The weather changes and the kids have their first view of snow. Since school is canceled, they spend the day making snowman. In the afternoon the snow stops but the cold persists. That night, Atticus wakes Scout up to dress and leave the house since Miss Maudie's house is on fire. The kids are told to stand in front of the Radley property as Atticus, and other neighbors salvage Maudie's belongings and prevent the fire from spreading.

Finally, the fire is stopped, but Miss Maudie's home is gone. As the kids return to the house, Atticus discovers a strange blanket on Scout's shoulders. Neither Jem nor Scout can remember who wrapped it around Scout; when it dawns on them that it might have been Boo Radley. Atticus suggests they fold and return it, but Jem declines. Then he reveals their secrets about the gifts, the evening in Radley's garden and finding his stitched pants. Atticus calms him down by promising him that the blanket will be a secret between them. In the morning, the kids find Miss Maudie sitting in her backyard, not aggrieved about her loss. She admits that she never liked the house and was already planning on the house to replace it with. She admits she was more worried about her neighbors during the fire.