He gave her a bright fake smile; so much of life was a putting off of unhappiness for another time. Nothing was ever lost by delay. He had a dim idea that perhaps if one delayed long enough, things were taken out of one's hands altogether by death.

Summary

This quote suggests that the individual in question is adept at concealing their true emotions behind a false appearance of happiness. They believe that often in life, we postpone dealing with unhappiness, assuming that it will be resolved or disappear naturally later on. This attitude stems partially from the notion that delaying action can lead to circumstances being erased by death. The quote highlights the protagonist's inclination to avoid confronting difficult feelings and challenges, opting instead for temporary relief or inaction.

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