swelled with importance.

"You, reverend sir, I will admit, such being my duty. But this
gentleman is no preacher; I may not allow him to pass."

"You mistake, friend," said my companion gravely. "This
gentleman, my worthy colleague, has but just come from the island
of St. Brandon, where he preaches on the witches' Sabbath: hence
the disorder of his apparel. His admittance be on my head:
wherefore let us by."

"None to enter at the west door save Councilors, commander, and
ministers. Any attempting to force an entrance to be arrested and
laid by the heels if they be of the generality, or, if they be of
quality, to be duly fined and debarred from the purchase of any
maid whatsoever," chanted the sexton.

"Then, in God's name, let's on!" I exclaimed "Here, try this!" and I
drew from my purse, which was something of the leanest, a
shilling.

"Try this," quoth Master Jeremy Sparrow, and knocked the sexton
down.

We left the fellow sprawling in the doorway, sputtering threats to
the air without, but with one covetous hand clutching at the
shilling which I threw behind me, and entered the church, which
we found yet empty, though through the open great door we heard
the drum beat loudly and a deepening sound of footsteps.