I know now what he was trying to do, but Atticus was only a man. It takes a woman to do that kind of work.
Atticus said that Jem was trying hard to forget something, but what he was really doing was storing it away for a while, until enough time passed. Then he would be able to think about it and sort things out. When he was able to think about it, Jem would be himself again.
I try to give'em a reason, you see. It helps folks if they can latch onto a reason.
Try fighting with your head for a change... it's a good one, even if it does resist learning.
You just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anybody says to you, don't you let 'em get your goat. Try fightin' with your head for a change. -Atticus Finch