Chapter 28

           TheweatherwasunusuallywarmforthelastdayofOctober.Wedidn’tevenneedjackets.Thewindwasgrowingstronger,andJemsaiditmightberainingbeforewegothome.Therewasnomoon.

           ThestreetlightonthecornercastsharpshadowsontheRadleyhouse.IheardJemlaughsoftly."Betnobodybothersthemtonight,"hesaid.Jemwascarryingmyhamcostume,ratherawkwardly,asitwashardtohold.Ithoughtitgallantofhimtodoso.

           "Itisascaryplacethough,ain’tit?"Isaid."Boodoesn’tmeananybodyanyharm,butI’mrightgladyou’realong."

           "YouknowAtticuswouldn’tletyougototheschoolhousebyyourself,"Jemsaid.

           "Don’tseewhy,it’sjustaroundthecornerandacrosstheyard."

           "Thatyard’samightylongplaceforlittlegirlstocrossatnight,"Jemteased."Ain’tyouscaredofhaints?"

           Welaughed.Haints,HotSteams,incantations,secretsigns,hadvanishedwithouryearsasmistwithsunrise."Whatwasthatoldthing,"Jemsaid,"Angelbright,life-in-death;getofftheroad,don’tsuckmybreath."

           "Cutitout,now,"Isaid.WewereinfrontoftheRadleyPlace.

           Jemsaid,"Boomustnotbeathome.Listen."

           Highaboveusinthedarknessasolitarymockerpouredouthisrepertoireinblissfulunawarenessofwhosetreehesatin,plungingfromtheshrillkee,keeofthesunflowerbirdtotheirasciblequa-ackofabluejay,tothesadlamentofPoorWill,PoorWill,PoorWill.

           WeturnedthecornerandItrippedonarootgrowingintheroad.