You see," said Father Brown, blinking modestly, "I'm not sure that the Armstrong cheerfulness is so very cheerful-for other people. You say that nobody could kill such a happy old man, but I'm not sure; ne nos inducas in tentationem. If ever I murdered somebody," he added quite simply, "I dare say it might be an Optimist." "Why?" cried Merton amused. "Do you think people dislike cheerfulness?" "People like frequent laughter," answered Father Brown, "but I don't think they like a permanent smile. Cheerfulness without humour is a very trying thing.
