The club's long stagnation was plain from its dust. (stagnation: inactivity, stasis, standstill) A sense of deprivation had replaced the excitement of its founding. (deprivation: privation, lack, want) One discontented member had taken to writing "Nobody comes" in the visitors' book. (discontented: dissatisfied, disgruntled, unhappy) His discontent was the only evidence that anybody did. (discontent: dissatisfaction, discontentment, unhappiness)
A former resident wanted to rejuvenate the room. (rejuvenate: revitalize, refresh, renew) Her offer met with disdain from the old chairman, a famously morose recluse with a reputation as a misanthrope. (disdain: contempt, scorn, disrespect; morose: sullen, gloomy, dour; recluse: hermit, solitary, withdrawn person; misanthrope: humanity-hater, people-hater, distruster of people) He was less uninterested than afraid: another failed reopening would confirm his disenchantment. (uninterested: indifferent, unconcerned, apathetic; disenchantment: disillusionment, disappointment, loss of faith) She asked only for the key.
The first night brought three people and a box of maps. The second brought seven and a kettle. By autumn the club's unlikely renaissance had given the chairman a new task. (renaissance: rebirth, revival, renewal) He opened the door at six, pretending to complain about all the company.