Among his other positive traits, Atticus Finch is a loving and concerned father. Following the death of his wife, Atticus is left a single parent; he never remarries, but he shows his love for his children in many ways. When Boo saves his children from the clutches of Bob Ewell, Atticus is grateful. He is quite aware that they owe Boo their lives.
"Thank you for my children, Arthur" he said.
He is also willing to allow Jem to face the circumstances of Bob's death if he is responsible.
"If this thing's hushed up it'll be a simple denial to Jem of the way I've tried to raise him. Sometimes I think I'm a total failure as a parent, but I'm all they've got... if I've connived at something like this, frankly, I couldn't meet his eye, and the day I can't do that I'll know I've lost him. I don't want to lose him and Scout, because they're all I've got."
Even after Sheriff Tate repeats to Atticus that Jem did not kill Bob, Atticus is unsure.
"If they hear me saying downtown something different happened--Heck, I won't have them anymore. I can't live one way in town and another way in my home."
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