Lightheartedness

Throughout the book, there are characters whose lighthearted disregard for convention and even fidelity to truth-telling is portrayed as a tremendous strength, even earning the way for the happiness of the characters possessing those qualities, as if it was the key to their very survival. The most developed case-in-point can be found in the final book of the anthology, "Quick Service" and the character of Joss Weatherby. From his employment under two very difficult, stern and temperamental men to his approach to wooing the girl he loved, his unflappable cheeriness and determination that life remain something fun and flexible is the guiding force for his actions, and the thing that allows him to find gainful employment and, ultimately, love.

Other excellent demonstrations of lighthearted abandonment of social convention and fidelity are made by Pongo's Uncle Fred Ickenham in the final book of the first section, entitled, "Uncle Fred...