The narrator reflects on the strength of their established habits, comparing themselves to an uninhabited house with only a dim light suggesting life within. To an outsider, this appearance may indicate emptiness, yet the narrator insists that there is a purposeful effort occurring inside. This dedication to work keeps them alive, contrasting with the bleak alternatives of assisted living or death.
The essence of their existence lies in the consistency of routine and the cyclical nature of life. The narrator suggests that evil lurks in disruption and uncertainty, which can undermine the stability provided by their habits. Thus, their work and routine become a source of resilience and vitality, countering the forces that threaten to disrupt their inner peace.