Summary

As the story opens in Part 1, Chapter 1, Jean Louise Finch is in a train headed for her hometown of Maycomb, Alabama. She usually goes home by plane but that means her father has to rise very early and drive a long way to the nearest airport. By taking the train, she will arrive at Maycomb Junction, very near her hometown, saving her father the drive. She is pleased with the experience and has enjoyed the train ride. She watches the countryside and is amazed at the beauty. She realizes that she has never really thought of this as beautiful country and wonders why.

Jean Louise isn't surprised when the train fails to stop directly at the station. This is typical and she fully expects that her father, Atticus Finch, will be waiting for her a quarter mile from the station. He isn't...