six in the morning
The evening meal was spread by Mrs. Jebb herself , for their meagre stipend did not admit of a helper ; and Jim , with his hearty , rollicking ways , soon won his accustomed place , a high place in their hearts . That night he was invited to stay with them ; but it was understood that next day he would find permanent lodgings in the town . Not a complex task , since , to quote Mrs. Jebb , `` his hat covered his family , and three hundred a year simplified the number of rooms . '' Jim rose at six in the morning , lighted a fire in the kitchen stove -- for this is etiquette in the simple regions where servants are not and the guest is as a son -- and put on a full kettle of water . This also is etiquette ; it assumes that the family will not be up for some time . Had it been near the breakfast hour , but half a kettle would have been correct . Then he left the house , stick in hand , for a long walk .