You used to want them all." Alexander's chair creaked.

"I still want a good many," he said rather gloomily.

"After all, life doesn't offer a man much.

You work like the devil and think you're getting on, and suddenly you discover that you've only been getting yourself tied up.

A million details drink you dry.
Your life keeps going for things you don't want, and all the while you are being built alive into a social structure you don't care a rap about.