But--I was growing old, or wise, or both, or senile as an alternative.

When I was in company I was less pleased, less excited, with the things said and done.

Erstwhile worth-while fun and stunts seemed no longer worth while; and it was a torment to listen to the insipidities and stupidities of women, to the pompous, arrogant sayings of the little half-baked men.

It is the penalty one pays for reading the books too much, or for being oneself a fool.

In my case it does not matter which was my trouble.