To Kill a Mockingbird 1962 quotes, page 2

Atticus, do you think Boo Radley ever really comes and looks in my window at night? Jem says he does. This afternoon when we were over by their house...

Atticus

Scout. I told you and Jem to leave those poor people alone. I want you to stay away from their house and stop tormentin' them.

Yes, sir.

Atticus

Well, I think that's all the reading for tonight, honey. It's gettin' late.

What time is it?

Atticus

Eight-thirty.

May I see your watch? [reading] 'To Atticus, My Beloved Husband.' Atticus, Jem says this watch is gonna belong to him some day.

Atticus

That's right.

Why?

Atticus

Well, customary for the boy to have his father's watch.

What are you gonna give me?

Atticus

Well, I don't know that I have much else of value that belongs to me. But there's a pearl necklace - and there's a ring that belonged to your mother. And I've put them away and they're to be yours.

Hey Boo.

Atticus

Miss Jean Louise, Mr. Arthur Radley. I believe he already knows you.

Hey Miss Dubose.

Mrs. Dubose

Don't you say "hey" to me you ugly girl!

How old was I when Mama died?

Jem

Two.

How old were you?

Jem

Six.

Old as I am now.

Jem

Uh, huh.

Was Mama pretty?

Jem

Uh, huh.

Was Mama nice?

Jem

Uh, huh.

Did you love her?

Jem

Yes.

Did I love her?

Jem

Yes.

Do you miss her?

Jem

Uh, huh.

Is he poor?

Atticus

Yes.

Are we poor?

Atticus

We are indeed.

Are we as poor as the Cunninghams?

Atticus

No, not exactly. The Cunninghams are country folks, farmers. The crash hit them the hardest.

Mr. Tate was right.

Atticus

What do you mean?

Well, it would be sort of like shooting a mockingbird, wouldn't it?

Jean Louise 'Scout' Finch

He's gone and drown-ded his dinner in syrup and then he's pourin' it all over.

Jean Louise 'Scout' Finch

You can pet him, Mr. Arthur. He's asleep. Couldn't if he was awake, though. He wouldn't let you. Go ahead.

Jeremy 'Jem' Finch

Your names longer'n you are. Bet it's a foot longer.

Atticus Finch

No need to be afraid of him, son. He's all bluff. There's a lot of ugly things in this world, son. I wish I could keep 'em all away from you. That's never possible.

Jeremy 'Jem' Finch

Listen, no matter what she says to you, don't answer her back. There's a Confederate pistol in her lap under her shawl and she'll kill you quick as look at you. Come on.

Jeremy 'Jem' Finch

Atticus says cheating a black man is ten times worse than cheating a white.

Sheriff Tate

Bob Ewell fell on his knife. He killed himself. There's a black man dead for no reason, and now the man responsible for it is dead. Let the dead bury the dead this time, Mr. Finch. I never heard tell it was against the law for any citizen to do his utmost to prevent a crime from being committed, which is exactly what he did. But maybe you'll tell me it's my duty to tell the town all about it, not to hush it up...To my way of thinkin', takin' one man who's done you and this town a big service, and draggin' him, with his shy ways, into the limelight, to me, that's a sin. It's a sin, and I'm not about to have it on my head. I may not be much, Mr. Finch, but I'm still Sheriff of Maycomb County, and Bob Ewell fell on his knife. Goodnight sir.

Sheriff Tate

Bob Ewell's lyin' on the ground under that tree down yonder with a kitchen knife stuck up under his ribs. He's dead, Mr. Finch....He's not gonna bother these children any more.

Narrator (Scout as an adult)

By October, things had settled down again. I still looked for Boo every time I went by the Radley place. This night my mind was filled with Halloween. There was to be a pageant representing our county's agricultural products. I was to be a ham. Jem said he would escort me to the school auditorium. Thus began our longest journey together.