In Chapter 4, Dill tells Scout that he has the ability to smell death and that she will die in three days. Jem tells them to hush and says, "you act like you believe in Hot Steams." (Lee 48) Scout responds by saying, "You act like you don't." (Lee 49) Jem explains that a "Hot Steam" is a lonely soul that cannot get into heaven and wallows around on lonesome roads at night. The consequence of walking through a "Hot Steam" is that you will become one when you die. Jem tells Dill that you have to say, "Angel-bright, life-in-death; get off the road, don't suck my breath" to avoid from being wrapped by one. (Lee 49) Following the conversation about "Hot Steams," the children decide to roll the tire. Jem is still upset that Scout contradicted him during the discussion on "Hot Steams" and pushes the tire with all his might once she gets into it. Scout ends up crashing into the Radley's front porch on accident and leaves the tire behind. Jem is forced to run into the Radley yard to retrieve the tire.
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