In spite of his pity for the real suffering displayed in her eyes , he could not help feeling amused over the absurd idea of this beautiful girl believing herself in all seriousness to be ugly . `` But , Kilmeny , do you think yourself ugly when you look in a mirror ? '' he asked smiling . `` I have never looked in a mirror , '' she wrote . `` I never knew there was such a thing until after mother died , and I read about it in a book . Then I asked Aunt Janet and she said mother had broken all the looking glasses in the house when I was a baby . But I have seen my face reflected in the spoons , and in a little silver sugar bowl Aunt Janet has . And it IS ugly -- very ugly . '' Eric 's face went down into the grass . For his life he could not help laughing ; and for his life he would not let Kilmeny see him laughing . A certain little whimsical wish took possession of him and he did not hasten to tell her the truth , as had been his first impulse . Instead , when he dared to look up he said slowly , `` I do n't think you are ugly , Kilmeny . '' `` Oh , but I am sure you must , '' she wrote protestingly . `` Even Neil does . He tells me I am kind and nice , but one day I asked him if he thought me very ugly , and he looked away and would not speak , so I knew what he thought about it , too . Do not let us speak of this again . It makes me feel sorry and spoils everything . I forget it at other times . Let me play you some good-bye music , and do not feel vexed because I would not take your book . It would only make me unhappy to read it . ''
`` I am not vexed , '' said Eric , `` and I think you will take it some day yet -- after I have shown you something I want you XXXXX see .
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