Since Atticus' sister, Alexandra, is obsessed with the
Finch family history, it becomes the main subject of conversation once she moves in to
the Finch home. Alexandra becomes upset when Scout disputes the facts about their
less-than-illustrious Cousin Joshua St. Clair. Alexandra considers him the most
important of all Finches, but according to Atticus (as told by
Scout),
"...
he went round the bend at the University (of Alabama). Said he tried to shoot the
president... said he wasn't anything but a sewer inspector... said it cost the family
five hundred dollars to get him out of that
one--"
Alexandra gave Atticus
an earful about this, so he tried to impress upon Scout and Jem the importance of
"gentle breeding."
"You are not run-of-the-mill people... you should
try to live up to your
name."
But Atticus soon
became angry at Scout's inattention, and he yelled at her, causing her to cry. Atticus
saw the error of his (and Alexandra's) ways, and he told
Scout
"I don't
want you to remember it. Forget it... Get more like Cousin Joshua every day, don't
I?"
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