six o'clock in the morning
A walk of a mile or two across the _ landes _ brought him into a green lane with tall wild hedges , full of enormous blackberries , behind which were the vineyards , rather weedy as to soil , but loaded with the small black and white grapes which made the good pure wine of the country . Angelot turned in and looked at the grapes and ate a few ; this was one of his father 's vineyards . The yellow grapes tasted of sunshine and the south . Angelot went on eating them all the way down the lane ; he was thirsty , in spite of Joubard 's sparkling wine , after tramping with dog and gun since six o'clock in the morning . The green lane led to another , very steep , rough , and stony . Corners of red and white rock stood out in it ; such a surface would have jolted a strong cart to pieces , but Les Chouettes had no better approach on this side . `` I want no fine ladies to visit me , '' Monsieur Joseph would say , with his sweet smile .