"
Still following Mrs. Petulengro, we proceeded down the chancel and
along the aisle; notwithstanding the singing, I could distinctly
hear as we passed many a voice whispering, "Here come the gypsies!
here come the gypsies!" I felt rather embarrassed, with a somewhat
awkward doubt as to where we were to sit; none of the occupiers of
the pews, who appeared to consist almost entirely of farmers, with
their wives, sons, and daughters, opened a door to admit us. Mrs.
Petulengro, however, appeared to feel not the least embarrassment,
but tripped along the aisle with the greatest nonchalance. We
passed under the pulpit, in which stood the clergyman in his white
surplice, and reached the middle of the church, where we were
confronted by the sexton dressed in long blue coat, and holding in
his hand a wand. This functionary motioned towards the lower end
of the church, where were certain benches, partly occupied by poor
people and boys. Mrs. Petulengro, however, with a toss of her
head, directed her course to a magnificent pew, which was
unoccupied, which she opened and entered, followed closely by Tawno
Chikno, Mr. Petulengro, and myself. The sexton did not appear by
any means to approve of the arrangement, and as I stood next the
door, laid his finger on my arm, as if to intimate that myself and
companions must quit our aristocratical location.
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