five in the evening
As soon as Ishmael obeyed , Judge Merlin began to initiate him into his new duties , which , in fact , were so much of the same description with those in which he had been engaged at Tanglewood , that he very soon understood and entered upon them . The first few days of Ishmael 's sojourn were very busy ones . There was a great arrearage of correspondence ; and he worked diligently , day and night , until he had brought up all arrears to the current time . When this was done , and he had but two mails to attend to in one day , he found that five hours in the morning and five in the evening sufficed for the work , and left him ample leisure for the pursuit of his legal studies , and he devoted himself to them , both by diligent reading and by regular attendance upon the sessions of the circuit court , where he watched , listened , and took notes , comparing the latter with the readings . Of course he could not do all this without reducing his labors to a perfect system , and he could not constantly adhere to this system without practicing the severest self-denial . I tell you , young reader of this story , that in this republic there is no `` royal road '' to fame and honor . The way is open to each and all of you ; but it is steep and rugged , yes , and slippery ; and you must toil and sweat and watch if you would reach the summit .