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Chapter 21
"Themenfolkdowntheregotthewomenfolktheirsuppers,andtheyfedtheirbabies."
"Howlonghavetheybeenout?"askedJem.
"’boutthirtyminutes.Mr.FinchandMr.Gilmerdidsomemoretalkin’,andJudgeTaylorchargedthejury."
"Howwashe?"askedJem.
"Whatsay?Oh,hedidrightwell.Iain’tcomplainin’onebit—hewasmightyfair-minded.Hesortasaidifyoubelievethis,thenyou’llhavetoreturnoneverdict,butifyoubelievethis,you’llhavetoreturnanotherone.Ithoughthewasleanin’alittletoourside—"ReverendSykesscratchedhishead.
Jemsmiled."He’snotsupposedtolean,Reverend,butdon’tfret,we’vewonit,"hesaidwisely."Don’tseehowanyjurycouldconvictonwhatweheard—"
"Nowdon’tyoubesoconfident,Mr.Jem,Iain’teverseenanyjurydecideinfavorofacoloredmanoverawhiteman...."ButJemtookexceptiontoReverendSykes,andweweresubjectedtoalengthyreviewoftheevidencewithJem’sideasonthelawregardingrape:itwasn’trapeifsheletyou,butshehadtobeeighteen—inAlabama,thatis—andMayellawasnineteen.Apparentlyyouhadtokickandholler,youhadtobeoverpoweredandstompedon,preferablyknockedstonecold.Ifyouwereundereighteen,youdidn’thavetogothroughallthis.
"Mr.Jem,"ReverendSykesdemurred,"thisain’tapolitethingforlittleladiestohear..."
"Aw,shedoesn’tknowwhatwe’retalkin’about,"saidJem.
