Laurie's mother worries that kindergarten is unsettling for Laurie. Why does she worry about Charles's behavior?

Each day
when Laurie comes home from school, he elaborates on 's misbehavior and tells his mother about
Charles's audacious and violent exploits. Laurie reacts like any concerned mother would and
begins to worry that Charles's bad behavior will rub off on her son. After the
first week of school, Laurie's mother asks her husband if kindergarten is too unsettling for
their son and mentions that she fears Charles is a bad influence on Laurie.
Despite her concerns, Laurie's father tells her not to worrythere will always be bad people like
Charles in the world, and Laurie might as well meet them now. Ironically, Laurie's parents fail
to see that their son is the child causing all of the trouble, and Charles is his pseudonym.
Interestingly, they never chastise their son's behavior when he speaks disrespectfully toward
them at home or leaves the table without being excused. Laurie's parents also seem to show more
interest in Charles than they do their own son; they are constantly questioning Laurie about
Charles's most recent exploits. However, they do show concern that Charles may be a bad
influence on their son and fear that Laurie will pick up Charles's bad
habits.