six o'clock
The young painter looked round in some surprise at the sound of my footsteps , and touched his cap with a half-smile . ` It is a beautiful morning , ' I began nervously , for I wanted to make him speak . ` Have you been at work long ? ' ` Ever since six o'clock , ' he returned , and I think he was a little surprised at hearing himself addressed . ` We work early these light mornings . ' And then he took up his brush and went on painting . I watched him for a minute or two without a word .