It was his habit to recite sentences from _A Man of Influence_ when Mallinson was present, in a tone which never burlesqued but somehow belittled the work.

Mallinson was never able to take definite offence, but he was none the less invariably galled by it.
'As a matter of fact there is hardly a year to choose between the ages of Drake, Conway, and you, Mallinson, is there ?' asked Fielding.
Mallinson admitted that the statement was correct.
'He has lived a hard life, has anxieties enough now, I don't doubt.

You will find the explanation in that.

The only people who remain young nowadays are actors.

They keep the child in them.' The curtain went up as he spoke.