Between these two was an old and tried and enduring friendship, although David was ten years older than Eric, as the mere tale of years goes, and a hundred years older in knowledge of the struggles and difficulties of life which age a man far more quickly and effectually than the passing of time.

两人之间有着久经考验、历久不变的友谊；单论年岁，戴维比埃里克大十岁，但若论对人生艰难与奋斗的了解，却像大了一百岁，因为这些经历远比时间流逝更快、更深地使人老去。