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           "Canyoureadandwrite?"

           "Imostpositivelycan."

           "Willyouwriteyournameandshowus?"

           "Imostpositivelywill.HowdoyouthinkIsignmyreliefchecks?"

           Mr.Ewellwasendearinghimselftohisfellowcitizens.Thewhispersandchucklesbelowusprobablyhadtodowithwhatacardhewas.

           Iwasbecomingnervous.Atticusseemedtoknowwhathewasdoing-butitseemedtomethathe’dgonefrog-stickingwithoutalight.Never,never,never,oncross-examinationaskawitnessaquestionyoudon’talreadyknowtheanswerto,wasatenetIabsorbedwithmybaby-food.Doit,andyou’lloftengetanansweryoudon’twant,ananswerthatmightwreckyourcase.

           Atticuswasreachingintotheinsidepocketofhiscoat.Hedrewoutanenvelope,thenreachedintohisvestpocketandunclippedhisfountainpen.Hemovedleisurely,andhadturnedsothathewasinfullviewofthejury.Heunscrewedthefountain-pencapandplaceditgentlyonhistable.Heshookthepenalittle,thenhandeditwiththeenvelopetothewitness."Wouldyouwriteyournameforus?"heasked."Clearlynow,sothejurycanseeyoudoit."

           Mr.EwellwroteonthebackoftheenvelopeandlookedupcomplacentlytoseeJudgeTaylorstaringathimasifheweresomefragrantgardeniainfullbloomonthewitnessstand,toseeMr.Gilmerhalf-sitting,half-standingathistable.Thejurywaswatchinghim,onemanwasleaningforwardwithhishandsovertherailing.

           "What’ssointerestin’?"heasked.