I infer that Max ano his mom was about to go to a picnic but it started thundering and they couldn’t go.
Evidence: In the paragraph it stated how “Max dropped his flag and broke out into full sobs” which showed that it was gonna be a fun day for him but the rain ruined it, another evidence is “She began to unpack the picnic basket that was on the counter“ which showed that they were gonna go on a picnic.
Normally its the pleasure of doing so or they are just in need of something (i.e. robbing a bank-in need of money). Most people who do something wrong to get something they want do it for the thrill or the pleasure.
