code: char[] getChars() {
      if (tc.isEntryEnabled())
        tc.entry(this,cclass, "getChars");
      char[] ans;
      if (prefixDone)
        ans = (char[]) pattern.getSuffix().items[next--];
      else
        ans = (char[]) pattern.getPrefix().items[next++];
      if (tc.isEntryEnabled())
        tc.exit(this,cclass, "getChars", new String(ans));
      return ans;
    }
docs: Get the characters and advance (assumes the pattern is in one of the CHARS states