twelve o'clock
He hated the long chapel service on Sunday , the endless hymns and emotional exhortations ; the day concluding with family worship , which lasted three-quarters of an hour . The young fellow dreaded the Sabbath and rebelled against his gloomy , comfortable , middle-class home , where he had no individuality , no rights -- and no latch-key ! At last he broke loose -- the flesh and blood of twenty-two years old revolted . At twelve o'clock one night he found himself locked out and , as the first bold peal of the bell elicited no reply , he never again applied for admittance , but with four pounds in his pockets and a good saleable watch , launched his little skiff upon the great , wide world . Behold him now comfortably established in a foreign land , occupying a responsible position in a well-known firm , the husband of a clever , thrifty woman , who was actively engaged in building up his fortune . After an interval of some years , the Salters at home discovered that their prodigal had undoubtedly killed and thriven on his own fatted calf . The usual little bird had informed them that `` Abel was much thought of and prosperous ; had a grand home in Rangoon , dozens of servants , and was married . ''