This simple line expresses the fact that although the Negro balcony where Scout, Dill and Jem were seated before briefly leaving the courtroom was very crowded, Reverend Sykes the kindly cleric of the Negro church had saved the children’s seats. This was not only because of their age and personal connection with the trial but also because of their skin colour. Although many people up on the balcony were equally in need of a place to sit during the lengthy trial the children’s places had been saved in a sign of the respect the society at that time expected Negros to give to white people.