Fancy did n't answer ; for she could n't feel that it was so , though he made it seem so . When Uncle Fact talked in that way , she always got confused and gave up ; for she did n't know how to argue . He was right in a certain way ; but she felt as if she was right also in another way , though she could not prove it : so she hung her head , and let her tears drop on the carpet one by one . Uncle Fact did n't mean to be unkind , but he did mean to have his own way ; and , when he saw the little girl 's sad face , he took her on his knee , and said , more mildly : `` Do you remember the story about the German Lorelei , who sung so sweetly , and lured people to death in the Rhine ? '' `` Yes , uncle ; and I like it , '' answered Fancy , looking up . `` Well , my dear , your Lorelei will lead you into trouble , if you follow her . Suppose she is what you think her , -- a mermaid : it is her delight to draw people into the water , where , of course , they drown . If she is what I think her , -- a sly , bad child , who sees that you are very simple , and who means to get taken care of without doing any thing useful , -- she will spoil you in a worse way than if you followed her into the sea . I 've got no little daughter of my own , and I want to keep you as safe and happy as if you were mine . I do n't like this girl , and I want you to give her up for my sake . Will you , Fancy ? '' While her uncle said these things , all the beauty seemed to fall away from her friend , all the sweetness from their love , and all her faith in the little dream which had made her so happy . Mermaids became treacherous , unlovely , unreal creatures ; and Lorelei seemed like a naughty , selfish child , who deceived her , and made her do wrong things . Her uncle had been very kind to her all her life ; and she loved him , was grateful , and wanted to show that she was , by pleasing him . But her heart clung to the friend she had made , trusted , and loved ; and it seemed impossible to give up the shadow , even though the substance was gone . She put her hands before her face for a moment ; then laid her arms about the old man 's neck , and whispered , with a little sob : `` I 'll give her up ; but you 'll be kind to her , because I was fond of her once . '' As the last word left Fancy 's lips , a long , sad cry sounded through the room ; Lorelei sprung in , gave her one kiss , and was seen to run swiftly toward the beach , wringing her hands . Fancy flew after ; but , when she reached the shore , there was nothing to be seen but the scattered pebbles , shells , and weeds that made the mock mermaid , floating away on a receding wave . `` Do you believe now ? '' cried Fancy , weeping bitterly , as she pointed to the wreck of her friend , and turned reproachfully toward Uncle Fact , who had followed in great astonishment .
The old gentleman looked well about him ; then shook his head , and XXXXX decidedly : `` No , my dear , I do n't .
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