In Chapter 24, Aunt Alexandra invites the neighborhood ladies in for tea, and Miss Stephanie Crawford begins to heckle Scout. She asks Scout what she is going to be when she grows up and suggests that Scout become a lawyer since she is always in the courtroom. Miss Maudie, who is kind and supportive of Scout, simply places her hand on Scout's hand to comfort her. Scout then answers that all she wants to be is a lady when she grows up. Miss Stephanie responds that Scout had better start wearing dresses then, and Miss Maudie closes her hand around Scout's. Miss Maudie transmits her warmth and comfort to Scout this way, and Scout does not respond to Miss Stephanie's taunts. Scout then turns to Miss Grace Merriweather and begins to make conversation with her, and Miss Stephanie's taunting is over. Miss Maudie understands that Scout is insulted by Miss Stephanie and helps Scout not fall prey to Miss Stephanie's barbs.

Following the Tom Robinson trial, Jem is traumatized after witnessing racial injustice first hand, and Scout is also unhappy at the verdict. In chapter 22, the children go outside to see Miss Stephanie Crawford talking to Miss Maudie and Mr. Avery on Maudie's porch. When Miss Maudie calls the children over to her house, Miss Stephanie begins to ask Jem and Scout multiple questions concerning their attendance at the trial. She asked who gave them permission to attend the trial, whether or not Atticus made them sit in the Colored balcony, and wanted to know if Scout understood the intricacies of the case. Miss Maudie comforts the children against Miss Stephanie's intrusive inquiries by saying, "Hush, Stephanie" (Lee, 132). Maudie then leaves Miss Stephanie standing on the porch and invites the children into her house for some cake.