwasallrighttoshuthimup,Mr.Radleyconceded,butinsistedthatBoonotbechargedwithanything:hewasnotacriminal.Thesheriffhadn’tthehearttoputhiminjailalongsideNegroes,soBoowaslockedinthecourthousebasement.
Boo’stransitionfromthebasementtobackhomewasnebulousinJem’smemory.MissStephanieCrawfordsaidsomeofthetowncounciltoldMr.Radleythatifhedidn’ttakeBooback,Boowoulddieofmoldfromthedamp.Besides,Boocouldnotliveforeveronthebountyofthecounty.
NobodyknewwhatformofintimidationMr.RadleyemployedtokeepBoooutofsight,butJemfiguredthatMr.Radleykepthimchainedtothebedmostofthetime.Atticussaidno,itwasn’tthatsortofthing,thattherewereotherwaysofmakingpeopleintoghosts.
MymemorycamealivetoseeMrs.Radleyoccasionallyopenthefrontdoor,walktotheedgeoftheporch,andpourwateronhercannas.ButeverydayJemandIwouldseeMr.Radleywalkingtoandfromtown.Hewasathinleatherymanwithcolorlesseyes,socolorlesstheydidnotreflectlight.Hischeekbonesweresharpandhismouthwaswide,withathinupperlipandafulllowerlip.MissStephanieCrawfordsaidhewassouprighthetookthewordofGodashisonlylaw,andwebelievedher,becauseMr.Radley’sposturewasramrodstraight.
Heneverspoketous.Whenhepassedwewouldlookatthegroundandsay,"Goodmorning,sir,"andhewouldcoughinreply.
