Ralph "was overcome with astonishment. He found himself understanding the wearisomeness of this life, where every path was an improvisation and a considerable part of one’s waking life was spent watching one’s feet." How is Ralph feeling and why?

Ralph is learning that being leader is not easy. Simply doing the right thing is not enough. He must constantly be on his toes playing politics. He must impress and spin his information. He must constantly be on guard from attacks on his leadership by improvising his plans at a moments notice. At eleven or twelve years old, Ralph is discovering what much older people feel. He finds that life is wearisome instead being care free: Ralph is no longer a child.