Read this passage carefully, and then answer the question that follows it: In and around the Hillsboro Courthouse. The foreground is the actual courtroom, with jury box, judge's bench and a scattering of trial-scarred chairs and counsel tables. The back wall of the courtroom is non-existent. On a raked level above it is the courthouse square, the Main Street and the converging streets of the town. This is not so much a literal view of Hillsboro as it is an impression of a sleepy, obscure country town about to be vigorously awakened. 5 It is important to the concept of the play that the town is visible always, looming there, as much on trial as the individual defendant. The crowd is equally important throughout, so that the court becomes an arena, with active spectators on all sides of it. It is an hour after dawn on a July day that promises to be a scorcher. Howard, a boy of thirteen, wanders onto the courthouse lawn. He is barefoot, wearing a pair of his pa's cut-down overalls. He carries an improvised fishing pole and a tin can. He studies the ground carefully, searching for something. A young girl's voice calls from offstage. 10 15 Melinda: [Calling sweetly.] How-ard ...! [HOWARD, annoyed, turns and looks toward the voice. MELINDA, a healthy pigtailed girl of twelve, skips on.] Hello, Howard. [HOWARD is disinterested, continues to search the ground.] 20 Howard: 'Lo, Melinda. Melinda: [Making conversation.] I think it's gonna be hotter'n yesterday. That rain last night didn't do much good. Howard: [Professionally.] It brought up the worms. [Suddenly he spots one in the lawn. Swiftly he grabs for it, and holds it up proudly.] Lookit this fat one! [He chases her.] 25 Melinda: [ shivering.] How can you touch 'em? It makes me all goose-bumpy! [HOWARD dangles it in front of her face. She backs away, shuddering.] 30 Howard: What're yuh skeered of? You was a worm once! Melinda: [Shocked.] I wasn't neither! Howard: You was so! When the whole world was covered with water, there was nuthin' but worms and blobs of jelly. And you and your whole family was worms! 35 Melinda: We was not! Howard: Blobs of jelly, then. Melinda: Howard Blair, that's sinful talk! I'm gonna tell my Pa and he'll make you wash your mouth out with soap! 40 Howard: Ahhh, your old man's a monkey! [MELINDA gasps. She turns indignantly and runs off. HOWARD shrugs in the manner of a man-of-the-world.] 'Bye, Lindy. [RACHEL enters. She is 22, pretty, but not beautiful. She wears a cotton summer dress. She carries a small composition 45 paper suitcase. There is a tense, distraught air about her. She may have been crying. She looks about nervously, as if she doesn't want to be seen. When she sees HOWARD, she hesitates, then she scurries downstage into the courthouse area in the hope that the boy will not notice her. But he does see RACHEL, and watches her with puzzled 50 curiosity. Then as he exits he addresses the worm, dangling it in the air.] What do you wanta be when you grow up? [He goes off. RACHEL stands uncertainly in the courthouse area. Unsure, she looks about.] 55 Rachel: [Tentatively, calling.] Mr. Meeker ...? Meeker: [A little irritably. From off R.] Who is it? [After a pause, MR. MEEKER, the bailiff, enters. There is no collar on his shirt, his hair is tousled, and there is still a bit of shaving soap on his face, which he is wiping off with a towel as he enters.] Why, hello, Rachel. 'Scuse the way I look. [He wipes 60 the soap out of his ear. Then he notices her suitcase.] Not goin' away are you? Excitement's just startin'. 65 Rachel: [Earnestly.] Mr. Meeker, don't let my father know I came here. Meeker: [Shrugs.] The Reverend don't tell me his business. Don't know why I should tell him mine. Rachel: I want to see Bert Cates. Is he all right? Meeker: Don't know why he shouldn't be. I always figured the safest place in the world is in jail. 70 Rachel: Can I go down and see him? Meeker: Ain't a very proper place for a minister's daughter. Rachel: I only want to see him for a minute. [from Act 1 Scene 1]