three o'clock in the afternoon before
And will you not forgive me if I have already lingered too long over the trials and triumphs of his friendless but heroic boyhood ! He who in his feeble childhood resists small temptations , and makes small sacrifices , is very apt in his strong manhood to conquer great difficulties and achieve great successes . Ishmael , with his book under his arm , went as fast as his exhausted frame would permit him on the road towards Baymouth . But as he was obliged to walk slowly and pause to rest frequently , he made but little progress , so that it was three o'clock in the afternoon before he reached Hamlin 's book shop . There was a customer present , and Ishmael had to wait until the man was served and had departed , before he could mention his own humble errand . This short interview Ishmael spent in taking the brown paper cover off his book , and looking fondly at the cherished volume . It was like taking a last leave of it .