To Kill A Mockingbird Summary of Chapter 12
by Harper Lee

As Jem grows older he also grows moodier, leaving Scout to spend more time with Calpurnia. Scout watches Cal and realizes that maybe being a girl isn't so bad.

Atticus has to leave the family to attend an emergency session of the legislature. Calpurnia has to stay with the children and take full care of them in his absence. She is not sure if they should be going to church by themselves and decides that they should come with her on Sunday.

When they arrive at Cal's church, the children cause quite a stir. They are the only white faces in the congregation. One woman seems to resent their presence, but the rest of the congregation welcomes them freely. They know Atticus and have the utmost respect for him. While in attendance, the children overhear things about Tom Robinson and his case. His wife cannot get any work in the town and Tom has been accused of rape. Scout is not sure what rape is, but knows it can't be anything good.

As they walk home from church, Aunt Alexandra is waiting on the porch for them.