Who is Burris Ewell? How does he scare Miss Caroline?

Burris Ewell is a member of the Ewell family. He is the son of Bob Ewell and the younger brother of Mayella Ewell. Scout describes Burris as

"the filthiest human [she] had ever seen. His neck was dark gray, the backs of his hands were rusty, and his fingernails were black deep into the quick" (To Kill a Mockingbird, chapter 3).

On the first day of school, Burris Ewell announces his intention to...

Burris Ewell is a member of the Ewell family. He is the son of Bob Ewell and the younger brother of Mayella Ewell. Scout describes Burris as

"the filthiest human [she] had ever seen. His neck was dark gray, the backs of his hands were rusty, and his fingernails were black deep into the quick" (To Kill a Mockingbird, chapter 3).

On the first day of school, Burris Ewell announces his intention to leave and go home. He tells Miss Caroline that this is his third time attending only the first day of the first grade.

Miss Caroline spots lice in Burris' hair. She is greatly disturbed. She is afraid that if he does not leave and treat his head lice, the other students in the class may also get it. She tells Burris to wash his hair with lye soap and then treat his scalp with kerosene. Burris is defiant and insults Miss Caroline. He leaves the classroom only after he makes his teacher cry.