You are to consider that a certain melancholy and often a certain irascibility accompany advancing age: indeed it might be said that advancing age equals ill-temper. On reaching the middle years a man perceives that he is no longer able to do certain things, that what looks he may have had are deserting him, that he has a ponderous great belly, and that however much he may yet burn he is no longer attractive to women; and he rebels. Fortitude, resignation and philosophy are of more value than any pills, red, white or blue.

Touch and away, Jack?’ asked Stephen. ‘Touch and away? Do you not recall that I have important business there? Enquiries of the very first interest?’ To do with our enterprise? To do with this voyage?’ Perhaps not quite directly.

We understood one another better before ever I opened my mouth

Stephen had spared no expense in making himself more unhappy, his own position as a rejected lover clearer.

... it has always seemed to me that books are the supreme decorations of a room

Jack, you've debauched my sloth.

It is a great while since I felt the grind of bone under my saw,' he added, smiling with anticipation.