“Jem scooped up an armful of dirt, patted it into a mound on which he added another load, and another until he had constructed a torso. "Jem, I ain't never heard of a nigger snowman," I said.”

“Jem, I ain't ever heard of a nigger snowman," I said.”

“He turned out the light and went into Jem's room. He would be there all night, and he would be there when Jem waked up in the morning.”

“Atticus said that Jem was trying hard to forget something, but what he was really doing was storing it away for a while, until enough time passed. Then he would be able to think about it and sort things out. When he was able to think about it, Jem would be himself again.”

“Then Jem said hush a minute. I thought he was thinkin‘—he always wants you to hush so he can think.”

“I was too surprised to cry. I crept from Jem’s room and shut the door softly, lest undue noise set him off again. Suddenly tired, I wanted Atticus. He was in the livingroom, and I went to him and tried to get in his lap. Atticus smiled. “You’re getting so big now, I’ll just have to hold a part of you.” He held me close. “Scout,” he said softly, “don’t let Jem get you down. He’s having a rough time these days. I heard you back there.” Atticus said that Jem was trying hard to forget something, but what he was really doing was storing it away for a while, until enough time passed. Then he would be able to think about it and sort things out. When he was able to think about it, Jem would be himself again.”

“When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow.”