Chapter 31

           WhenBooRadleyshuffledtohisfeet,lightfromthelivingroomwindowsglistenedonhisforehead.Everymovehemadewasuncertain,asifhewerenotsurehishandsandfeetcouldmakepropercontactwiththethingshetouched.Hecoughedhisdreadfulralingcough,andwassoshakenhehadtositdownagain.Hishandsearchedforhishippocket,andhepulledoutahandkerchief.Hecoughedintoit,thenhewipedhisforehead.

           Havingbeensoaccustomedtohisabsence,Ifounditincrediblethathehadbeensittingbesidemeallthistime,present.Hehadnotmadeasound.

           Oncemore,hegottohisfeet.Heturnedtomeandnoddedtowardthefrontdoor.

           "You’dliketosaygoodnighttoJem,wouldn’tyou,Mr.Arthur?Comerightin."

           Iledhimdownthehall.AuntAlexandrawassittingbyJem’sbed."Comein,Arthur,"shesaid."He’sstillasleep.Dr.Reynoldsgavehimaheavysedative.JeanLouise,isyourfatherinthelivingroom?"

           "Yesma’am,Ithinkso."

           "I’lljustgospeaktohimaminute.Dr.Reynoldsleftsome..."hervoicetrailedaway.

           Boohaddriftedtoacorneroftheroom,wherehestoodwithhischinup,peeringfromadistanceatJem.Itookhimbythehand,ahandsurprisinglywarmforitswhiteness.Ituggedhimalittle,andheallowedmetoleadhimtoJem’sbed.

           Dr.Reynoldshadmadeatent-likearrangementoverJem’sarm,tokeepthecoveroff,Iguess,andBooleanedforwardandlookedoverit.Anexpressionoftimidcuriositywasonhisface,asthoughhehadneverseenaboybefore.