`` Let us hear you sing , '' whispered his little niece ; and , in a voice as musical as the sound of ripples breaking on the shore , Lorelei sung a little song that made Fancy dance with delight , charmed Aunt Fiction , and softened Uncle Fact 's hard face in spite of himself . `` Very well , very well , indeed : you have a good voice . I 'll see that you have proper teaching ; and , by and by , you can get your living by giving singing-lessons , '' he said , turning over the leaves of his book , to look for the name of a skilful teacher ; for he had lists of every useful person , place , and thing under the sun . Lorelei laughed at the idea ; and Fancy thought singing for gold , not love , a hard way to get one 's living . Inquiries were made ; but nothing more was discovered , and neither of the children would speak : so the strange child lived with Fancy , and made her very happy . The other children did n't care much about her ; for with them she was shy and cold , because she knew , if the truth was told , they would not believe in her . Fancy had always played a good deal by herself , because she never found a mate to suit her ; now she had one , and they enjoyed each other very much . Lorelei taught her many things besides new games ; and Aunt Fiction was charmed with the pretty stories Fancy repeated to her , while Uncle Fact was astonished at the knowledge of marine plants and animals which she gained without any books . Lorelei taught her to swim , like a fish ; and the two played such wonderful pranks in the water that people used to come down to the beach when they bathed . In return , Fancy tried to teach her friend to read and write and sew ; but Lorelei could n't learn much , though she loved her little teacher dearly , and every evening sung her to sleep with beautiful lullabies . There was a great deal of talk about the curious stranger ; for her ways were odd , and no one knew what to make of her . She would eat nothing but fruit and shell-fish , and drink nothing but salt water . She did n't like tight clothes ; but would have run about in a loose , green robe , with bare feet and flying hair , if Uncle Fact would have allowed it . Morning , noon , and night , she plunged into the sea , -- no matter what the weather might be ; and she would sleep on no bed but one stuffed with dried sea-weed . She made lovely chains of shells ; found splendid bits of coral ; and dived where no one else dared , to bring up wonderful plants and mosses . People offered money for these things ; but she gave them all to Fancy and Aunt Fiction , of whom she was very fond . It was curious to see the sort of people who liked both Fancy and her friend , -- poets , artists ; delicate , thoughtful children ; and a few old people , who had kept their hearts young in spite of care and time and trouble . Dashing young gentlemen , fine young ladies , worldly-minded and money-loving men and women , and artificial , unchildlike children , the two friends avoided carefully ; and these persons either made fun of them , neglected them entirely , or seemed to be unconscious that they were alive . The others they knew at a glance ; for their faces warmed and brightened when the children came , they listened to their songs and stories , joined in their plays , and found rest and refreshment in their sweet society . `` This will do for a time ; as Fancy is getting strong , and not entirely wasting her days , thanks to me !
But our holiday is nearly over ; and , as soon as I XXXXX back to town , I 'll take that child to the Ragged Refuge , and see what they can make of her , '' said Uncle Fact , who was never quite satisfied about Lorelei ; because he could find out so little concerning her .
breaking dived get giving laughed neglected repeated speak wasting whispered