After finding the first gifts in the knothole of the
Radley oak tree, Scout doesn't seem to have a clue from where they have come. Jem
believes they may have been left by a student with the intention of picking them up on
the way back from school. But when the Indian Head pennies appear, Jem sees it as a sign
of good luck.
Before Jem went to his room, he looked for a long
time at the Radley Place. He seemed to be thinking
again.
Although they
continued to play the Radley Game, Jem receives another clue from where the gifts came
when Boo's brother cemented the knothole. When Atticus explained that the tree was
healthy, Jem seemed to recognize that Boo's brother's intent was to stop the gifts from
being given. Jem finally comes to the realization that Boo was trying to be their friend
on the night of Miss Maudie's house fire. A blanket had been placed on Scout's
shoulders, and Atticus hinted that it could only have come from Boo. Jem then began
"pouring out our secrets left and right in total disregard of my safety if not for his
own..." He told Atticus that Boo could have
"... cut my throat from ear to ear that night,
but he tried to mend my pants instead... he ain't ever hurt us,
Atticus--"
When Scout
understood that it was Boo who had placed the blanket across her
shoulders,
My
stomach turned to water and I nearly threw
up.
From that point on, the
children stopped playing the Radley Game, and
... tormenting Boo Radley became
passe.
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