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Chapter 16
Abeardedmaninawoolhatdrovethem."Yonder’ssomeMennonites,"JemsaidtoDill."Theydon’thavebuttons."Theyliveddeepinthewoods,didmostoftheirtradingacrosstheriver,andrarelycametoMaycomb.Dillwasinterested."They’veallgotblueeyes,"Jemexplained,"andthemencan’tshaveaftertheymarry.Theirwiveslikefor‘emtotickle‘emwiththeirbeards."
Mr.XBillupsrodebyonamuleandwavedtous."He’safunnyman,"saidJem."X’shisname,nothisinitial.Hewasincourtonetimeandtheyaskedhimhisname.HesaidXBillups.ClerkaskedhimtospellitandhesaidX.AskedhimagainandhesaidX.TheykeptatittillhewroteXonasheetofpaperandhelditupforeverybodytosee.Theyaskedhimwherehegothisnameandhesaidthat’sthewayhisfolkssignedhimupwhenhewasborn."
Asthecountywentbyus,JemgaveDillthehistoriesandgeneralattitudesofthemoreprominentfigures:Mr.TensawJonesvotedthestraightProhibitionticket;MissEmilyDavisdippedsnuffinprivate;Mr.ByronWallercouldplaytheviolin;Mr.JakeSladewascuttinghisthirdsetofteeth.
Awagonloadofunusuallystern-facedcitizensappeared.WhentheypointedtoMissMaudieAtkinson’syard,ablazewithsummerflowers,MissMaudieherselfcameoutontheporch.TherewasanoddthingaboutMissMaudie—onherporchshewastoofarawayforustoseeherfeaturesclearly,butwecouldalwayscatchhermoodbythewayshestood.
