He had been for many years, a quiet silent man, associating but little with other men, and used to companionship with his own thoughts. He had never known before the strength of the want in his heart for the frequent recognition of a nod, a look, a word; or the immense amount of relief that had been poured into it by drops through such small means.

Summary

This quote highlights the lonely and introverted nature of a man who, for a long time, keeps to himself and doesn't engage much with others. It emphasizes his need for basic human connection and highlights the significance of even the smallest forms of acknowledgement or interaction. The quote suggests that these simple gestures from others have a profound impact on the man, symbolizing the relief and comfort he experiences when his isolated world is momentarily punctuated by human connection.

Topics