To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter 6 Summary

Jem and Scout get permission from their father to go hang out with Dill at his aunt’s fish pond, since Dill’s leaving the next day.
Scout suggests they watch for Mr. Avery, a neighbor who had previously astonished them by peeing in an impressive arc off his front porch.
Dill suggests they go for a walk instead, and Scout, knowing that no one in Maycomb just goes for a walk, smells a rat.
Jem says they’re just going to go to the streetlight by the Radley Place.
Once they get there Dill and Jem say they just want to peek in the window.
Scout doesn’t like this at all, but stops complaining when they accuse her of being a girl about it.
The trio go under the wire fence at the back of the Radley Place and, after dealing with swishy collard greens, a squeaky gate, and clucking chickens, make it up to the house.
Jem and Scout raise Dill up so he can look through the window, but he can’t see much except curtains.
Jem makes it onto the porch and looks through another window, when Scout sees a shadow – a man’s shadow, moving across the porch towards Jem.
The shadow goes up to Jem, raises his arm, drops it again, and then leaves.
The kids, throwing caution to the winds, dash back the way they came.
Scout trips as she hears a loud noise – someone’s shooting at them.
They dive under the fence, Jem leaving his pants behind when they get stuck on the wire.
The kids make it home and see a bunch of neighbors gathered in front of the Radley Place.
Realizing their absence will be noticed, they join the group.
Miss Maudie tells them that Mr. Radley has been shooting at a “Negro” (6.60) in his yard.
Suddenly everyone notices that Jem doesn’t have any pants on.
Dill tries to save the day by saying they were playing strip poker.
Playing with cards apparently being more of a sin in Maycomb than stripping, Jem says that they were playing with matches.
Atticus tells Jem to get his pants back, and Dill goes home, bidding his friends farewell.
Scout goes to bed, but is terrified that every sound she hears might be Boo Radley coming to wreak his revenge.
Jem gets up, telling Scout he’s going back to get his pants.
Scout threatens to wake Atticus, arguing that a beating isn’t as bad as getting shot, but Jem refuses to back down.
Scout sits outside on the porch, listening for the dreaded shotgun blast and waiting for Jem to return.
Finally Jem returns – with his pants – and the two go back to bed.

Chapter 7

Chapter 5