five o'clock in the morning
This is what I do ; and though I suppose I have been as respectable as most people , I find cold shivers running down my back when I remember some things , and the blushes of a girl of sixteen mounting to my wrinkled forehead , when I think of others . On the whole , the silly things are the worst . I think at the Judgment Day I would rather answer up to my sins than my sillinesses -- especially if my relatives were waiting round . The only way I can turn my thoughts out of the uncomfortable reminiscent channel which they make for themselves at five o'clock in the morning , is to think as hard as I can about somebody else . Lately , I do n't find this so difficult ; for our household here at Nepaug includes some interesting people , and , moreover , some very queer things have happened lately , I thank Heaven , I have none of Dr. Cricket 's curiosity ; but I should be ashamed if I were so indifferent to those about me as not to take an interest in their concerns . This interest has led me of late to ponder on recent events , and speculate as to their causes . When I asked some very simple and natural questions of Winifred Anstice , she snapped at me like a snapping-turtle ; but I did not discontinue my investigation on that account .