"Miss caroline, he's a cunningham"

Scout is confused as to why Miss Caroline is trying to give Walter money when it is obvious that he cannot pay her back, which is an embarassment to his family. Until she realises that because Miss Caroline is new to the town she doesn't understand the family politics of Maycomb. It falls upon Scout to explain it to her, which lands Scout in trouble, yet again.
The Cunninghams are a very poor family who live on the outskirts of Maycomb. They may be poor but they are honest workers and although they may not be able to pay in money they will always pay back with food or goods.