His eyes twinkled merrily, and my laugh answered their mirth.
"One can always laugh," said I with a shrug.
"It was invented for the world before the Fall, and they forgot to take it away afterward," he said. "But you? You take things seriously?"
"What I have to do, yes."
"But what you have to feel?"
"In truth I am not even there a consistent laugher."
"Nor I, or we shouldn't talk so much about it. Look at Varvilliers. Does he laugh on a theory?"
"He's coming to Artenberg to-day. There at least he'll laugh without any effort. Are you staying here long?"
"No, sire. One scene of despair, and I depart."
"I should like to see you oftener."