Ceremonious greetings were exchanged with these.

The day was bright and the world all fair, but there could be no levity, no social small talk, while this grim business was on.

They reached the white house of worship, impressive under its heaven-pointing steeple, and passed within its portals, stepping softly to the accompaniment of those silken whisperings, with now and again the high squeak of new boots whose wearers, profaning the stillness, would appear self-conscious and annoyed, though as if silently protesting that they were blameless.
Thus began an hour of acute mental distress for the Wilbur twin.

He sat tightly between Mrs.Penniman and the judge.

There was no free movement possible.