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Holden feels depressed because he does not want to believe that his best days are already behind him. He struggles with the idea that his youth is slipping away and worries about his future happiness. The old man's words serve as a reminder of the fleeting nature of youth and innocence.

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Q: Why did it depress Holden when an old guy told him that his days at Pencey were the happiest days of his life?
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