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           ButweunderstoodwhenshecutfromthebigcakeandgavetheslicetoJem.

           Asweate,wesensedthatthiswasMissMaudie’swayofsayingthatasfarasshewasconcerned,nothinghadchanged.Shesatquietlyinakitchenchair,watchingus.

           Suddenlyshespoke:"Don’tfret,Jem.Thingsareneverasbadastheyseem."

           Indoors,whenMissMaudiewantedtosaysomethinglengthyshespreadherfingersonherkneesandsettledherbridgework.Thisshedid,andwewaited.

           "Isimplywanttotellyouthattherearesomemeninthisworldwhowereborntodoourunpleasantjobsforus.Yourfather’soneofthem."

           "Oh,"saidJem."Well."

           "Don’tyouohwellme,sir,"MissMaudiereplied,recognizingJem’sfatalisticnoises,"youarenotoldenoughtoappreciatewhatIsaid."

           Jemwasstaringathishalf-eatencake."It’slikebein’acaterpillarinacocoon,that’swhatitis,"hesaid."Likesomethin’asleepwrappedupinawarmplace.IalwaysthoughtMaycombfolkswerethebestfolksintheworld,leastthat’swhattheyseemedlike."

           "We’rethesafestfolksintheworld,"saidMissMaudie."We’resorarelycalledontobeChristians,butwhenweare,we’vegotmenlikeAtticustogoforus."

           Jemgrinnedruefully."Wishtherestofthecountythoughtthat."

           "You’dbesurprisedhowmanyofusdo."

           "Who?"Jem’svoicerose."WhointhistowndidonethingtohelpTomRobinson,justwho?"

           "Hiscoloredfriendsforonething,andpeoplelikeus.PeoplelikeJudgeTaylor.PeoplelikeMr.HeckTate.