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           "StephanieCrawfordeventoldmeonceshewokeupinthemiddleofthenightandfoundhimlookinginthewindowather.Isaidwhatdidyoudo,Stephanie,moveoverinthebedandmakeroomforhim?Thatshutherupawhile."

           Iwassureitdid.MissMaudie’svoicewasenoughtoshutanybodyup.

           "No,child,"shesaid,"thatisasadhouse.IrememberArthurRadleywhenhewasaboy.Healwaysspokenicelytome,nomatterwhatfolkssaidhedid.Spokeasnicelyasheknewhow."

           "Youreckonhe’scrazy?"

           MissMaudieshookherhead."Ifhe’snotheshouldbebynow.Thethingsthathappentopeopleweneverreallyknow.Whathappensinhousesbehindcloseddoors,whatsecrets—"

           "Atticusdon’teverdoanythingtoJemandmeinthehousethathedon’tdointheyard,"Isaid,feelingitmydutytodefendmyparent.

           "Graciouschild,Iwasravelingathread,wasn’teventhinkingaboutyourfather,butnowthatIamI’llsaythis:AtticusFinchisthesameinhishouseasheisonthepublicstreets.How’dyoulikesomefreshpoundcaketotakehome?"

           Ilikeditverymuch.

           NextmorningwhenIawakenedIfoundJemandDillinthebackyarddeepinconversation.WhenIjoinedthem,asusualtheysaidgoaway.

           "Willnot.Thisyard’sasmuchmineasitisyours,JemFinch.Igotjustasmuchrighttoplayinitasyouhave."