noon
The sun was shining on the snow when the tailor got up and dressed , and came out into the street with Simpkin running before him . The starlings whistled on the chimney stacks , and the throstles and robins sang -- but they sang their own little noises , not the words they had sung in the night . `` Alack , '' said the tailor , `` I have my twist ; but no more strength -- nor time -- than will serve to make me one single button-hole ; for this is Christmas Day in the Morning ! The Mayor of Gloucester shall be married by noon -- and where is his cherry-coloured coat ? '' He unlocked the door of the little shop in Westgate Street , and Simpkin ran in , like a cat that expects something . But there was no one there ! Not even one little brown mouse !