Chapter 10 from the perspective of Calpurnia

Dear Diary,

This afternoon I was going through my regular daily routine of making food for Scout and Jem, cleaning up after them kids and making sure everything is just how Mr Atticus likes it when he gets home from work.

Scout and Jem came running inside the house, makin' all kinda noise and telling me that a mad dog was barreling down the street. (A mad dog is a dog with rabies, one you don't want around, with children around especially). I yelled at the kids to come inside right then, none of them better contradict me today.

I immediately ran inside the house as I was in considerable peril. I called Atticus to come take care of that mad dog. I didn't know what he was gonna do, being such a quiet man and all. It seemed like days were passing by waiting for him to get there. It was quite cantankerous. He arrived finally with a rifle and Sheriff Heck Tate by his side.

I felt nervous and held onto the kids with my sweaty palms. I couldn't believe it, Heck Tate got ready to shoot then he slowly handed the gun to Atticus. I couldn't imagine what such an educated white man would do with a rifle. His contemporaries were much younger than he and didn't have near the smarts.

In one shot, the dog was down. They got into Heck Tate's car as if nothin had happened. Their father told them not to go near that rabid dog, that it was just as dangerous dead as it was alive. I hoped to the Lord that his instructions weren't inaudible to those kids!

Today was quite the crazed, scary day. I wanted to make myself inconspicuous during that whole matter with the dog, but I had to be there for them kids and I'm glad they got me and I got them.

If I had my way, he wouldn't shoot the dog.