If the teacher reprimands the boy, the boy as certainly
discredits the teacher and all that she represents. If she cannot enjoy
such a wholesome story, he feels that her arithmetic, geography, and
grammar are responsible, and these studies decline somewhat in his
esteem. Moreover, he feels that the teacher's reprimand was unwarranted
and unjust and he fain would consort with people of his own kind. Many a
boy deserts school because the teacher is devoid of the saving grace of
humor. Her inability to see or have any fun in life makes him
uncomfortable and he seeks a more agreeable environment.
=Humor in its manifestations.=--A sense of humor diffuses itself through
all the activities of life, giving to them all a gentle quality that
eliminates asperities and renders them gracious and amiable. Like
fireflies that bespangle the darkness of the night, humor scintillates
through all life's phases and activities and causes the day to go more
pleasantly and effectively on. It twinkles through the thoughts and
gives to language a sparkle and a nicety that cause it to appeal to the
artistic sense. It gives to discourse a piquancy that stimulates but
does not irritate. It is the flavor that gives to speech its undulatory
quality, and redeems it from desert sameness. It pervades the motives
and gives direction as well as a pleasing fertility to all behavior. It
is pervasive without becoming obtrusive.
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