Chapter 12

           Jemwastwelve.Hewasdifficulttolivewith,inconsistent,moody.Hisappetitewasappalling,andhetoldmesomanytimestostoppesteringhimIconsultedAtticus:"Reckonhe’sgotatapeworm?"Atticussaidno,Jemwasgrowing.Imustbepatientwithhimanddisturbhimaslittleaspossible.

           ThischangeinJemhadcomeaboutinamatterofweeks.Mrs.Dubosewasnotcoldinhergrave—Jemhadseemedgratefulenoughformycompanywhenhewenttoreadtoher.Overnight,itseemed,Jemhadacquiredanaliensetofvaluesandwastryingtoimposethemonme:severaltimeshewentsofarastotellmewhattodo.AfteronealtercationwhenJemhollered,"It’stimeyoustartedbein’agirlandactingright!"IburstintotearsandfledtoCalpurnia.

           "Don’tyoufrettoomuchoverMisterJem—"shebegan.

           "MisterJem?"

           "Yeah,he’sjustaboutMisterJemnow."

           "Heain’tthatold,"Isaid."Allheneedsissomebodytobeathimup,andIain’tbigenough."

           "Baby,"saidCalpurnia,"Ijustcan’thelpitifMisterJem’sgrowin’up.He’sgonnawanttobeofftohimselfalotnow,doin’whateverboysdo,soyoujustcomerightoninthekitchenwhenyoufeellonesome.We’llfindlotsofthingstodoinhere."

           Thebeginningofthatsummerbodedwell:Jemcoulddoashepleased;CalpurniawoulddountilDillcame.SheseemedgladtoseemewhenIappearedinthekitchen,andbywatchingherIbegantothinktherewassomeskillinvolvedinbeingagirl.