six o'clock in the morning
As Young Jerry , thus encouraged , went on a few yards in advance , to plant the stool in the shadow of the Bar , Mr. Cruncher added to himself : `` Jerry , you honest tradesman , there 's hopes wot that boy will yet be a blessing to you , and a recompense to you for his mother ! '' XV . Knitting There had been earlier drinking than usual in the wine-shop of Monsieur Defarge . As early as six o'clock in the morning , sallow faces peeping through its barred windows had descried other faces within , bending over measures of wine . Monsieur Defarge sold a very thin wine at the best of times , but it would seem to have been an unusually thin wine that he sold at this time . A sour wine , moreover , or a souring , for its influence on the mood of those who drank it was to make them gloomy . No vivacious Bacchanalian flame leaped out of the pressed grape of Monsieur Defarge : but , a smouldering fire that burnt in the dark , lay hidden in the dregs of it .