Would you believe it ? -- it took me half an hour to decide which hat to wear when I was coming here -- HERE , to a graveyard ! At first I inclined to my brown one with the feather ; but as soon as I put it on I thought this pink one with the floppy brim would be more becoming . When I got IT pinned in place I liked the brown one better . At last I put them close together on the bed , shut my eyes , and jabbed with a hat pin . The pin speared the pink one , so I put it on . It is becoming , is n't it ? Tell me , what do you think of my looks ? '' At this naive demand , made in a perfectly serious tone , Priscilla laughed again . But Anne said , impulsively squeezing Philippa 's hand , `` We thought this morning that you were the prettiest girl we saw at Redmond . '' Philippa 's crooked mouth flashed into a bewitching , crooked smile over very white little teeth . `` I thought that myself , '' was her next astounding statement , `` but I wanted some one else 's opinion to bolster mine up . I ca n't decide even on my own appearance . Just as soon as I 've decided that I 'm pretty I begin to feel miserably that I 'm not . Besides , have a horrible old great-aunt who is always saying to me , with a mournful sigh , ` You were such a pretty baby . It 's strange how children change when they grow up . ' I adore aunts , but I detest great-aunts . Please tell me quite often that I am pretty , if you do n't mind . I feel so much more comfortable when I can believe I 'm pretty . And I 'll be just as obliging to you if you want me to -- I CAN be , with a clear conscience . ''
`` Thanks , '' laughed XXXXX , `` but Priscilla and I are so firmly convinced of our own good looks that we do n't need any assurance about them , so you need n't trouble . ''
Anne Philippa Priscilla Redmond first girl great-aunt great-aunts hour looks