she said , forgetting that , if she lost her faith , her friend was lost also . `` Ah ! then you have begun to come to your senses , have you ? and are ready to own that you do n't believe in mermaids and such rubbish ? '' cried Uncle Fact , stopping in his tramp up and down the room . `` Why , if you say there never were and never can be any , I suppose I must give up my fancy ; but I 'm sorry , '' sighed the child . `` That 's my sensible girl ! Now , think a minute , my dear , and you will also own that it is best to give up the child as well as the mermaid , '' said her uncle briskly . `` Oh ! no : we love one another ; and she is good , and I ca n't give her up , '' cried Fancy . `` Answer me a few questions ; and I 'll prove that she is n't good , that you do n't love her , and that you can give her up , '' said Uncle Fact , and numbered off the questions on his fingers as he spoke . `` Did n't Luly want you to deceive us , and every one else , about who she was ? '' `` Yes , sir . '' `` 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 XXXXX makes you do these wrong and ungrateful things , she is not a good child , nor a fit playmate for you ? ''
Fancy Luly father lessons mermaids minute people senses sir tales