three o'clock
In the cheerful and enlivening company of an alarum clock , Jake retired to his couch , which consisted of a flax-stuffed mattress resting on a wooden bedstead , and there he quickly buried himself in a weird tangle of dirty blankets , and went to sleep . At the conclusion of three brief hours , which to the heavy sleeper appeared as so many minutes , the strident alarum woke the apprentice to the stress of life . By the light of a tallow candle he huddled on his clothes , and entered the goldsmith 's chamber . `` Now , then , boss , three o'clock ! Up you git ! '' Benjamin rubbed his eyes , sat up in bed , and yawned . '' `` Tis the voice of the sluggard , I heard him complain : You 've waked me too soon -- I must slumber again . '