Journal #4- Chapters 10-12 from the perspective of Atticus
I knew before it was mentioned that when Scout and Jem returned to school that there would be a lot of trash talk about me and the case. I knew that Scout would have a urge to fight even more now, but I had convinced her stop fighting. Although I could see that Francis was an exception. They would always be cantankerous.
I knew before it was mentioned that when Scout and Jem returned to school that there would be a lot of trash talk about me and the case. I knew that Scout would have a urge to fight even more now, but I had convinced her stop fighting. Although I could see that Francis was an exception.
Later that day, I got a call from Calpurnia. She told me that a mad dog was coming down the street, and it sounded absurd to me. Not in this time of there year – there couldn't be. But she was fretting, and I could tell that she wouldn't lie. I came quickly, and she was right. Heck Tate was there already, which I was greatfu for. We watched the dog as it stopped in different areas of the street. It stopped in the middle and started to twitch violently. Heck was to afraid to shoot the dog.
“This is a one shot job.” He said. I told him I hadn't shot a gun in years. But instead of shotting the dog himself which I'd hope, he told me he'd be 'might comfortable' if I shot the dog myself.
If that was the way it was, so be it. I was a little shaky, and my glasses fell of my face. I focused on the dog and I pulled the trigger. I had to be very pensive in order to hit the dog – which I did. A little to the right, of course. The poor thing didn't know what hit him. I noticed Calpurnia trying to keep Jem and Scout from seeing me, but they were peeping underneath her arms. Scout was obviously surprised, she probably thought her dad couldn't do nothing. But that sure wasn't true.
I told Jem and Scout later that day that I didn't take pride in my talent and anyone in the right mind would not. She disagreed, and wanted to tell everyone at school that I was the best shooter in town. I heard Jem tell scout she couldn't because he was a gentleman like he was.
A few days later, I sent Jem and Scout in town because Jem wanted to by Scout a baton for 17 cents. I thought this was very kind of him. When I came home that day I noticed Ms. Dubose's yard all destroyed. I saw a baton and I knew it was Jem. I extracted the baton and some flowers from the garden and went home, upset.
“Why'd you do it?” I asked him as soon as I walked in the door. Ms. Dubose had called me harsh words and it made Jem lose his temper. I told him it was no excuse and I sent him over to her house to have a talk. Scout tried to leave the room but I brought her back in. We had another long talk about why I had to pull through with the case. I told her I had to do it because I knew it was right, and that if I didn't follow through I would not feel comfortable praying to God knowing I had gone against my own moral.
Jem came back and told us what Ms. Dubose said. Before he started I could tell he wasn't happy by the way he emerged from the door. She wanted him to read to her for two hours everyday for a month. He was miserable and he didn't want to do it. But I told him he had to.
When I came back the next day he told me he wasn't afraid of her, but Scout was. I told Scout she had no reason to go with Jem unless she wanted to. She said that she wanted too. I could tell it was only because she was afraid for Jem's safety, as if he was in peril.
After the month was over they continued another week because Ms. Dubose asked and expected them too. I was glad how maturely that took it. Scout was still tagging along as well, and I'm sure Jem liked some company. I went over once and I told Ms. Dubose what time it was. Her alarm clock was set to go off at 5:00. It was than Scout realized that the alarm clock was their time to leave, and that was all Ms. Dubose cared about. She was waiting for the ring.
Ms. Dubose was very sick. She was pale, weary eyed and her mouth was constantly wet. She seemed miserable. But she was fairly kind to me, which surprised Scout because of how rudely she talked to me. A couple days after the kids were forever excused from reading to her, Ms. Dubose passed away. I talked to the kids about why she was so rude, and it had to do with her morphine addiction that was subscribed as a pain killer. I gave Jem a box that she had left for him, and inside contained a perfect snow top camellia. He threw it on the ground and yelled at her to leave him a lone. I told him it was her way of saying everything was okay. She was a nice lady.
The Summer quickly approached. Dill was unable to come because he had a new father. Jem was starting to grow up, a little quickly but I can't stop it. Scout spent more time in the kitchen with Calpurnia and they became very close.
Sooner than I wanted, I had to leave the kids out of town. Calpurnia would take care of them, and I expected Aunt Alexandra to come soon. Why, the kids didn't know – but I couldn't find the right time to them. They'd be in for a nice surprise.

comment.