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           HerMissionarySocietyrefreshmentsaddedtoherreputationasahostess(shedidnotpermitCalpurniatomakethedelicaciesrequiredtosustaintheSocietythroughlongreportsonRiceChristians);shejoinedandbecameSecretaryoftheMaycombAmanuensisClub.Toallpartiespresentandparticipatinginthelifeofthecounty,AuntAlexandrawasoneofthelastofherkind:shehadriver-boat,boarding-schoolmanners;letanymoralcomealongandshewouldupholdit;shewasbornintheobjectivecase;shewasanincurablegossip.WhenAuntAlexandrawenttoschool,self-doubtcouldnotbefoundinanytextbook,sosheknewnotitsmeaning.Shewasneverbored,andgiventheslightestchanceshewouldexerciseherroyalprerogative:shewouldarrange,advise,caution,andwarn.

           Sheneverletachanceescapehertopointouttheshortcomingsofothertribalgroupstothegreatergloryofourown,ahabitthatamusedJemratherthanannoyedhim:"Auntybetterwatchhowshetalks-scratchmostfolksinMaycombandthey’rekintous."

           AuntAlexandra,inunderliningthemoralofyoungSamMerriweather’ssuicide,saiditwascausedbyamorbidstreakinthefamily.Letasixteen-year-oldgirlgiggleinthechoirandAuntywouldsay,"Itjustgoestoshowyou,allthePenfieldwomenareflighty."EverybodyinMaycomb,itseemed,hadaStreak:aDrinkingStreak,aGamblingStreak,aMeanStreak,aFunnyStreak.