Chapter 14

           AlthoughweheardnomoreabouttheFinchfamilyfromAuntAlexandra,weheardplentyfromthetown.OnSaturdays,armedwithournickels,whenJempermittedmetoaccompanyhim(hewasnowpositivelyallergictomypresencewheninpublic),wewouldsquirmourwaythroughsweatingsidewalkcrowdsandsometimeshear,"There’shischillun,"or,"Yonder’ssomeFinches."Turningtofaceouraccusers,wewouldseeonlyacoupleoffarmersstudyingtheenemabagsintheMaycoDrugstorewindow.OrtwodumpycountrywomeninstrawhatssittinginaHoovercart.

           "Theyc’ngolooseandrapeupthecountrysideforallof‘emwhorunthiscountycare,"wasoneobscureobservationwemetheadonfromaskinnygentlemanwhenhepassedus.WhichremindedmethatIhadaquestiontoaskAtticus.

           "What’srape?"Iaskedhimthatnight.

           Atticuslookedaroundfrombehindhispaper.Hewasinhischairbythewindow.Aswegrewolder,JemandIthoughtitgeneroustoallowAtticusthirtyminutestohimselfaftersupper.

           Hesighed,andsaidrapewascarnalknowledgeofafemalebyforceandwithoutconsent.

           "Wellifthat’sallitiswhydidCalpurniadrymeupwhenIaskedherwhatitwas?"

           Atticuslookedpensive."What’sthatagain?"

           "Well,IaskedCalpurniacomin’fromchurchthatdaywhatitwasandshesaidaskyoubutIforgottoandnowI’maskin’you."

           Hispaperwasnowinhislap."Again,please,"hesaid.

           ItoldhimindetailaboutourtriptochurchwithCalpurnia.