What important decision did Maddie make? Why did she have to think hard to do so?

Maddie decided that she would never stand by and say nothing again. If she ever heard anybody picking on someone because they were funny-looking or because they had strange names, she would speak up. She did not even mind losing Peggy’s friendship over it. She knew she could not make things right with Wanda. However, she had decided that in the future, she would never make anybody else that unhappy again.

Maddie had to think hard to do so because the thoughts of Wanda and her family shook her. Every time Peggy asked Wanda about the number of dresses that she had, Maddie felt embarrassed as she knew Peggy was being mean to Wanda. But, she never objected on Peggy’s behavior and remained quiet. Eventually, her silence encouraged Peggy to do wrong to Wanda. Maddie discerned that Peggy had no idea that she was doing wrong to Wanda but she knew that how deeply Peggy is hurting Wanda’s feelings. She should have protested but she didn’t so she had been a coward.