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           Somethingsho’happened,itwasobvious."

           "Butyoudidn’tcalladoctor?Whileyouweretheredidanyonesendforone,fetchone,carryhertoone?"

           "Nosir—"

           JudgeTaylorbrokein."He’sansweredthequestionthreetimes,Atticus.Hedidn’tcalladoctor."

           Atticussaid,"Ijustwantedtomakesure,Judge,"andthejudgesmiled.

           Jem’shand,whichwasrestingonthebalconyrail,tightenedaroundit.Hedrewinhisbreathsuddenly.Glancingbelow,Isawnocorrespondingreaction,andwonderedifJemwastryingtobedramatic.Dillwaswatchingpeacefully,andsowasReverendSykesbesidehim."Whatisit?"Iwhispered,andgotaterse,"Sh-h!"

           "Sheriff,"Atticuswassaying,"yousayshewasmightybangedup.Inwhatway?"

           "Well—"

           "Justdescribeherinjuries,Heck."

           "Well,shewasbeatenaroundthehead.Therewasalreadybruisescomin’onherarms,andithappenedaboutthirtyminutesbefore—"

           "Howdoyouknow?"

           Mr.Tategrinned."Sorry,that’swhattheysaid.Anyway,shewasprettybruisedupwhenIgotthere,andshehadablackeyecomin’."

           "Whicheye?"

           Mr.Tateblinkedandranhishandsthroughhishair."Let’ssee,"hesaidsoftly,thenhelookedatAtticusasifheconsideredthequestionchildish."Can’tyouremember?"Atticusasked.

           Mr.Tatepointedtoaninvisiblepersonfiveinchesinfrontofhimandsaid,"Herleft."

           "Waitaminute,Sheriff,"saidAtticus.