In Chapter 23, Atticus discusses the trial and the justice system with his son, Jem. Jem makes the comment that the jury made up its mind quickly, and Atticus disagrees by saying, "No it didn't" (Lee 136). Atticus explains that the jury deliberated for several hours because one of the jury members was in favor of an outright acquittal. When Jem asks who was arguing for Tom's acquittal, Atticus tells him that it was someone from the Old Sarum bunch. Jem is astonished and says, "Golly Moses...One minute they’re tryin’ to kill him and the next they’re tryin’ to turn him loose...I’ll never understand those folks as long as I live" (Lee 136). Atticus does not state the jury members name but does tell his children that he is related to the Cunninghams. Atticus goes on to say that the Cunninghams were a family with integrity and loyalty. He says that once you have their respect, they are with you "tooth and nail." Atticus has a feeling that after the one night at the jailhouse, the Cunninghams earned a considerable amount of respect for the Finch family. Before Atticus goes off to read his paper, Jem asks him how the man was related to Walter Cunningham. Atticus tells him, "Double first cousin" (Lee 137).
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