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           ThroughthedoorIcouldseeJemonthesofawithafootballmagazineinfrontofhisface,hisheadturningasifitspagescontainedalivetennismatch.

           "...you’vegottodosomethingabouther,"Auntywassaying."You’veletthingsgoontoolong,Atticus,toolong."

           "Idon’tseeanyharminlettinghergooutthere.Cal’dlookafterherthereaswellasshedoeshere."

           Whowasthe"her"theyweretalkingabout?Myheartsank:me.Ifeltthestarchedwallsofapinkcottonpenitentiaryclosinginonme,andforthesecondtimeinmylifeIthoughtofrunningaway.Immediately.

           "Atticus,it’sallrighttobesoft-hearted,you’reaneasyman,butyouhaveadaughtertothinkof.Adaughterwho’sgrowingup."

           "That’swhatIamthinkingof."

           "Anddon’ttrytogetaroundit.You’vegottofaceitsoonerorlateranditmightaswellbetonight.Wedon’tneedhernow."

           Atticus’svoicewaseven:"Alexandra,Calpurnia’snotleavingthishouseuntilshewantsto.Youmaythinkotherwise,butIcouldn’thavegotalongwithoutheralltheseyears.She’safaithfulmemberofthisfamilyandyou’llsimplyhavetoacceptthingsthewaytheyare.Besides,sister,Idon’twantyouworkingyourheadoffforus—you’venoreasontodothat.WestillneedCalasmuchasweeverdid."

           "ButAtticus—"

           "Besides,Idon’tthinkthechildren’vesufferedonebitfromherhavingbroughtthemup.