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“Well, I used to pick on him too,” Jacob admitted. “I remember I once told everyone that Larry still wore diapers. He had to show everyone his underpants to prove he didn’t.”
“That’s awful,” said his mother.
“I know,” said Jacob. “I still feel bad when I think about it.”
“So what happened to Larry?” asked his mother.
“Nothing. Everyone just kept on hating him, all through third grade. Then he moved away.”
“Maybe they liked him at his new school,” said Linzy.
“I hope so,” said Jacob.
“We could move!” suggested Marvin.
“You don’t solve problems by running away from them,” said his father.
“Then what should I do?” asked Marvin. “I can’t get into a fight with Clarence. He’d beat me up.”
“I can beat him up for you,” said Jacob.
“Okay,” said Marvin.
“No,” said their mother.
“Then what should Marvin do?” asked Jacob. “You two are supposed to be so smart.”
Marvin looked at his parents.
They just sat there. They were stumped.
But then someone came up with the answer.
It wasn’t his mother or father, or even Jacob.
It was Linzy.
And it wasn’t exactly an answer. It was a question.
8
“Why is it bad to pick your n
ose?” asked Linzy.
Marvin looked at his little sister. “It’s a disgusting and gross thing to do,” he said.
“Why?” asked Linzy.
“It just is,” said Marvin. He was in no mood for Linzy’s stupid questions. She could ask why a hundred times in a row.
“Why?” asked Linzy. “I pick my nose.”
“It’s okay when you’re four years old,” said Marvin. “It’s bad when you’re older.”
“Why?”
“ ’Cause it is!”
