How does Atticus respond when Bob Ewell spits at him and why in To Kill a Mockingbird?

When Bob Ewell spits in the face of Atticus in
To Kill a Mockingbird, we see the kind of man Atticus is. He is
spit on and ugly accusations are thrown at him. Bob Ewell even threatens him, but
Atticus doesn't react the way Bob, or most people for that matter, would react. Atticus
calmly wipes his face and leaves. Jem and Scout, however, are afraid for their father.
They take the threats seriously.

Atticus tells the kids
that he would rather take the brunt of Bob's anger, rather than have Mayella have to
face another beating from her father. Atticus is always trying to think of other people,
and teaches his children a valuable lesson. Atticus didn't realize just how serious the
threats from Bob Ewell would turn out to be.

The one thing
about Atticus that stands out is the fact that he tries to give everyone the benefit of
the doubt. He tries to explain Bob's behavior with respect to all that he had been
through and how Atticus had made him feel. The reality is that there is no excuse for
Bob Ewell's reaction. There are some people that are just mean, and Bob is one of those
people. Luckily for Atticus, Jem and Scout, they all have someone special watching out
for them.