Bob Ewell claims that he was too distracted about Mayella to run after Tom. Ewell tells Atticus that he ran immediately to get Heck Tate after Tom Robinson ran out of his house. Atticus finds it interesting that despite Bob's concern for his daughter, he never ran for a doctor. When Atticus asks him why he never ran for the doctor, Ewell tells him there was no need. Bob Ewell tells Atticus that he never thought of calling a doctor because he never called one in his life. One would think that if Mayella were badly injured, Bob's first reaction would be to call a doctor, and not to run for the sheriff.

Mr. Ewell says that he agreed with Sheriff Tate's description of Mayella's injuries that her right eye was blackened, and she was beaten. Atticus then makes him write his name. Judge Taylor points out that Bob is left-handed, which is significant because Mayella was beaten by a left-handed person. This bit of evidence suggests that Bob Ewell may have beat his daughter, and not Tom Robinson.