It was akin to growing up, somehow, his own sphere of concern, of places, of people, of...

It was akin to growing up, somehow, his own sphere of concern, of places, of people, of responsibility entirely separate from that of everyone else; his own world which only he could sustain, with aims only he could pursue, only he could fulfill, and enemies which he must face, and face alone. He was no stronger for this, though, no more confident, no more the man. In fact, he sensed that he was more childish than ever for suffering this dread, because it drove him to distraction, drove him s...