The protagonist reflects on a conversation with a friend who suggests he is being overly critical of himself due to the challenges of aging. Despite acknowledging the difficulties that come with getting older, he senses that his friend's perspective doesn’t encompass the full reality of his feelings. There’s a shared understanding that old age is not particularly favorable, but the exchange takes a stark turn as the friend remarks that aging ultimately doesn’t last long.

This comment sparks a discussion about the harsh truths of life, highlighting a certain coldness in his outlook. The protagonist finds this view uncomfortably blunt, and the conversation underscores a broader theme of the inevitability of aging and the human tendency to grapple with its implications. Thus, the dialogue reveals deep emotions surrounding the passage of time and the bittersweet nature of reflection on one's life.