six o'clock in the morning
`` Well , young Ishmael , I do n't know ; when I mean well , my acts often work evil ; and sometimes I do n't even mean well ! But it was n't to talk of myself as I came here this morning ; but to talk to you . You see I promised to go over to Squire Hall 's and do several jobs for him to-morrow forenoon ; and to-morrow afternoon I have got to go to old Mr. Truman 's ; and to-morrow night I have to lead the exercises at the colored people 's missionary meeting at Colonel Mervin 's . And as all that will be a long day 's work I shall have to make a pretty early start in the morning ; and of course as I shall want you to go with me , I shall expect you to be at my house as early as six o'clock in the morning ! Can you do it ? '' `` Oh , yes , professor , '' answered Ishmael , so promptly and cheerfully that Morris laid his hand upon the boy 's head and smiled upon him as he said , addressing Hannah : `` I take great comfort in this boy , Miss Hannah ! I look upon him a ` most as my own son and the prop of my declining years ; and I hope to prepare him to succeed me in my business , when I know he will do honor to the profession .