Chapters 13 & 14
Perspective of Aunt Alexandria
Because Atticus and I are both worried about his children, we decided that it would be best for me to move in with them for a while. When I arrived, Jean Louise looked less than excited to see me. "Have you come for a visit Aunty?"
I was surprised. "Didn't your father tell you?"
Jean Louise and Jem shook their heads with blank looks on their faces.
"Probably he forgot. He's not in yet, is he?"
"Nome, he doesn't usually get back till late afternoon," Jem replied.
I decided to tell them myself. "Well, your father and I decided it was time I came to stay with you for awhile. Jem is growing up now and you are too." I directed this towards Jean Louise. "We decided that it would be best for you to have some feminine influence. It won't be many years, Jean Louise, before you become interested in clothes and boys."
Jean Louise's face showed otherwise, but I knew it to be true.
Jem asked about my husband, whom they call "Uncle Jimmy". I told him he would be staying at the Landing to keep it going.
Jean Louise asked me if I would miss him, and I gave no answer. Everybody knows Jimmy does not have much of a personality.
Later that afternoon, Atticus returned home from Montgomery.
I was delighted the way Maycomb welcomed me into their town. Their elderly neighbor Maudie Atkinson baked me a lovely Lane cake; Stephanie Crawford and I spent lots of time together; Rachel next door had me over for afternoon coffee; and Nathan Radley, apparently a man who seldom left his home, came over to tell me he was glad to see me. I also joined everal clubs and societies. Why didn't I come here sooner?
After a while of living in Maycomb, I began to notice family characteristics. For example, anyone with the last name Crawford minds their own business, the Delafields never tell the truth, all the Bufords walk a little strangely, and more. Noticing all this made me more PENSIVE, especially about how that Atticus's children do not realize how lucky they are to be Finches. After all, we seem to be the only normal family in Maycomb!
I tried getting Atticus to explain how important it is to show off the fact that we belong to such an important family, which ended in disaster. They want nothing to do with it. I believe if I try hard enough, though, their PREOCCUPATION with heredity will EMERGE. It is not like it is an ANTAGONIZING idea, anyway. I shall EXTRACT their appreciation some way, some how.
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