It is misery, you know, unspeakable misery for the man who lives alone and who detests sordid, casual affairs; not old enough to do without women, but not young enough to be able to go and look for one without shame!

Summary

This quote reflects the agony of a man who despises shallow relationships but feels trapped between the desire for companionship and societal expectations. He agonizes over his age, where he still yearns for female companionship but feels too old to pursue it without embarrassment. The quote speaks to the deep dissatisfaction and loneliness that arises from not being able to find meaningful connections while being trapped in a state of emotional limbo.

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