noon
`` It 's a mighty lucky thing you told me that , now , or I never would have thought to bring you anything . You did n't know that I am a sort of birthday Santa Claus , did you ? Just look out for me next Saturday . If I 'm not there by breakfast-time , wait till noon , and if I do n't get there by that time it 'll be because something has happened ; anyway , somebody 'll be prancing along about sundown . '' `` Oh , come along , Raleigh , '' said Miss Sally Lou , moving off toward the house . `` You 're such a tease . '' John Jay , sitting beside that wonderful fountain and surrounded by so many strange , beautiful things , did not think it at all queer that such an unheard-of person as a birthday Santa Claus should suddenly step out from the midst of the enchantment and speak to him .