I had the whole road to myself, for no one was yet stirring, and I walked on, with a slouching, dogged gait. The gray shooting-jacket was on my back, and from the end of my brother's rifle hung a small bundle of my clothes. My fingers worked moodily at the stock and trigger, and I thought that this indeed was the way to begin life, with a gun in your hand!
The narrator experiences a sense of solitude as he walks along an empty road early in the morning, feeling as if he has the world to himself. His demeanor is somewhat defeated, and he reflects on the weight of his brother's rifle at his side, symbolizing a significant start in his life. The gray shooting jacket adds to the picture of ruggedness as he grapples with the physical representation of his journey ahead.
His fingers absently play with the rifle, indicating both a connection to the tool of survival and a deeper contemplation of his existence. The narrative conveys a powerful message about embarking on life's journey armed with determination, represented by the gun. This combination of solitude and contemplation marks a pivotal moment in his transition to adulthood.
