4:30 in the morning
He did not even aim at being better than others , though he did aim , daily , at being better than he was . In short , the lad , having been trained in ways of righteousness , and having the Word of God as his guide , advanced steadily and naturally along the narrow way that leads to life . Hence it came to pass in the course of time that he passed from the ranks of Out-door Boy Telegraph Messenger to that of Boy-Sorter , with a wage of twelve shillings a week , which was raised to eighteen shillings . His hours of attendance at the Circulation Department were from 4:30 in the morning till 9 ; and from 4:30 in the evening till 8 . These suited him well , for he had ever been fond of rising with the lark while at home , and had no objection to rise before the lark in London . The evening being free he devoted to study -- for Phil was one of that by no means small class of youths who , in default of a College education , do their best to train themselves , by the aid of books and the occasional help of clergymen , philanthropists , and evening classes . In all this Phil was greatly assisted by his sister May , who , although not much more highly educated than himself , was quick of perception , of an inquiring mind , and a sympathetic soul .