six o'clock
`` How can I help you ? '' said Jack , staring at the man . `` Well , you see , sir , it 's like this : I do n't get no chance to improve my mind . Up at six o'clock -- No , '' cried the man emphatically , `` I will speak the honest truth if I die for it ! It ai n't much before seven when I begin work , sir , for you see I have such a stiff beard , and it does grow so , I 'm obliged to shave reg ` lar . Well , say quarter to seven I begin , and it 's boots and shoes . When they 're done it 's hard work to get my knives done before breakfast .