Answer:
Explanation: First of all, this is a big moment of rebellion for not only Mrs. Hale, but also Mrs. Peters. The thing that Mrs. Hale is hiding in her pocket is the dead canary: the evidence the County Attorney needs to convict Mrs. Wright of murder. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters are totally in cahoots here, and by not handing over the evidence both ladies are sticking it to the big bad male-dominated society that's been keeping them down.
No, it's not a huge act. They aren't leading armies of disgruntled housewives on a rampage across the country, but they are breaking the law by obstructing justice. They're protecting their fellow woman Mrs. Wright from a system of laws created by men.
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