`` 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 get 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 . He was walking over the beach as he said this , after a hard day 's work on his encyclopædia . He sat down on a rock in a quiet place ; and , instead of enjoying the lovely sunset , he fell to studying the course of the clouds , the state of the tide , and the temperature of the air , till the sound of voices made him peep over the rock . Fancy and her friend were playing there , and the old gentleman waited to see what they were about . Both were sitting with their little bare feet in the water ; Lorelei was stringing pearls , and Fancy plaiting a crown of pretty green rushes . `` I wish I could go home , and get you a string of finer pearls than these , '' said Lorelei ; `` but it is too far away , and I can not swim now as I used to do . '' `` I must look into this . The girl evidently knows all about herself , and can tell , if she chooses , '' muttered Uncle Fact , getting rather excited over this discovery . `` Never mind the pearls : I 'd rather have you , dear , '' said Fancy lovingly . `` Tell me a story while we work , or sing me a song ; and I 'll give you my crown . '' `` I 'll sing you a little song that has got what your uncle calls a moral to it , '' said Lorelei , laughing mischievously . Then , in her breezy little voice , she sang the story of -- THE ROCK AND THE BUBBLE . Oh ! a bare , brown rock Stood up in the sea , The waves at its feet Dancing merrily . A little bubble Came sailing by , And thus to the rock Did it gayly cry , -- `` Ho ! clumsy brown stone , Quick , make way for me : I 'm the fairest thing That floats on the sea . `` See my rainbow-robe , See my crown of light , My glittering form , So airy and bright . `` O'er the waters blue , I 'm floating away , To dance by the shore With the foam and spray . `` Now , make way , make way ; For the waves are strong , And their rippling feet Bear me fast along . ''
But the great rock stood Straight up in the sea : It looked gravely down , And said pleasantly , -- `` Little friend , you must Go some other way ; For I have not stirred This many a long XXXXX .
Ho Lorelei Refuge day days encyclopædia feet girl rainbow-robe sea