Nelly had gone as far as Uncle Reuben’s house to watch for the “Sea-Gull.” She had not long to wait before she caught sight of the little vessel skimming over the waters before a light nor’-westerly breeze. It was the morning of the eighth of May, when the annual festival of the Flurry was to be held at Helston.
Although Nelly did not wish to take part in the sports carried on there, still she had no objection to see what was going forward, and perhaps Michael, contrary to his custom, would be willing to accompany her and her granny.
“He so seldom takes a holiday; but for this once he may be tempted to go and see the fun,” she thought.
The “Sea-Gull” drew near, and Nelly knew her appearance too well to have any doubt about her, even when she was a long way off.
She now hurried home to tell Dame Lanreath, that they might be ready at the landing-place to receive their portion of the vessel’s cargo.
The vessel was soon moored alongside the quay, when the creels were quickly filled with fish.
“If you will come with us to Helston, Michael, I will wait for you. Granny will go on ahead and we can soon overtake her. Though you have lived so near you have never seen a Flurry dance, and on this bright morning there will sure to be a good gathering.”
“I care little for seeing fine folks dressed up in gay flowers and white dresses, and dancing and jigging, especially as neither you nor I can take a part in the fun,” answered Michael. “I should like the walk well enough with you, Nelly, but a number of congers and dog-fish got foul of our nets and made some ugly holes in them, which will take us all day to mend; it is a wonder they did not do more mischief. So, as I always put business before pleasure, you see, Nelly, I must not go, however much I might wish it.”
Nelly thought that David and others might mend the nets; but Michael said that he and all hands were required to do the work, and that if he did not stop and set a good example the others might be idle, and when he got back in the evening it might not be done. So Nelly, very unwillingly, was obliged to give up her scheme of inducing Michael to take a holiday, and accompanied her granny as usual.
Having left Michael’s breakfast ready on the table, they set off. The dame trudged along, staff in hand; her step was as firm as it had been ten years before, though her body was slightly bent. Nelly walked by her side, as she had done year after year, but she now bore her burden with greater ease; and with her upright figure, and her cheeks blooming with health, the two together presented a perfect picture of a fish-wife and fish-girl.