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           Asyougrowolder,you’llseewhitemencheatblackmeneverydayofyourlife,butletmetellyousomethinganddon’tyouforgetit—wheneverawhitemandoesthattoablackman,nomatterwhoheis,howrichheis,orhowfineafamilyhecomesfrom,thatwhitemanistrash."

           Atticuswasspeakingsoquietlyhislastwordcrashedonourears.Ilookedup,andhisfacewasvehement."There’snothingmoresickeningtomethanalow-gradewhitemanwho’lltakeadvantageofaNegro’signorance.Don’tfoolyourselves—it’salladdingupandoneofthesedayswe’regoingtopaythebillforit.Ihopeit’snotinyouchildren’stime."

           Jemwasscratchinghishead.Suddenlyhiseyeswidened."Atticus,"hesaid,"whydon’tpeoplelikeusandMissMaudieeversitonjuries?YouneverseeanybodyfromMaycombonajury—theyallcomefromoutinthewoods."

           Atticusleanedbackinhisrocking-chair.ForsomereasonhelookedpleasedwithJem."Iwaswonderingwhenthat’doccurtoyou,"hesaid."Therearelotsofreasons.Foronething,MissMaudiecan’tserveonajurybecauseshe’sawoman—"

           "YoumeanwomeninAlabamacan’t—?"Iwasindignant.

           "Ido.Iguessit’stoprotectourfrailladiesfromsordidcaseslikeTom’s.Besides,"Atticusgrinned,"Idoubtifwe’devergetacompletecasetried—theladies’dbeinterruptingtoaskquestions."

           JemandIlaughed.MissMaudieonajurywouldbeimpressive.IthoughtofoldMrs.