eight o'clock
He that lies in bed gives a daily opportunity to his servants , if he has any to serve him , to do mischief before he is up , and she that rises with the sun and goes straight forward , like an arrow in its course , in the path of her duties , shall find fewer thorns and more roses in that path , than those who indulge in ease . Through divine mercy , '' continued the old man , `` our own exertions are not needed for the assurance of our salvation , but sloth and carelessness tend to penury and misery , in this present life ; and there is no sloth more ruinous to health and property than that of wasting the precious morning hours in bed . '' Tamar was not deaf to the pleadings of Shanty ; she began immediately to rise with the first crowing of the cock , and thus obtained so much time for her business , that she could then afford herself some for reading . Mrs. Margaret took also to rise early , so that instead of breakfasting as formerly at eight o'clock , the family took that meal at seven ; but the Laird often managed to have such bright and valuable thoughts just at breakfast time , that for the sake of posterity , as he was wont to say , he could by no means endanger the loss of them by suffering such a common place interruption as that of breakfast , such an every day and vulgar concern . On these occasions Tamar always took in his coffee and toast , and set it before him , and she generally had the pleasure of finding that he took what she brought him , though he seldom appeared to be aware either of her entrance or her exit , Mrs. Margaret invariably exclaiming when Tamar reported her reception in the study , `` Lord help him ! see what it is to be a genius ! '' In the meantime , the moat around Dymock 's Tower was repaired and filled up , or was fast filling up ; the draw-bridge was in its place , and the gates and walls restored ; and as the neighbours said , the Tower wanted nothing but men and provisions to enable it to stand a siege .