twelve o'clock precisely
Do you suppose the dear Lord will let anything arise to prevent the joy He has planned for the morrow ? No , indeed . '' Nothing did arise . At twelve o'clock precisely , because that was the warmest , sunniest hour of the day , the big , big sleigh which had to be drawn by eight gray horses , it was so long and awkward , drew into place in Newspaper Square . There were other sleighs , too , and every one was heaped with robes and blankets ; so that the little half-clad youngsters who were to ride in them should be well protected from the cold . There were horns and trumpets -- `` What is a ride without a trumpet ? '' demanded reporter Graham , who provided the rackety things -- and bells and baskets of sandwiches , `` just to keep one contented till the great dinner came on . ''