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           Youbroughtussomehickorynutsonetime,remember?"Ibegantosensethefutilityonefeelswhenunacknowledgedbyachanceacquaintance.

           "IgotoschoolwithWalter,"Ibeganagain."He’syourboy,ain’the?Ain’the,sir?"

           Mr.Cunninghamwasmovedtoafaintnod.Hedidknowme,afterall.

           "He’sinmygrade,"Isaid,"andhedoesrightwell.He’sagoodboy,"Iadded,"arealniceboy.Webroughthimhomefordinneronetime.Maybehetoldyouaboutme,Ibeathimuponetimebuthewasrealniceaboutit.Tellhimheyforme,won’tyou?"

           Atticushadsaiditwasthepolitethingtotalktopeopleaboutwhattheywereinterestedin,notaboutwhatyouwereinterestedin.Mr.Cunninghamdisplayednointerestinhisson,soItackledhisentailmentoncemoreinalast-ditchefforttomakehimfeelathome.

           "Entailmentsarebad,"Iwasadvisinghim,whenIslowlyawoketothefactthatIwasaddressingtheentireaggregation.Themenwerealllookingatme,somehadtheirmouthshalf-open.AtticushadstoppedpokingatJem:theywerestandingtogetherbesideDill.Theirattentionamountedtofascination.Atticus’smouth,even,washalf-open,anattitudehehadoncedescribedasuncouth.Oureyesmetandheshutit.

           "Well,Atticus,Iwasjustsayin’toMr.Cunninghamthatentailmentsarebadan’allthat,butyousaidnottoworry,ittakesalongtimesometimes...thatyouall’drideitouttogether..."Iwasslowlydryingup,wonderingwhatidiocyIhadcommitted.