How does Scout handle the situation with Cecil Jacobs differently from the situation with Walter Cunningham?

One day at school, Cecil Jacobs taunts Scout by yelling that her father defends n*****s. His use of this notorious racial epithet is sadly all-too-common in Maycomb, even among the children. Scout does not quite understand the full import of Cecil's hurtful words, but she knows it cannot be good. That night, she talks to Atticus about what happened, and he tells Scout that he is defending Tom Robinson in court. He advises Scout to practice tolerance, despite how unpleasant such playground taunts are. The next day Scout tells Cecil to take back what he said. He does not, so Scout readies herself to let fly with her fists. But at the last moment, she recalls what Atticus said to her, and she walks away.
Scout displays considerably more maturity in relation to Cecil Jacobs than to Walter Cunningham Jr. On the first day of school, Scout intercedes with the hapless, inexperienced teacher Miss Caroline so that she does not lend him money for his lunch, as the Cunninghams do not accept charity from anyone. All she gets for her trouble is a spank with a ruler. Scout cannot very well fight back against her teacher, so she takes out her frustration on poor old Walter by rubbing his nose in the dirt.