Because of the mother's lack of affection and the judgments made by everybody around her, the child is in opposition to everybody. Her misdemeanors may be partly the expression of her inner revolt.

His dumb face made me believe him. I told him if he saw anything unusual to come and tell me. Sure, Mr Damon, he whimpered. Sure, Mr Damon...I could have knocked out his laughing-gear.

Questioning the decision would definitely open a can of worms.

Historians in centuries hence will wonder if the thylacine was an actual animal of flesh and blood or a pantheon of thylacinamorphic deities.