, and celebrated in the district as the mother of
an unfortunate son, a fine, promising young sailor, who, having been
convicted of robbery some years ago, and served a long sentence in Lewes
gaol, had never been heard of since, unless his mother was in his
confidence.

A great gossip was Dame Hursey; she always knew all that went on in the
neighbourhood, for she led a wandering, restless life, never at home
except at night, sticking and wool-gathering in the autumn and winter,
haymaking and gleaning in the summer, gossiping, whenever she had a
chance, at all seasons. If anyone were likely to know anything about
this strange baby, always supposing the fairies had had nothing to do
with it, it was Dame Hursey, and the shepherd, being relieved of any
further anxiety about the sheep, walked with her and told her the story.

John Shelley was neither a quick-witted nor an observant man, except
with regard to the weather, every sign of which he took in, or he would
have noticed that Dame Hursey started perceptibly when he told her the
time he found the baby, and that a glance of quick intelligence shot
into her bright eyes as she heard the story; but when he had finished
she gave it as her firm opinion that the "Pharisees," and no one else,
must have brought the child, and she urged John on no account to part
with it, as there was no telling what revenge the fairies might take if
their wishes were set aside. And the old wool-gatherer proceeded to tell
such wonderful stories of the terrible vengeance wrought by these
mysterious little beings on people who had despised their gifts, that
the shepherd was glad to put an end to such unpleasant suggestions by
walking off at a rapid pace to his unshorn sheep.

"It is strange, very strange, that I should have met my George the very
same night, coming from Shelley's place too. He has had something to do
with this baby as sure as wool is wool. I'll go round by Mrs. Shelley's
and have a look at this wonderful child; perhaps I may find out
something. I doubt it will be a bad thing for George if he is found out
this time, if, as I suspect, he knows a deal more about it than we do,
and he was up to no good last night or he would not have made me swear
not to say I had seen him as he did. Well, the child is safe enough with
the Shelleys, and I'll do my best to frighten them into keeping it,"
muttered Dame Hursey to herself, as she bent her steps towards the
shepherd's house.

(_To be co