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Chapter 8
Usingbitsofwoodforeyes,nose,mouth,andbuttons,JemsucceededinmakingMr.Averylookcross.Astickofstovewoodcompletedthepicture.Jemsteppedbackandviewedhiscreation.
"It’slovely,Jem,"Isaid."Looksalmostlikehe’dtalktoyou."
"Itis,ain’tit?"hesaidshyly.
WecouldnotwaitforAtticustocomehomefordinner,butcalledandsaidwehadabigsurpriseforhim.Heseemedsurprisedwhenhesawmostofthebackyardinthefrontyard,buthesaidwehaddoneajim-dandyjob."Ididn’tknowhowyouweregoingtodoit,"hesaidtoJem,"butfromnowonI’llneverworryaboutwhat’llbecomeofyou,son,you’llalwayshaveanidea."
Jem’searsreddenedfromAtticus’scompliment,buthelookedupsharplywhenhesawAtticussteppingback.Atticussquintedatthesnowmanawhile.Hegrinned,thenlaughed."Son,Ican’ttellwhatyou’regoingtobe—anengineer,alawyer,oraportraitpainter.You’veperpetratedanearlibelhereinthefrontyard.We’vegottodisguisethisfellow."
AtticussuggestedthatJemhonedownhiscreation’sfrontalittle,swapabroomforthestovewood,andputanaprononhim.
Jemexplainedthatifhedid,thesnowmanwouldbecomemuddyandceasetobeasnowman.
"Idon’tcarewhatyoudo,solongasyoudosomething,"saidAtticus."Youcan’tgoaroundmakingcaricaturesoftheneighbors."
"Ain’tacharacterture,"saidJem."Itlooksjustlikehim."
