It was the night of the early snow and the fire which destroyed Miss Maudie's house when Jem finally blurted out his story about his lost pants being mended by Boo Radley. Atticus had led his children back home and filled them with hot chocolate when he suddenly asked where Scout had gotten the blanket that covered her shoulders.

    "Atticus, I don't know sir... I--"
    I turned to Jem for an answer, but he was even more bewildered than I.

But it suddenly occurred to Jem who might have loaned them the blanket. When Atticus suggested that they wrap the blanket and return it, Jem understood, and he "seemed to have lost his mind. He began pouring out our secrets right and left... omitting nothing, knothole, pants and all." It was the excitement of the evening and the awareness that Boo had made another unseen appearance that convinced Jem to bare all. Atticus understood and decided it best to keep the story to themselves.