Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Every writer must seek his own Flowery Kingdom in imagination's wide demesne, and if that search can begin and end on Earth his problem has been greatly simplified. In post-war Japan Walt Sheldon has found not only serenity, but complete freedom to write undisturbed about the things he treasures most. A one-time Air Force officer, he has turned to fantasy in his lighter moments, to bring us such brightly sparkling little gems as this. houlihan's The working model and the fact quick eyes and clever fingers could that the small people with their of the old things every day, and truly that went far to take the clutter out of my mind. I was no longer nuclear propulsion center—a cool, green spot, with the leaves all telling each other to hush, be quiet, and the soft breeze stirring them up so lonely that I couldn't think properly. a secluded little green sanctuary just over the hill from Mr. Riordan's again. I had known precisely such noises. It was in a park near the farm when I was a boy. "Thank you, Mr. Houlihan," said work out an equation to give the "Mr. Houlihan," said Keech, upon another world perchance, you'll find our friendship always eager and ready." "And now, Mr. Houlihan," said bargain." "I'll not be needing the gold," I proportional to the square root of the pressure-head driving it. now, do you hear, for Mr. Houlihan—friend and structure— Oh, there is so word for it that without this equation—correctly stated, mind you—mankind would be well advised not had not been a specialist in my field I would hardly have found myself engaged in vital research at the center. first it might be children at play, but then at the time I was a bit absent-minded. I tiptoed to the edge of the trees, not wanting to deprive any small scalawags of their pleasure, his working model. It would go down in scientific literature now, I suppose, as Houlihan's in the glade with Keech and discharge, which I never could have do without Keech's pot of gold, though it would have been pleasant to be truly rich for a change. There was no sense in cheating him out of the gold to boot, for leprechauns are most clever in matters of this sort and he would have had it back soon enough—or else the air with his arms and piping: "Over here, now! All right, bring those electrical connections over also to the advantage of humankind, and when a man can do the first and include the second as a fortunate byproduct become convinced they could never this world, as long as it lasts—what would it be in that event? I ask you now, wouldn't we be even "Come along now, people!" said this crotchety one, looking straight at me. "Stop starin' and get to work! You'll not be needin' to mind that man standin' there! You know he can't see nor hear us!" over five feet in height. more likely to blow ourselves to Kingdom Come without the little people here Oh, it was good to hear the rich with us! He's a believer! Run everybody—run for your lives!" behind the trees and bushes, and a sloping embankment nearby. "No, wait!" I said. "Don't go away! I'll not be hurting you!" They continued to scurry. course. I'd be entitled to it if I could catch one and keep him. Or so the legends affirmed, though I've wondered tongue. I was lonely here in America, even if I had latched on to a fine job of work for almost shamefully generous pay. You see, in a place as full of science as the nuclear propulsion center there is not much time for the old things. I very much wanted to talk to the little people. I walked over to the center of the glade where the curious shiny object was standing. It was as stepped back from the spaceship and looked about the glade. I knew they were all hiding nearby, watching Houlihan of the Roscommon Houlihans. father used to say! Come on out now, and pass the time o' day!" answer. The little people always had been shy. Yet without reaching against a blank wall. Simply because I was so lonely that my mind had become clogged. to think the problem through to a satisfactory conclusion. So I stepped back to the tiny don't show yourselves and come out and talk to me, I'll wreck this spaceship from stem to stern!" suddenly appeared. The leader—he seemed more wizened and bent than before—approached me slowly and warily as I stood there. The others all followed "And mine's Houlihan, as I've "Mr. Houlihan," said Keech, drawing a kind of peppered dignity up about himself, "in such matters I am never fully convinced. After living for many centuries I am all too acutely aware of the perversity of human nature." quickly see, all I want to do is talk." I nodded as I spoke, and sat down cross-legged upon the grass. Houlihan." "And often that's all he wants," I said. "Sit down with me now, and standing. "Have your say, Mr. Houlihan. And afterward we'll appreciate it if you'll go away and leave us to our work." "Well, now, your work," I said, and glanced at the spaceship. "That's exactly what's got me curious." The others had edged in a bit now and were standing in a circle, group of little people be building a spaceship here in America—out in so often, though not as frequently as it did a century ago. But knowing does astonish center. Since it's no secret I can advise you of it." "A scientist, is it," said Keech. we prefer poets to scientists. But it has just now crossed my mind, Mr. Houlihan that you, being a scientist, inclined," said Keech. "Their major passions are music and laughter and mischief, as anyone knows." "Myself included," I agreed. Or let me put it this way. We feel the world isn't long for itself." "It's very simple. With all the now. We've spied upon you and learned how to do it. Well—almost how to do it. We haven't learned yet how to control the power—" "Hold on, now," I said. "Leaving the planet, you say. And where would you be going?" "There's another committee working on that. 'Tis not our concern. of things." "You mean you've been spying on us at the center all this time? Do you know, we often had the feeling There's one thing which puzzles me, though. If you've been constantly around us—and I'm still able to see the little people—why know—'tis a thing of the mind, and not important at the moment. What's important is for us to get "You're determined to go." "Truly we are, Mr. Houlihan. Now—to business. Just during these last few minutes a certain matter has crossed my mind. That's why I'm wastin' all this time with "The power control, Mr. Houlihan. As I understand it, 'tis necessary out exactly as it does on paper." "You're referring to the necessity not with humor, "the avarice of humans! I knew it! Well, Mr. Houlihan, I'll give you reason enough. The pot o' gold, Mr. Houlihan!" done so quickly without those sessions apart, and were deep in argument about the whole project. It was a most fascinating session. I had often wished for a true working model at the center, but no allowance had been inserted in the was comfortable enough. Every once in a while someone from the town or the center itself would pass by, and stop to watch me. But of course they wouldn't see the leprechauns or anything the leprechauns had made, not being believers. I would halt work, pass the time of day, and then, in subtle fashion,

<question>:
What helps Houlihan to focus more intently on his own problem?

<options>:
A collaborating with the leprechauns, who speak his same language
B imagining the pot of gold that awaits him if he is able to solve the equation
C being outdoors, where his creativity is stimulated
D venturing outside of the Center, where he is not worried about competition among colleagues

<answer>:

A