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           "MissGatesisanicelady,ain’tshe?"

           "Whysure,"saidJem."IlikedherwhenIwasinherroom."

           "ShehatesHitleralot..."

           "What’swrongwiththat?"

           "Well,shewentontodayabouthowbaditwashimtreatin’theJewslikethat.Jem,it’snotrighttopersecuteanybody,isit?Imeanhavemeanthoughtsaboutanybody,even,isit?"

           "Graciousno,Scout.What’seatin’you?"

           "Well,comingoutofthecourthousethatnightMissGateswas—shewasgoin’downthestepsinfrontofus,youmustanotseenher—shewastalkingwithMissStephanieCrawford.Iheardhersayit’stimesomebodytaught‘emalesson,theyweregettin’wayabovethemselves,an’thenextthingtheythinktheycandoismarryus.Jem,howcanyouhateHitlersobadan’thenturnaroundandbeuglyaboutfolksrightathome—"

           Jemwassuddenlyfurious.Heleapedoffthebed,grabbedmebythecollarandshookme."Ineverwantahearaboutthatcourthouseagain,ever,ever,youhearme?Youhearme?Don’tyoueversayonewordtomeaboutitagain,youhear?Nowgoon!"

           Iwastoosurprisedtocry.IcreptfromJem’sroomandshutthedoorsoftly,lestunduenoisesethimoffagain.Suddenlytired,IwantedAtticus.Hewasinthelivingroom,andIwenttohimandtriedtogetinhislap.

           Atticussmiled."You’regettingsobignow,I’lljusthavetoholdapartofyou."Heheldmeclose."Scout,"hesaidsoftly,"don’tletJemgetyoudown.He’shavingaroughtimethesedays.Iheardyoubackthere."