Chapter 24

           Calpurniaworeherstiffeststarchedapron.Shecarriedatrayofcharlotte.Shebackeduptotheswingingdoorandpressedgently.Iadmiredtheeaseandgracewithwhichshehandledheavyloadsofdaintythings.SodidAuntAlexandra,Iguess,becauseshehadletCalpurniaservetoday.

           AugustwasonthebrinkofSeptember.DillwouldbeleavingforMeridiantomorrow;todayhewasoffwithJematBarker’sEddy.JemhaddiscoveredwithangryamazementthatnobodyhadeverbotheredtoteachDillhowtoswim,askillJemconsiderednecessaryaswalking.Theyhadspenttwoafternoonsatthecreek,theysaidtheyweregoinginandIcouldn’tcome,soIdividedthelonelyhoursbetweenCalpurniaandMissMaudie.

           TodayAuntAlexandraandhermissionarycirclewerefightingthegoodfightalloverthehouse.Fromthekitchen,IheardMrs.GraceMerriweathergivingareportinthelivingroomonthesqualidlivesoftheMrunas,itsoundedliketome.Theyputthewomenoutinhutswhentheirtimecame,whateverthatwas;theyhadnosenseoffamily—Iknewthat’ddistressAunty—theysubjectedchildrentoterribleordealswhentheywerethirteen;theywerecrawlingwithyawsandearworms,theychewedupandspatoutthebarkofatreeintoacommunalpotandthengotdrunkonit.

           Immediatelythereafter,theladiesadjournedforrefreshments.

           Ididn’tknowwhethertogointothediningroomorstayout.AuntAlexandratoldmetojointhemforrefreshments;itwasnotnecessarythatIattendthebusinesspartofthemeeting,shesaidit’dboreme.