What does Mr. Avery say makes the seasons change?

In chapter 8 it says that according to Mr. Avery, it was "written in the Rosetta Stone that when children disobeyed their parents, smoked cigarettes and made war on each other, the seasons would change."  That was his way of blaming the "uncontrollable" aspects of life on kids.  This tells the reader that Mr. Avery was a cranky, old, cynical man.  His character is supported throughout the novel with similar situations.