124 ALONGSHORE '" 



Unlike patches on old garments, new pieces in old 

 nets invariably give way before the yarn around; 

 and that maybe is the reason why nets are mended 

 and have pieces let into them long after it would 

 be more profitable to sell them for strawberry beds 

 and buy new ones. To own a fleet of nets is 

 never to catch up with one's work; for they always 

 want something doing to them, and there is no better 

 instructor in the art of putting off till to-morrow 

 what can be done to-day. But in so far as a man 

 possesses a fleet, although he has lost his boats and 

 all his other gear, and has even become a laughing- 

 stock, he still, in virtue of his nets, commands a 

 certain amount of respect. 'Fine time for the 

 herrings, this; where's ol' Billy-Boy's fleet o' nets?' 

 some one will remark about Christmas. 



'Time he brought they out if he means to do 

 ort wi' 'em,' will probably be the reply, though 

 they have never been out this ten years. 



'G'out! the mice have eaten holes in they, I 

 reckon,' follows by way of practical comment. 



'A proper fleet o' nets, ol' Billy-Boy's!' sums 

 up the situation. 



Had I a fleet of my own, I could easily find a boat 

 to put them in, but if I had only the boat towards 

 it, I could scarcely expect to borrow a fleet of nets. 



