`` Well , well , well ! who is this ? '' he said briskly , as he turned his keen eyes and powerful glasses on the new comer . Aunt Fiction told him all the children had said ; but he answered impatiently : `` Tut , tut ! my dear : I want the facts of the case . You are apt to exaggerate ; and Fancy is not to be relied on . If the child is n't a fool , she must know more about herself than she pretends . Now , answer truly , Luly , where did you come from ? '' But the little mermaid only shook her head , and answered as before , `` Fancy found me on the beach , and wants me to stay with her . I 'll do her no harm : please , let me stay . '' `` She has evidently been washed ashore from some wreck , and has forgotten all about herself . Her wonderful beauty , her accent , and these ornaments show that she is some foreign child , '' said Aunt Fiction , pointing to the earrings . `` Nonsense ! my dear : those are white pebbles , not pearls ; and , if you examine them , you will find that those bracelets are the ones you gave Fancy as a reward for so well remembering the facts I told her about coral , '' said the uncle , who had turned Lorelei round and round , pinched her cheek , felt her hair , and examined her frock through the glasses which nothing escaped . `` She may stay , and be my little playmate , may n't she ? I 'll take care of her ; and we shall be very happy together , '' cried Fancy eagerly . `` One ca n't be sure of that till one has tried . You say you will take care of her : have you got any money to pay her board , and buy her clothes ? '' asked her uncle . `` No ; but I thought you 'd help me , '' answered Fancy wistfully .
`` Never say you 'll do a thing till you are sure you can , '' XXXXX Uncle Fact , as he took notes of the affair , thinking they might be useful by and by .
asked felt found gave got pay said say told washed