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           Ithoughthewenttothetreeandleanedagainstit.Hecoughedviolently,asobbing,bone-shakingcough.

           "Jem?"

           Therewasnoanswerbuttheman’sheavybreathing.

           "Jem?"

           Jemdidn’tanswer.

           Themanbeganmovingaround,asifsearchingforsomething.Iheardhimgroanandpullsomethingheavyalongtheground.Itwasslowlycomingtomethattherewerenowfourpeopleunderthetree.

           "Atticus...?"

           Themanwaswalkingheavilyandunsteadilytowardtheroad.

           IwenttowhereIthoughthehadbeenandfeltfranticallyalongtheground,reachingoutwithmytoes.PresentlyItouchedsomeone.

           "Jem?"

           Mytoestouchedtrousers,abeltbuckle,buttons,somethingIcouldnotidentify,acollar,andaface.ApricklystubbleonthefacetoldmeitwasnotJem’s.Ismelledstalewhiskey.

           ImademywayalonginwhatIthoughtwasthedirectionoftheroad.Iwasnotsure,becauseIhadbeenturnedaroundsomanytimes.ButIfounditandlookeddowntothestreetlight.Amanwaspassingunderit.Themanwaswalkingwiththestaccatostepsofsomeonecarryingaloadtooheavyforhim.Hewasgoingaroundthecorner.HewascarryingJem.Jem’sarmwasdanglingcrazilyinfrontofhim.

           BythetimeIreachedthecornerthemanwascrossingourfrontyard.LightfromourfrontdoorframedAtticusforaninstant;herandownthesteps,andtogether,heandthemantookJeminside.

           Iwasatthefrontdoorwhentheyweregoingdownthehall.AuntAlexandrawasrunningtomeetme."CallDr.Reynolds!"Atticus’svoicecamesharplyfromJem’sroom.