Jem and Scout lament the fact that “Atticus was feeble: he was nearly fifty.” The children believe that Atticus’ “advanced” age keeps him from doing the sorts of things other children’s fathers do. Their view of their father changes when they see him shoot a mad dog.
As Tom Robinson’s trial grows closer, Jem and Scout endure more slurs against their father. When their neighbor Mrs. Dubose, a mean, elderly woman confined to a wheel chair, makes a particularly stinging remark, Jem retaliates by destroying some of her flowers. Of course, Atticus hears what happened and he makes Jem apologize to Mrs. Dubose, letting her decide his punishment. Jem is sentenced to read to Mrs. Dubose after school for one month. Scout chooses to accompany Jem. Shortly after Jem is relieved from duty, Mrs. Dubose dies. Only then does Atticus tell the children that Mrs. Dubose was very sick and fighting an extremely valiant battle against addiction.
