For even Gilchrist s rascals and losers have a generosity of spirit that makes their shortcomings seem trivial by comparison. Many of these stories are loosely linked, set in big Southern families with more than their fair share of valiant eccentrics and adventurers. When they do nothing, she goes to the man s home and shoots him dead. The racist who runs down Larkin s friend is as remote as lightning, fatal but faceless. The reason Gide could write that happiness was rare, of course, was that stories are a matter of conflict and dramatic struggle.
Happiness is a wordless, static thing, nearly impossible to capture.
The friend is ill and needs to have some serious medical tests done, but they gossip, share a sandwich and half die laughing, exchanging the secret Chi Omega handshake of their sorority days. Not a blessed thing happens, but the story reflects a nature of such gaiety and kindness that to read it is for a moment to be wise, and to feel a flood of joy at the goodness of life.