They discuss the class system-why their aunt despisesthe Cunninghams, why the Cunninghams look down on the Ewells, who hateblack people, and other such matters. In his bedroom, Jem reveals his minimal growth of chesthair and tells Scout that he is going to try out for the footballteam in the fall. Scout grows furious, and Jem hastily takes her out ofthe room. Upon hearingthis revelation, Scout announces that she wants to invite young WalterCunningham to dinner, but Aunt Alexandra expressly forbids it, tellingher that the Finches do not associate with trash. In fact, oneman on the jury wanted to acquit-amazingly, it was one of the Cunninghams. Atticus tells Jem that in an Alabamacourt of law, a white man’s word always beats a black man’s, andthat they were lucky to have the jury out so long. The subject then turns to jury trials and to how all twelvemen could have convicted Tom. Jem and Atticus discuss the justice of executing men forrape. Meanwhile, Tom Robinson has been sent to another prisonseventy miles away while his appeal winds through the court system.Atticus feels that his client has a good chance of being pardoned.When Scout asks what will happen if Tom loses, Atticus replies thatTom will go to the electric chair, as rape is a capital offensein Alabama. Aunt Alexandra and the children remainworried.
Nowthat Ewell has gotten that vengefulness out of his system, Atticusexpects no more trouble. Atticus tells Jem and Scout that becausehe made Ewell look like a fool, Ewell needed to get revenge. Bob Ewell’s threats are worrisometo everyone except Atticus.