Besides Miss Caroline, a student named Little Chuck Little tells Burris to go home.
Burris Ewell attracts Miss Caroline's attention when she notices a "cootie" crawling out of his hair. Little Chuck Little, a child who is "among the most diminutive of men", tries to calm the teacher while Burris removes the cootie nonchalantly from his head and "pinche(s) it between his thumb and forefinger". In "horrid fascination", Miss Caroline watches, then tells Burris "to go home and wash (his) hair". Burris insolently announces that she "ain't sendin' (him) home...(he) was on the verge of leavin' (anyway), (having) done (his) time for (the) year". One of the older members of the class explains that the Ewells only come to school on the first day of classes every year, forced by "the truant lady...(who) reckons she's carried out the law just gettin' their names on the roll and runnin' 'em (there) the first day". Upon hearing this, Miss Caroline changes her mind and tells Burris to sit down, but Burris reacts angrily at being told what to do. Attempting to avoid a confrontation, Little Chuck Little steps forward and advises Miss Caroline, "Let 'im go, ma'am...he's a mean one". When Burris turns menacingly towards the well-meaning peacemaker, Little Chuck Little warns him, "Watch your step, Burris...I'd soon's kill you as look at you...now go home" (Chapter 3).
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