The newspaper was dull.

He could look forward to no pleasure in his day's work; and what was the matter with the sun that morning?
As he walked down to the office he noted no cloud in the sky, but the brightness was gone from the day.

He sat down to his desk and attacked his work, but "copy" would not come.

The sporting editor and his inane jokes harassed him beyond expression.

Just the sight of the clipping editor's back was an irritation.