What happens in Chapters 14-15 in To Kill A Mockingbird?

Chapter 14 

The townspeople are getting ready for the Tom Robinson trial.  Scout and Jem can’t even walk around town without comments being made.  Scout asks her father what “rape” means, because the trial is the talk of the town.  He tells her “carnal knowledge of a female by force and without consent,” and she obviously has no idea what he means or why everyone is talking about it (except Calpurnia, who didn’t answer Scout when she asked). 

Scout tells Atticus that they went to church with Calpurnia and were invited to her house.  Atticus is amused, but Alexandra is horrified.  Scout gets upset and talks back to Alexandra, and Atticus tells her to mind her aunt.  Alexandra tells Atticus that he has to do something about her; he’s “let things go on too long.” She doesn’t think Scout acts like a lady. 

Alexandra also wants Atticus to fire Calpurnia.  She says she isn’t needed with Alexandra living in the house.  Atticus disagrees, saying they need her as much as they ever did and Alexandra has enough to do with social obligations. 

“Alexandra, Calpurnia’s not leaving this house until she wants to. You may think otherwise, but I couldn’t have got along without her all these years. She’s a faithful member of this family and you’ll simply have to accept things the way they are….” (Ch. 14) 

Jem asks Scout not to antagonize their aunt, and they get into a fight.  In Scout’s room, she notices something move under her bed.  It turns out to be Dill, who has run away from home because his mother spends all of her time with his stepfather and he feels left out.  Again acting grown-up, Jem tells Atticus.  He agrees to let Dill stay, but tells Rachel. 

Chapter 15

Some men come over and tell Atticus that there is trouble.  A mob is gathering.  They do not want Atticus to get involved, but he insists.  He tells them that his client is going to get a fair trial. Atticus takes a lamp and goes and sits outside the jail.  The Cunningham mob arrives, ready to lynch Tom Robinson.  Scout, Jem, and Dill are watching because they followed Atticus. 

The Cunningham mob tells Atticus they have sent Sheriff Tate on a “snipe hunt” and no one can help him.  Atticus asks them, “Do you really think so?” Scout knows this is a dangerous question and Atticus has something up his sleeve. Jem confronts the mob.  Atticus tells him to go home, but he refuses.  Scout recognizes Walter Cunningham’s father and strikes up a friendly but awkward conversation.  It brings Mr. Cunningham to his senses. 

Atticus said nothing. I looked around and up at Mr. Cunningham, whose face was equally impassive. Then he did a peculiar thing. He squatted down and took me by both shoulders.

“I’ll tell him you said hey, little lady,” he said.

Then he straightened up and waved a big paw. “Let’s clear out,” he called. “Let’s get going, boys.” (Ch. 15) 

Mr. Underwood tells Atticus that he had him covered with a shotgun all along.  Atticus tells Tom it’s all right and leaves with Scout, Jem, and Dill.