Jem was squinting down at the witness stand. Cant tell yet, he said. Shes got enough sense to get the judge sorry for her, but she might be justoh, I dont know.

Mollified, Mayella gave Atticus a final terrified glance and said to Mr. Gilmer, Well sir, I was on the porch andand he came along and, you see, there was this old chiffarobe in the yard Papad brought in to chop up for kindlinPapa told me to do it while he was off in the woods but I wadnt feelin strong enough then, so he came by

Who is he?

Mayella pointed to Tom Robinson. Ill have to ask you to be more specific, please, said Mr. Gilmer. The reporter cant put down gestures very well.

Thatn yonder, she said. Robinson.

Then what happened?

I said come here, nigger, and bust up this chiffarobe for me, I gotta nickel for you. He coulda done it easy enough, he could. So he come in the yard an I went in the house to get him the nickel and I turned around an fore I knew it he was on me. Just run up behind me, he did. He got me round the neck, cussin me an sayin dirtI foughtnhollered, but he had me round the neck. He hit me agin an agin

Mr. Gilmer waited for Mayella to collect herself: she had twisted her handkerchief into a sweaty rope; when she opened it to wipe her face it was a mass of creases from her hot hands. She waited for Mr. Gilmer to ask another question, but when he didnt she said, he chunked me on the floor an choked men took advantage of me.

Did you scream? asked Mr. Gilmer. Did you scream and fight back?

Reckon I did, hollered for all I was worth, kicked and hollered loud as I could.

Then what happened?

I dont remember too good, but next thing I knew Papa was in the room astandin over me hollerin who done it, who done it? Then I sorta fainted an the next thing I knew Mr. Tate was pullin me up offa the floor and leadin me to the water bucket.

Apparently Mayellas recital had given her confidence, but it was not her fathers brash kind: there was something stealthy about hers, like a steady-eyed cat with a twitchy tail.

You say you fought him off as hard as you could? Fought him tooth and nail? asked Mr. Gilmer.

I positively did, Mayella echoed her father.

You are positive that he took full advantage of you?

Mayellas face contorted, and I was afraid that she would cry again. Instead, she said, He done what he was after.

Mr. Gilmer called attention to the hot day by wiping his head with his hand. Thats all for the time being, he said pleasantly, but you stay there. I expect big bad Mr. Finch has some questions to ask you.

State will not prejudice the witness against counsel for the defense, murmured Judge Taylor primly, at least not at this time.

Atticus got up grinning, but instead of walking to the witness stand, he opened his coat and hooked his thumbs in his vest, then he walked slowly across the room to the windows. He looked out, but didnt seem especially interested in what he saw, then he turned and strolled back to the witness stand. From long years of experience, I could tell he was trying to come to a decision about something.

Miss Mayella, he said, smiling, I wont try to scare you for a while, not yet. Lets just get acquainted. How old are you?

Said I was nineteen, said it to the judge yonder. Mayella jerked her head resentfully at the bench.

So you did, so you did, maam. Youll have to bear with me, Miss Mayella, Im getting along and cant remember as well as I used to. I might ask you things youve already said before, but youll give me an answer, wont you? Good.

I could see nothing in Mayellas expression to justify Atticuss assumption that he had secured her wholehearted cooperation. She was looking at him furiously.

Wont answer a word you say long as you keep on mockin me, she said.

Maam? asked Atticus, startled.

Longs you keep on makin fun ome.

Judge Taylor said, Mr. Finch is not making fun of you. Whats the matter with you?

Mayella looked from under lowered eyelids at Atticus, but she said to the judge: Longs he keeps on callin me maam and sayin Miss Mayella. I dont hafta take his sass, I aint called upon to take it.