To Kill a Mockingbird

Francis was making derrogatory comments about Scout, Dill, and worst of all, Atticus. He didn't leave well enough alone and made his comment one too many times....

“Just what I said. Grandma says it’s bad enough he lets you all run wild, but now he’s turned out a nigger-lover we’ll never be able to walk the streets of Maycomb agin. He’s ruinin‘ the family, that’s what he’s doin’.” Francis rose and sprinted down the catwalk to the old kitchen. At a safe distance he called, “He’s nothin‘ but a nigger-lover!”

Francis looked at me carefully, concluded that I had been sufficiently subdued, and crooned softly, “Nigger-lover…”This time, I split my knuckle to the bone on his front teeth. My left impaired, I sailed in with my right, but not for long. Uncle Jack pinned my arms to my sides and said, “Stand still!”