Chapter 12-14 - To Kill a Mockingbird

I'm glad Calpurnia still took Jem and Scout to church when I wasn't there. I think it was good that they saw the black church, because I know that they'll both immediately see the difference between theirs and ours. Maybe Scout will notice another example of how the blacks are treated with far worse care than us. Scout told me she saw Zeebo, Calpurnia's son. I was surprised that Calpurnia told them he was her son; she doesn't really reveal facts about her personal life. I'm impressed by Calpurnia and Zeebo because they're included in the small group of blacks that are literate in Maycomb.

Alexandra has always been a bit bossy and judgemental, but she's taking it overboard! She's my sister and I love her to death, but my Lord! Will the woman ever stop prodding my children about their maturity? Jem has already started to mellow out on his own, partially because he's starting to go through puberty, but I think it's mostly because his eyes are adjusting. I don't mean physically, but the way his eyes see things has changed quite drastically. He asks me more serious questions now, and he doesn't like playing with Scout anymore. Scout seems to be getting along fine. She's has a head on her shoulders, and isn't afraid to use it. I'm fine with how she dresses, but I guess it's about time she started dressing like a lady. At least then Alexandra won't always be pestering her about her looks. All I want Scout to change is her aggressiveness. I understand she doesn't being bossed around or her family being made fun of, but she has to stop fighting over everything that comes up. But she has gotten better at not fighting, so there's a major improvement!

I know there are a lot of things that need to be changed around here, but Alexandra is going over the top. She may be an adult, but that doesn't make it right for her to consistently badger my children. I would tell her so myself, but I only like to argue in court. Arguing with Alexandra is like trying to take a banana from a monkey; they don't budge or subdue.

I really am tired of Jem and Scout's constant bickering, but I thought it amusing when Jem, a twelve-year-old, got beaten up by his eight-year-old sister. Those two light up my life while at the same time give me grey hairs. I wonder how many more I got when Jem told me Dill was hiding in Scout's room... I'm glad to have Dill over, but he really shouldn't have run away from his folks. They must be worried sick.