nine o'clock
My dear fellow , I pity you from the bottom of my soul . '' The beds consisted of a thick layer of hopvine , on the top of which was a coating of straw , and this was covered with a blanket . After a day in the open air , with the aromatic scent of the hops all round them , the happy pickers slept like tops . By nine o'clock all was quiet in the meadow and everyone in bed but one or two men who still lingered in the public-house and would not come back till it was closed at ten . Athelny walked there with Philip . But before he went Mrs. Athelny said to him : `` We breakfast about a quarter to six , but I daresay you wo n't want to get up as early as that . You see , we have to set to work at six . ''