They would put me in a cage , and make a show of me ; and I should be so miserable I should die . So do n't tell who I am , will you ? '' said Lorelei earnestly . `` Never , '' cried Fancy , clinging to her . `` But , my deary , what will you do when uncle sends you away from me , as he means to do as soon as we go home ? I can see you sometimes ; but we can not be always together , and there is no ocean for you to enjoy in the city . '' `` I shall bear it , if I can , for your sake ; if I can not , I shall come back here , and wait till you come again next year . '' `` No , no ! I will not be parted from you ; and , if uncle takes you away , I 'll come here , and be a mermaid with you , '' cried Fancy . The little friends threw their arms about each other , and were so full of their own feelings that they never saw Uncle Fact 's tall shadow flit across them , as he stole away over the soft sand . Poor old gentleman ! he was in a sad state of mind , and did n't know what to do ; for in all his long life he had never been so puzzled before . `` A mermaid indeed ! '' he muttered . `` I always thought that child was a fool , and now I 'm sure of it . She thinks she is a mermaid , and has made Fancy believe it . I 've told my wife a dozen times that she let Fancy read too many fairy tales and wonder-books . Her head is full of nonsense , and she is just ready to believe any ridiculous story that is told her . Now , what on earth shall I do ? If I put Luly in an asylum , Fancy will break her heart , and very likely they will both run away .
If I leave them together , XXXXX will soon make Fancy as crazy as she is herself , and I shall be mortified by having a niece who insists that her playmate is a mermaid .
Lorelei Luly city deary earth feelings flit show wonder-books year