TKAB /Journal #2 / Chapters 4-7 / Perspective of Atticus Finch

Oh my lord, these kids are barely learning the beginnings of respect and good citizenship! I am getting old, and sure hope they will improve their attitude! They are kids, but that's no excuse! They brought disaster to everything they did, let me explain what happened! Well school was going normally, except for the fact that Mrs. Caroline detested Scout's reading abilities, part of my contribution. However how was I supposed to know that, who hears about school where education is frowned upon? Anyways when school ended, Dill came back to spend the summer. While I liked Dill, I disliked the game he was about to get involved in. While they are kids, they should know better! And so I begin the story. Dill, Scout, and Jem were playing around as usual, when they began to roll each other inside a tire. I didn't find that disturbing, and continued reading. I never knew that Scout rolled right in front of the Radley house, or that they began a terrible game known as “Boo Radley”.


Every day, when I came home from work I saw Jem, Scout, and Dill up to something. That really irked me. The 3 immature children were doing a “play”, but the play looked suspicious. It reminded me of the Radley's, worse the bad rumors about them. I knew the Radley's a little, and they are fairly decent people, I dislike rumors, and they mostly aren't true. I knew for sure that the Radley rumors were false! It got worse when they began playing with newspaper and scissors. By then I knew something was up..................

It was Twelve, Noon and I was watching their game. Eventually I commented about it. “What are you all playing?”. Jem looked startled and said “nothing”. I knew he was lying. “What are you doing with those scissors, then? Why are you tearing up that newspaper? If it's today's I'll tan you.” To this he said “nothing”. “Nothing what?” I said. “Nothing, sir.” I grew tired of his quibbling. So I said “Give me those scissors, They're no things to play with. Does this by any chance have anything to do with the Radleys?” “No Sir”, said Jem, but I'd believe him when pigs fly! “I hope it doesn't” I concluded, then left them. I had hoped that Jem would stop, I had hoped they all would have learned their lesson but apparently they didn't. I guess they don't change their ways as quickly as chameleons. I was reading, when I saw Dill, Scout, and Jem up to something. I did not want to resort to tyranny, but I suspected they were disobeying me. My suspicion was confirmed when they began to walk toward the Radley place. I couldn't risk them tormenting the Radley's, so I ran as fast as I could to them. Imagine my embarrassment, as I rushed to stop my mischievous kids from causing a great deal of trouble. I showed up as Dill began to ring the doorbell. I knew they had no hope of evasion, they were caught red-handed. “Stop ringing that bell”. “Jem, I said, what were you doing”. “Nothin, sir.” I really didn't want any of those lies, and proceeded to take the letter, and give them a lecture on simple manners. I hoped they learned something.

A short time passed, and I didn't catch the kids messing around. But I was far from relieved. One night, as I was reading I heard a gunshot, commotion and voices. I was worried, and carefully made my way to the Radley area. I learned that Mr. Radley shot near a black man I was quite surprised by the news, more so when I saw the disastrous trio walk towards us. I hoped they hadn't done anything wrong. Then I noticed Jem was missing his pants. “Where're your pants, son?” I said, fearing the answer. “Pants sir?” “Pants” I repeated. Dill then said they were playing strip poker. I was really surprised. To be safe, I asked them if they used cards, but they thankfully used matches. I sure hope they don't get into any more trouble. Now I'm tired, and am going to sleep. Goodnight.......................................