As soon as you betray me , or lose your faith and fondness , I shall vanish , never to come back again , '' answered Lorelei . `` I promise : but wo n't people wonder who you are ? and , if they ask me , what shall I say ? '' said Fancy . `` Tell them you found me on the shore ; and leave the rest to me . But you must not expect other people to like and believe in me as you do . They will say hard things of me ; will blame you for loving me ; and try to part us . Can you bear this , and keep your promise faithfully ? '' `` I think I can . But why wo n't they like you ? '' said Fancy , looking troubled . `` Because they are not like you , dear , '' answered the mermaid , with salt tears in her soft eyes . `` They have not your power of seeing beauty in all things , of enjoying invisible delights , and living in a world of your own . Your Aunt Fiction will like me ; but your Uncle Fact wo n't . He will want to know all about me ; will think I 'm a little vagabond ; and want me to be sent away somewhere , to be made like other children . I shall keep out of his way as much as I can ; for I 'm afraid of him . '' `` I 'll take care of you , Lorelei dear ; and no one shall trouble you . I hear Miss Fairbairn calling ; so I must go . Give me your hand , and do n't be afraid . '' Hand in hand the two went toward the other children , who stopped digging , and stared at the new child .
Miss XXXXX , who was very wise and good , but rather prim , stared too , and said , with surprise : `` Why , my dear , where did you find that queer child ? ''
Fairbairn Lorelei digging faith one people promise rest shore things