Chapter 3

           CatchingWalterCunninghamintheschoolyardgavemesomepleasure,butwhenIwasrubbinghisnoseinthedirtJemcamebyandtoldmetostop."You’rebigger’nheis,"hesaid.

           "He’sasoldasyou,nearly,"Isaid."Hemademestartoffonthewrongfoot."

           "Lethimgo,Scout.Why?"

           "Hedidn’thaveanylunch,"Isaid,andexplainedmyinvolvementinWalter’sdietaryaffairs.

           WalterhadpickedhimselfupandwasstandingquietlylisteningtoJemandme.Hisfistswerehalfed,asifexpectinganonslaughtfrombothofus.Istompedathimtochasehimaway,butJemputouthishandandstoppedme.HeexaminedWalterwithanairofspeculation."YourdaddyMr.WalterCunninghamfromOldSarum?"heasked,andWalternodded.

           Walterlookedasifhehadbeenraisedonfishfood:hiseyes,asblueasDillHarris’s,werered-rimmedandwatery.Therewasnocolorinhisfaceexceptatthetipofhisnose,whichwasmoistlypink.Hefingeredthestrapsofhisoveralls,nervouslypickingatthemetalhooks.

           Jemsuddenlygrinnedathim."Comeonhometodinnerwithus,Walter,"hesaid."We’dbegladtohaveyou."

           Walter’sfacebrightened,thendarkened.

           Jemsaid,"Ourdaddy’safriendofyourdaddy’s.Scouthere,she’scrazy—shewon’tfightyouanymore."