Chapter 21

           ShestoppedshylyattherailingandwaitedtogetJudgeTaylor’sattention.Shewasinafreshapronandshecarriedanenvelopeinherhand.

           JudgeTaylorsawherandsaid,"It’sCalpurnia,isn’tit?"

           "Yessir,"shesaid."CouldIjustpassthisnotetoMr.Finch,pleasesir?Ithasn’tgotanythingtodowith—withthetrial."

           JudgeTaylornoddedandAtticustooktheenvelopefromCalpurnia.Heopenedit,readitscontentsandsaid,"Judge,I—thisnoteisfrommysister.Shesaysmychildrenaremissing,haven’tturnedupsincenoon...I...couldyou—"

           "Iknowwheretheyare,Atticus."Mr.Underwoodspokeup."They’rerightupyonderinthecoloredbalcony—beentheresincepreciselyone-eighteenP.M."

           Ourfatherturnedaroundandlookedup."Jem,comedownfromthere,"hecalled.ThenhesaidsomethingtotheJudgewedidn’thear.WeclimbedacrossReverendSykesandmadeourwaytothestaircase.

           AtticusandCalpurniametusdownstairs.Calpurnialookedpeeved,butAtticuslookedexhausted.

           Jemwasjumpinginexcitement."We’vewon,haven’twe?"

           "I’venoidea,"saidAtticusshortly."You’vebeenhereallafternoon?GohomewithCalpurniaandgetyoursupper—andstayhome."

           "Aw,Atticus,letuscomeback,"pleadedJem."Pleaseletusheartheverdict,pleasesir."

           "Thejurymightbeoutandbackinaminute,wedon’tknow—"butwecouldtellAtticuswasrelenting."Well,you’vehearditall,soyoumightaswellheartherest.