nine o'clock
The first day being thus spent , and the bells put up again in their own place , the citizens of Paris , in acknowledgment of this courtesy , offered to maintain and feed his mare as long as he pleased , which Gargantua took in good part , and they sent her to graze in the forest of Biere . I think she is not there now . This done , he with all his heart submitted his study to the discretion of Ponocrates ; who for the beginning appointed that he should do as he was accustomed , to the end he might understand by what means , in so long time , his old masters had made him so sottish and ignorant . He disposed therefore of his time in such fashion , that ordinarily he did awake betwixt eight and nine o'clock , whether it was day or not , for so had his ancient governors ordained , alleging that which David saith , Vanum est vobis ante lucem surgere . Then did he tumble and toss , wag his legs , and wallow in the bed some time , the better to stir up and rouse his vital spirits , and apparelled himself according to the season : but willingly he would wear a great long gown of thick frieze , furred with fox-skins . Afterwards he combed his head with an Almain comb , which is the four fingers and the thumb . For his preceptor said that to comb himself otherwise , to wash and make himself neat , was to lose time in this world .