Dr. Reynolds's statement is actually made
after he has examined Jem. He enters the room where Scout
and Atticus are sitting and places "a big package wrapped in newspaper" which probably
contains Jem's clothes from when he was attacked by Bob Ewell. In the previous
paragraph Scout has described the physician's voice as "as breezy as his step," so he
has a nonchalant manner. With no surprise in his voice, he greets Boo Radley, for
instance.
Now, he turns to Scout and allays her fears about
her brother:
"You're quite satisfied he's alive, now? Tell
you how I knew. When I tried
to examine him, he kicked
me."
Note that this statement
is in past tense. The doctor has checked Jem and removed
his soiled clothing, covering it with newspaper to disguise the blood from Atticus and,
especially Scout. In his reassuring of Scout that Jem is all right, he says "Scat,"
meaning "You can run along now." (Dr. Reynolds uses a Southern colloquialism
here.)
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