O God," he thought, "what a demanding job I've chosen! Day in, day out on the road. The stresses of trade are much greater than the work going on at head office, and, in addition to that, I have to deal with the problems of traveling, the worries about train connections, irregular bad food, temporary and constantly changing human relationships which never come from the heart. To hell with it all!
The protagonist reflects on the challenges and pressures of his demanding job, which involves constant travel. He feels overwhelmed by the stresses associated with trade, believing they exceed those of office work. The difficulties of being on the road include dealing with unreliable train schedules, poor food, and shallow interpersonal connections that lack depth and sincerity.
This contemplation leads him to a sense of frustration and resignation. He finds the transient nature of his work and relationships burdensome, expressing a desire to escape from these relentless pressures and the disappointments that come with them.
