Hi, I am Mrs. Maudie Atkinson.  I am a kind-hearted, middle-aged lady, and unlike many people in Maycomb, I am not racist. I live across the street from the Finches and am neighbors with the Radley’s, too.  In fact, I have known the Finches for many years, Uncle Jack most of all, since I was brought up on the Buford place, which was close to Finch’s Landing.  I enjoy gardening, and I hate being stuck inside.  However, the Foot-Washing Baptists think that my enjoyment of gardening is a sin.  I make great cakes, if I say so myself.  I admire Atticus because of his honesty and integrity.  I allow the Finch children to play in my yard and enjoy spending time with them.  In particular, I have kept Scout busy when Jem got older and went through phases where he didn’t care for her company.  On some occasions I have tried to teach the children life lessons.  In chapter eight my house burned down, which was very disappointing, but I tried to keep an optimistic attitude despite some of my possessions being ruined. In chapter ten I explained to the Finch kids why it is a sin to kill a mockingbird, something that Atticus told them.  I said, “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy.”  I also participate in the Missionary Circle meetings at the Finches house that are run by Aunt Alexandra.  At the end of Tom Robinson’s trial, I tried to console Jem about his father’s defeat, saying “I simply want to tell you that there are some men in this world who were born to do our unpleasant jobs for us.  Your father’s one of them.”