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Chapter 9
"Why?"
"Imighthavechildren."
Atticussaid,"You’vealottolearn,Jack."
"Iknow.Yourdaughtergavememyfirstlessonsthisafternoon.ShesaidIdidn’tunderstandchildrenmuchandtoldmewhy.Shewasquiteright.Atticus,shetoldmehowIshouldhavetreatedher—ohdear,I’msosorryIrompedonher."
Atticuschuckled."Sheearnedit,sodon’tfeeltooremorseful."
Iwaited,ontenterhooks,forUncleJacktotellAtticusmysideofit.Buthedidn’t.Hesimplymurmured,"Heruseofbathroominvectiveleavesnothingtotheimagination.Butshedoesn’tknowthemeaningofhalfshesays—sheaskedmewhatawhore-ladywas..."
"Didyoutellher?"
"No,ItoldheraboutLordMelbourne."
"Jack!Whenachildasksyousomething,answerhim,forgoodness’sake.Butdon’tmakeaproductionofit.Childrenarechildren,buttheycanspotanevasionquickerthanadults,andevasionsimplymuddles‘em.No,"myfathermused,"youhadtherightanswerthisafternoon,butthewrongreasons.Badlanguageisastageallchildrengothrough,anditdieswithtimewhentheylearnthey’renotattractingattentionwithit.Hotheadednessisn’t.Scout’sgottolearntokeepherheadandlearnsoon,withwhat’sinstoreforherthesenextfewmonths.She’scomingalong,though.Jem’sgettingolderandshefollowshisexampleagoodbitnow.Allsheneedsisistancesometimes."
