eleven o'clock
Here is a lump of sugar to begin our friendship with , or do you prefer tobacco ? '' said the clown . `` He seems like a nice man , '' thought Billy , `` but I never thought to see the day when I would march in a procession with a monkey on my back and a clown at my side , and I do n't know whether I will allow him to ride or not , but I guess I will behave for awhile and see what life is like under a circus tent . '' The next day dawned bright and fair and there was great commotion throughout the circus , getting ready for the eleven o'clock procession that was to march through the streets . Early in the morning , Billy was led into the sawdust ring , and a peculiar saddle like a little platform was strapped to his back . This the monkey was to dance on , dressed as a ballet girl , with yellow , spangled skirts , a satin bodice and a blue cap with a feather in it on his head . When Billy first saw the monkey in this dress walking on his hind legs toward him to get on his back , he had a good mind to toss him up to the top of the tent , he felt so disgusted ; but his curiosity got the better of him and he decided to wait and see what they expected him to do next .