"Cease work, please, and hand in your papers." I declined Wilton's invitation to come and see his moth, and slunk to my room miserable and disgusted. Even now I do not like to recall the interval which elapsed between the examination and the declaration of the result. To Johnson, Wilton and Walker it was an interval of feverish suspense; to me it was one of stolid despair. I was ashamed to show my face among my schoolfellows; ashamed to write home; ashamed to look at a book. The nearer the day came the more wretched I grew; I positively became ill with misery, and begged to be allowed to go home without waiting for the result. I had a long interview with the doctor before I quitted Welford; but no good advice of his, no exhortations, could alter my despair. "My boyhood has been a failure," I said to him, "and I know my manhood will be one too." He only looked very sorrowful, and wrung my hand. The meeting with my parents was worst of all; but over that I draw a veil. For months nothing could rouse me from my unhappiness, and in indulging it I dawdled more than ever. My prospects of a college life were blighted, and I had not the energy to face business. But, as was always the case, I could not for long together stick to anything; and in due time I emerged from my wretchedness, an idle, dawdling youth, with no object in life, no talents to recommend me, nothing to do. It was deplorable, and my father was nearly heart-broken. Heroically he strove to rouse me to activity, to interest me in some pursuit. He did for me what I should have done for myself--sought occupation for me, and spent days and days in his efforts to get me settled in life. At last he succeeded in procuring a nomination to a somewhat lucrative government clerkship; and, for the first time since I left Welford, my father and mother and I were happy together. Despite all my demerits, I was now within reach of a position which many a youth of greater ability and steadier character might well have envied; and I believe I was really thankful at my good fortune. "I will go with you to-morrow," said my father, "when you have to appear before the head of the department." "All right," said I; "what time is it?" "Half-past eleven." "Well, I must meet you at the place, then, for I promised to see Evans early in the morning." "Better go to him to-day," said my mother; "it would be a thousand pities to be late to-morrow." "Oh, no fear of that," said I, laughing; "I've too good an eye to my own interests."