Archie does not tell the boys how to solve their problem in Jerry Spinelli's Stargirl. Why not?

In chapter seven, Kevin and Leo go to see Archibald Hapwood Brubaker, a paleontologist who hosts a student club called the Loyal Order of the Stone Bone. Students of any age can go to his house and ask him questions. Kevin and Leo decide to ask him about Stargirl, whom, to their surprise, he already knows personally. The boys ask many questions about her and her parents. He says the following:

"She's homeschooled, you know. Her...

In chapter seven, Kevin and Leo go to see Archibald Hapwood Brubaker, a paleontologist who hosts a student club called the Loyal Order of the Stone Bone. Students of any age can go to his house and ask him questions. Kevin and Leo decide to ask him about Stargirl, whom, to their surprise, he already knows personally. The boys ask many questions about her and her parents. He says the following:

"She's homeschooled, you know. Her mother brought her to me. I guess she wanted a break from playing teacher. One day a week. Four, five--yes, five years now" (33).

The fact that Archie has known her for so long gives him the credibility the boys need to find out more about her. The big question on their minds is if they should interview her on the Hot Seat--a student spotlight-type show that they produce and air on local TV. Archie's response is "Work it out" (35), thus leaving the final decision to interview Stargirl up to the boys. But he doesn't make that his final answer to the boys, either. Although he is cryptic, he adds one more bit of advice to help the boys make up their minds and to understand Stargirl better:

"You'll know her more by your questions than by her answers. Keep looking at her long enough. One day you might see someone you know" (35).

One could say that Archie is encouraging the boys to interview Stargirl because they will understand her better if they do ask questions. Asking questions is the best way to gather information and educate oneself on any matter, which is also the scientific way. Maybe Archie does not tell the boys exactly what to do, though, because he understands that by them working it out for themselves, the questions and answers will be more authentic and mean more to them in the long run.