that smile had been there at the funeral of his grandfather , who he had idolized to such a degree that the family had fretted as much over his reaction as they had over the passing away of the old man ; it had been there whenever he attended other funerals in his capacity as an altar boy , and had been instrumental in his services later being restricted to nuptials and other more joyous occasions ; it had been there whenever there was an accident to be witnessed , in the playground or elsewhere , no matter how tragic .