语法总结
宾语从句串联整场谈话
told me that..., said that..., told me I would receive... 都属于间接引语或宾语从句，让整篇像在复述老板说过的话。
相似句：
- She said that she was tired.
- He told me that the train would be late.
过去完成时表示谈话前已发生
After I had sat down, Twenty people had already left, my turn had come 都是在老板宣布结果之前已经成立的情况。
相似句：
- After he had locked the door, he left.
- They had finished the work before noon.
afford to do / such + 名词短语
could not afford to pay such large salaries 是整句重点。afford 后可接不定式；such 修饰的是 large salaries 这个名词短语。
相似句：
- We can't afford to waste time.
- It was such a good film that we watched it twice.
would 表过去将来
Mr. Harmsworth would see me 和 I would receive ... 都不是虚拟，而是站在过去时间点看“之后会发生”的事。
相似句：
- He said he would come the next day.
- I knew she would help me.