Убить пересмешника

           Everythingthathappensinthistown’souttotheQuartersbeforesundown."

           Myfatherputdownhisknife."Idon’tknowofanylawthatsaystheycan’ttalk.Maybeifwedidn’tgivethemsomuchtotalkaboutthey’dbequiet.Whydon’tyoudrinkyourcoffee,Scout?"

           Iwasplayinginitwiththespoon."IthoughtMr.Cunninghamwasafriendofours.Youtoldmealongtimeagohewas."

           "Hestillis."

           "Butlastnighthewantedtohurtyou."

           Atticusplacedhisforkbesidehisknifeandpushedhisplateaside."Mr.Cunningham’sbasicallyagoodman,"hesaid,"hejusthashisblindspotsalongwiththerestofus."

           Jemspoke."Don’tcallthatablindspot.He’dakilledyoulastnightwhenhefirstwentthere."

           "Hemighthavehurtmealittle,"Atticusconceded,"butson,you’llunderstandfolksalittlebetterwhenyou’reolder.Amob’salwaysmadeupofpeople,nomatterwhat.Mr.Cunninghamwaspartofamoblastnight,buthewasstillaman.EverymobineverylittleSoutherntownisalwaysmadeupofpeopleyouknow—doesn’tsaymuchforthem,doesit?"

           "I’llsaynot,"saidJem.

           "Soittookaneight-year-oldchildtobring‘emtotheirsenses,didn’tit?"saidAtticus."Thatprovessomething—thatagangofwildanimalscanbestopped,simplybecausethey’restillhuman.Hmp,maybeweneedapoliceforceofchildren...youchildrenlastnightmadeWalterCunninghamstandinmyshoesforaminute.Thatwasenough."