eight o'clock
Every trolley , every suburban train , every jitney , was crammed with the pan-antis , clad in white , carrying the buttons , ribbons and banners that had been prepared for this great occasion . DOWN WITH GOOSEBERRIES , THE NEW MENACE ! was the terrifying legend printed on these emblems . The Boulevard had been roped off by the police by eight o'clock , and the pavements were swarming with citizens , many of whom had camped there all night in order to witness this tremendous spectacle . As the sun surged pitilessly higher , the temperature became painful . The asphalt streets grew soft under the twingeing feet of the Pan-Antis , and waves of heat radiation shimmered along the vista of the magnificent highway . To keep themselves cheerful the legions of Chuff sang their new Gooseberry Anthem , written by Miss Theodolinda Chuff -LRB- the Bishop 's daughter -RRB- to the air of `` Marching Through Georgia . ''