Tom Robinson's kind actions toward Mayella Ewell is what got him arrested in the first place in Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Tom had visited Mayella quite a few times before he was accused of attacking her. He had responded to Mayella's request that she help him "bust up a chiffarobe," and he even refused the nickel payment that she offered him. On the stand, Tom admits to Atticus that he went to see Mayella "lots of times."
"Seemed like every time I passed by yonder she'd have some little somethin' for me to do... I was glad to do it. Mr. Ewell didn't seem to help her none, and neither did the chillun.
He chopped kindling and toted water for her. On his final visit, she asked him to fix their door but, instead, Mayella kissed Tom, and he left as quickly as possible. Tom's kindheartedness proved to be his greatest weakness.
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