Unsure about meaning of ending...

..in particular, when Smith has a disconsolate look on his face after dinner and says something along the lines of "yes, it's just like the first night I came here. Nothing has changed."

Is he feeling like the accomplishment of building the church isn't going to be enough to feed the need for dignity? Is it a social comment, that without education, he'll never achieve the really big things he dreams of? (Much like, as outsiders, the nuns weren't able to get large donations for their big dreams?) Or...simply a wake-up call to Smith that no matter what he's accomplished he still has no home, no roots or responsibilities in his life?

I kind of tend toward the last interpretation, but would be interested in hearing other opinions.