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           Notnearlytimeforhimtobehome,andonMissionarySocietydaysheusuallystayeddowntownuntilblackdark.

           Hestoppedinthedoorway.Hishatwasinhishand,andhisfacewaswhite.

           "Excuseme,ladies,"hesaid."Gorightaheadwithyourmeeting,don’tletmedisturbyou.Alexandra,couldyoucometothekitchenaminute?IwanttoborrowCalpurniaforawhile."

           Hedidn’tgothroughthediningroom,butwentdownthebackhallwayandenteredthekitchenfromthereardoor.AuntAlexandraandImethim.ThediningroomdooropenedagainandMissMaudiejoinedus.Calpurniahadhalfrisenfromherchair.

           "Cal,"Atticussaid,"IwantyoutogowithmeouttoHelenRobinson’shouse—"

           "What’sthematter?"AuntAlexandraasked,alarmedbythelookonmyfather’sface.

           "Tom’sdead."

           AuntAlexandraputherhandstohermouth.

           "Theyshothim,"saidAtticus."Hewasrunning.Itwasduringtheirexerciseperiod.Theysaidhejustbrokeintoablindravingchargeatthefenceandstartedclimbingover.Rightinfrontofthem—"

           "Didn’ttheytrytostophim?Didn’ttheygivehimanywarning?"AuntAlexandra’svoiceshook.

           "Ohyes,theguardscalledtohimtostop.Theyfiredafewshotsintheair,thentokill.Theygothimjustashewentoverthefence.Theysaidifhe’dhadtwogoodarmshe’dhavemadeit,hewasmovingthatfast.Seventeenbulletholesinhim.Theydidn’thavetoshoothimthatmuch.Cal,IwantyoutocomeoutwithmeandhelpmetellHelen."

           "Yessir,"shemurmured,fumblingatherapron.