Inof
, Dill returns to Maycomb for the summer, much to the excitement of , who
associates the season with her friend. However, Dill, , and Scout soon grow tired of playing
their standard game, "Tom and Sam and Dick." Scout is tired of playing Tom Rover, Dill
is tired of being the "character man," and Jem is tired of making up new games to
entertain the others. They play a different game, in which Scout climbs inside an old tire and
Jem rolls her down the street, yet this does not provide lasting entertainment
either.
Finally, Jem announces that they are going to play a new
game"something new, something different" called "." In this game, the
children act out Boo's life. Scout plays Mrs. Radley, a role which tasks her with sweeping the
porch. Dill plays Mr. Radley, and he must walk up and down the sidewalk coughing. Jem plays Boo,
which necessitates him laying under the front steps and occasionally howling. The game
eventually becomes more polished, with dialogue added and an actual narrative to be followed.
Scout describes it as a "melancholy little drama, woven from bits and scraps of gossip and
neighborhood legend." The children also assume more minor roles throughout their play,
including: the boys who got into trouble, the probate judge, the sheriff, various townspeople,
and Miss Stephanie Crawford. The climactic scene of this game involves Jem pretending to plunge
Calpurnia's scissors into Dill's thigh.
Eventually, Scout wants to quit the
game, claiming that 's arrival and the laughter she hears coming from inside the Radley's house
is enough to scare her off.
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