I think it means his friends attitude to him did not change despite travels or duties.

He and the Sheriff and I suppose Anton are Cormac’s real world answer to the Hollywood cowboy.

It got kids reading again. It rose because of that vaccuum. Also it used the world of the boarding school that most young readers had no idea about.

Raymond Chandler, Elizabeth Strout, Alice Monroe

For background you might watch an old movie called Vera Cruz

No - it is just grim advice in a difficult time. You must know your evil enemy in order to defeat him.

All You Zombies