a quarter before nine
By eight o'clock the inhabitants of the village were assembled at points of vantage ; some openly at their doors ; others at the windows ; and groups from the more distant farms , decked suitably , stood at all corners ; to be greeted presently by their minister hurrying back once more from the church to bring the communion vessels and the bread and wine . The four or five soldiers of the village -- a couple of billmen and pikemen and a real gunner -- stood apart in an official group , but did not salute him . He did not speak of that which was in the minds of all , but he waved a hand to this man , bid a happy Easter to another , and disappeared within his lodgings leaving a wake of excitement behind him . By a quarter before nine the three bells had begun to jangle from the tower ; and the crowd had increased largely , when Mr. Barton once more passed to the church in the spring sunshine , followed by the more devout who wished to pray , and the more timid who feared a disturbance . For sentiments were not wholly on the squire 's side . There was first a number of Catholics , openly confessed or at least secretly Catholic , though these were not in full force since most were gone to Padley before dawn ; and there was next a certain sentiment abroad , even amongst those who conformed , in favour of tradition . That the squire of Matstead should be a Catholic was at least as fundamental an article of faith as that the minister should be a Protestant .