Not all women, Atticus knew, would have granted such an allowance, even though he was certainly not at fault. Still, she seemed to think such graciousness was par for the course, and the innkeeper was not at all inclined to suggest she behave otherwise! It was a rarity to see such goodwill from a stranger under any circumstance, let alone extraordinary ones such as these.

"I think if the fog lingers, I shall have to make a point of venturing out only with a lantern," Atticus said instead.