Ralph Henry Barbour

“ A dawdler, yes; harlequin if you like; but for the rest—my dear, I take things so seriously that I can afford to laugh! It is not I who make a joke of life, but those who go about with sorry faces; for they pretend that existence is mean and paltry, a thing to be endured instead of enjoyed. They make of it a tawdry and somber tragedy, with here and there a grudging smile by way of 'comic relief.' I see life as a pleasant comedy, an idyllic farce, if you like, a thing of dancing and singing, of smiles and laughter, with the 'sunshine screen' over every light and the orchestra always playing. ”

“ Life isn't a farce, and there are far more tears than laughter.”
“Only because there are more weepers than laughers. Why not be a laugher? You say life isn't a farce, but it is, a joyous, merry, whimsical farce. ”

“ She made no answer. “Suppose, Miss Vernon, we sponge out last week and go back to where we were before.”
“I fear I don't remember just where that was,” she said uninterestedly.
“We were well along on a very pleasant friendship,” he replied. “Let us go back there. Shall we?”
“If you like.”
“You are not enthusiastic,” he said, with a smile. “I had dared to hope that you had missed my—nonsense a little.”
“Isn't nonsense something one can do fairly well without?”
“Bless you, no! It's one of the most indispensable things.” ”