Hourglass

Journal #4
- Chapters 10-11
- Perspective: Mrs. Dubose

Ever since that Jeremy and Jean Louise Finch were little they would always pass by my house. They were dirty little kids whose father let them run crazy and won't control them. I'll always ask them where they are going and if they are allowed to go to town. Their father's actions have always been cantankerous and now he's a nigger-lover too. I always tell them how I'm pretty sure they'll end up, even when they are on the other sidewalk. One day Jean Louise said 'Hey, Mrs. Dubose' I told her straight off 'Don't you say hey to me, you ugly girl! You should say good afternoon, Mrs. Dubose!' She should start acting more lady like; wearing dresses and camisoles. When I talked about their father and his wife I can always see the boy tense with inaudible anger.

Even though I say that say those things about their father, he is a real gentleman. Whenever he comes around he tells me I look like a picture, I always enjoy it. He tells me the courthouse news, and wish me a good day tomorrow. Then leave while swinging his daughter onto his shoulders. The way I acted pretty much contradicted how I act toward him, but I think it's fair to be nice. I knew he had some idea my time was coming, and I know I could feel it. I felt that I was pretty inconspicuous to those who don't know about it. With Jessie helping me, I can go slightly longer with out my medicine. I just need a distraction, and picking on the kids helps a bit. One day I pushed it too far; I told Jean Louise that she should be more lady-like and that if she keeps up her ways she'll be working in the OK cafe. I also mentioned their father working with niggers in the court house. I said their father was no better then the trash he protects. I watched him as he went scarlet and walked away from the house.

I knew it was Jeremy Finch when Jessie told me my yard was torn up and my flowers were destroyed. I knew my time was extremely close, and I really needed a greater distraction. I had Jeremy read to me for a month, he brought along his sister too. I didn't mind though. I knew that Jean Louise felt that she was in some type of peril from the way she timidly entered. I couldn't pay much attention to his reading, but I eventually could longer. I dismissed them a week longer then we agreed, but I knew I could stay away from my medicine longer. I dismissed them very early today, I feel my time is up. I'm glad I was able to go so long with out my medicine, and it's all thanks to Jeremy and his sister.