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           "Ineverheardtellthatit’sagainstthelawforacitizentodohisutmosttopreventacrimefrombeingcommitted,whichisexactlywhathedid,butmaybeyou’llsayit’smydutytotellthetownallaboutitandnothushitup.Knowwhat’dhappenthen?AlltheladiesinMaycombincludin’mywife’dbeknockingonhisdoorbringingangelfoodcakes.Tomywayofthinkin’,Mr.Finch,takingtheonemanwho’sdoneyouandthistownagreatservicean’draggin’himwithhisshywaysintothelimelight—tome,that’sasin.It’sasinandI’mnotabouttohaveitonmyhead.Ifitwasanyotherman,it’dbedifferent.Butnotthisman,Mr.Finch."

           Mr.Tatewastryingtodigaholeinthefloorwiththetoeofhisboot.Hepulledhisnose,thenhemassagedhisleftarm."Imaynotbemuch,Mr.Finch,butI’mstillsheriffofMaycombCountyandBobEwellfellonhisknife.Goodnight,sir."

           Mr.Tatestampedofftheporchandstrodeacrossthefrontyard.Hiscardoorslammedandhedroveaway.

           Atticussatlookingatthefloorforalongtime.Finallyheraisedhishead."Scout,"hesaid,"Mr.Ewellfellonhisknife.Canyoupossiblyunderstand?"

           Atticuslookedlikeheneededcheeringup.Irantohimandhuggedhimandkissedhimwithallmymight."Yessir,Iunderstand,"Ireassuredhim."Mr.Tatewasright."

           Atticusdisengagedhimselfandlookedatme."Whatdoyoumean?"

           "Well,it’dbesortoflikeshootin’amockingbird,wouldn’tit?"

           Atticusputhisfaceinmyhairandrubbedit