Morgan Leaves Happy, 'Cleared' by Friend Nye

[GoodTaste]

The word "happy" here appears to act as an adverb "happily". I am not sure.

What is the difference in meaning between "leaves happy" and "leave happily"?

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Morgan Leaves Happy, 'Cleared' by Friend Nye

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5. -- J.P. Morgan, his big briar smoking like a small locomotive, and his face beaming good nature, "walked out" on the Senate munitions inquiry this afternoon by agreement.

Source: NYTimes

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Morgan was not happy when he arrived. But when he left, he was happy. So he left happy. He left in a state of happiness.

Nothing suggests that he left happily. That would mean he was glad to be leaving, that he was eager to leave. That's not what the writer meant.

Happy is an adjective describing how we feel generally.

Happily is an adverb describing how we feel about doing a particular thing.

Good question!