six o'clock in the morning
Usually he sang or whistled as he dressed himself , and this was so much a habit of his nature that it passed without notice in his household . Once , indeed , his father had fretfully alluded to it , saying , `` Singing out of time is always singing out of tune , '' and Mrs. Hatton had promptly answered , `` Keep thyself to thyself , Stephen . Singing beats grumbling all to pieces . Give me the man who _ can _ sing at six o'clock in the morning . He is worth trusting and loving , I 'll warrant that . I wish thou would sing thyself . Happen it might sweeten thee a bit . ''