In paragraph 5, White says that "no years" seemed to have gone by between past and present; elsewhere, he senses that things are different. How do you account for these conflicting feelings?

being surrounded by crimes, poverty, and failing schools as well as his own lack of confidence in his abilities.

"the tune the he might never know again." this part build anticipation. dexter got extremely happy by the piano tune. he could see what he was living at that moment in his life throught this feeling. the reader might want to learn more about his happy life. in fact, he called it a state of   'ecstasy'. the fact that he had got in a mood of intense appreciation and that everything about him was extremely bright and glamorous might lead the reader to feel that this state of happiness may not last long. the two parts from the excerpt that exemplify the anticipation are: " the sound of the "; " it was a know again."