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           JeanLouise,whathappened?"

           "Idon’tknow."

           Sheleftitatthat.Shebroughtmesomethingtoputon,andhadIthoughtaboutitthen,Iwouldhaveneverletherforgetit:inherdistraction,Auntybroughtmemyoveralls."Puttheseon,darling,"shesaid,handingmethegarmentsshemostdespised.

           SherushedbacktoJem’sroom,thencametomeinthehall.Shepattedmevaguely,andwentbacktoJem’sroom.

           Acarstoppedinfrontofthehouse.IknewDr.Reynolds’sstepalmostaswellasmyfather’s.HehadbroughtJemandmeintotheworld,hadledusthrougheverychildhooddiseaseknowntomanincludingthetimeJemfelloutofthetreehouse,andhehadneverlostourfriendship.Dr.Reynoldssaidifwehadbeenboil-pronethingswouldhavebeendifferent,butwedoubtedit.

           Hecameinthedoorandsaid,"GoodLord."Hewalkedtowardme,said,"You’restillstanding,"andchangedhiscourse.Hekneweveryroominthehouse.HealsoknewthatifIwasinbadshape,sowasJem.

           AftertenforeversDr.Reynoldsreturned."IsJemdead?"Iasked.

           "Farfromit,"hesaid,squattingdowntome."He’sgotabumpontheheadjustlikeyours,andabrokenarm.Scout,lookthatway—no,don’tturnyourhead,rollyoureyes.Nowlookoveryonder.He’sgotabadbreak,sofarasIcantellnowit’sintheelbow.Likesomebodytriedtowringhisarmoff...Nowlookatme."

           "Thenhe’snotdead?"

           "No-o!"Dr.Reynoldsgottohisfeet.