Final answer:
Laurie's mother in 'Charles' can be characterized as caring and compassionate, as demonstrated by her attentive and empathetic reactions to her son's stories about school. Option number a is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the story Charles, Laurie's mother can be described as caring and compassionate. This is seen directly in the story when she shows genuine interest and concern for her son's experiences at school, and discusses his day-to-day interactions with empathy—even when he's telling her about Charles' misbehavior.
Her caring nature is evident indirectly as well, through her reactions and the way she engages with Laurie, which reflects a mother's affection and desire to understand her child's world. While she is not the main focus of Laurie's tall tales, her presence offers a contrast to the outrageous behavior of 'Charles,' highlighting her compassion in the face of her son's stories.