six o'clock
If so , being of a frugal mind , he would not run in his new shoes , but in his old boots . Now , his old boots were in the cupboard under the staircase by the front door . And the reader understands at last why it is I have taken so much trouble to describe Master Simson 's movements on this particular morning . It was so rare an event for any boy to be up at six o'clock on a winter morning in Railsford 's , that no one had ever thought about making a rule to prevent the early birds leaving the house at that hour , if they could succeed in getting out . Simson , who had interest with the cook , believed he could get an _ exeat _ through the kitchen window ; meanwhile he must get his boots . He armed himself with a match -- the last one in the box -- and quietly felt his way along the corridor and down the stairs . There was a glimmer of light from under the maids ' door as he passed , which told him they were up and that he would not have long to wait downstairs .