"You think the effect of troubles upon happiness is then optional!" - he said, with a humorous expression so cool and shrewd that I could not forbear laughing.
"I do not mean exactly that."
"Your words were well chosen to produce that impression."
"No, Dr. Sandford - yes, perhaps they were; - but the real truth is, that we may have a happiness that is beyond the reach of trouble. So much is optional."
"With Daisy Randolph," said the doctor. "For the rest of the world, a brown study will never be a golden reflection." He held out his hand as he spoke.
"But are you going?" I said; - "before my father and mother come home?"
"I will call before I leave Lucerne."
"How soon do you expect to do that?"
"Immediately, Daisy; to-morrow. I must hasten back to my post, you know; before there is another Bull Run, if possible. It is very good that you are out of the way of such things," he said, eyeing me earnestly. "The very mention of them - do you know what it does?"
"It gives me a great feeling of pain, I know," I said, trying to rally.