noon
So it fared with these faithful servants in their trading ; and all the while they were cheerful and light-hearted , because they remembered constantly the love and kindness which their king had shewed to them ; and they rejoiced that they were able to serve him and to trade for him with his gifts . They thought also of the goodness of the king 's son towards them ; they remembered how he had sought them when they were prisoners in the dark dungeons of their tyrant enemy ; and they were full of joy when they thought that they should be able to offer to him the goodly pearl , and the other curious gifts , which they had bought . They thought of these things until they longed to hear the trumpet sound , which was to call them out of the town and gather them together for their journey home . When that trumpet might sound , they knew not ; but the sun was now passed its noon , and the town , which had been so quiet when they came in the early morning along its empty streets , was now full of noise , and bustle , and confusion , as great towns are wont to be , when all the multitude of sleepers awaken and pour out for pleasure , or business , or idleness , into the streets , and squares , and market-places . Heartily glad were they now that they had been so early at their traffic . Now the merchants had shut up all their richest stores ; and the markets were full of others who brought false pearls and mock diamonds , instead of the costly gems for which they had traded in the morning . There seemed to be hardly any true traders left .