The temperamental fact upon which the possibility of such a
philosophical cheerfulness is based is after all an ultimate
hopefulness. Some people have a remarkable staying power, a power
of looking through and over present troubles, and consoling
themselves with pleasant visions of futurity. This is commoner with
women than with men, because women derive a greater happiness from
the happiness of those about them than men do. A woman as a rule
would prefer that the people who surround her should be cheerful,
even if she were not cheerful herself; whereas a man is often not
ill-pleased that his moods should be felt by his circle, and
regards it as rather an insult that other people should be joyful
when he is ill-at-ease. Some people, too, have a stronger dramatic
sense than others, and take an artistic pleasure in playing a part.
I knew a man who was a great invalid and a frequent sufferer, who
took a great pleasure in appearing in public functions. He would
drag himself from his bed to make a public appearance of any kind.
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