“Why not? You’ll encounter there a few wild fanatics. I’ll trust your hard common sense to guard you against their proselytizing. You’ll also meet a much larger number of sweet, gentle, and cheerful people, with a sweet, helpful, and cheerful philosophy of life. That’ll help to cure you.”
“And what will they cure me of, since you say I have no disease?”
“They’ll cure you of turning your mouth down at the corners instead of up.”
At this, the mouth referred to did, indeed, turn up at the corners, but in no very pleasant wise.
“You think they’ll amuse me?” she inquired contemptuously.
“Oh, as for amusement, I’ve arranged for that. You’re bored. Very well, I expected it. It’s a symptom, and a good one, in its place. I’ll get you a job.”
“Indeed! And if I don’t want a job?”
“No matter what you want. You need it.”
“Settlement work, I suppose.”
“Nothing so mild. Garbage inspection.”