It never did any real business except upon one single occasion.

All the rest of its expensive career was frivolous and without purpose.

Just that one time it performed its duty, and its whole duty--gravely, seriously, admirably.

It let fly about two o'clock one black and dreary March morning, and I turned out promptly, because I knew that it was not fooling, this time.

The bath-room door was on my side of the bed.