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           DillwasoldMr.Radley:hewalkedupanddownthesidewalkandcoughedwhenJemspoketohim.Jem,naturally,wasBoo:hewentunderthefrontstepsandshriekedandhowledfromtimetotime.

           Asthesummerprogressed,sodidourgame.Wepolishedandperfectedit,addeddialogueandplotuntilwehadmanufacturedasmallplayuponwhichwerangchangeseveryday.

           Dillwasavillain’svillain:hecouldgetintoanycharacterpartignedhim,andappeartallifheightwaspartofthedevilryrequired.Hewasasgoodashisworstperformance;hisworstperformancewasGothic.Ireluctantlyplayedortedladieswhoenteredthescript.IneverthoughtitasmuchfunasTarzan,andIplayedthatsummerwithmorethanvagueanxietydespiteJem’surancesthatBooRadleywasdeadandnothingwouldgetme,withhimandCalpurniathereinthedaytimeandAtticushomeatnight.

           Jemwasabornhero.

           Itwasamelancholylittledrama,wovenfrombitsandscrapsofgossipandneighborhoodlegend:Mrs.RadleyhadbeenbeautifuluntilshemarriedMr.Radleyandlostallhermoney.Shealsolostmostofherteeth,herhair,andherrightforefinger(Dill’scontribution.Boobititoffonenightwhenhecouldn’tfindanycatsandsquirrelstoeat.);shesatinthelivingroomandcriedmostofthetime,whileBooslowlywhittledawayallthefurnitureinthehouse.

           Thethreeofusweretheboyswhogotintotrouble;Iwastheprobatejudge,forachange;DillledJemawayandcrammedhimbeneaththesteps,pokinghimwiththebrushbroom.Jemwouldreappearasneededintheshapesofthesheriff,ortedtownsfolk,andMissStephanieCrawford,whohadmoretosayabouttheRadleysthananybodyinMaycomb.