Here the author wants to point out that life without affection is useless. He was depressed after a great loss in all fields. His old school and teachers were always in his mind. The fire had reduced his house to ashes. His cat was also not with him. In such circumstances he considered himself dead and had no interest in life. In the end as soon as the situation changed he felt relieved. Now he had all the things with him. The author had not gone anywhere. It was his state of mind. He recovered from his gloomy state and started enjoying life when he got his cat back.