Scout’s finding of items in the tree is an interesting part of the novel. It all begins in chapter 4 when Scout finds gum in the tree knot. At first, she does not know what to do with it, but she winds up taking it. Here is the quote:
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when Scout finds gum in the tree knot. At first, she does not know what to do with it, but she winds up taking it. Here is the quote:
I stood on tiptoe, hastily looked around once more, reached into the hole, and withdrew two pieces of chewing gum minus their outer wrappers.
On the next day, Jem and Scout find something else. They are wrapped in velvet: Indian-head pennies. Later, they find a gray ball of twine. By this time, the children are really perplexed. Is someone leaving these things for them, or will someone come back for them? Here is what Scout says to Jem:
“Don’t take it, Jem,” I said. “This is somebody’s hidin‘ place.”
“I don’t think so, Scout.”
The gifts in the tree knot do not stop here. Jem and Scout also find carved soap figures that look like them. They also find more gum, a spelling medal, and a pocket-watch.
In the end, Mr. Radley comes and puts cement in the knot of the tree to end the exchange of gifts. There is a small inkling that Boo might be the one leaving these gifts, but no one can say for sure—certainly not the children