He dipped a goose quill and began to write, with quick, precise stokes. The alarm clock has ceased to function. Its gearwork seems broken, and it no longer responds to the key. Reason unknown. Rodolphe found his pocket watch, which hung by its gilded chain from the bedside watchstand. I have failed to rise at seven o’clock , he wrote. I have overslept an hour, and violated my daily schedule!