Miss Maudie

Thursday — We were rehearsing the kids this afternoon — Jem, Scout, and Dill — and two of us were covering lines for all the other characters in the play. We came to an exchange between Scout, Jem, and Miss Maudie.

Scout and Jem, who are only beginning to appreciate their father, realize that Atticus has lost the court case.

Miss Maudie's most important line ran chills up our spines.

Miss Maudie: "... Whether Maycomb knows it or not, we're paying your father the highest tribute we can pay a man. We trust him to do right."

Scout: "Then why did he get beat?"

Miss Maudie: "Miss Stephanie talks nonsense. Maybe he didn't get an acquittal, but he got something. I was sitting in court waiting, and as I waited, I thought — Atticus Finch won't win, he can't win, but he's the only man in these parts who can keep a jury out so long in a case like this. And I thought to myself, take note of this time and this place. It's 1935 and it's Maycomb, Alabama, and we're making a step — it's just a baby-step, but it's a step... (She takes a break and collects herself.) I'm going into my kitchen now, and I'm going to make a cake. And I'd be pleased if you'd all come over later and have some of my cake."

Scout: "Yes, Miss Maudie."

Jem: "Thank you."

Miss Maudie: "Miister Dill?"

Dill: "Yes — I'll come. thank you. I better stop over to Aunt Rachel. (Pauses. Considering.) They trust him to do right..."