“Mirth,” Dr. Tuttle said. “I like it better than joy. Happiness isn’t a word I like to use in here. It’s very arresting, happiness. You should know that I'm someone who appreciates the subtleties of human experience. Being well rested is a precondition, of course. Do you know what mirth means? M-I-R-T-H?"

"Yeah. Like The House of Mirth," I said.

"A sad story," said Dr. Tuttle.

"I haven't read it."

"Better you don't.”