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           "She’sdead,son,"saidAtticus."Shediedafewminutesago."

           "Oh,"saidJem."Well."

           "Wellisright,"saidAtticus."She’snotsufferinganymore.Shewassickforalongtime.Son,didn’tyouknowwhatherfitswere?"

           Jemshookhishead.

           "Mrs.Dubosewasamorphineaddict,"saidAtticus."Shetookitasapain-killerforyears.Thedoctorputheronit.She’dhavespenttherestofherlifeonitanddiedwithoutsomuchagony,butshewastoocontrary—"

           "Sir?"saidJem.

           Atticussaid,"Justbeforeyourescapadeshecalledmetomakeherwill.Dr.Reynoldstoldhershehadonlyafewmonthsleft.Herbusinessaffairswereinperfectorderbutshesaid,‘There’sstillonethingoutoforder.’"

           "Whatwasthat?"Jemwasperplexed.

           "Shesaidshewasgoingtoleavethisworldbeholdentonothingandnobody.Jem,whenyou’resickasshewas,it’sallrighttotakeanythingtomakeiteasier,butitwasn’tallrightforher.Shesaidshemeanttobreakherselfofitbeforeshedied,andthat’swhatshedid."

           Jemsaid,"Youmeanthat’swhatherfitswere?"

           "Yes,that’swhattheywere.MostofthetimeyouwerereadingtoherIdoubtifsheheardawordyousaid.Herwholemindandbodywereconcentratedonthatalarmclock.Ifyouhadn’tfallenintoherhands,I’dhavemadeyougoreadtoheranyway.Itmayhavebeensomedistraction.Therewasanotherreason—"