ith the rest of the herring drifters, Yarmouth, Lowestoft, North
and South Shields, and Scotch.

{Strand Cottages, where Posh lived. No. 8, his cottage, is marked with a
white cross: p77.jpg}

"WOODBRIDGE, _Saturday_.

"DEAR POSH,

"I write you a line, because I suppose it possible that you may be at
home some time to-morrow. If you are not, no matter. I do not know
if I shall be at Lowestoft next week: but you are not to suppose that,
if I do do [_sic_] not go there just now I have anything to complain
of. I am not sure but that a Friend may come here to see me, and
also, unless the weather keep warmer than it was some days ago, I
scarce care to sleep in my cabin: which has no fire near it as yours
has.

"If I do not go to Lowestoft just yet, I shall be there before very
long: at my friend Miss Green's, if my Ship be laid up.

"I see in the Paper that there have been some 40 lasts of Herring
landed in your market during this last week: the Southwold Boats doing
best. I began to think the Cold might keep the Fish in deep water, so
that _swum_ nets would scarce reach them yet. But this is mere guess.
I told you not to answer all my letters: but you can write me a line
once a week to say what you are doing. I hope _our_ turn for
"Neighbour's fare" is not quite lost, though long a coming.

"Newson and Jack are gone home for Sunday. To-night is a grand
Horsemanship, to which I would make you go if you were here. Remember
me to all your People and believe me yours

"E. FG.

"I see that the . . . [illegible] vessel: and, as far as I see,
deserved to do so."

Miss Green was the landlady of the house at 12 Marine Terrace, Lowestoft,
where FitzGerald usually stayed when he did not sleep aboard the
_Scandal_.

Up to the date of the letter, and, indeed, throughout the season of 1867,
the _Meum and Tuum_ had bad luck. FitzGerald thought it was time that
the luck should change, for "Neighbour's fare" is defined in _Sea Words
and Phrases along the Suffolk Coast_ as "Doing as well as one's
neighbours. 'I mayn't make a fortune, but I look for "Neighbour's fare"
nevertheless.'"

CHAPTER VI
THE LUCK O' THE _MUM TUM_

"Neighbour's fare" was long in coming to FitzGerald in his venture as a
"herring merchant." But he was happy enough in the consciousness that he
was doing Posh a good turn. Whether or not Posh had a greater share