Answer:
What might explain the children's reactions to the marigolds is the children's lack of sense of beauty.
Step-by-step explanation:
For the children, in their innocence and lack of understanding, the marigolds did not fit Mrs. Lottie’s yard. Their instinct wanted to remove those flowers from there, because they didn't understand how something so beautiful could be in such a horrible place. Perhaps, in their perception of the world, being children, such a beautiful thing should only be surrounded by beautiful things. However, deep down, nobody dared to destroy the marigolds, so they just decided to make fun of Mrs. Lottie and throw stones at her house.