It frightens him to think of her this way. It makes her seem, in terms of love, so vast. - John Updike

Each set of woes can be left behind in a folder in a drawer at the end of the day. Whereas in the outside world there is no end of obligation, no protection from the needs and grief of others.

Rabbit feels as if the human race is a vast colourful jostling bristling parade in which he is limping and falling behind.

[Judy, 8, is watching TV] He tells Judy, "Better pack it in, sweetie. Another big day tomorrow: we're going to go to the beach and sailing." But his voice comes out listless, and perhaps that is the saddest loss time brings, the lessening of excitement about anything.