What is the “skedaddle” and why is it done?

The “skedaddle”, as Jeannette describes the move, is common for the Walls family, and is often characterized by a stealthy escape late in the night. Mr. Walls explains the need for such hasty relocation to his children by telling them that someone is after them, FBI agents or big business executives. Mrs. Walls corrects him, explaining to her children that they were in fact being pursued by bill collectors, not federal agents.