It's all Stephen thinking at himself, berating himself, frustrated that -- even though he knew all of these things about weakness, and what's more, knew how they applied to himself -- that knowledge never made him sympathetic to his character.

Stephen demanded to go home in the middle of the work day, before the shows had been broadcast. And "Jon" not only helped him go, but went with him, risking that they would both miss their shows before he even knew if it would help.

I can clarify both of these things in the text; I'll go do that.