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In Chapter 15, why has a crowd of people gathered at the Maycomb jailhouse?

In Chapter 15, Atticus travels to the Maycomb jailhouse and sits outside of Tom Robinson's cell just in case an angry mob attempts lynch Tom before the trial. Sure enough, several dusty old cars arrive from the Meridian Highway, and a group of men get out of each car. Scout, Jem, and Dill secretly watch as the Old Sarum bunch surrounds Atticus. Walter Cunningham, the leader of the mob, tells Atticus to step aside. Atticus refuses to move because he knows that group of men want to harm Tom Robinson before the trial. In an attempt to hear their conversation, Scout runs out into the group of strangers and feels embarrassed. Unaware of the serious situation she has entered, Scout looks for a familiar face. She eventually gets the attention of Walter Cunningham, who realizes the error in his decision to intimidate Atticus in order to harm Tom Robinson. Walter then tells the rest of the Old Sarum bunch that it's time to go home, and Tom Robinson remains unharmed. 

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