The character is experiencing a reflective and melancholic state as the cooler autumn days set in. The familiar scent of coalsmoke fills the air, prompting deep thoughts about the past. This sensory trigger leads him to reminisce about lost times and the years that have gone by, evoking mixed feelings.
These memories are tinged with bitterness, suggesting that his past experiences are not fondly remembered but rather provoke a sense of sorrow or regret. The arrival of fall seems to amplify his nostalgia, highlighting a connection between changing seasons and his emotional state.