"But be like the rock,
Steadfast, true, and strong,
Yet cheerful and kind,
And firm against wrong.
"Heed, little birdlings,
And wiser you'll be
For the lesson learned
To-day by the sea."
"Well, to be sure, the song has got a moral, if that silly Fancy only sees it," said Uncle Fact, popping up his bald head again as the song ended.
"I thank you: that's a good little song for me. But, Lorelei, are you sorry you came to be my friend?" cried Fancy for, as she bent to lay the crown on the other's head, she saw that she was looking wistfully down into the water that kissed her feet.
"Not yet: while you love me, I am happy, and never regret that I ceased to be a mermaid for your sake," answered Lorelei, laying her soft cheek against her friend's.
"How happy I was the day my play-mermaid changed to a real one!" said Fancy. "I often want to tell people all about that wonderful thing, and let them know who you really are: then they'd love you as I do, instead of calling you a little vagabond."
"Few would believe our story; and those that did would wonder at me,—not love me as you do. They would put me in a cage, and make a show of me; and I should be so miserable I should die. So don'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
