Chapter 15-17 - To Kill a Mockingbird

I'm glad Tom was switched to the the Maycomb jail, but if he had been there in the first place, there would not have been any disputes. Now people have to adjust, and a lot of the other men are getting riled up about this whole thing. I understand that the lot of 'em are racists, but Tom is still the defendant in a court case! Even Walter Cunningham has dispelled thinking sensibly! I was also nervous when I found out that Tom was being switched, because I knew the kind of uproar it would cause. So, I prepared myself for what was to come and asked Heck Tate to back me up. Heck Tate is a fine man who is loyal to Maycomb and its citizens. I wouldn't want anyone else but him watch my back.

It scared the bejeezus out of me when I saw Scout run in. I felt even worse when Dill and Jem showed up as well. It was a very odd predicament; you have me, who's scared for the children, you have Scout, who's apparently oblivious to the hostile environment she's in, and you have Dill and Jem, who are studying every man in the room. I thought for sure the mob would eat us all alive (figuratively, not literally). The oxi-moron of the whole situation was that Scout was having a friendly everyday conversation with Walter! The way she was talking sounded like she really meant to have a friendly conversation with a hostile man! As I looked around the room, I realized everyone else was as taken aback as I was. Everyone in the room was gaping at Scout in plain amusement. It was funny how an eight-year-old encumbered an aggressive mob's advances. I was glad that Jem didn't go; he knew what would happen if he did. Those men wouldn't dare lay a hand on me with children present. I'm proud of Jem for standing by me; he's turning out to be a fine man. Scout is and always will be loyal, but Jem showed a massive amount of loyalty that night.

The court hearing is today! I'm excited, but not cheerful; those Ewells are a piece of work. I don't have to question one, but two Ewells. It's as if hell has walked through its own gates, and the Ewells were the key that unlocked it! I am so nervous, you'd think my body was having an earthquake what with all the twitching I'm doing.

Ha! I got Bob Ewell pinned right where I want him! Tate says the right side of Mayella's face was badly bruised, and Bob's left-handed! Sweet mackerel! I might actually win this impossible case. I bet my acquiescence after I pinned him scared him because when I questioned Mayella, he seemed to be on edge. I loved it when the court saw Tom's gimpy left arm, because they all started thinking 'maybe Bob really did beat his daughter'. I bet you my property that Bob did that do Mayella, and forced her to lie for him. That poor girl must be terrified of him for all he's must've done to her. I hope justice is done in this case, it's personal now.