Why does Equality say "We are old now, yet we were young this morning"?

Equality has changed profoundly over the course of one day. When the day began, he was excited and proud of the glass box he carried to the House of the Scholars. He had hope that the box would change his assignment.... change his life. He believed the Council would applaud and embrace his discovery. By the end of the day, all of his hopes were dashed.... the young man felt old and defeated.

We are old now, yet we were young this morning, when we carried our glass box through the streets of the City to the Home of the Scholars.