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

<passage>:
to make two ounces of an isotope quite powerful—and quite deadly. I only hope whoever stole it knows what he’s doing. However, I’m scientist himself?” Eddie asked. “Let’s just say he—or both of them—have enough training in the subject to know how to handle that isotope safely,” Mr. Taylor said. “But, Dad,” Eddie wondered, “what could the dream, he added, “Oh, Dad, is it all right if I use the Geiger counter today?” Mr. Taylor opened the door. He was a big man, broad-shouldered and still thin-waisted. Eddie found it easy to believe the stories he “That’s entirely possible,” his father said. “In fact, it’s the only logical explanation I can last game of college football. “You may use the Geiger counter any time you want, Eddie,” Mr. Taylor said, “as long as you take good care of it. You figured out where think of. People simply don’t go around stealing surprised to see him. “Mother and I are just “Oh, I figured you’d be through by now,” “Hello, Eddie,” Mrs. Ross said, but she didn’t seem as cheerful as usual. “Good evening, Mrs. Ross,” Eddie said. “I—I hope I’m not making a pest of myself.” He looked around for Mr. Ross, but Teena’s Acme Aircraft yet. There wasn’t a place set for him at the table, either. “You’re never a pest, Eddie,” Mrs. Ross assured him. “I was going to call your mother in a little while about that newspaper write-up.” “I suppose your father is quite concerned “I’m not sure I know, either,” Mrs. Ross said. “Maybe we could understand more of “But, Mom—” 15 “No arguments, son,” his father put in calmly but firmly. “School vacation doesn’t mean that your chores around here are on vacation, too. Get at it right away, and you’ll still have time to hunt your uranium. “Well,” Mr. Taylor added, excusing himself from the table, “I’d better be getting over to school. I’m expecting to receive shipment “I’ll say,” Eddie agreed. “Of course, only The very word excited Eddie. In fact, anything excited him. He knew something about “I’ve heard of chain reactions,” Mrs. Ross asking that particular question was to keep my work is a little different, you know. At the speed atomic science is moving today, we simply can’t afford to waste time. But don’t eagerly. “Wouldn’t think of leaving it home,” his father said, smiling. “By the way, I put new “Well, they know just how to do it,” Eddie replied. “Aren’t the rays dangerous?” Mrs. Ross “I’ll say they’re dangerous,” Eddie said. had provided during the earlier hours. “Anything else, Mom?” he asked, returning door before his mother had much time to think of something more for him to do. “I guess not, dear,” Mrs. Taylor said, smiling over his hasty retreat. “What are you going to do?” tried to make it sound as though he would be doing Teena Ross a big favor. After all, “My, that’s interesting, Eddie,” Mrs. Ross “It’s hot,” Eddie said, “but not like if it Christina Ross—whom everybody called wouldn’t even know it for a while. It would be “So that’s what a radioisotope is,” Mrs. Ross “Well, I—I just happened to be going by,” counter. But maybe you’re too busy.” That’s how to handle it, Eddie thought. “Who, me?” “Why not? You’re in a hurry, aren’t you? I can make the sandwiches while you dry the silverware.” She smiled, putting tiny crinkles it?” Mrs. Ross said. “My goodness, it is a serious matter, isn’t “Hello, Eddie,” Mrs. Ross said, coming into work.” “She always does, Mrs. Ross,” Eddie said, pretending great injury. “Don’t know why I stoop to stealing isotopes more than likely would be interested in their ability to destroy because we’re friends, that’s why.” 21 Eddie knew she was right. They were rather than their ability to benefit mankind. keep coming over here.” “Well, I certainly do hope everything works “Oh, we’re glad you did, Eddie,” Mrs. Ross 43 “That’s right, Mrs. Ross,” Eddie agreed. manufacturing concerns. “Well, I’ll be glad to finish them, Eddie,” Mrs. Ross offered. “I know how boys detest doing dishes.” “Oh, I don’t really mind, Mrs. Ross,” Eddie well face it. My father says that in horse-and-buggy “People should talk more and read more about many people even bother to find out what an atom is.” Mrs. Ross smiled. “I guess you’re right, Eddie,” she said, “but I wouldn’t quite know find it if anyone can.” “I agree,” Mrs. Ross said. “But even if you don’t find it, you both seem to enjoy your hikes.” “Or greasing one,” Teena added. Eddie laughed. “I sure wouldn’t want the job of trying to feed a herd of them the size of how to go about feeding an atom.” “Three million billion is a lot of something,” “Oh, hello, Mr. Ross,” Eddie said, turning You know the rules.” “We sure do, Mrs. Ross,” Eddie assured counter. “And stick near the main roads. thin on top. He was usually quite cheerful and full of fun, but tonight his face seemed Mrs. Ross a kiss on the cheek. mother said. “Did you know there were three million billion of them in a period?” “How many in a comma?” Mr. Ross said to It wasn’t very funny. I—I’m afraid I don’t feel very funny tonight.” “Sit down, dear,” Mrs. Ross said. “I’ll warm your dinner. You didn’t sound very cheerful If there had been even the slightest doubt in Eddie’s mind about something being wrong, it vanished now. Mr. Taylor looked years older than he had that very morning. Worry lay deep in his eyes. He fumbled “Hello, son,” he said. He didn’t even ask “It shows that much, does it, son?” his father said tiredly. “Or can’t you tell me?” Mr. Taylor leaned back. “Quite a bit’s wrong, Eddie,” he said, “and I guess there’s no reason why I shouldn’t tell you. It’ll be in He took the newspaper to his father to read first. After having finished, Mr. Taylor handed 28 “They’ve got it pretty straight, at that,” Mr. Taylor said, “but I’m afraid this is going to stir up quite a bit of trouble.” “It wasn’t your fault, was it, Dad?” Eddie defended. “It was as much mine as anybody’s, son,” his father said. “Probably more so. After all, “Fifty pounds,” Eddie said thoughtfully. “That’s a pretty big thing to steal, isn’t it?” “Not much bigger than a two-quart and carefully carried out. It was not the work of amateurs.” paper, “how could anyone carry away something weighing fifty pounds without being noticed?” “That’s unlikely, son,” Mr. Taylor said. “Believe me, it was no common theft. Nor were the thieves ordinary thieves. That isotope in order to find out exactly how it could best be put to use as a cure for disease, or for sterilizing food, or even as a source of power.”

<question>:
What is the significance of describing Mr. Ross as a funny person?

<options>:
A It provides a stark contrast to the stressed Mr. Ross we meet in Chapter Two. It shows the reader that something has gone horribly wrong at Mr. Ross’s job.
B It demonstrates to the reader that Eddie will be able to get along with him, and therefore share what he knows about radiation.
C It throws Eddie off the scent of Mr. Ross being a culprit responsible for Mr. Taylor’s missing isotope.
D It provides a comparison to Mr. Taylor, who is more successful than Mr. Ross and therefore doesn’t have to rely on humor.

<answer>:

A