He took the time by the sundial on the wall, it being a summer morning; in winter he was guided by the position of the stars, and often, when sun or stars were obscured, went by guess.

The house horn was blown thrice a day; at six in the morning, as a signal that the day had begun, at noon as a signal for dinner, at six in the afternoon as a signal that the day (except in harvest-time) was over.

The watchmen went their round about the enclosure all night long, relieved every three hours, armed with spears, and attended by mastiffs.

By day one sufficed, and his station was then usually (though not always) on the highest part of the roof.
The horn re-awoke Felix; it was the note by which he had been accustomed to rise for years.

He threw open the oaken shutters, and the sunlight and the fresh breeze of the May morning came freely into the room.