Jem and I didnt think it entertaining.

After all, though, I said, he was the deadest shot in the country one time. He could

You know he wouldnt carry a gun, Scout. He aint even got one said Jem. You know he didnt even have one down at the jail that night. He told me havin a gun arounds an invitation to somebody to shoot you.

This is different, I said. We can ask him to borrow one.

We did, and he said, Nonsense.

Dill was of the opinion that an appeal to Atticuss better nature might work: after all, we would starve if Mr. Ewell killed him, besides be raised exclusively by Aunt Alexandra, and we all knew the first thing shed do before Atticus was under the ground good would be to fire Calpurnia. Jem said it might work if I cried and flung a fit, being young and a girl. That didnt work either.

But when he noticed us dragging around the neighborhood, not eating, taking little interest in our normal pursuits, Atticus discovered how deeply frightened we were. He tempted Jem with a new football magazine one night; when he saw Jem flip the pages and toss it aside, he said, Whats bothering you, son?

Jem came to the point: Mr. Ewell.

What has happened?

Nothings happened. Were scared for you, and we think you oughta do something about him.

Atticus smiled wryly. Do what? Put him under a peace bond?

When a man says hes gonna get you, looks like he means it.

He meant it when he said it, said Atticus. Jem, see if you can stand in Bob Ewells shoes a minute. I destroyed his last shred of credibility at that trial, if he had any to begin with. The man had to have some kind of comeback, his kind always does. So if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, thats something Ill gladly take. He had to take it out on somebody and Id rather it be me than that houseful of children out there. You understand?

Jem nodded.

Aunt Alexandra entered the room as Atticus was saying, We dont have anything to fear from Bob Ewell, he got it all out of his system that morning.

I wouldnt be so sure of that, Atticus, she said. His kindd do anything to pay off a grudge. You know how those people are.

What on earth could Ewell do to me, sister?

Something furtive, Aunt Alexandra said. You may count on that.

Nobody has much chance to be furtive in Maycomb, Atticus answered.

After that, we were not afraid. Summer was melting away, and we made the most of it. Atticus assured us that nothing would happen to Tom Robinson until the higher court reviewed his case, and that Tom had a good chance of going free, or at least of having a new trial. He was at Enfield Prison Farm, seventy miles away in Chester County. I asked Atticus if Toms wife and children were allowed to visit him, but Atticus said no.

If he loses his appeal, I asked one evening, whatll happen to him?

Hell go to the chair, said Atticus, unless the Governor commutes his sentence. Not time to worry yet, Scout. Weve got a good chance.

Jem was sprawled on the sofa reading Popular Mechanics. He looked up. It aint right. He didnt kill anybody even if he was guilty. He didnt take anybodys life.

You know rapes a capital offense in Alabama, said Atticus.

Yessir, but the jury didnt have to give him deathif they wanted to they couldve gave him twenty years.

Given, said Atticus. Tom Robinsons a colored man, Jem. No jury in this part of the worlds going to say, We think youre guilty, but not very, on a charge like that. It was either a straight acquittal or nothing.

Jem was shaking his head. I know its not right, but I cant figure out whats wrongmaybe rape shouldnt be a capital offense. . . .

Atticus dropped his newspaper beside his chair. He said he didnt have any quarrel with the rape statute, none whatever, but he did have deep misgivings when the state asked for and the jury gave a death penalty on purely circumstantial evidence. He glanced at me, saw I was listening, and made it easier. I mean, before a man is sentenced to death for murder, say, there should be one or two eyewitnesses. Someone should be able to say, Yes, I was there and saw him pull the trigger.