{T}hat old September feeling, left over from school days, of summer passing, vacation nearly done, obligations gathering, books and football in the air ... Another fall, another turned page: there was something of jubilee in that annual autumnal beginning, as if last year's mistakes had been wiped clean by summer.
In the quoted passage, the author conveys a nostalgic sentiment associated with the arrival of September, reminiscent of school days and the transition from summer to fall. This shift brings with it a sense of obligation as vacations come to an end. The mention of books and football highlights traditional autumn activities, encapsulating the feeling of change and renewal.
Stegner reflects on the idea that each fall represents a fresh start, as if the errors of the previous year are washed away by the warmth of summer. This annual cycle is embraced with joy, suggesting that despite uncertainties, there is hope and a chance to begin anew with each autumn.