and , alas , ive come to a melancholy conclusion : in this our time during which the bomb has been dropped and more bombs are standing ready to be let go and missiles are being launched day in and day out , im afraidi use the phrase as more than a verbal mannerismi havent been able to hit upon a jot of antique heroism or a tittle of lost generation almost heroism anywhere around my neck of the woods of the world to invest in you or any other character in my story .