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happy, and couldn't tell why?"

"I was the greater fool!" said I

"For not knohy, Peter?"

"For thinking myself happy!"

"Peter, what is happiness?"

"An idea," said I, "possessed generally of fools!"

"And what is misery?"

"Misery is also an idea"

"Possessed only by the wise, Peter; surely he is wiser who

chooses happiness?"

"Neither happiness nor misery comes from choice"

"But--if one seeks happiness, Peter?"

"One will assuredly findmy hammer from its place abovethem deep into the heavy framework of

the door All at once I stopped, with my hammer poised, and,

for no reason in the world, looked back at Char me with eyes that were (if

it could well be) puzzled, wistful, shy, and glad at one and the

same time; eyes that veiled thelance, between their lashes, in which

were only joy and laughter

"Yes?" said I, answering the look But she only stooped her head

and went on sewing; yet the color was bright in her cheeks