Chapter 8 is when Miss Maudie's house burns down. Atticus wakes his children and positions them across the street from her house, in front of the Radley's, to keep an eye on them for safety's sake. This is a frightening time for the children as they watch a good friend's home burn down. Atticus goes over and helps to remove Miss Maudie's favorite rocking chair from the house, which causes Scout some alarm; but, she's happy the chair is saved as well. Mr. Avery also slips when crossing the upstairs porchs and falls down a pillar to the shrubs below. In an effort to calm Scout down during this time of crisis, Jem tells her that it isn't time to worry yet. He gives her a sign to look for whenever she might be scared, as follows:
"Don't worry, Scout, it ain't time to worry yet . . . Looka yonder . . . See there, he's not worried yet . . . he'll know when it's time" (70).
Jem tells Scout to look for Atticus. When it is time to worry, Atticus will let them know. Their father is usually very laid back and doesn't worry about much of anything. At other times during the story, Atticus tells Scout that it isn't time to worry just like Jem does. This is how the Finches show courage. They keep their heads about them, remain calm, and don't worry.
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