If we had been companionable to ourselves we might have thought out the proper course while taking long walks in pursuit of physical development.

That would have been a _fine_ time in which to fight out the whole problem--the time when optimism and _the will to do_ are as natural as the laughter of a child, or the song of a bird.

That was the time when the world appeared roseate and beautiful, when success lay just beyond the turn of the road, when failure seemed something illusory and improbable.

Then was the time to jump in with both feet and _a big hearty laugh_ to solve the problem of what to do and how to go about it.

It is surprising how readily the world follows the individual with confidence.