We're living as if we were in mourning for a lost paradise, he thought. As if we longed for the car thieves and safecrackers of the old days, who doffed their caps and behaved like gentlemen when we came to take them in. But those days have irretrievably vanished, and it's questionable whether they were ever as idyllic as we remember them.
The protagonist reflects on a sense of nostalgia for a past that seems lost, likening the current situation to mourning a paradise that no longer exists. He yearns for the days when criminals, like car thieves and safecrackers, adhered to a sort of code of conduct, presenting themselves with a semblance of honor even when apprehended. This evokes a longing for a world that appears more civilized and respectful than today's chaotic reality.
However, the character acknowledges that these memories may be idealized. The supposed gentility of past criminals could simply be a myth, as the true nature of those times might not have been as idyllic as he remembers. This reflection highlights a common tendency to romanticize the past while failing to recognize its complexities and flaws.
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