`` No , she is n't ; for , if she 's kind to the girl , maybe she 'll get some of her pretty things , '' said the vain little girl . `` Keeping accounts is a very useful and important thing . I keep mine ; and mamma says I have great arth-met-i-cal talent , '' added the pale child , who studied too much . `` Come , children ; it 's time for dinner . Fancy , you can take the girl to the house ; and your uncle will do what he thinks best about letting you keep her , '' said Miss Fairbairn , piling them into the basket-wagon . Fancy kept Lorelei close beside her ; and as soon as they reached the great hotel , where they all were staying with mothers and fathers , uncles or aunts , she took her to kind Aunt Fiction , who was interested at once in the friendless child so mysteriously found . She was satisfied with the little she could discover , and promised to keep her , -- for a time , at least . `` We can imagine all kinds of romantic things about her ; and , by and by , some interesting story may be found out concerning her . I can make her useful in many ways ; and she shall stay . '' As Aunt Fiction laid her hand on the mermaid 's head , as if claiming her for her own , Uncle Fact came stalking in , with his note-book in his hand , and his spectacles on his nose . Now , though they were married , these two persons were very unlike . Aunt Fiction was a graceful , picturesque woman ; who told stories charmingly , wrote poetry and novels , was very much beloved by young folks , and was the friend of some of the most famous people in the world . Uncle Fact was a grim , grave , decided man ; whom it was impossible to bend or change . He was very useful to every one ; knew an immense deal ; and was always taking notes of things he saw and heard , to be put in a great encyclopædia he was making . He did n't like romance , loved the truth , and wanted to get to the bottom of every thing . He was always trying to make little Fancy more sober , well-behaved , and learned ; for she was a freakish , dreamy , yet very lovable and charming child . Aunt Fiction petted her to her heart 's content , and might have done her harm , if Uncle Fact had not had a hand in her education ; for the lessons of both were necessary to her , as to all of us . `` Well , well , well ! who is this ? '' he said briskly , as he turned his keen eyes and powerful glasses on the new comer .
Aunt Fiction XXXXX him all the children had said ; but he answered impatiently : `` Tut , tut !
Come added imagine letting like put said says thinks told