`` Do n't you like to be with her better than with your aunt or myself ? '' `` Yes , sir . '' `` Had n't you rather hear her songs and stories than learn your lessons ? '' `` Yes , sir . '' `` Is n't it wrong to deceive people , to love strangers more than those who are a father and mother to you , and to like silly tales better than useful lessons ? '' `` Yes , sir . '' `` Very well . Then , do n't you see , that , if Luly makes you do these wrong and ungrateful things , she is not a good child , nor a fit playmate for you ? '' 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 XXXXX seemed like a naughty , selfish child , who deceived her , and made her do wrong things .
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