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 ch