People were flocking to the green, laughing, chattering, and questioning.

Blushing girls were being led along by their ardent swains; some were protesting, others laughing.
Cuthbert could not make out what it was all about, and presently asked a countryman why the folks were all in such a coil.
"Why?
because the priest has come, and all who will may be wed by him.

He comes like this every May Day, and he stands in the church porch, and he weds all who come to him for a silver sixpence, and asks no questions.

Half our folks are so wed year by year, for there be no priest or parson here this many years, not since the last one was hunted to death by good Queen Bess--Heaven rest her soul! The church is well nigh falling to pieces as it stands; but the porch is the best part of it, and the priest who comes says it is consecrated ground, and so he can use it for his weddings.

That is what the coil is about, young sir.