She is afraid it will make you vain . '' Kilmeny gave one of her rare , musical laughs , which Eric never heard without a recurrence of the old wonder that she could laugh so when she could not speak . She blew an airy little kiss at her mirrored face and turned from it , smiling happily . On their way to the orchard they met Neil . He went by them with an averted face , but Kilmeny shivered and involuntarily drew nearer to Eric . `` I do n't understand Neil at all now , '' she wrote nervously . `` He is not nice , as he used to be , and sometimes he will not answer when I speak to him . And he looks so strangely at me , too . Besides , he is surly and impertinent to Uncle and Aunt . '' `` Do n't mind Neil , '' said Eric lightly . `` He is probably sulky because of some things I said to him when I found he had spied on us . '' That night before she went up stairs Kilmeny stole into the parlour for another glimpse of herself in that wonderful mirror by the light of a dim little candle she carried . She was still lingering there dreamily when Aunt Janet 's grim face appeared in the shadows of the doorway . `` Are you thinking about your own good looks , lassie ? Ay , but remember that handsome is as handsome does , '' she said , with grudging admiration -- for the girl with her flushed cheeks and shining eyes was something that even dour Janet Gordon could not look upon unmoved . Kilmeny smiled softly . `` I 'll try to remember , '' she wrote , `` but oh , Aunt Janet , I am so glad I am not ugly . It is not wrong to be glad of that , is it ? '' The older woman 's face softened . `` No , I do n't suppose it is , lassie , '' she conceded .
`` A comely face is something to be thankful XXXXX -- as none know better than those who have never possessed it .
Besides about as by for from into of upon without