When the state legislature calls a special session on a Sunday, Calpurnia isn't sure what to do with the kids. Usually, Atticus makes sure that their Sunday School teacher will be there so the kids don't act up, but he didn't do that this time, so Calpurnia is in a bind. Calpurnia can't go to the children's church because blacks and whites are segregated at this time. She can, however, take the kids to her church because, first, they're children; and second, Atticus has the respect of the black community for taking Tom Robinson's case seriously. Still, it is pretty risky for her to take the children to her church. Luckily, the reaction of Calpurnia's people to the children is pretty good.
"When they saw Jem and me with Calpurnia, the men stepped back and took off their hats; the women crossed their arms at their waists, weekday gestures of respectful attention" (118).
Other than Lula, who asks Calpurnia why she brought white children to their church, everyone is respectful. It is interesting to note that the children also learn about Tom Robinson's family at the church that day. Reverend Sykes asks for a collection of $10.00 for the Robinson family because Tom is in jail and Helen can't find work to feed her three children. The kids would not have found out this information any other way. Also, this is the first time Scout hears the word rape. Calpurnia tells Scout to ask her father about it.
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