Here the author wants to point out that life is useless without affection. He was depressed after a great loss in all fields of his life . His old school and his teachers were always in his mind . The fire has reduced his house to ashes. His cat was also not with him. In such circumstances he considered himself dead and had no interest in life.
In the end as the conditions took the turn he felt relieved . Now he had all the things with him . The author had not gone anywhere. It was his state of mind. He recovered from this gloomy state and started enjoying life when he got his cat back.

Meaning of "my cat was back and so was I"

The phrase "my cat was back and so was I" is a statement that signifies the return of both the cat and the author to their previous state or location. It suggests that both the cat and the author had been away or missing for a certain period of time, and now they have returned.

Had the author gone anywhere?

The text does not explicitly mention whether the author had gone anywhere. However, based on the context, it can be inferred that the author might have been away from home or separated from their cat for some time.

Why does he say that he is also back?

The author says that he is also back to indicate that he, just like his cat, has returned. This implies that the author and the cat were both absent or separated for a period of time, and now they are reunited or back together.

The phrase "my cat was back and so was I" conveys a sense of relief, happiness, and contentment. It suggests that the author finds comfort and a sense of belonging in the presence of their cat, and the return of both the cat and the author brings a feeling of completeness or wholeness.

The bond between humans and their pets, especially cats, can be strong and emotionally fulfilling. The author's statement reflects the significance of this bond and the joy that comes with being reunited with a beloved companion.

Summary:
- The phrase "my cat was back and so was I" signifies the return of both the cat and the author.
- It suggests that both the cat and the author had been away or separated for a certain period of time.
- The author's statement conveys a sense of relief, happiness, and contentment.
- It reflects the strong bond between humans and their pets, highlighting the joy of being reunited with a beloved companion.