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           Idon’tknowwhatIwouldhavedone,butJemstoppedme.Hecaughtmebytheshoulders,puthisarmaroundme,andledmesobbinginfurytohisbedroom.Atticusheardusandpokedhisheadaroundthedoor."’sallright,sir,"Jemsaidgruffly,"’snotanything."Atticuswentaway.

           "Haveachew,Scout."JemdugintohispocketandextractedaTootsieRoll.Ittookafewminutestoworkthecandyintoacomfortablewadinsidemyjaw.

           Jemwasrearrangingtheobjectsonhisdresser.Hishairstuckupbehindanddowninfront,andIwonderedifitwouldeverlooklikeaman’s—maybeifheshaveditoffandstartedover,hishairwouldgrowbackneatlyinplace.Hiseyebrowswerebecomingheavier,andInoticedanewslimnessabouthisbody.Hewasgrowingtaller.

           Whenhelookedaround,hemusthavethoughtIwouldstartcryingagain,forhesaid,"Showyousomethingifyouwon’ttellanybody."Isaidwhat.Heunbuttonedhisshirt,grinningshyly.

           "Wellwhat?"

           "Wellcan’tyouseeit?"

           "Wellno."

           "Wellit’shair."

           "Where?"

           "There.Rightthere."

           Hehadbeenacomforttome,soIsaiditlookedlovely,butIdidn’tseeanything."It’srealnice,Jem."

           "Undermyarms,too,"hesaid."Goin’outforfootballnextyear.Scout,don’tletAuntyaggravateyou."

           ItseemedonlyyesterdaythathewastellingmenottoaggravateAunty.

           "Youknowshe’snotusedtogirls,"saidJem,"leastways,notgirlslikeyou.She’stryingtomakeyoualady.