Убить пересмешника
Chapter 21
Asteamingsummernightwasnodifferentfromawintermorning.Mr.HeckTate,whohadenteredthecourtroomandwastalkingtoAtticus,mighthavebeenwearinghishighbootsandlumberjacket.Atticushadstoppedhistranquiljourneyandhadputhisfootontothebottomrungofachair;ashelistenedtowhatMr.Tatewassaying,heranhishandslowlyupanddownhisthigh.IexpectedMr.Tatetosayanyminute,"Takehim,Mr.Finch...."
ButMr.Tatesaid,"Thiscourtwillcometoorder,"inavoicethatrangwithauthority,andtheheadsbelowusjerkedup.Mr.TatelefttheroomandreturnedwithTomRobinson.HesteeredTomtohisplacebesideAtticus,andstoodthere.JudgeTaylorhadrousedhimselftosuddenalertnessandwassittingupstraight,lookingattheemptyjurybox.
Whathappenedafterthathadadreamlikequality:inadreamIsawthejuryreturn,movinglikeunderwaterswimmers,andJudgeTaylor’svoicecamefromfarawayandwastiny.Isawsomethingonlyalawyer’schildcouldbeexpectedtosee,couldbeexpectedtowatchfor,anditwaslikewatchingAtticuswalkintothestreet,raisearifletohisshoulderandpullthetrigger,butwatchingallthetimeknowingthatthegunwasempty.
Ajuryneverlooksatadefendantithasconvicted,andwhenthisjurycamein,notoneofthemlookedatTomRobinson.TheforemanhandedapieceofpapertoMr.Tatewhohandedittotheclerkwhohandedittothejudge....
Ishutmyeyes.JudgeTaylorwaspollingthejury:"Guilty...guilty...guilty...guilty.."
