Убить пересмешника

           IwaswearingmypinkSundaydress,shoes,andapetticoat,andreflectedthatifIspilledanythingCalpurniawouldhavetowashmydressagainfortomorrow.Thishadbeenabusydayforher.Idecidedtostayout.

           "CanIhelpyou,Cal?"Iasked,wishingtobeofsomeservice.

           Calpurniapausedinthedoorway."Youbestillasamouseinthatcorner,"shesaid,"an’youcanhelpmeloadupthetrayswhenIcomeback."

           Thegentlehumofladies’voicesgrewlouderassheopenedthedoor:"Why,Alexandra,Ineversawsuchcharlotte...justlovely...Inevercangetmycrustlikethis,nevercan...who’d’vethoughtoflittledewberrytarts...Calpurnia?...who’dathoughtit...anybodytellyouthatthepreacher’swife’s...nooo,wellsheis,andthatotheronenotwalkin’yet..."

           Theybecamequiet,andIknewtheyhadallbeenserved.Calpurniareturnedandputmymother’sheavysilverpitcheronatray."Thiscoffeepitcher’sacuriosity,"shemurmured,"theydon’tmake‘emthesedays."

           "CanIcarryitin?"

           "Ifyoubecarefulanddon’tdropit.SetitdownattheendofthetablebyMissAlexandra.Downtherebythecups’nthings.She’sgonnapour."

           ItriedpressingmybehindagainstthedoorasCalpurniahaddone,butthedoordidn’tbudge.Grinning,shehelditopenforme."Carefulnow,it’sheavy.Don’tlookatitandyouwon’tspillit."

           Myjourneywassuccessful:AuntAlexandrasmiledbrilliantly."Staywithus,JeanLouise,"shesaid.Thiswasapartofhercampaigntoteachmetobealady.