Then the waves all laughed, In their voices sweet; And the sea-birds looked, From their rocky seat, At the bubble gay, Who angrily cried, While its round cheek glowed With a foolish pride,-- "You _shall_ move for me; And you shall not mock At the words I say, You ugly, rough rock! "Be silent, wild birds! Why stare you so? Stop laughing, rude waves, And help me to go! "For I am the queen Of the ocean here, And this cruel stone Cannot make me fear." Dashing fiercely up, With a scornful word, Foolish bubble broke; But rock never stirred. Then said the sea-birds, Sitting in their nests, To the little ones Leaning on their breasts,-- "Be not like Bubble, Headstrong, rude, and vain, Seeking by violence Your object to gain; "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 home? I can see you sometimes; but we cannot be always together, and there is no ocean for you to enjoy in the city." "I shall bear it, if I can, for your sake; if I cannot, I shall come back here, and wait till you come again next year." "No, no! I will not be parted from you; and, if uncle takes you away, I'll come here, and be a mermaid with you," cried Fancy.