My father was at the door.

His face was clouded, and his hand trembled as he laid it on my shoulder, and said, "Charlie, will _nothing_ save you from ruin ?" "Ruin!" said I, in amazement; "what do you mean?
What makes you so late ?" "Late! it's not half-past yet; didn't you tell me half-past eleven was the time ?" "I did; and it is now just half-past twelve! The post you were to have had was filled half an hour ago by one of the other applicants." I staggered back in astonishment and horror.

Then _it_ flashed on me that I had dawdled away an hour without knowing it, and with it the finest opening I ever had in my life.
I must pass over the next two years, and come to the conclusion of my story.

During those two years I entered upon and left no less than three employments--each less advantageous than the former.

The end of that time found me a clerk in a bank in a country town.