From overhearing her father and Uncle Jack discussing Atticus's having accepted the role of defense attorney in the case against Tom Robinson, Scout truly comprehends the meaning of Miss Maudie's description of her father as "...the same inside his house as he is on the public streets." Also, she learns of "Maycomb's usual disease" and how her father wants his children to ignore the gossip.
In Chapter 9 Scout listens from around the corner as Atticus talks to his younger brother, who asks Atticus if he could not get out of taking the Robinson case. Atticus replies that he really has no choice: "...do you think I could face my children otherwise?" For, if he refused the case when it was given to him by Judge Taylor, Atticus would have displayed hypocrisy as he has always expressed the idea that everyone should be treated fairly.
Then, Jack asks of this forthcoming trial, "...how bad is this going to be?" and Atticus responds,
"It couldn't be worse, Jack. The only thing we've got is a black man's word against the Ewells'....The evidence boils down to you-did--I-didn't. The jury couldn't possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson's word against the Ewells'...."
Atticus expresses his despair of winning, but he believes that he will have "a reasonable chance" on appeal. A little later, Atticus voices his wish that Jem and Scout will not listen to the townspeople's gossip about this trial. In addition, he hopes that they will come to him and trust him.
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